Stand-alone team in the VFL.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

Would love to see the Footscray Bulldogs VFL team as our stand alone and at $250+ a year its a no brainer. Why do some people take it as an insult to the Williamstown alliance that we want a stand alone team? A billion dollar industry has to move with the times and allow all teams to have full control over list devlopment.

[stefoid]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

Except that it's about development more than it is about proving their ability. Geelong & Collingwood have the best of both worlds - playing the AFL listed players, and playing against seasoned opponents.

Turning it into a reserves comp would degrade the quality, but if we were to join Geelong & Collingwood to the exception of other clubs we would have an advantage.

Its nice to be doing the cats and the pies a favor. We're such great guys.

[Bornadog]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

Would love to see the Footscray Bulldogs VFL team as our stand alone and at $250+ a year its a no brainer. Why do some people take it as an insult to the Williamstown alliance that we want a stand alone team? A billion dollar industry has to move with the times and allow all teams to have full control over list devlopment.

That is the main reason why a stand alone team would benefit us, ie having full control of our list development. A few years ago when we were aligned to Werribee, this was a real issue for us. It hasn't been too bad with Willi, but that could change quickly as they have a club to run with their own supporters and want to make their own choices of who is in and who is out. I am sure if Rocket had his way, there would be alot more players playing for the Willi seniors than the Willi reserves.

[Twodogs]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

if the AFL aligned players are good enough, they play!

Not every time. A couple of years ago Willy didnt play Jarryd Harbrow in the seniors for team balance reasons. We were forced into promoting a player straight from VFL 2nds into our senior AFL side. That wasnt an ideal situation and who's to say that it wont happen again in the future to a kid like Panos who usually played well in VFL seconds and had some promising performances in the seniors but regularly got dropped back to the reserves so Willy could play Little. How does that help his development?

And now Little has gone to the Bendigo Bombers. So that means Panos was held back and stopped from playing senior footy just for Willy's benefit.


VFL teams will always do what's best for them and that's their perogative. We should have our own VFL team so we can do what we think is best for the development of our own players.

[comrade]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

VFL teams will always do what's best for them and that's their perogative. We should have our own VFL team so we can do what we think is best for the development of our own players.

Fair points but let's just be thankful we now have German as the head coach. I have no doubt Gotch would have chased Fevola if he was still at Willy, regardless of the Bulldog's wishes. The balance between success and development is tough to manage but Gotch was clearly pre-occupied with his own success at Williamstown.

Our alignment is close to the most successful in the VFL, IMO. I'd love to see a stand alone Footscray team but I'm happy with the current arrangement now that Gotch has departed.

[GVGjr]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

Our alignment is close to the most successful in the VFL, IMO. I'd love to see a stand alone Footscray team but I'm happy with the current arrangement now that Gotch has departed.

I agree that the alignment works OK as well but I think you are a touch harsh on Gotch who did a good job with the boys. Peter German and Adam Potter are definitely a better fit for us but I can't be too critical of Gotchs management of the Bulldogs boys. I understand that he may not have always followed Rockets wishes but that's just part of the teething problems we have had along the way.

[comrade]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

I agree that the alignment works OK as well but I think you are a touch harsh on Gotch who did a good job with the boys. Peter German and Adam Potter are definitely a better fit for us but I can't be too critical of Gotchs management of the Bulldogs boys. I understand that he may not have always followed Rockets wishes but that's just part of the teething problems we have had along the way.

The recent Fevola debacle highlights Gotch's attitude to AFL/VFL alignments.

[GVGjr]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

The recent Fevola debacle highlights Gotch's attitude to AFL/VFL alignments.

It was a board decision to ignore Melbourne's wishes and whilst I think Gotch must have been supportive I think it was just a mistake by everyone concerned. I can't single him out for it.
He is probably aware that his future is at the state footy level rather than as an assistant at an AFL side and of course his decision are based on that.

I didn't think he did a bad job with us but of course we looks like we have now got a better outcome.

[LongWait]

Re: Stand-alone team in the VFL.

The NBA uses the D league (Development League) and the MBL uses the various Minor League feeder competitions. In both instances the feeder teams are aligned with but not owned by the major league team and listed players who are not in the senior roster play in the feeder league. A similar setup to the AFL, with it's feeder league the VFL in Victoria.

None of the pro sports in the USA field their own minor league teams any more to the best of my knowledge. The few remaining NBA teams who owned and operated their own D League teams have stopped the arrangement in the last two years. If the players in the feeder leagues are not good enough, they play in an even lower level. Players have to earn their positions on the minor league team and then, if good enough, progress onto the senior roster of the major league team.

I'd rather keep the arrangement with Willi and make Panos and others earn their spots in the VFL team. If they are unable to do that, then they will not make quality AFL players.