Is Victorian football on the decline?

Question

Melbourne, Victoria is the birthplace of Australian Rules Football, but the last 5 years have been unkind to Victoria's teams. The past 5 premiers have all been from outside the state, teams from Melbourne have been playing home games outside the state and will continue to do so (Roos in Queensland, Doggies in Canberra, Hawks in Tasmania), there's been talk of teams relocating from Victoria, and for the first time in league history, all of the top 4 teams in the finals are from outside Victoria, resulting in only two finals matches at the M.C.G. Does this mark a fundamental shift in the game, or is this merely a trend that will eventually pass?

Answer 1

It will eventually pass because the AFL needs Victoria. AFL is still developing in North of Sydney so the concessions these clubs get helps. Also, there will be a time when the poorer clubs are forced to relocate permanently. When the financially poor Melbourne clubs move, this will leave more room for the wealthier clubs. With 6 or so Victorian clubs remaining, financially they will be able to compete will the richest western clubs.

Answer 2

First, I think its debatable that Victoria is "The Home of AFL"... I'm pretty sure the game was being played in organised leagues in South Australia as early as it was in Victoria...

The only reason why victorian teams are playing home games in other states is because the AFL wants to expand the game to places where people havent heard of real football yet.  This expands the fanbase and so is good for the game.  Bring on the Auckland Hawks, I say.

the form of football teams is always rotating, which means in a couple of years, vic teams will dominate again, I guarantee it.  But the point is it doesnt matter what state they're from, it how well they play footy.  You gotta admit that West Coast, Sydney and the Crows are great to watch when they're hot.

yes, I am victorian.

Answer 3

mate if u want to follow some real footy support rugby league.  its a toughter game and more exciting that afl.  Go the CANBERRA RAIDERS they win win the comp :)

Answer 4

Victoria will always be the home of AFL, but it is Australian football, not just Victorian.  I think its fantastic that the top 4 are interstate teams, especially since my top 2 are coming 3rd and 4th.  Victorian teams have a advantage in that most of their away games are played at home.  Blues vs Bomber, for example, probably a 50/50 crowd, Deamons vs Freo, you'd be lucky to see 10% of the purple army in the crowd.  I think its only fair that some of the games are played in places like Canberra (where I live) where there's no team to support.  By the way, you are complaining that there's only 2 finals matches played at the G, you get the big one EVERY year, fair is fair if the semi and peliminary finals aren't all played there.

Answer 5

I don't think it is so much on the decline, but the AFL has truely become the national game. With record crowds across the country and games being filled in every state, the game is going from strength to strength. The AFL used subsidies and draft advantages to make sure the interstate teams would become stronger, thus increasing their popularity. The Victorian teams have suffered a bit as a consequence. However I don't think it is too terminal, they will get a premiership soon.

Having said that, I do feel that some of the Melbourne teams should move out. I think 7 from one city is too many. Plus Melbourne, or vic at least has the VFA which is still quite strong. To be honest, Tassie deserves a team, as a true heartland of Aussie Rules (6 of the Hall of Famers are Tasmanians) and the Hawks get a crowd of 30,000 in Lonnie, more than they do in Melbourne. If the doggies moved to Canberra, and maybe the roos went to NT, then we would have everyone represented.

If I will Eurolotto (living in UK atm) I will pay for the Hawks to relocate. Tassie Seahawks on the way....

PS Come on Swannies! BACK TO BACK!

Answer 6

the afl have to stop ALL concessions for the interstate teams, and make it an even contest.

Answer 7

Having 10 teams in one state means there are going to be less fans going around for each team. But I think that having the top 4 this year being all non vic wont happen all the time, in a few years its possible we will see all vic grand finals again. The top 4 at the moment have been building for some time, remember its a fair comp with draft picks, salary cap etc.

And I consider the Lions to be a half vic club, so the vics have won 1.5 flags in the past 5 years!

Answer 8

A trend only - and a good trend.  Who wants the same teams dominating the game all the time. No need to worry too much, in the next 5 years you will see Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn thrashing some of those interstate sides, then the ball will roll full circle and the Interstate sides will get strong again.

Just sit back and enjoy the game.

Answer 9

The communist draft system ensures that Victorian clubs are proped up by the other states. But they shoot themselves in the foot with the rorting of the fixtures schedule (eg. Collingwood & Saints only playing 2 of the top 8 twice, and Adelaide having to play 5 of them twice). This means that a Victorian clubs position on the ladder is nearly always an over-estimate of its true ability. So they miss out on draft picks they would otherwise have been entitled to. Didims.

Answer 10

Hey the best team will win mate, you Vic's have to drop this VFL c**p and think AFL, Footy is an Aussie game not a Victorian game, before the it became the AFL I didnt here any Vic complaining about South Australian players playing for the Vics such as Nathan Buckley, Steve Kernihan, etc etc . It is an Australian game and unless you want the game to dissapear I suggest you accept it for what it is, The Great Aussie Game!! If it had stayed just the VFL it would be boring now. You obviuosly are a Victorian supporter and cant handle losing, I actually hope that the Grand Final one day will be played between The Crows and Port, or the Eagles and the Dockers, wont that be great? I'm sick and tired of you Vics thinking no one else can play Footy, when some of your best players and interstaters.  I hope it will go further and become bigger,  Internationally, the game has strong followings in the UK and Ireland, US and Canada, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. So forget the Vic c**p and follow a real team, Carn the Crows!!!!!  Cant wait for the final. Crows V Eagles..  What you should be worrying about is learning how to grow lawn? The MCG is meant to be the home of Footy and the ground is c**p, every other state has been able to do it, you guys have had since 1858 and still cant get it right, lol..  Have a good day mate.

Answer 11

Who cares? It's only a game.