AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou is confident his league will return to a state of competitive balance in one or two years after the introduction of 18th side Greater Western Sydney.
The AFL uses the draft, salary cap and revenue sharing as explicit measures in an effort to create an equal playing field among its clubs and generate maximum interest, and revenue, from fans.
And despite a $220 million investment in GWS and Gold Coast that has significantly altered the equalisation measures, the league’s newest clubs won’t be anywhere near a level playing field when they compete against the likes of Collingwood and Hawthorn in 2012.
Demetriou admits another season of one-sided results – as was the case last year – will hurt the AFL but suggests it won’t be a long-term trend.
“There’s a gap and we shouldn’t deny there will be a gap. There’ll be a gap for the first one or two years,” Demetriou said at NSW Parliament House on Wednesday.
“But you’ll see a correction in three years when these lads are two years older. They’re more experienced.
“They’ll be a very strong team but, in the meantime, we’re going to endure a bit of pain.
“But we expect that. We’re not delusional, we understand that there’ll be some large margins but, along the way, they’ll surprise a couple of people.”
Demetriou also praised the introduction of a substitute as a measure to keep the game even and fair.
“We all know that the ‘three and one’ has been a success – not just on the injury front but it’s been a success because it’s made the competition fairer,” he said.
“A player can go down early, as happened in the grand final, and it’s still three against three (on the bench).
“We’ll see what happens in the future but, so far, so good.”
Demetriou was flanked by a host of Swans and Giants players in a reception hosted by Barry O’Farrell where the NSW Premier was presented with a split jersey – with half of each club’s playing strip.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Anecdotally, at least, there are those in western Sydney who see the Swans as an eastern subuebs plaything but aren´t completely against Australian Football as a sport. These people will presumably provide the early target audience. The AFL should be looking to get people at Giants games who also follow the Eels, Dogs, or whoever else - but these people going to the Giants when their NRL team isn´t playing on the same day, or is interstate, or whatever. Obviousy, most people in western Sydney will not become Giants fans overnight (or ever), but there are target audiences and longer term soe in the next generations may follow four football codes in addition to other sports. It will take 30 or 40 years, but GWS should eventually be a strong club. The other question is: does that 7000 include Canberra members? If so, that would mean very few members in Sydney itself.
JamesP
Guest
No doubt the Giants will take some away from the Swans (as the Suns did from the Lions). The question is - do the combined figures represent an overall increase. Last year, for Queensland, that was a big yes. And will become more so once both those teams start moving up the ladder.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I saw a breakdown somewhere, something like 40+% are from the 14 municipalities that make up Western Sydney, which is a big improvement on the 25% that had bought foundation memberships last year.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
You know, it's strange, in other sports 3:1 is a fairly unremarkable scoreline, or 30:10 in the Rugbies/Gridiron, but that same ratio in AFL....
AndyMack
Guest
Who are these 7000 people?? Are they new to the game?? Surely if you live in Sydney and follow the AFL you would already have a team (quick likely the Swannies, or a Vic team you have followed for years). Are people just ditching the Swans to jump on the new team? I guess the same thing happened last year with the Suns.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Just read a tweet that GWS have moved past 7,000 members, so good chance of reaching 9k by the time of the first game and going past 10k all up.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, etc.
AndyMack
Guest
I dont mind the odd belting. I remember a couple of seasons ago when the Cats kicked about 10 goals in the first quarter against Richmond. I was then glued to the set hoping they would smash them to pieces for some reason. I dont even love the cats, or hate the tigers, was just enjoying the good footy (admittedly only being played by one side). Can see the Giants getting belted a few times this year, will do some of the players good. Character building. I feel for players like Joel Selwood, will probably never know what its like to play in a struggling team!!!! Poor lad.
Lachlan
Roar Guru
There's no doubt that these new teams will be very good teams in 5 or 6 years but meanwhile other teams are enjoying beating them all over the park, they'll soon dread the fact they have to face either one of these two teams. My guess is once it all evens out and has been fairly even for a few years, we'll be looking at expansion and more overseas games and hence, we'll be back to square one.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Good story. Some of my best footy memories have been seeing my team pull an ulikely win out of the bag in a season that delivered little else.
Swampy
Guest
A funny thing happened last year in my pilgrimage to the AFL Mecca. Living in RL land, I try to make one or two journeys a season to immerse myself in AFL culture in Melbourne. Last year I met up with my brother (who made his pilgrimage from further south) in Melbourne for a footy feast. He likes black and white birds and I like red and black war machines. We identified an appropriate weekend on the calendar where both had decent matchups in the Hawks & the Cats respectively. At the time of booking both clubs were off to a flyer. Sadly by the time the big weekend came around my beloved Bombers were on a horrible losing streak which included losses to some bad teams. The Pies, Cats & Hawks however were putting their claims forward for premiership contenders. As I flew down I was wishing that the damage inflicted by Geelong only be superficial and in all honesty I was looking much more forward to seeing the clash on Sunday btw the Pies and the Hawks - which was shaping up as a real belter. Well, as many a fan will tell you, footy is a funny game. I roared my lungs out at Docklands as the Dons held on for all their weakened might against Geelong in one of the best games I've ever watched in my life. And on Sunday it was a real belter... Collingwood handed out one anyway in one of the most uncompetitive matches I've ever witnessed. Even though Essendon eventually made the finals just, that one game was enough for me to be satisfied for the whole season. The point is, even if your team is belted from pillar to post, there will probably be a moment somewhere along the way where you can hang your hat and say 'what a great win that was' and look forward to next year. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
As long as it's my team handing out the thrashing, I don't mind blow outs.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
As long as I can watch the Eagles triple the Doggies scores again this year, I'll be okay with it.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Oh bugger that. Who doesn't love the odd 100 point massacre? The goalfests and screamers have been refreshing.
Norm
Guest
Rob, a correction. The AFL is not "his league". Demetriou may be a damm good CEO, but even he would say the AFL belongs to the members & supporters!