We haven't had this poll yet

[ROK Lobster]

Western Sydney team, good idea of bad? Not from a support point of view, but from a common sense point of view. Is it a good idea? I'm voting "no"

[Lucky Knickers]

What does a "common sense point of view" mean?

[ROK Lobster]

What does a "common sense point of view" mean?
Well not from a "I hate the Western Sydney Wombats because I love the Swans" point of view - like some of the Kings/Razorbacks rot that pops up in the sport forum. Perhaps I should have said form an impartial point of view. Does that answer the Q LK?

[barry]

Big yes from me. For 2 reasons: Debries.

[Lucky Knickers]

I voted yes.

I will enjoy buying a membership nice and early, getting the plumb seats at the game and then wearing my red and white at the local derby. This makes good common sense to me.

I try to form an impartial point of view but fall short.

[cruiser]

It's a good idea if they relocate and rename a Melb team (although Western Bulldogs can remain Western Bulldogs). It will at least give it an established support base and identity.

[573v30]

Yes.

With the Kings/Razorbacks rivalry dead and buried, Sydney need a new whipping boy from the wrong side of the tracks.

[Robbo]

I'm not against having another team in NSW, I just don't like the way it's happening.

A Victorian club should relocate instead of starting the West Sydney franchise from scratch.

[bloodboy]

No. It is just not going to work. The Swans are only just established, and even then, some would argue that they actually still are not that established. Sure, NSW/Western Sydney has the population, the potential sponsorship dollars but support does not just happen....it is earned over a long period of time and I just don't think Western Sydney is anywhere near ready. Give the team to Tassie!

[dendol]

Big yes from me. For 2 reasons: Debries.
ahh, by that you mean we can offload some of our rubbish players to them

[sprite]

I'm not against having another team in NSW, I just don't like the way it's happening.

A Victorian club should relocate instead of starting the West Sydney franchise from scratch.

This may sound harsh - but I hope the exercise fails miserably.

I see the need for a second team but not from scratch - relocation is the best option.

Melbourne needs to loose a minimum of three teams (Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton would be ideal, although where ever Collingwood went the base IQ level plummet)

On another point - fixturing of games, FFS they can't get right now so how will they accomodate two new teams

[Rod_]

Whilst I feel it is a good idea, later on not now (5 years, Tassie or NT first even ACT would be my vote)

I guess that the powers to be want to close out on the numbers on population that is expected in the 2 areas. Sydney and SE Qld will have half - 2/3 of Aust population in 10 years and as such need more teams for the Sponsors $. Its all a numbers game..

Rod_

[bennyfrou]

I would rather see a Tasmanian team enter the league before the western Sydney team. I don't care about the expansionistic nature of the AFL.

[TheMase]

Absolutely. It will only strengthen the Swans. League is built on people 'choosing' a team for the sake of having one. The addition of WSYD will provide another team for 'mates' to be in competition with each other.

[AnnieH]

I'd vote yes - but ONLY on the condition they're called the Blacktown Bogans.

No.

[Industrial Fan]

Big yes from me. For 2 reasons: Debries.I think you mean Debbies.

[hammo]

Tasmania should be allowed to enter a team before a region with minimal interest in AFL.

[Lucky Knickers]

Pure speculation on my part but would Tassie be a worry because you wouldn't expect them to draw a massive home crowd week in week out and wouldn't contribute to a massive gate taking in their away games.
What will that do to sponsorship/tv rights?
Would the TV partners prefer the second Sydney team option based on TV audience and wider pool of people to pull through the gate for the block buster style games?

[NMWBloods]

I would have thought Tassie would be able to get 20-25K people to most games.

[Lucky Knickers]

What's the ground capacity?

[Destructive]

A second Sydney team could be good. I don't know how I'm going to feel when they start though. I'm still going to be red and white through and through.

[NMWBloods]

What's the ground capacity?
Depends where they play. I thought North Hobart could hold up to 25K (has done before) but checking I see capacity is 18K. Bellerive is 16K. Aurora is 20K.

[Lucky Knickers]

Do you think the TV rights will influence the decision?
You'd think they would be seriously considering a Tassie franchise given grass roots footy first.

[BSA5]

I voted "yes". It doesn't matter if it doesn't make much economical sense to begin with, the AFL will MAKE it work. Also, within 5 years, we will see a merger between the new WS team and a Vic club. That will bring fans, and with them economic stability, to the new team, making it viable. It will probably be very shaky to start off with, and there wouldn't be enough people in Sydney to get behind them on their own, but with support from a merger, and generous support from the AFL, they'll get on their feet, and from then on, with league dying in Sydney, the supporters will come.

[NMWBloods]

Do you think the TV rights will influence the decision?
You'd think they would be seriously considering a Tassie franchise given grass roots footy first.I don't think they will consider Tassie seriously but I think they should.

[Lucky Knickers]

When people talk about merging/relocating I immediately wonder which team. It doesn't seem obvious to me which Vic team.
Dees is the obvious one. Does Demetriou want to prop them up?
They seem a long way off being viable off field.