Can the AFL get any bigger in status?

Question

In my opinion, it can get bigger. With more kids playing different sports and footy codes, Aussie rules could be on the decline. Therefore, future CEO's would promote it more heavily and would maybe get a N.T side and Tasmanian side to come in. Just imagine this.....having a system like the EPL (English Premier League) where there is 2 leagues.....Lets just say Div 1 and Div 2, the bottom 3 teams in Div 1 will be regulated to Div 2 and the top 3 from Div 2 will promoted to Div 1.

It's just a thought, but who knows whats going to happen in 10yrs time. With the amount of rule changes that happen each year, I would be surprise if it happened.

Answer 1

Hey there Kev,

I think it can only get bigger, but better? I dont think so, with all the rule changes, and things like your favourite push in the back rule.

Good idea about having the different divisions, but I think the cost would be too much, eg West Perth travelling to Adelaide to play Centrals.

Answer 2

NO NO!!!!

BTW THERE ARE MORE THERE 3 DIVS IN ENGLAND LETS SAY TOP FIVE

1.BARCLAYS (ENGLISH) PREMIER LEAGUE

2.COCA-COLA FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

3.COCA-COLA FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1

4.COCA-COLA FOTOTBAL LEAGUE 2

5.CONFERENCE NATIONAL

Answer 3

I dont think it can get that much bigger - with Melbourne teams like Kangaroos, Bulldogs and Carlton barely scrapping thru each year financially, I cant see how we can grow and expand AFL to places like Tassie & NT.

I would personally hate to have the league divided up like the soccer.

Answer 4

It won't be the end of the world if the AFL decline in support numbers.After all, many players themselves have ridden the gravy train to the point of stripping their own club of funds for instant bank balances.

The clubs themselves are fools to allow this "Million Dollar Man" approach to occur in a team sport.This is not America where the clubs have big sponsorships etc.

AFL football had it's history in the Southern Australian States for climate purposes.

To place an AFL club in the states of Q'land, and the Northern Territory is ludicrous if the players need to wear ice pack jackets, so they won't pass out from heat exhaustion.

Different codes come into play because not every boy is built to take the rigours of a contact sport. The guys slot into a code that suits their physicality, or play an individual sport.

Answer 5

I've heard they may introduce a 17th team hun. But i would have no idea how it would work out.

Answer 6

It's a global market out there so why not. Northern Irish television just screened a primetime hour long show about Marty Clarke. Added to that the New York Giants played the Miami Dolphins in a regular season NFL game in London on Sunday.  AFL's route to global expansion may well be to try and get the sport played in greater Asia over the next decade. The Japanese in particular have a hunger for new sports and would lap the game up. The best bet might be to pay a visit to the old country and see if the game can be marketed to the Brits.

Answer 7

it all seems possible what ya say bigkev xxxx :)

Answer 8

YES YES YES internation games between Ireland are getting us there along with ex pats in south africa england and USA but AFL is increasing its image everytime we play our game Overseas

Answer 9

Can they get bigger in status?

I believe the AFL can't go any lower. They sold their soul to Channel 7 for X amount of millions of dollars for TV rights.

Now they are dictated to by C7 as to which teams play on Friday nights; where they play; who travels for interstate matches etc.

Teams like Richmond, Bulldogs, Melbourne, Carlton will never be any good while C7 dictates that Collingwood & Essendon play on Fridays & don't travel interstate etc.

It is a farce at the moment.

Answer 10

Some interesting thoughts Big Kev , but what does it cost to run a Club and field a team in the 22 rounds etc .     Footy is NOT in NT or Tassy because they "don't" have the corporate $ for sponsorship support .     When you come to the answer of what it takes to run a club $ wise, X the figure by 10 for Victoria by 2 WA & SA and 1 Qld & NSW.      The $ drain on Victoria is massive ...and my question is how long can our piddly little state cope with that.      You might understand why Collingwood , will never play Essendon or anyone for that matter, in Tassy or the NT .   You are so right about the rules , the AFL has buggered the game,  and as I have said before there were more womens league's in Victoria this year than at any other time in history, because the AFL rules are such to allow it,... "Keeping's off".     With the women playing it also means many players are turning up for games with handbag's,  coincidentally in the same year GEELONG won its first flag in 40 years

Answer 11

It can difinately get Bigger Big Kev.

Look at what's been happening not only here in Australia, but also overseas.

You got the different Islanders playing the game now, The Aboriginal kids played on the G was it last year or the year before ????  Games being played in the NT, and TAS, more games being played on the Gold Coast, and still trying for ACT on a more regular basis too.

Exhibition games have been played in the UK and Ireland, there are european leagues, and US leagues all started up by Aussie ex pats, and i think there's even a small league in Africa. As well as the International rules comp. Which has lead to the drafting of Irish players.

Yeah it can get Bigger, I just hope the bigger it gets .... That families will be able to afford the tickets.

Answer 12

That sounds like a good i dea to have 2 divisions!! Th team for every state is what i wanted...but it would work th way u sed it.