The make up of the VFL/AFL alignments looks set for another shake up in season 2013. Already Essendon has announced their plans to cut ties with VFL affiliate, joining Collingwood and Geelong as AFL clubs with standalone sides in the VFL competition.
Richmond has also announced that 2013 will be its last year with Coburg before starting their own team in the VFL.
Now the rumour mill is turning with whispers that VFL club Williamstown is looking to go their own way and end the partnership with the Western Bulldogs at seasons end.
It has been speculated that this would lead to the Bulldogs also entering their own team to compete in the VFL.
The incentive behind this increasingly popular shift is that it gives clubs full control over the development of their younger players. Recently this has produced success at Geelong.
The Bulldogs and Richmond been interested in forming such a plan for some time, but the estimated cost of about $400,000-$500,000 a season has been seen as a major problem to these plans.
If the Williamstown rumours are true, however, the Bulldogs may have no choice.
Despite the costs there is no doubt that the venture holds significant advantages. Both Geelong and Collingwood have had success developing their kids, enabling them to play in the positions desired by the team.
Young players can be taught the game plan in actual match conditions without any other input from a partner.
The idea that games could return to Whitten Oval and Punt Rd would also hold great appeal for diehard fans.
The idea of a national reserves competition has been floated for some time, but the AFL seems to be cold on the idea.
Until then it seems we’ll see more and more AFL clubs favouring the stand-alone route.
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