The value of the AFL’s second-tier leagues will only grow in 2020.
Looking to implement a hub-structure to the season, and with a divide between the players and league on allowing families to be invited, creativity must come to the fore with playing lists.
Inevitably, there will be players who refuse to stay away from their families for an extended period of time – a justified stance given the players never committed to this as part of the job, compared to tennis or cricket.
The midseason draft was introduced in 2019 and another draft of sorts may be held for the abridged 2020 season.
Given quality players may not be available every game, selecting the best players from state leagues on a temporary basis may be the solution.
Kane Lambert and Tim Kelly may be the two most recent examples of how mutually beneficial the VFL and WAFL have been for the AFL.
Players such as Stephen Coniglio (Swan Districts) and Simon Black (East Fremantle) enhanced their draft stocks by playing hardened, senior footy in the WAFL as juniors.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
In recent times, former assistant coach Craig Jennings suggested the current model of the VFL should be “revamped” or “potentially scrapped”, adding that it was questionable whether these leagues would even be necessary.
And while the financial investment is a necessity, and the VFL itself has gone through significant changes with the continued loss of standalone clubs, Jennings’ suggestion would ultimately destroy the fabric of what the VFL has been.
Without the platform of the WAFL, VFL and SANFL, the quality and overall stability of AFL clubs would not exist.
Whether it be on an active or subconscious level, personnel within clubs have derived enormous benefits from the second-tier leagues.
Quality players have had immediate impacts when recruited, while some of the league’s best coaches have plied their trade and learnt skills at the level – Alastair Clarkson certainly benefitted from coaching Werribee and Central Districts.
If a draft is to be held, or the AFL opt to go down an NBA-style route of limited-day contracts, players targeted will be ready-made, experienced bodies.
Footage is readily available and enough resources have been placed into every state league for recruiters and coaching staff to know how to fill their lists.
Entering a unique period where a lot of unknowns have arisen, recruiting experience and reliability can provide clubs with a sense of normality and lessen the risk that can come with standard draftees from junior footy when searching for immediate impact.
The impact of this will be seen for years to come, and the AFL will have no choice but to fully support the leagues that have existed for far longer than the standalone clubs that are seemingly defining the current generation of state leagues, particularly from those such as Jennings who operated within the AFL system.
Smaller lists are likely to come into effect, which could see up to over 150 players who are currently contracted in the AFL let go at the end of 2020.
In previous years, some players have been delisted and look to earn the biggest cheque possible by heading to suburban leagues. The current state of finances due to the global pandemic may make that route less appealing.
If state leagues are properly managed and supported by the AFL, we could see an immediate improvement in the quality of competitions from 2021 onwards, with the top players from suburban leagues or from AFL lists willing to sign on.
This would inevitably have a flow-on effect, with AFL clubs able to select better, ready-made players and perhaps greater media rights opportunities becoming available.
Should the AFL not provide adequate support to state leagues, the league risks losing key stakeholders from the game overall, more than just talented players that have historically had an impact.
Leagues such as the WAFL and SANFL have rich histories and fan-bases with loyalty that can exceed that seen in the AFL.
Whether it’s an East Fremantle, a Norwood or a Port Melbourne, clubs with a history of producing top-quality players and coaches, and that have drawn generations of fans to the sport are far too valuable to lose.
While some may believe the emphasis on results are non-existent and the return on investment for top-flight clubs isn’t worthwhile, for the AFL as a whole, the ongoing maintenance and support of these leagues is imperative.
It’s time the plaudits recruiters receive for excellent mature-age draft selections equates to an appropriate emphasis being placed on these players’ breeding grounds.
Kane Lambert’s career didn’t start at Richmond at 23 years of age, his development into a quality player came from the Northern Bullants and Williamstown in the VFL.
Tim Kelly’s selection by Geelong was seen as a masterstroke, but his elite talent and quality was developed at South Fremantle in the WAFL, not at the Cats.
Tim Kelly (Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Without these established clubs’ strong cultures and history, that the general footy fan wouldn’t know about, the AFL would have missed out on some of its best players and the overall quality of the competition would have suffered.
Questioning the necessity of the state leagues may be a natural byproduct of the global pandemic and the necessary cost-cutting natures that will likely be implemented.
When the time is right and the landscape clears up, however, the AFL should announce its full support in whatever way possible to ensure that the state leagues and its clubs can continue.
Given there’s a rush to get the 2020 season started and for the money to start flowing through, the fact these players from across Australia could be relied upon to ensure the competitiveness of the league should be enough of a reason to believe in the contention.
