According to a report in The Age Realfooty (League may resurrect reserves by Stephen Reilly), from 2009 the AFL is likely to make it easier and more financially viable for an AFL club to field a true reserves side in the VFL, rather than having an affiliation to a VFL club (like Sandringham).

What are the implications for Melbourne in terms of finances, player lists and player development? Would we be better maintaining our Sandringham connection, or do what Geelong does and have our own reserves side?

There are arguments for either way. For example, with playing our guys at Sandy they're in a more competitive environment so they have to work harder to win their spot ie Neville or Newton, winning is the priority. But as a reserves team we can play our players wherever we like, with development the main priority.

There are arguments for either way. For example, with playing our guys at Sandy they're in a more competitive environment so they have to work harder to win their spot ie Neville or Newton, winning is the priority. But as a reserves team we can play our players wherever we like, with development the main priority.

The MFC/SFC association is the one really successful union & so will be one of the considerations in any decision.

AFL also must consider the potential negative impact on VFL if Reserves broguth back. VFL has be envigorated and many spectators enjoy the suburban footy it offers including kicking the footy at breaks and listing to the coaches at huddles..Is very positive for Aussie Rules overall. Wouls not want to lose this benefit.

Also heard Bomber Thompson on SEN this morning say thet cats reserves and stand alone side is more expensive & so a question will be what the financial impact will be especially on clubs like MFC. What may need to be sacrificed or will MFC be able to afford a competitive reserves side??

do we continue with 40 on the senior full time list and employ (or contract) 10 other players as reserves players only? do these players come out of the vfl pool? would they want to play for a team knowing that the team might not be about winning, it might be development, and knowing that even if they are the best player for a position they might not get to play there? or will these players stay at the other clubs...

if all 10 vic sides had a stand alone side in the vfl, there is going to be a 20 odd team competition which is ridiculous. do we go to a 11 team reserves comp (including sydney perhaps) and keep the vfl as the vfl? or do we have a div 1 div 2 in the vfl where teams get relegated?

The MFC/SFC association is the one really successful union & so will be one of the considerations in any decision.

AFL also must consider the potential negative impact on VFL if Reserves broguth back. VFL has be envigorated and many spectators enjoy the suburban footy it offers including kicking the footy at breaks and listing to the coaches at huddles..Is very positive for Aussie Rules overall. Wouls not want to lose this benefit.

Also heard Bomber Thompson on SEN this morning say thet cats reserves and stand alone side is more expensive & so a question will be what the financial impact will be especially on clubs like MFC. What may need to be sacrificed or will MFC be able to afford a competitive reserves side??

The union has been very successful for Sandringham, no doubt. But has it been successful for Melbourne? That's the main issue for us but unfortunately it's a difficult one to answer easily.

We should definitely consider all options.

The union has been very successful for Sandringham, no doubt. But has it been successful for Melbourne?

its a curly one for sure.

on a number of fronts there are distinct advantages to continue as is, all the infrastructure is there, it is a winning environment and i suspect tis is the cheaper scenario rather than field our own team. However there are times when we could argue players arent getting time in the positions we woulld like to see them grow in.

it may come down to a dollar decision.

its a curly one for sure.

on a number of fronts there are distinct advantages to continue as is, all the infrastructure is there, it is a winning environment and i suspect tis is the cheaper scenario rather than field our own team. However there are times when we could argue players arent getting time in the positions we woulld like to see them grow in.

it may come down to a dollar decision.

But if the AFL makes it more affordable then that won't be a concern. Worthy of discussion imho, getting the best development for our kids is the most important thing, not how many flags Sandy wins.

The biggest benefit of the Sandy relationship is that it saves us a bucket load of cash. We can't afford to run our own reserves team and that's really the only reason why the Sandy relationship was necessary as far as I could see. If the AFL are proposing to foot the bill for the resources required for fielding our own second team, I can't see a single reason not to end the relationship.

yep...but i suppose until we know what the money incentives etc are we are only fumbling in the dark :-)

I am scratching my head thinkng of what exactly this NEW VFL would look like... there'd be a few teams ? ( if all vic based afl suddenly fielded 2nds)

are the existing VFL teams going to cry foul ?

it means the Newton will play FF and kick 15 every week

The biggest benefit of the Sandy relationship is that it saves us a bucket load of cash. We can't afford to run our own reserves team and that's really the only reason why the Sandy relationship was necessary as far as I could see. If the AFL are proposing to foot the bill for the resources required for fielding our own second team, I can't see a single reason not to end the relationship.

Totally agree.

PS. Y_M - I would hope Newton is kicking 15 in the seniors every week by 2009.

afl reserves is the way to go, its much better to turn up to the MCG early and watch a reserves game instead of this sandringham crap where afl clubs put heaps of players to their VFl affiliate side and the competition is lop sided.

Regardless of the pros & cons of reserve football against VFL, I would love to see them running around on the ground prior to the big game, like they did years ago.

It gives you a chance to see who is improving or not etc. and would give the younger players the experience of playing in the big stadiums with a crowd.

I was in Brisbane 2 years ago and went and watched the Lions & Cats at the Gabba. Prior to the game they had Brisy Reserves playing southport, It was good to see some premierhsip players on the comeback from injury, and it didnt matter who they were playing.

So Im sure all fans would love to see Newton running around on the G on Saturday if ne isnt selected in the ones.

If the reserves do come back I doubt that will mean we see them play before games, from what the article was suggesting the games would be played at 'old' home grounds, presuming they mean Princes Park, Essendon etc.

id love to be able to watch a ressies game before the seniors,