Is the NEAFL Dead?

[Bfett3226]

THE AFL's leading under-18 competition is set for a massive overhaul next year.

The Victorian TAC Cup system – which began in 1992 – is headed for a name change and a new look in 2019 with the AFL keen to add six new teams to the competition.

AFL.com.au has confirmed that the plans for next year are that the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast, Northern Territory, Sydney and Greater Western Sydney and Tassie Mariners will have teams play in the now national under-18 league.

This year the clubs' Academy sides, alongside the Northern Territory and Tasmania, played in the under-18 Academy series earlier in the year.

But it is likely the changed format of having the division two teams in the national junior competition will replace the Academy series.

 

[smy1305]

And I think an increase in the number of U19s that can play. Up to about 6

 

[The Victorian]

THE AFL's leading under-18 competition is set for a massive overhaul next year.

The Victorian TAC Cup system – which began in 1992 – is headed for a name change and a new look in 2019 with the AFL keen to add six new teams to the competition.

AFL.com.au has confirmed that the plans for next year are that the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast, Northern Territory, Sydney and Greater Western Sydney and Tassie Mariners will have teams play in the now national under-18 league.

This year the clubs' Academy sides, alongside the Northern Territory and Tasmania, played in the under-18 Academy series earlier in the year.

But it is likely the changed format of having the division two teams in the national junior competition will replace the Academy series.

Fixture is set to released this week

 

[Pea Nut]

Combine this with the expected AFL reserves comp and yes, the NEAFL will die.

 

[billybunter]

Combine this with the expected AFL reserves comp and yes, the NEAFL will die.

Yes unfortunately Pea Nut it is sadly looking that way, the NEAFL works well early in the season and then once the senior AFL finals spots are confirmed in their the Competition, the NEAFL reserve sides affected by this drop off and this competition falls into a to a life support system. It is such a shame that some sides who play in this competition treat I as a half arsed training/circuit work comp.

The sooner the AFL have a total full Reserves competition involving all of their Tier 1 clubs, the better the game will be IMO. Its only money and they (The AFL) are throwing millions into having another half arsed Women's Competition while Tier 2 Men's AFL footy suffers big time over the northern boarder of Victoria.

Its time the AFL takes the big step into be the professional body it boasts to everyone it is, by having all of their elite AFL Team listed players playing in an equal environment. It is a common sense scenario IMO.

 

[damochandler]

they have 3 more years left on a 5 year contract i'll never understand why anyone of the local clubs signed that contract

 

[thejumboprince]

they have 3 more years left on a 5 year contract i'll never understand why anyone of the local clubs signed that contract

Probably for a bit of security re: their strategies mate. But I'm sure either party can break the contract easily enough - the AFL especially I am sure can effectively do what they want if they give a few months notice. So 2, 3 or 5, not much difference except saves a re-negotiation (joke joke) of a document every year I suspect.

I agree NEAFL is heading for extinction some time within next 2-4 years.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I'd kill off the league, create an eastern states reserves comp for the 14 eastern AFL clubs and maybe add NT, Tassie, Canberra and Ballarat. Everyone else can go back to their city league.

 

[TheGreatBambino]

What’s the standard of the neafl in 2019 compared to 2011 ?

 

[smy1305]

Doesn't help credibility when people like A.Lynch slam it as a sub standard comp for AFL reserves teams to compete in and develop their own.

 

[seanoff]

Back in Darwin for a little while. Saw the lights on at TIO. Drove past. I have seen more, many more at an NTFL u14s game. The grandstand was bare of people There were some up in the bar. But wow seriously there was nobody there

 

[The Victorian]

Back in Darwin for a little while. Saw the lights on at TIO. Drove past. I have seen more, many more at an NTFL u14s game. The grandstand was bare of people There were some up in the bar. But wow seriously there was nobody there

well the NT Thunder aint going to well at the moment sitting at the bottom of the ladder

 

[grimlock]

Looks like the Thunder is being wound up

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[Gersman]

That comp's a bit like the Foxtel Cup.
Pie in the sky idea but loses the local feel and they end up playing in front of nobody.
Will be gone by 2024 at the latest.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

That comp's a bit like the Foxtel Cup.
Pie in the sky idea but loses the local feel and they end up playing in front of nobody.
Will be gone by 2024 at the latest.

Should go earlier. The sooner this abortion of a competition splits into AFL reserves, the QAFL and Sydney AFL, the better.

 

[The Victorian]

RIP NEAFL

Officially dead

 

[Reborn]

Good riddance

 

[kid_a]

So who will actually join this east coast league and who will fall back into the local leagues?

I mean obviously the 4 AFL clubs reserves teams will go to the new East Coast comp, but other than that you'd think only Southport have the resources to join them and the rest will go back to the QLD or NSW comps

 

[Covertackle]

RIP NEAFL

Officially dead

Not so quick. Come winter, a VIC Labor Government, 3 people with the sniffles, and NEAFL rises like a Phoenix..

 

[TheTassieHawk]

So who will actually join this east coast league and who will fall back into the local leagues?

I mean obviously the 4 AFL clubs reserves teams will go to the new East Coast comp, but other than that you'd think only Southport have the resources to join them and the rest will go back to the QLD or NSW comps

Apsley were the others. 6 out of 22 From NSw and QLD is very lopsided, conferences could be part of it but double up games within Queensland or having Victorian teams committed to travelling 3 or 4 times each would be critical otherwise the standalone teams could be facing 7 trips South out of 16 rounds.

Interesting to see no NSW teams other than the Swans and Giants. I assume they and Lions and Suns will be keen to have coordinated rosters for State League and AFL road trips where possible.

I don’t see it working out longer term but hopefully the 2021 season is a good start with all teams reasonably competitive from the start.

 

[Breretonisahood]

Apsley were the others. 6 out of 22 From NSw and QLD is very lopsided, conferences could be part of it but double up games within Queensland or having Victorian teams committed to travelling 3 or 4 times each would be critical otherwise the standalone teams could be facing 7 trips South out of 16 rounds.

Interesting to see no NSW teams other than the Swans and Giants. I assume they and Lions and Suns will be keen to have coordinated rosters for State League and AFL road trips where possible.

I don’t see it working out longer term but hopefully the 2021 season is a good start with all teams reasonably competitive from the start.

Dont think there will be conferences, but like you said, a very lopsided draw. Wouldn’t be surprised if the QLD/NSW teams play each other twice in the 16 rounds. That would minimize travel and mean that they would only travel to Melbourne a few times. I’m not sure that this will be a great or even competition, rather a training comp for the AFL reserves teams.

 

[The Victorian]

Redland Bombers have merged with Victoria Point Sharks to play in the QFL

 

[Tandy]

Now that the NEAFL is gone should Queenslands top level of football QAFL get a main page on this board Itsmyshow ? Just for equal representation as the other states have?

 

[Tandy]