If 2020 is going to rely on state leagues, the AFL needs to repay the faith.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
The AFL controls those lower leagues more than you think!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Hmmm! 1.5K crowds at SANFL is at the lower end. 3-4K is a good crowd. The last couple of SANFL GFs have attracted 40,000 (give or take). I still go to watch the Bays when I can and take my lad (and other hangerons like the missus) and he is now 29! I did grow up with the SANFL in the 70's and 80's though. There are also plenty of good youngsters running around (and not just for the Crows and Port)- eg: young Will Gould stood out at the back for the Bays last year and was subsequently drafted by Sydney. Elite ball skills. Connor Rozee stood out for North a couple of years back (and Lucoscius and Rozee and ...).
Johnny Dalmas
Guest
"A: the players they’ve developed?????" True, but given they don't actually own the players that they have developed, they haven't really given up anything have they? I mean if they had those those players on a long-term contract with a decent wage then you could argue that AFL is taking an asset that has value (ie, the contract). But the state league clubs don't have these players on long-term contracts with a decent wage do they? The point I'm making is not that the AFL shouldn't support development of the game at lower levels. But rather is it realistic for the AFL to support these lower levels of the game without also taking some form of control of those leagues.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Q: "State Leagues and their clubs may want financial support from the AFL but what are they willing to pay for that support?" A: the players they've developed?????
Johnny Dalmas
Guest
I think a big part of the problem is right there in the post title: the state leagues -- well at least the WAFL and the SANFL -- aren't the AFL's to protect. They are independent bodies running their own show. Should the AFL spend its money on these independent leagues? Or should it establish its own development league? Should we have one unified structure for all Aussies Rules? If so, what is the role of the existing governance structures and stakeholders in WA, SA etc. What if the AFL said it was willing to underwrite, say, 18 clubs across the WAFL, VFL, and SANFL but no more? How would people feel about some existing state league clubs being forced out. Or if the AFL said it would support the state leagues but only under a farm system like in Amercian baseball. How many local club supporters would still be interested? State Leagues and their clubs may want financial support from the AFL but what are they willing to pay for that support?
Paul2
Guest
I reckon things went wrong when they turned the VFA into a essentially a reserves competition for Victorian-based AFL clubs. My ideal scenario would be a return to a national reserves competition (perhaps with upper age limit of 23 for non-AFL listed players), and then allow the 3 major state leagues to return to stand-alone leagues, though i assume the costs may prohibit this.
DTM
Guest
Great article. The whole structure of footy around the country needs to be reconsidered - from junior footy all the way to AFL. We can't create a perfect system but there are plenty of areas for improvement and maybe now is the time to start implementing these. As a side note, wouldn't it be interesting if the AFL teams were not given permission to travel interstate, therefore the 2020 season is called off. This would mean that AFL players may have a choice of playing for their home club or sitting out the season. Imagine for example, if Nic Nat was allowed to play for Swan Districts or Gary Ablett went back to his home club for a few games. If crowds were let in, this could save these clubs from financial ruin.
WCE
Roar Rookie
Being a West Coast member and Subiaco WAFL member i have seen the huge expansion of footy in this state of WA. Great for the mighty Eagles but not so good for the WAFL. The WAFL is struggling to survive and has been for years now and its imperative it gets support from the AFL to stay afloat. West Coast and Fremantle inject millions of dollars yearly to football but the WAFL needs a lot more support and it has to come from the AFL. You only have to look at all of the wonderful players fortunate enough to get drafted to the AFL from the WAFL to realize this fantastic level of footy must survive and be looked after
Wayne
Roar Guru
The SANFL I grew up with in the early 2000s (Main memories being 2001 - 2010) was the beginning of the end for me. Watching the 'next generation' of supporters growing up with the Crows/Power on TV meant there wasn't that connection to the local roots. My age bracket was one of the last, since I would go to the games with my mum until I was old enough to barrack on my own (and still go with my mum anyway). When I do make it back to Adelaide, the comp is a shell of its once proud self. Where I remember Brad Symes, Willow, Giles, Griffin, Westhoff (3x as Leigh and Matt also played with Justin) playing with the Dogs, with elite players like the Gowans, Thomas, Slade, Nutta, Spur etc. Now those types of players are locked into Academy teams, and don't help grow the comp. I also remember in 2009, there were pushes to get 10k to a normal round game. Now cracking 1.5k is considered a good crowd.
Boo
Guest
Another good read Dem.Yes the second tier clubs must be strengthened.IMO each TAC under 18 team should be strongly aligned with a Vfl side.Western Jets and Williamstown s offices are in the same building with many ex Jets becoming Willy players and subsequently being drafted into the AFL.Geelong , who I support have many ex falcons in the Vfl squad with again some graduating to the AFL.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Fantastic article mate from a long suffering Perth supporter. As a majority of VFL clubs make up the AFL it's often undersold the importance of the wafl, SANFL and old vfa to the professional leagues and hopefully as the comp evolves it will no longer rely so heavily on having gone to the right grammar school in Melbourne to be drafted.