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Why the AFL reserves league must return

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Roar Guru
27th September, 2018
5

The AFL last had a reserves competition in the late 90s but I think it would be great for this to return.

The reserves competition enabled players that had failed to get into the senior side some exposure even though it was only at reserves level.

The AFL reserves competition could be a mirror image of the senior competition running alongside it with many curtain raisers and with the same fixtures. Venues may differ under my proposal, but clubs will play the same club in both seniors and reserves under my plan.

The NRL were very successful with the NSW Cup, Queensland Cup and Holden Under 20s used as curtain raisers before the main games and it is a move that I think the AFL should follow.

Some games can be broadcasted as well whether it is on 7 Mate, Seven, or Fox Footy. The finals would be played the same weeks as the AFL with the reserves grand final before the AFL grand final on the last Saturday in September.

West Coast, Fremantle, St Kilda, Carlton, Hawthorn, and Melbourne are the only clubs that do not have their own reserve teams although all of them are aligned with East Perth, Peel, Sandringham, Preston, Box Hill, and Casey respectively.

Yes there would be impact on state league footy in Victoria and the northern states. The WAFL, and SANFL would be able to remain prominent in their states with loads of support for their local competitions.

The standard of VFL in Victoria has dropped as fewer standalone teams have been in the league. The VFL could remain with all clubs being standalone.

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The NEAFL would also remain with AFL clubs having the option to still field teams in the competition using Academy players or other players.

Fans want more curtain raisers. I think most football fans would get behind the league which could revive the family day outs at the footy. Eventually I would love to see the womens league move alongside the men’s where we can see three games of footy to really make it a good value day out.

Even though it is very unlikely to happen, I would love to see an Under 18s competition as well to allow football clubs to have various teams.

Collingwood have been touted as trying to expand into basketball after having an AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW and netball team.

Under my proposal this would mean that Collingwood would have an AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW, AFLR, AFLWR, netball, basketball, and under 18s team. This could mean that the Pies could have up to ten teams all aligned under the Collingwood brand.

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