VFA Revival?

[SeaSide]

The AFL's focus is on the AFL. The last thing they want is grassroots football diverting attention (and especially money) away from the AFL - they want to maximise AFL memberships, attendances and revenue and people watching grassroots football instead is not what they want you to do.

That is apparent in the disdain they have shown for senior grassroots football in recent years. They want footballers to do what people do in US sports - stop playing by the age of 21 if they aren't good enough to play at an elite level and go and attend AFL games instead.

The only grassroots football the AFL cares about is the junior system because it feeds the AFL. Spending money on senior grassroots football is wasted spending in their eyes.

Hell will freeze over before they agree to this concept.

That is probably true, but sad.

 

[SeaSide]

That is probably true, but sad.

However, occasional footballers are selected from district or regional teams as AFL rookies, and several were this past season.
The concept of a VSFL/A would provide an opportunity for many talented suburban and country AFL hopefuls to play in a competitive league. Ideal for those who have been previously overlooked to be noticed and hopefully drafted.

This understanding would be beneficial for AFL recruiters, reducing their workload while offering hope to aspiring draftees.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

Reading Xavier Fowler's book on the 'Football War' has got me wondering whether WWII came at a fortuitous time for the VFL.

The VFA had been making great strides by the early 1940s and was starting to mount a challenge to the VFL's supremacy when the war intervened. By the VFL continuing right through the war years and the VFA suspending play, the association lost its momentum and never recovered.

 

[AussieNick1999]

Reading Xavier Fowler's book on the 'Football War' has got me wondering whether WWII came at a fortuitous time for the VFL.

The VFA had been making great strides by the early 1940s and was starting to mount a challenge to the VFL's supremacy when the war intervened. By the VFL continuing right through the war years and the VFA suspending play, the association lost its momentum and never recovered.

I'll be keen to pick up a copy as soon as I get back from the States.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

They had a launch at Readings in Carlton tonight, that might be a good starting point when you get back.