Diamond_Jim

If it was the NBA you might be right but why would those behemoths care about the additional subs they could get from AFL. The bidders are more likely the Phone companies Telstra and Optus to support their digital presence but at present they have only committed small money.

No they wont Do the sums...AFL is a loss leader for Foxtel which has said that it won't pay more. The FTA channels are all making a loss.

Show Replies do you really believe that ?? when the ninth game is GCS playing Freo?? Australia wide ratings 200k at most Half decent Youtubers get more views

You hear that mantra discussed often but given the crowds of the second team in Sydney and Brisbane it doesn't really hold water. When the TV ratings for the second team are published they rarely score well. They also used to agrue that it got them media coverage but that is probably not borne out by reality either. Knowing a few Swans supporters in Sydney they have no interest whatsoever in GWS. One other point...big revenue growth in the next ten years will be in crowds and sponsorship not media money. Fewer teams the bigger the crowds between the surviving teams. PS...one good thing is that this has spelled the end of the China junkets

I think they got rid of the pet memberships but I'll add another category... sponsor held memberships

Hawthorn's revenue structure would take a decent hit if it were to lose the Tasmanian Government funding.

North's assets are negligible unless you think you can sell the training facilities in Arden Street which are on Crown land with restricted use leases. Saints are in deep debt and 2020 would not have helped. Ideally 2 more clubs out of Melbourne ????? If however you get rid of Suns and GWS..... a 14 team comp seems to work nicely Mind you a 12 team comp allows a home and away between every team !!

The Hawks IIRC were going to fund around 33% by debt, 33% foundation money (supporters) and 33% government money. Here's a 2015 article... couldn't find a newer one https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/hawthorn-hawks/hawthorn-plan-to-relocate-to-dingley-debt-free-confident-it-wont-risk-financial-future-ng-397a3ad16c8c4692ff108ddfae5c6af2

The power struggle going on in the EPL at present is informative. Many people have been waiting a while to act and the pandemic has provided them with the opportunity to do so.

Kennett is running hard on the financial Independence ticket.No secret that both the Swans and Brisbane don't like a second team in their market. That's three clubs. They would need six more to upset the present cabal. My feeling is that both Adelaide and Perth are tired of the Victorian dominance and you could expect Port and Freo to join them. That leaves two more from Victoria... Interesting times Without Samuel or Fitzpatrick the AFL Commission is not the mensa organisation it used to be.

something strange here... Could be wrong though

Could this be the start of the end for some clubs.... "Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has joined Swans chairman Andrew Pridham in calling for an independent review into the AFL's entire operations..... Kennett said the review should look into all aspects of the league, including the number of teams, which is presently 18....... The pandemic has ushered in a period of significant upheaval for the AFL. Clubs and the league have been forced to cut large numbers of staff, while a re-negotiated pay deal with the players remains in limbo. The vast majority of club members did not request a refund – a financial lifeline for the AFL – however fears remain over what will happen with memberships next year as Victoria and the country battle through a recession. There is also no clarity on whether crowds will be allowed back at Victorian games next season, given the unpredictability of the pandemic in the state." https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-sydney-presidents-call-for-independent-review-into-afl-20201015-p565em.html

But it deters the defensive kick along the boundary line so the forward entry is much more likely to come from midfield. It's the defensive exit that causes the play to be boundary side in the first place Forward entries deep to a pocket would offer minimal scoring opportunity so I don't see the tactic of forward boundary hugging being a winner

Dodoro's version of Essendon is like the Victorian border... "You can get in but can't get out"

just keep repeating "Anastasia saved the AFL season"

Good rule change It doesn't outlaw the punch away down the line or out of bounds on the bounce but the easy punch away across the boundary line on the full should go. We did the same for ruck tapouts many many years ago. Increasingly the game is being played along the boundary line. Anything that detracts from that is worth trying. It's not a big change but if there is concern trial it in the VFL

Forgot Spartacus... I like him and I think his kicking distance improved this year. Last year he was lucky to get 30 metres. But like the others he's not a wow... he has to be in the side player

I suppose if it's a choice between Hannan and Hunt I'd favour Hunt but neither excite. Our HFF depth isn't that great. I don't expect AVB to play that well in 2021. ANB who knows and even Melksham. None is a a wow....must have in the 18 selection And of course no Harley on the horizon Have I missed anyone?

Tom is 28...this is his last contract of any size Why would he take a salary cut.There's no upside. Conversely what club wants a disgruntled player languishing in the VFL This ain't easy save for those who think he'll magically regain form. (Fairytales never come true at the MFC as we all know)

I think that's quite likely. As I posed on another thread how much are we prepared to pay to trade him. Per year..100k, 200k 250k ?

The paycut they took was a proportionate pay cut with a corresponding reduction in the salary cap. If they take a paycut the Tom salary supplement may go down in dollar terms but as a percentage of the new salary cap and media revenue from the AFL it will remain the same.

Needs a year out of football. Has been in AFL since the age of 17....needs a break Always amazed that long term injury players hang around the club. Perfect opportunity with mentoring support to develop as a person

Not sure some on here understand the haircut we will take if T Mac leaves. IMO he should go but we will probably end up paying around $200k per year of his salary for the next two years. Anything under $200k would be a win for us.

Love it.... “Maybe he’s destined to return to the backline. I’m not sure where Collingwood see him fitting in but they recruited Jeremy Howe as a forward and turned him into one of the great defenders of the last five or six years.”

I doubt it. The old VFL had 18 rounds if I recall. This is all about money saving and getting effectively scratch matches for the cheapest price. Integrity of the comp will come a long second. The other thing about that tweet is what is meant by "stand alone teams". Is that referring to the likes of Port Melbourne etc. If so you could have around 19-20 teams in the comp. Just noticed KC from Casey posted a link to a Herald Sun report saying that the Northern Bullants would be a stand alone club come 2021.