Western Sydney team to be delayed

[goswannie14]

Precisely what they tried to do to North Melbourne a couple of years ago. You're probably right about a likely return to 16 teams in the short-to-medium term.

I've said it before, I believe that within 5 years North Melbourne will have merged with the new GC team. Bingo, 16 teams again. Then they just need to get one to relocate to Western Sydney and one to Tassie.

[Cheer Squad]

I've said it before, I believe that within 5 years North Melbourne will have merged with the new GC team. Bingo, 16 teams again. Then they just need to get one to relocate to Western Sydney and one to Tassie.

It becomes a question of which teams would be best suited to relocation.

Being a Sydney person, I think - at the moment - the only Melbourne-based club that could relocate to western Sydney and make a go of it would be Collingwood. The club has the same outlook generally as western Sydney, and playing at Homebush certainly holds no fears for them. If not Collingwood, who else? Maybe the Bulldogs?

I've always thought that if Richmond relocated to Tasmania, the Tassie Tigers would certainly have a ring to it. They'd probably become one of the most popular brands in the AFL.

[goswannie14]

It becomes a question of which teams would be best suited to relocation.

Being a Sydney person, I think - at the moment - the only Melbourne-based club that could relocate to western Sydney and make a go of it would be Collingwood. The club has the same outlook generally as western Sydney, and playing at Homebush certainly holds no fears for them. If not Collingwood, who else? Maybe the Bulldogs?

I've always thought that if Richmond relocated to Tasmania, the Tassie Tigers would certainly have a ring to it. They'd probably become one of the most popular brands in the AFL.

I always thought the Western Bulldogs would be a perfect fit for Western Sydney, don't even have to change the name.

I had thought that about Richmond, but I think they are financially stable at the moment. I also thought Melbourne could go to Tassie, "Demons" could be changed to "Devils", and you have the Tassie Devils.

[Cheer Squad]

I always thought the Western Bulldogs would be a perfect fit for Western Sydney, don't even have to change the name.

I had thought that about Richmond, but I think they are financially stable at the moment. I also thought Melbourne could go to Tassie, "Demons" could be changed to "Devils", and you have the Tassie Devils.

Yes, that would work nicely.

[Wardy]

I always thought the Western Bulldogs would be a perfect fit for Western Sydney, don't even have to change the name.

I had thought that about Richmond, but I think they are financially stable at the moment. I also thought Melbourne could go to Tassie, "Demons" could be changed to "Devils", and you have the Tassie Devils.

look what are you thinking?? dont you know that makes just far too much sense to even be considered by the AFL !!! (I couldnt agree with you more though Rev!)

[AnnieH]

... but "Blacktown Bogans" had such a nice ring to it!!!

[Big Al]

They'll have to restrict the family ticket though.

Cruel

[Bear]

A 'nothing' article full of hot air and no new detail. Not sure why anyone would read much into one journo's opinion.

The NEW team (for the AFL's credibilty in Sydney, cannot be another relocated Melbourne team) will start in 2012.

It will be like calling in the cavalry into NSW to help the Swans climb from the trenches and grow interest in Australian Football across Greater Sydney. BIG TIME.

Soccer is even getting federal funding to take their game to Indigenous Australians. We must act now in THEIR heartland... it's a land grab.

We snooze, we lose.

[connolly]

The message from this is that there will be no 18th team in the current economic environment.

There are some serious implications for all 16 existing clubs, but particularly the Melbourne ones and those already struggling financially:

* Corporate sponsorship will be wound back. In Melbourne, all 9 clubs will be competing for a smaller pie.

* Club memberships will fall off. Households will be looking to cut their spending and for many football memberships will be what goes (particularly if your club has no prospect of playing finals).

* The next TV deal could be signifcantly less than the current one meaning less money for all clubs. All media companies are under pressure. A post-Packer 9 will not have the money to conduct a bidding war for AFL rights (they also just paid for the Olympics), so it points to 7 and 10 getting the rights again for a bargain price.

Some Melbourne clubs must be very nervous to see where this all ends up - Melbourne FC in particular. Football is not immune from economic downturns and while the AFL competition has socialist ideals, the AFL as a body is basically a commercial beast and will let a club die / relocate / merge if it ultimately leads to a healthier competition. We're more likely to see a return to 16 teams rather than an 18th team which is probably what the AFL wants.

The Depression 0f 2010 will wipe out at least two Melbourne clubs. And a good thing too. Hopefully Vlad and that pretender from the Carlton Crims will fall on their swords as well. Its all good.

[connolly]

A 'nothing' article full of hot air and no new detail. Not sure why anyone would read much into one journo's opinion.

The NEW team (for the AFL's credibilty in Sydney, cannot be another relocated Melbourne team) will start in 2012.

It will be like calling in the cavalry into NSW to help the Swans climb from the trenches and grow interest in Australian Football across Greater Sydney. BIG TIME.

Soccer is even getting federal funding to take their game to Indigenous Australians. We must act now in THEIR heartland... it's a land grab.

We snooze, we lose.

Soccer is insolvent and the Westfield weazel will not put a cent of the billions he has wrung from small business people to help it. Its national comp will be euthanased in two seasons. As for the trenches are you talking of a financial Somme?

[Wardy]

Soccer is even getting federal funding to take their game to Indigenous Australians. We must act now in THEIR heartland... it's a land grab.

We snooze, we lose.

No no no - you dont get it - Mr Lowy wants the funding for the heartland so as he can build another Westfield Mall - he's just using Soccer as a teaser!!!!

[Bear]

Soccer is insolvent and the Westfield weazel will not put a cent of the billions he has wrung from small business people to help it. Its national comp will be euthanased in two seasons. As for the trenches are you talking of a financial Somme?

Breathtaking ignorance.