Recently it was announced that North Ballarat would not field a team in the VFL in 2018. It was also announced that Frankston would return to the competition meaning that, with the inclusion of the North Melbourne reserves, the number of clubs competing will rise to 15.
Further, the VFL reserves – the Development League – will cease from next year. The changes at VFL level are nothing new, teams have been coming and going from the competition since its beginning.
But in modern times the VFL seems to have struggled with its identity and purpose, trying to be at least two different things at the same time.
The primary, but not sole purpose of the VFL is now as a reserves competition for Victorian AFL clubs. As a result of this there are three different types of teams competing in the VFL; the direct AFL reserves clubs, the clubs with an alignment with an AFL club, and the independent standalone clubs.
The second group, which from about 2001 until very recently contained the majority of teams, now consists of only three – Box Hill, Casey and Sandringham, and of these only Sandringham really has an identity separate to that of its AFL affiliate.
But, depending on what happens with a St Kilda reserves side in the future, it might lose its identity too. There is a problem with this though; the structure of the competition is not good for reserves.
Look at this season for example. Sandringham’s first game was not until the 15th of April – that’s four weeks after the start of the AFL season, and meant that players who were not selected for St Kilda could not gain form or fitness in the reserves for those weeks.
As this was true for basically all teams, some might say that there is no problem, but it does demonstrate the problems of trying to be both a reserves competition and the premier football league of Victoria.
Every year the call for a dedicated AFL reserves competition seems to grow louder, not just from Victorians, but also from traditionalists in Western and South Australia who also find AFL reserve’s sides in their state leagues.
A true reserves league would not only allow for all the reserves teams to compete in a more even way, but would allow the state competitions to become what they should be – competitions showcasing the best non-AFL talent in their state. The problem is that this would require AFL list sizes to increase from around 40 players now to around 50 or so in order to have enough players to fill out a reserves side.
That’s 900 AFL listed players. The other option is to have non AFL listed players supplement the reserves list, but this would still mean taking out players from the VFL and other competitions.
So, the question is, is there enough talent for both the AFL reserves and state leagues to prosper? Or is the current arrangement the best way to ensure that competitions such as the VFL survive?
It’s not a short term question either. Any change will take years to put in place and will take a lot of funding and commitment from the AFL in order to succeed.
It will also take engagement from the fans and clubs as well. If the clubs give the fans something to support, a team that they feel linked to, then the competition will be in a good place. The VFL (or VFA as it was then) was at its peak when it offered something different for fans to watch, whether that be different rules or different times.
What the VFL can offer in modern times is something different to the AFL – the experience. If the VFL can become the premier suburban and regional competition in Victoria, then it can offer what the AFL no longer can, high quality football in a smaller, suburban environment.
Basically, that’s what it offers now, but in a standalone competition. VFL clubs could also be allowed to form links with TAC cup sides, which would allow under-18 footballers in Victoria to gain experience against older more developed players.
Some TAC cup games could then be played as curtain raisers before VFL games, and AFL reserves teams could do the same for AFL matches (if the AFL allows it).
The VFL and its rich history are under threat, but with some reform the competition can not only be saved, but can be made into an important part of the Australian football landscape.
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
Good article Pat to start a discussion on an important subject. When we go back 30 years or so, all the Victorian clubs had Reserves and U19's and this created a great pathway for developing footballers. They were recruited and could work their way up and develop in a club game-style. Today, the U18's structure seems to be working well as a prepatory competition to help assess potential drafts. I therefore, see no great reason for the clubs not to have stand-alone reserves. There is more money in football, more supporters, more spectators and I used to love being able to go to the ground early and watch/support the Reserves before the main game. It gave great insights into the up and coming players. The current VFL rules create problems for AFL players who may just miss on playing VFL finals because they played a game too many in the Firsts, unless of course their Firsts are also playing in the Finals. Teams like Hawthorn, Melbourne and Essendon had to face not playing some players because of these rules, while Williasmstown and Port could play unchanged line-ups, so the system is weighted in their favour. Very strange as it creates a compromised system. So the best solution is a two-tier AFL system of 1sts and 2nds and have the VFL be a totally independent stand alone and maybe their reserves could be the current U18 teams.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Going on with this old chestnut again Matty? Please tell us how Carlton have destroyed Preston FootballClub? As Deir-ba-sor said the Bullants were just about finished in the late 1990's. In 2002 they had a choice to affiliate with either Essendon or Carlton. They chose Carlton because the Essendon proposal was complete domination including a change of name whilst Carltons proposal was more of a co-operation between the 2 clubs. I am surprised you didn't repeat your allegation from earlier this year claiming the supposed bad state of the Cramer Street Oval was Carltons fault. As I pointed out at the time the upkeep of the oval is the Councils responsibility and the Northern Blues are a co-tenant of the oval. Carlton have no control over what happens at the ground. Your claim was your usual anti Carlton bias as the Cramer Street Oval is in much better condition than it was in the 1990's.
guttsy
Guest
I think there is something here. VFL, SANFL, WAFL, NEAFL and TSL games should curtain raisers to the AFL games on Saturday and Sunday. The AFL needs to understand that it is the health of these leagues that ultimately underwrites the AFL. And instead of the AFL controlling these leagues it should be these leagues that have a greeater say in the AFL.
guttsy
Guest
The AFL needs to restructure the draft. 18 years old is too young to be making these type of decisions. Maybe a way of doing it is limiting the number of 18/19 year olds clubs can take in each draft to say 2 and have them take the rest as 20plus year olds. The 20 plus players would have spent a year or two or even three in the VFL, SANFL, WAFL NEAFL or TSL. Also when players are drafted at 20 plus they should get a decent contract and decent payment from the start and not be on some rookie type deal that the players need to put up with for the first year or two that they do now.
