When one thinks of struggling or ‘irrelevant’ clubs in the AFL one typically jumps straight to North Melbourne or Port Adelaide. These two clubs played off on the weekend for the title of worst performing established club (the Gold Coast hardly counts in this article despite being all but guaranteed the wooden spoon).
The match appeared a burden to the reporters and media types who seemed forced to dissect and promote it.
Both clubs with proud histories and supporters find themselves battling to get attention and respect both on field and off, but unfortunately for both their real problems lie in the later.
The AFL’s draft system means a club can realistically expect to rise up the ladder after years on the bottom. The argument of ‘Tanking’ aside, a clubs best option is often to wait out the hard years and let young kids blossom. Unfortunately, while your bank account dwindles, this wait can sometimes be agonizingly long, even a gamble.
North Melbourne have done exceedingly well over the last few seasons to shake the battler title, and remodel themselves as a young and up and coming list.
But if you believe that, you’ll also believe that Gary Ablett wasn’t guaranteed the Suns captaincy.
While they deliberately fight for this new persona, their obscurities in the big league and money issues are still troublesome. Seemingly constant talk of relocation and playing in new markets don’t help with the idea of North being in trouble, but these could realistically be their best option for survival.
The unpopular view on Melbourne based clubs is, simply, there are too many. Exploiting a new market in say Ballarat could be the best way for North to get new fans which simply don’t exist in the crowded Melbourne market.
Port Adelaide’s problems are, while similar, far more urgent. Like North, Port have put on a brave face and done well in merging with the Port Adelaide Magpies to reunite themselves with their heritage and provide a crucial safety net- the SANFL will not allow the country’s most successful football club to fold and the Power with it.
However the Power’s immediate debt problems, compiled by poor membership, crowd numbers and the worst stadium deal in the AFL, are too pressing to ignore – and a move to Adelaide Oval, which might not occur for another 4-5 years, if at all, is not going to help the club short term.
Ultimately, on field success is the only answer for both clubs, and the tough times will end for both, but steps must be taken now to ensure this.
One has already been mentioned early in this article and at nausea in the press – the exploitation of new markets. North can do a lot worse then attract new fans from Ballarat, and Port Adelaide’s move into the Northern Territory should be more aggressive, with 4-5 games a year, not three.
Not good for fans here, but the club needs to grow, and the fishbowl that is Adelaide is not going to provide this opportunity.
One certainty in this argument is that the AFL cannot be expected to help these clubs. Their minds are clear set on getting Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants premierships and suring up the new markets, not propping up old ones.
Fitzroy are the prime example of the AFL putting profit ahead of passion. As a business, they cannot be expected to give up growth in new markets, and struggling clubs should take a leaf out of Melbourne’s book and be aggressive and innovative in ensuring their survival, taking on the responsibility.
Tough times will end fortunately, but tough decisions are needed now for success long term, and new markets could be the answer for both Port and North.
JamesP
Guest
If it works for the MCG it can work for the Adelaide Oval.
JamesP
Guest
the 2 qld teams are currrently holdign up the foot of the ladder. Combined you have almost 34k. Lions have never had that membership alone Wait a couple more years.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
As long as the competition wants Melbourne to sustain 10 (well, 9 really) clubs, then it will do so. The question is, does the AFL want North Melbourne want to stay in Melbourne? If the answer is no, or don't care, then North will probably eventually relocate. They are really the only Melbourne club who would possibly relocate. Hawthorn is doing extremely well, while Richmond has traditionally been one of the Big Four clubs (along with Essendon, Collingwood and Carlton.) That said, you're probably right that Melbourne 'can’t sustain 10 clubs effectively into the indefinite future. “Effectively” being the operative word here.' 'And I’m happy to be convinced yet again, that the AFL has enough talent, as I’ve been previously told, to easily fill 18 clubs…..' I'm not convinced either. I fear that the talent could be spread too thin. BTW, 'However, South Melbourne to Sydney & Fitzroy to Brisbane were able to successfully make the transition, although not without a great deal of angst. The colours & nicknames of these once proud Melbourne clubs have been preserved, albeit in different locations.' Not Fitzroy, they are dead. The Brisbane Lions is just the Brisbane Bears, albeit with a new nickname. South Melbourne is the only club to have relocated. There is a romantic myth that Fitzroy relocated to Brisbane, and they merged with the Brisbane Bears to create a new club, however that is all it is; a myth. As someone who is friends with several former Fitzroy supporters (so I don't say this out of pleasure); I will simply say that Fitzroy died in 1996, and the Brisbane of today is the Brisbane of 1987, just like the Essendon of today is the Essendon of 1987.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
"Ultimately, on field success is the only answer for both clubs, and the tough times will end for both, but steps must be taken now to ensure this." The problem is that North was one of the two most successful clubs of the 90's, on field, yet they were constantly faced with relocation, while Port was among the most successful clubs, on field, of the 2000's. On field success won't do it. The great news, however, is the redevelopment will go ahead! :D
The man who shot Osama
Guest
Great for AFL footy, not so sure about cricket. A bit of a disaster really. Drop it pitches plus a massive monolith stands instead of trees, hills etc..
