The 2009 AFL Sydney Competition structure has been announced following nomination of 49 teams across 19 clubs.
Next season will see a major restructure of the competitions with the existing club based system of Premier Division Seniors and Reserves, First Division Senior and Reserves and the Second Division competitions replaced by a team based divisional structure.The new structure is aimed at making for more competitive competitions across the board, after years of lopsided results throughout most of the senior competitions. The challenge of the restructure is that clubs senior and reserve grade sides will be split on a number of occasions during the season, although in most cases, club teams will all be at home together on the same day.
AFL (NSW/ACT) Senior Football Co-ordinator Garry Burkinshaw acknowledged the disruption faced by the clubs however believes that the challenges faced by the clubs will be compensated by more competitive football "I accept that all clubs will be inconvenienced by the restructure however the likelihood of greater competition throughout all divisions will also be of benefit to all clubs" Burkinshaw said "Our goal is for clubs to be together for their home game which will enable them to still develop a strong club culture and run fundraising events" he added.
The Under 18's competitions will remain unchanged in 2009 with a Premier Cup and Challenge Cup Competition.
The 2009 Structure is as follows:
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Premier Division
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Division One
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Division Two
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Division Three
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Division Four
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1
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Balmain Dockers
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East Coast
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Balmain Dockers
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Holroyd Parramatta
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Camden
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2
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Campbelltown
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Manly Warringah
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Camden
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Macquarie University
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Holroyd Parramatta
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3
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East Coast
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North Shore
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Campbelltown
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Moorebank
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Macquarie University
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4
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North Shore
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Pennant Hills
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East Coast
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Nor West
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Manly Warringah
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5
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Pennant Hills
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St George
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Holroyd Parramatta
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Pennant Hills
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Moorebank
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6
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St George
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Sydney Uni
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Macquarie University
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Penrith
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Nor West
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7
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Sydney Uni
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UNSW/ES
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Manly Warringah
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Southern Sharks
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Penrith
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8
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UNSW/ES
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UTS
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Southern Sharks
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UNSW/ES
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Sydney Uni
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9
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Western Suburbs
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Western Suburbs
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Sydney Uni
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UTS
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UNSW/ES
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10
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Wollongong
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Wollongong
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UTS
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Bye
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UTS
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Last Modified on 06/04/2009 10:42