AFLS - S is for Summer, or Super League
Begins December, the week after the AFLW GF and finishes in Feb, the week before AFL practice matches start. A shorter game (say 15 mins plus time on) played under lights at non-cricket venues.
5 Rep teams from Northern Territory, Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales and ACT to join the 27 non-AFL clubs from the WAFL, SANFL and VFL.
All players non-AFL listed as of beginning of competition. Players can be picked up by AFL clubs throughout the competition as per current situation, but remain available to play AFLS.
32 teams split up into 8 groups of 4, initially groups within own state as much as possible to limit travel costs.
Group stage, each team plays against the other and top two advance. Group stage is 48 games in total (3 games per team) played over 7 weeks. Clubs incorporate this into their pre-season program. NT could play 2 of their group games in period when there is a break in the NTFL to minimise disruption to that competition. A game every Thursday-Sunday evening over School Holiday period for Footy Channel content.
Then 4 weekends of knockout with the Grand Final in February a week before the AFL practice matches start.
Would there be much public interest? Would it be good to have an "AFL" competition to watch all year around? Does it give some exposure to the State League clubs/players and encourage them to keep playing at the State League level? A chance for the next crop of draftees to display their talents prior to the winter seasons and another chance for players to impress to make an AFL list. Could it help expand the game with the teams representing NT/Tas/QLD/NSW/ACT - potential future AFL teams?
Good idea? Bad idea?
Begins December, the week after the AFLW GF and finishes in Feb, the week before AFL practice matches start. A shorter game (say 15 mins plus time on) played under lights at non-cricket venues.
5 Rep teams from Northern Territory, Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales and ACT to join the 27 non-AFL clubs from the WAFL, SANFL and VFL.
All players non-AFL listed as of beginning of competition. Players can be picked up by AFL clubs throughout the competition as per current situation, but remain available to play AFLS.
32 teams split up into 8 groups of 4, initially groups within own state as much as possible to limit travel costs.
Group stage, each team plays against the other and top two advance. Group stage is 48 games in total (3 games per team) played over 7 weeks. Clubs incorporate this into their pre-season program. NT could play 2 of their group games in period when there is a break in the NTFL to minimise disruption to that competition. A game every Thursday-Sunday evening over School Holiday period for Footy Channel content.
Then 4 weekends of knockout with the Grand Final in February a week before the AFL practice matches start.
Would there be much public interest? Would it be good to have an "AFL" competition to watch all year around? Does it give some exposure to the State League clubs/players and encourage them to keep playing at the State League level? A chance for the next crop of draftees to display their talents prior to the winter seasons and another chance for players to impress to make an AFL list. Could it help expand the game with the teams representing NT/Tas/QLD/NSW/ACT - potential future AFL teams?
Good idea? Bad idea?