slickwilly
Guest
great result - not overly enamoured with the proposed design (admittedly they're artist drawings but still) - seem to recall liberal opposition had proposed an indoor stadium along with a new hospital in roughly the same area - did that idea ever gain traction
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
its truer than you know. Every weekend the entire cbd will benefit from the crowds walking across the torrens to the cafes and things. The torrens precinct will get an overhaul, and the casino a remodel. Literally everything has hinged on this vote.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
approved by 80% tonight. So now they've decided they CAN do something. Wont be holding my breath for 2014 lol. Too much else can go wrong to delay this.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Adelaide media reporting on it: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/voting-for-adelaide-oval-redevelopmenybegins/story-e6frea83-1226048665555 This is a big story for Sth Australia. A great result for Adelaide - you won't know your city after this.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Kate Ellis MP has just tweeted: "A great result for Football in SA”. I'd go further, a great result for SA. "
The Cattery
Roar Guru
LATEST NEWS The SACA vote has gone through. The $500+mill project will go ahead to transform Adelaide Oval. Footy coming to the city of Adelaide in 2014, in brand new stadium. Port will do very well out of it.
sheek
Guest
I thought I would engage in some humbug, purely for the heck of it. Let's say two Melbourne clubs have to relocate, we won't worry where for the moment. So let's work it through in an odd sort of way. Melbourne can't go, because they're well.....Melbourne. You can't have a national comp without a Melbourne. And they're the Demons, which means the St.Kilda Saints can't go either. The Demons & Saints compliment each other, if you know what I mean. Footscray can't go, because they're the only western Melbourne club. And they're the Bulldogs, which means Geelong Cats are safe, as they always were, being the large regional town on the edge of metro Melbourne. Besides, Cats & Dogs compliment each other, again if you know what I mean. Collingwood can't go, because they're the team everyone else loves to hate. If Melbourne are the Demons, then the Woodies are the very Devils, reincarnated as Magpies. And of course, the darling of the city establishment is Carlton Blues, the antithesis of the Collingwood working class. So Collingwood & Carlton go together like a horse & carriage, love & marriage, etc, etc. Now looking at a map I see that Essendon is outer northern suburbs while North Melbourne is actually inner northern suburbs. Similarly, Hawthorn is outer eastern suburbs while Richmond is inner eastern suburbs. So, Essendon & Hawthorn stay, which means that Norths & Richmond must go. Why, because I decree it! Besides, the Magpies need another bird to tangle with, & the Hawks fit the bill perfectly. Furthermore, the Essendon Bombers bring some more macho masculinity to the nicknames. That's assuming of course, the Hawthorn Hawks don't voluntarily decide to make their base in Tasmania. But then there's Richmond, who would fit the bill in Tassie perfectly, being the Tigers. They could even argue to keep the name Richmond, complimenting Richmond town in Tassie. So what of the poor old Norths Kangaroos? Well, the national capital Canberra might happily welcome them, especially since they are named after the national animal himself.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Latest membership numbers (courtesy of BF): Collingwood 69,718 Hawthorn 53,829 including 8,189 Tassie members Essendon 49,097 Richmond 45,298 Carlton 40,144 St Kilda 38,454 Geelong 36,249 Port Power 35,769 Melbourne 34,706 Bulldogs 30,181 North 26,805 Brisbane 21,941 Gold Coast 12,616 You'd have to say that Port looks more than healthy, and will be ok in the long term because it shares a large footy market. North looks vulnerable, no surprise there. The two Queensland clubs might struggle to share the one market.
