The introduction of GWS \ Gold Coast

[volders 22]

I'm not too worried about these "just add water" instant footy clubs. They lack a soul and 150+years continuity of history and support as with us. Their survival is exclusively dependant on lots of freebies from the AFL. A severe economic crisis or downturn in AFL stocks will see support for them evaporate quickly. If the cash dried up then they will just go "poof" into the air. I'm sure if we were in a crisis our die hard supporters would rally as they did with Debt Demolition and we will survive even if we have to bottom feed longer than we expected. All we need now is some bloody good coaches and admin to lift this club out of the doldrums. Lack of long term success has seen our stocks dwindle significantly but there is a hell of a lot of latent support out there that will materialise when we start to get some genuine on field success whenever it happens.

Well Fremantle is doing well and is probably the only real example of 'just add water' footy club. PA has history, Adelaide/WC don't really count since they were the first teams in AFL heartland cities. Although I do doubt GC/GWS will have as smooth a ride as Freo.

[Mister Ed 317]

I generally don't believe in the idea of boycotts but if Scully goes there I would make an exception for GWS.

I usually make at least one trip interstate every year but I will give that game a miss and watch on television.

[Guest hangon007]

I forgot. You actually think the AFL wants to see its clubs die.

I assume you also think Demetriou wants a league consisting of Gold Coast, GWS, Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton.

If you actually think the AFL wants, or will allow, clubs to simply die, you are either stupid (possible), naive (likely), overly-pessimistic (definitely) or all three.

The AFL is not going let clubs die to allow the new clubs to exist. That would defeat the purpose of creating the new clubs (that purpose being to grow and develop the sport and the AFL).

I dont think WANTS is the right word.

No the idea of new clubs is to develop the game in "untapped" areas ie Gold Coast & Greater Western Sydney.

I'm just not sure the "help & assistance" if there was a next time for a struggling Victorian side would be enough to keep them in Victoria. So as long as you where happy to support the Greater Western Demons or the Darwin Demons you are fine.

What I dont want to see happen is to be forced back to the AFL for assistance.

If thats "stupid" well so be it, if thats "naive" well so be it if that "over-pessimistic" so be it. But you just have to look at the facts ...the cost to play AFL football at the elite level is skyrocketing. If you cant compete off the field you will never do it on the field.

What comes first in 2011 ie on-field or off-field ... well in 2011 its off-field they are just the facts via sustained long term investment inside your football department.

Yet the majority of Melbourne supporters want onfield first ... its just not going to happen.

[John Crow Batty 8,880]

Well Fremantle is doing well and is probably the only real example of 'just add water' footy club. PA has history, Adelaide/WC don't really count since they were the first teams in AFL heartland cities. Although I do doubt GC/GWS will have as smooth a ride as Freo.

You must remember there is a long standing football tradition in Fremantle and WA in general. There is a large pool of South and East Fremantle fans who are proud their city is now in the big league. There is no supporter fan base in GWS and only minimal at GC.