Every othert team coming ito the AFL has come about from a genuine interst of groups etc to expand an exisitng interest and follwing of teh game into its highest level of competition.

GWS is simply teh AFL attempting to impose its will on the masses. It holds no water

When you have them by the balls - their hearts and minds will follow.

When you have them by the balls - their hearts and minds will follow.

whom...and how ?

whom...and how ?

They'll like us when we win!!

Every othert team coming ito the AFL has come about from a genuine interst of groups etc to expand an exisitng interest and follwing of teh game into its highest level of competition.

GWS is simply teh AFL attempting to impose its will on the masses. It holds no water

As a football follower I would much prefer a team playing out of Tassie but as a business man I'd have to agree with the AFL and go to Western Sydney. It's a massive growth area where all codes are looking for a foothold. The AFL is the biggest sports brand in the country, with mountains of cash and more coming. They are looking at both new teams as 20 - 25 year projects and can afford to help them for this time. They won't need big crowds, it'as much to do with TV dollars as anything else. These same TV dollars will help out guess who? The MFC, a club that is beholden to the AFL for it's existence, now and into the future.

While I appreciate your sentiment I think you've got it wrong on this one. GWS won't fail because the AFL won't let it fail, simple really. Remeber also that not all the people who live there and are moving there have any interest in Rugby. AFL will spend the dollars getting these people into the greatest game on earth!

Though some might not beleive me I think it would be truly marvellous for the game should it be able to establish a foothold in that part of the world. I just cant see the logic financially. It will cost the AFL 100's of millions to provide for it. Is it going to get that and more back ?? I doubt it.. So from a business sense, wheres the logic ?

Though some might not beleive me I think it would be truly marvellous for the game should it be able to establish a foothold in that part of the world. I just cant see the logic financially. It will cost the AFL 100's of millions to provide for it. Is it going to get that and more back ?? I doubt it.. So from a business sense, wheres the logic ?

If the 2 teams mean the AFL get an extra $250,000,000 for the TV rights over 5 years then quite clearly there's plenty of money to go around. Even if they only got an extra 150,000,000 the money would be easily recouped in the following years. The monies not a problem, hasn't been for years because whether we agree or not the AFL run a good "business" and have done since people moaned about WC entering the competition.

You say that GWS18 stands for nothing at the moment and your answer is to turn it into the Swans seconds?!

That would stunt it irreparably if it ever decided to go out on its own.

Indeed, there won't be much support or exposure for growth with regard to this idea. Waste of time.

When you have them by the balls - their hearts and minds will follow.

! (thanks for letting me splurt my drink everywhere). Nevertheless I concur.

It will cost the AFL 100's of millions to provide for it. Is it going to get that and more back ?? I doubt it.. So from a business sense, wheres the logic ?

The population is massive within GWS, many businesses. The view to not only create and grow the game in this corridor, but it's prudent for the AFL and will help maintain it's future as the No.1 code within Australia.

Why not tap into another revenue stream with a population such as GWS? Increases in crowd attendances - new audiences; increases TV rights; more money to splash around.

Not that I intend to lose sleep, but it might be an intersting topic to come back to in 10 years.

I still dont abide any argument that suggests teh inclusion of another team ( from Western Sydeney ) is going to increase, or indeed affect in any real orpositv way the value of the next TV deal. Ratings arent briliant for AFL in Syd, so how does this increase the deals value ?.Granted it does provide another game each week, but of what value ?

I would think it made better sense to keep what ever money was made via the next TV deal, not spend mega millions on a basket case and distribute it to existing clubs. That benefits the MFC much more

Not that I intend to lose sleep, but it might be an intersting topic to come back to in 10 years.

I still dont abide any argument that suggests teh inclusion of another team ( from Western Sydeney ) is going to increase, or indeed affect in any real orpositv way the value of the next TV deal. Ratings arent briliant for AFL in Syd, so how does this increase the deals value ?.Granted it does provide another game each week, but of what value ?

I would think it made better sense to keep what ever money was made via the next TV deal, not spend mega millions on a basket case and distribute it to existing clubs. That benefits the MFC much more

In 10 years, Melbourne would have won 4 premeirships, Jack Watts and Tom Scully will be Brownlow medallists and they'll only be 28. We won't even care about GWS or GC17 for that matter.

In 10 years, Melbourne would have won 4 premeirships, Jack Watts and Tom Scully will be Brownlow medallists and they'll only be 28. We won't even care about GWS or GC17 for that matter.

you make a compelling argument... :D