gaz
Guest
kangaroos members might be small in numbers but we are big in heart. 30000 registered members and 25000 non registered followers will turn there backs on the afl. lets see how long it takes to replace them with loyal nsw afl supporters. and if the afl keeps on this track then eventually only collingwood carlton essendon and richmond may be left. its no wander local footy crowds are on the increase.do you realy think loyal supporters change teams when there club is folded. i dont think so. football for victorians isnt just a game its a religion.
Chris
Guest
If anyone can demonstrate that a club benefits in the long term by playing home games away from their home ground I'll eat my hat. All it does is alienate their own fans (fewer home games to attend) and because everyone knows they just do it for the money they don't build any real fans at the alternative venue. I don't think North Melbourne has a viable long term future as an AFL club. I suspect they AFL will provide life support for a few years (probably until the Suns and Giants are bedded down, but mark my words, the Kangaroos will not be a Melbourne based club in the long-term. After their demise they could be replaced by a Tasmanian team, splitting their home games between Hobart and Launceston. And as the team would represent the state, that last sentence does not clash with mu first sentence...:)
Bilbo
Guest
Sustain and prosper are two different things. It's hard to see these clubs having the capacity to turn things around financially to be able to compete with the big Melbourne clubs, perth clubs and Adelaide. Supporters of Port, North, Melbourne are entitled to be upset - they will not get the usual benefit of the draft, as GC and GWS have been provided with these concessions. Their stay at the bottom of the table will be prolonged, further stretching their resources. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Damo
Roar Guru
Moving Melbourne clubs from ancestral homes is, in my opinion, not the answere. It may open new markets, but it will alienate tens of thousenads of former supporters. Wookie, yes Port are doing some great things off field, i'm just offering some other alternatives. Whats wrong with explointing a fresh market ala hawthorn in tasmania? Why do you think the AFL wont allow it - the weather is the only thing i i can think of that will ever hold back these plans. Redb, thanks for the dig at my home state mate. Get stuffed. BUUUUUT i agree in that it needs the redovlempoment in the city and a new or redeveloped stadium would help. Any one who argues other wise has their head in the sand.
sheek
Guest
I have been continually reassured by AFL aficionados like The Wookie & Redb above, that Melbourne is more than capable of sustaining 10 clubs indefinitely in a national, not Victorian comp. I continually defer to their greater knowledge in these matters, although I remain unconvinced. The Suns this year, & the Giants next year, are likely to leak some terrible defeats. It would have made more sense to me for two Melbourne clubs to relocate, & keep the competition at 16 clubs, rather than add two new teams over the next two years, & bring it to an 18 club comp. Of course, developing new teams in new markets requires loads of patience. There's also the renegotiated TV deal coming up that appealed to having the two new teams (rather than relocated ones). Of course, I say all this free of & probably ignorant also, of the political intrigue that revolves around the Melbourne clubs. Add to that their history & tradition. However, South Melbourne to Sydney & Fitzroy to Brisbane were able to successfully make the transition, although not without a great deal of angst. The colours & nicknames of these once proud Melbourne clubs have been preserved, albeit in different locations. It seems North Melbourne have been looking for another home for about a decade now. At different times, their new home was either going to be North or West Sydney, Gold Coast & even Canberra. Hawthorn continues to flirt with Tasmania. Richmond is another club that might be have been rejuvenated elsewhere. Okay, I'm a mug when it comes to Australian football, but I reckon Melbourne can't sustain 10 clubs effectively into the indefinite future. "Effectively" being the operative word here. The opportunity has been lost for now. And I'm happy to be convinced yet again, that the AFL has enough talent, as I've been previously told, to easily fill 18 clubs.....
JamesP
Guest
There are murmurings coming out of Adelaide that the government may step in and override if it close but not up to 75% (e.g. if the majority >50% approve the redevelopment)
Redb
Roar Guru
To think a body of joint Crows-SACA members are going to vote against the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval to put Port under pressure is unbeleivable. Adelaide is a backwater, it needs the redevelopment.