Its been 10 years and what does everyone think.
My view:
The directors of PAFC in 1990 were acting in the best interests of their club...which is what they are put there for.
They were not acting in the best interests of SA football, but you could argue they were not there to do that anyway.
If you take the view that the SANFL were talking to the VFL and plaing hard to get then Port just pulled the rug out completely from underneath them destroying their negotiating position.
You could also argue whether the SANFL were acting in the best interests of SA football as well ???
At the time I was stoked and it was just another chance to stick it up my Norwood mates (who ended up sticking it up me)...but looking back I would like to know what the result for SA football, the national comp, and Port if Port had stuck to the SANFL line and held firm with the other clubs.
I tend to think that:
SA football would be stronger as we may well have had some form of zone to be able to keep players in the state.
The national comp would be better as it would be more of an Australian Football Leauge and not an expanded VFL.
Port would probably be far less significant than it is now.
With hindsight what may have been best if for Port to talk with the SANFL saying "look...were going...but we willgive you 24 months to work out a deal...SO LONG AS we go as well". Easy in hindsight though.
What do you think ?
ptw
My view:
The directors of PAFC in 1990 were acting in the best interests of their club...which is what they are put there for.
They were not acting in the best interests of SA football, but you could argue they were not there to do that anyway.
If you take the view that the SANFL were talking to the VFL and plaing hard to get then Port just pulled the rug out completely from underneath them destroying their negotiating position.
You could also argue whether the SANFL were acting in the best interests of SA football as well ???
At the time I was stoked and it was just another chance to stick it up my Norwood mates (who ended up sticking it up me)...but looking back I would like to know what the result for SA football, the national comp, and Port if Port had stuck to the SANFL line and held firm with the other clubs.
I tend to think that:
SA football would be stronger as we may well have had some form of zone to be able to keep players in the state.
The national comp would be better as it would be more of an Australian Football Leauge and not an expanded VFL.
Port would probably be far less significant than it is now.
With hindsight what may have been best if for Port to talk with the SANFL saying "look...were going...but we willgive you 24 months to work out a deal...SO LONG AS we go as well". Easy in hindsight though.
What do you think ?
ptw