So with the AFL closing its doors until at least May 31, we will soon begin to hear from the clubs that won’t make it through this crisis.
The AFL is looking to take a line of credit out against Marvel Stadium. This will allow it to keep the league on life support until it restarts.
However, should the crisis drag on, there is a strong chance we have seen then end of at least a few AFL clubs.
Gold Coast
The Suns have been on life support for their entire existence and without a network of loyal supporters this would be the first club on the chopping block.
GWS
The other expansion club, granted, has been more successful than Gold Coast. But they are still reliant on the AFL for subsidies, and with no history, they are a candidate to fall. It would be tough for the AFL to justify keeping them if more traditional clubs fold.
North Melbourne
Tough financial times are almost the norm for the Kangas so I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it out the other side. However, as one of the weaker clubs, a merger or fold may be on the cards.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Melbourne
They are a success-starved club without a strong balance sheet. How many supporters would give up the annual September holiday to keep the club afloat?
Western Bulldogs
Success in 2016 is not that long ago but they would also have to be a candidate to fold or merge.
Port Adelaide
They were financially strained in the past. They might be in the clear now but memories of empty stadiums before the virus still linger.
So they are the six clubs that could go to the wall because of this virus, leaving us with a 12-team competition. The positives of this would mean a stronger competition and an even draw.
It also would leave the second-tier competitions as much stronger competitions. Another potential outcome is that the draft age is raised by one or two years, further strengthening the second-tier competitions.
There is still lots of water to go under the bridge until this is over but it will be a whole new world after this.
Chris Bilchuris
Guest
Sorry mate..I hear what your saying but you gotta move with the times...Sydney and Brisbane benefited greatly from moving forward....so will north and other Victorian clubs ...these things are for the betterment and health of our competition...+
Flick Pass
Guest
.......a great loss as with any club that shuts down from the VFL, aka VFA.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
ha, will do Maverick
Republican
Guest
......concur with you re Suns and Giants. Obscene money pits that don't represent any established or historic cultural capital for the code. This sort of trickle down one dimensional philosophy of growth must be quashed once and for all.
Republican
Guest
I reckon Canberra could support the Saints.
Republican
Guest
........love those mighty Shinboners. My second/third team. I feel your consternation and anxiety.
Republican
Guest
I reckon the AFL suits need to be trimmed. The organisation is top heavy.
Republican
Guest
.......only AFL entity south of the Yarra. Is this in their favour perhaps or am I grasping at straws?
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
People tend to pay their mortgage (or rent) first, which is why the banks do well on home lending. Then other things enter the frame.
Ak47
Guest
South Ozzie ya numbat! Sandgropers are West Australia
AK47
Guest
You have to be dreaming if St Kilda are not the 1st Melbourne based club at risk, especially given what they had to spend to re home themselves at Moorabin? Wjat does this wriyer really know about club balance sheets other than pure conjecture??
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Yeah potentially. I reckon I read somewhere that people tend to go to the pokies regardless of economic circumstances, sort of like the pub. Although, obviously the closing of clubs makes this circumstance different.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Clubs with revenue coming from pokies and clubs etc may feel a double hit due to the fall off in patronage on 2 fronts (and 2 lots of debt)???
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Mark and kick ... it is what full forwards used to do!
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
He was a one trick pony on the field but a fabulous marketing tool off it.
Winnie the Pooh (Emperor of China, the Spreader)
Guest
Let's go back to amateur or semi pro for a while until things pick up. It looks like it will be 2022 before a vaccine would have kicked in. If the AFLPA does not like it, simple, just bypass them and get other players. I'll do it for free and so would plenty of others. People go to watch their team, not players specifically. Time for them to see how the world struggles.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
And the sun has definitely set.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Saints most likely. If the AFL didn't own Marvel & the media deal needs/wants 9 matches a round they are at risk of being merged or canned. And then myself and a lot of Saints fans would learn to like soccer or rugby.
RT
Roar Rookie
Richmond and Hawthorn wouldn't accept them. They'd have to pick each other, which would make more sense anyway.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But no 'firsts' of any description.