AFL Reserves Teams in the SANFL Reserves Competition?

Ron Fuller give a few thoughts on the idea of the Smears and the Cows having Reserves Teams in the SANFL Reserves Competition. Not sure I agree at this stage, but he makes an interesting case for it anyway!

Ronny's Blog
AFL Reserves
Wednesday 8 February - By Ronny's Blog

Hello to everyone and welcome to another on coming football season.
I have been asked to start some blogging to kick the year off and I thought I would start with a topical subject to get things going.
The question of our two AFL clubs having reserves teams in the SANFL is being raised again and it has also led to some interesting conversations around the traps.
As I mentioned last year, I personally don’t have a problem with it as long as it doesn’t compromise the SANFL competition.
It is a difficult to imagine how it can’t be compromised in some way though.
One way it wouldn’t be however is to have the AFL reserves play in the SANFL reserves competition.
Obviously the standard won’t be as high as they would wish but they are primarily about development and the SANFL reserves competition is very much a development grade.
The AFL clubs have no problem with their players fronting up in the reserves when their allocated team has the bye and it would give them total control of their list if they were in charge of all their players.
They would have to find about 12 to 16 players to form a top up squad but that would be easy.
Many amateur or country players would love to get involved in an AFL club but still be connected to the local club if not required at any time.
Another positive would be that the SANFL lists would be divided into 8 clubs instead of 9, which ought to mean the lists and reserves lists in particular, would be stronger, resulting in a better competition too.
This higher profile for the reserves would make it more appealing to stay in the SANFL system as well, which has to be a good thing, rather than losing a lot of players to amateur or country football for money and less commitment.
This thinking might enable clubs to pay a little more to the reserves players as a result of this compromise too which would also help to improve the level.
There are a few logistical problems like a different draw for the reserves but these are minor compared to the alternatives.
It would bring a different complexion to our league without clubs worrying about any drastic changes to their current format.

Ron Fuller.

http://www.safc.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42&Itemid=39

with all due respect to ron fuller,I wish he would stop giving the AFL clubs ammo. I dont want to see the crows or power having anything to do with our league. fuller says he doesn't mind as long as it doesn't compromise our comp, what on earth does he think giving AFL clubs any sort of say in the sanfl is going to do? all they need is one foot in the door and then what's next? it's well known that the two clubs here will eventually be free of the sanfl so why on earth help them out any more?they say they care about the local comp but then want to divorce themselves from it. ron fuller please dont give the afl any more ammunition or have you got your eyes on an AFL gig of some sort down the track?

Lots of holes in Rons arguement . It wont strenghten our comp at all , look what they have done to the VFL , it's a nightmare that competition . Leave it as a STRONG stand alone competition thanks, that is what is best for ,footy not a strong reserves competition.

Why don't they go play in the VFL.
That has plenty of AFL reserves teams.
Keep it all in one camp.

Just as long as they stay as far away from the sanfl as possible.
I think the temptation to integrate them into the league comp, would at some point be hard to resist.

Good reply Chambo, and i agree with you, send them to the VFL if they want a reserves team.

Just bring back the AFL Reserves. Should never have gotten rid of that comp and it should have included the teams from outside Victoria. Rather than cost-cutting measures to line the board of directors pockets, money should be spent on maintaining the AFL reserves as a development league.

I do wonder how the SANFL would go if there were no AFL listed players in it, I would not mind at all and would favour any move that might make that happen. There are several AFL listed players who are very good for the competition and show it the respect it deserves, the issue that I have is these arseholes that play for an SANFL club all season then when the finals come around are "unavailable". I would not mind at all if those players were packed off to the SANFL reserves or another competition considering they are not worthy of the colours of an SANFL club and should not be permitted to take the place of a lad that wants to wear the jumper of that side.

We have a great comp. I wouldn't change a thing. We all know that we have the second best competition outside the AFL to me that says it all

Except I guess lachlan when the WAFL beat the SANFL in the state game and Williamstown wipe the floor with the SANFL clubs in the Foxtel cup?

Ben W wrote:Except I guess lachlan when the WAFL beat the SANFL in the state game and Williamstown wipe the floor with the SANFL clubs in the Foxtel cup?

WA beat SA in my eyes because the sanfl for whatever reason allowed darrel hart to have a say in selection and the result was players not being selected who should have been and others who were selected who shouldn't have been.dont ask me to name them but at the time I was surprised with the final side. as for williamstown wiping the floor with our sides and correct me if I'm wrong but didn't they have a team with quite a few AFL players? and didn't our teams go ok considering they came from the bottom half of the ladder? I cant even remember which SA teams they beat and by how much.