A knockout competition involving 16 of the best second-tier teams may be in place for next season and broadcaster Foxtel is pushing for games at the AFL's top venues.
Under the proposal, the top four teams from the VFL, WAFL and SANFL would join the premiership winners from the major competitions in New South Wales, the ACT, Queensland and Tasmania. The competition's 15 games would be played between April and early August, when the finalists would play off.
Foxtel wants games in Melbourne to be played as Saturday night curtain-raisers. That means fans potentially could be treated to seeing VFL premier North Ballarat take on SANFL powerhouse Central District before an AFL home-and-away clash at Etihad Stadium or the MCG. Talks between the AFL, Foxtel and state leagues are continuing, with a decision soon on the viability of playing such a league. Despite Foxtel's enthusiasm for the return of the curtain-raiser, the AFL last night was non-committal, stressing it was working through other logistics.
The AFL is supportive of the concept, regardless of where games are played. "There's a fair bit of enthusiasm for it," AFL corporate affairs manager Brian Walsh said last night. "It fits in with the view of the AFL to do everything to improve the second tier and give the opportunity for players to test themselves. "All the state bodies are keen - there's a few things we need to work through."
With Foxtel so bullish and the AFL also seeing major benefits in the concept, it looks a certainty for 2012 if the pieces do not fall into place in time for next season. If it is approved, Foxtel plans to broadcast the matches live, creating a "Super Saturday" of football during the bulk of the season, with a second-tier match possibly wedged between two AFL games.
Funding for the competition has been an issue, but the AFL has enough financial clout to get it over the line if it sees the benefits. After the success of Michael Barlow and James Podsiadly as mature-age recruits at Fremantle and Geelong, respectively, this year, there has been growing interest in feeder leagues.
Last Modified on 10/02/2011 13:47