Brayden Rise
Roar Pro
The cost of flying all the reserves teams around the country is the sticking point there Pedro. There is no doubt the VFL needs a revamp and a complete marketing overhaul. The VFL should be seen as the rookie feeder to the AFL with perhaps 6 regional under 22 - Under 25 teams in Metropolitan Melbourne. AFL affiliated list players from other clubs play for the regional along with the rest who are potential rookies....having the option of a mid season rookie draft for the AFL would see more of a focus on the VFL regional comp, Players outside of the under 22-25's play for local teams such as the EFL which then gives a massive marketing push to local leagues. Imagine say watching a Jack Watts line up at a local oval for Doncaster?
I ate pies
Guest
While the AFL is fixated on political statements and womens footy nothing will change. The all important structures that support the AFL will fall apart. I for one would love to see the twos come back, with them being played before the main game. Do away with the, keep the VFA and other state leagues as feeder comps to the AFL.
Deir-ba-zor
Guest
Even that could \be deemed a restraint of trade if the other clubs had no opportunity to offer a contract.
Deir-ba-zor
Guest
Explain?
Wilson
Roar Rookie
Referring more to training frequently together and TAC players being available for selection, like how u/19s players can be picked to play senior football in the VAFA for example.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Except a properly constituted contract!
Deir-ba-zor
Guest
The problem is, everything that a club can use to draft players could in theory be deemed a restraint of trade.
Mattyb
Guest
Lroy and Pedro,I think your suggestions are very good. One thing that needs to be considered here,and I think Pedro has touched upon it,is people might be surprised which clubs would struggle under this proposal. Some of the smaller Victorian clubs seem to do ok running off the smell of an oily rag while some of the bigger clubs struggle with attendance and memberships based around on field performance,which can put strains on them financially. It also needs to be considered that when the old VFL clubs faced bankruptcy leading to the AFLs creation,it was both the rich and poor clubs that struggled. Under your good proposal,I think timing would become a major factor in which Victorian clubs would leave the comp.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
I agree with the concept of reintroducing the reserves to play before the League but what happens when Collingwood is playing West Coast? Who plays in the reserves? The reserves comp also needs to be national.
Mattyb
Guest
Like I said in my original post it's a tricky topic,and the key is maintaining and looking after as many grassroots supporters as possible Just dropping Saints,North,Dogs and Melbourne would be one option but I feel this could cause many supporters to leave the game. By merging the clubs geographically it would be far easier to sell if sold as a restructuring of the entire league. I do think the to many Vic clubs could be having a flow on effect to both the strength of Victorian football as a whole,the strength of Victorian AFL clubs,and the growth of the national competition. This is a good article though. The structure of Victorian football as a whole and outside the AFL needs to be seriously looked at at both VFA/VFL and suburban level. The idea of an AFL reserves competition also needs to be considered for what's best for both the AFL and all state leagues around the country. The key is to not just say someone else's suggestion is no good,but to offer your own suggestions thinking about the now,the future,and what's best for the game at all levels.
mickyo
Guest
Melbourne AFL clubs should run their own reserves comp like they did for 100 years and the VFA clubs that are left should think about joining the VAFA. The VAFA is a huge amatuer comp with 12,000 + players in Melbourne and at the top end is very very competitive. AFL reserves could be either player before AFL games or alternatively played at the traditional home grounds like Vic Park, Princess Park, Windy Hill etc, if an AFL team cant afford a stand alone reserve grade side something is wrong. It just doesn't work playing AFL reserves sides against Port Melbourne, Williamstown and the likes, it is quite frankly a bit of an insult to those clubs.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Swings and roundabouts. Let each club keep 1 or 2 and then release the remainder of that talent to all. PS: The Draft itself is surely a Restraint of Trade on its own (and someone drafted to Gold Coast of Carlton will test that hypothesis one day soon I suspect).
Deir-ba-zor
Guest
I can tell you one thing, the Victorian clubs would not go first.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Let the clubs stand on their own 2 feet using that Membership, and any other revenue that they can generate from attendances and sponsorship etc, and we will see which clubs survive and which ones don't. The interstate Clubs like Carlton will struggle to generate revenue through attendances if their on-field performances stay as they are (and I see no reason why that wouldn't be the case). We all remember where Hawthorn were just a few years back when their poor on-field performances (at that time) were matched off field.
Deir-ba-zor
Guest
one small problem, AFL clubs not releasing they talent they develop to a draft was deemed a restraint of trade.
Deir-ba-zor
Guest
Wait, Sydney and GWS combined have slightly more than Hawthorn, that's not any better, and Look at Collingwood! They have barely more members than Hawthorn as well, fold em I say. This makes about as much sense as the harebrained suggestions that cutting a Victorian club would do anything good at all, but of course you wont be able to see past your rewritten version of things.