Opinion Is Victorian dominance of the AFL coming to an end this year?

[GC2015]

We all know 15 of the last 17 premiers have been Victorian, but if you look at the current ladder you'll find 4 of the current top 5 are non-Victorian teams and 7th placed Port Adelaide also happen to be equal 4th with Carlton (who they just beat at Marvel). It's not unrealistic to suggest the top 4 could all be non-Victorian teams when the home and away season comes to an end this year and that would mean no games in Melbourne in weeks 2 & 3 of the finals.

The bottom 10 teams in the league are currently made up of 7 teams from Victoria and we know Tasmania will be entering the AFL in a few years so they will likely take up most of the best draft picks over the next few years. That will obviously affect the teams who are currently outside the top 8 and trying to build a finals worth team for the future.

So the question has to be asked - is Victorian dominance of the AFL about to come to an end? Both this year and for the foreseeable future?

 

[stallon]

The AFL will do another inquiry into why the vic teams are so shit again, and theyll fix it right up pretty quickly

 

[Taper]

The AFL will do another inquiry into why the vic teams are so shit again, and theyll fix it right up pretty quickly

Nah they want NSW and QLD clubs up the top.

 

[Jezzitizle]

The future direction of this thread is hard to predict, but I feel it will be polite and friendly.

 

[stallon]

Nah they want NSW and QLD clubs up the top.

They cant have Richmond, Melbourne and soon to be Collingwood having sub 20k home crowds at the MCG.
Its a bad look.

Thatll be bumped up the priority list im sure

 

[Taper]

They cant have Richmond, Melbourne and soon to be Collingwood having sub 20k home crowds at the MCG.
Its a bad look.

Thatll be bumped up the priority list im sure

Eyes on screens and bums on seats in the NRL states are far more important to the suits at AFL House.
It's clear they want NSW and QLD clubs performing well, three of the four clubs are near the top they just need the Suns to join them.

 

[stallon]

Eyes on screens and bums on seats in the NRL states are far more important to the suits at AFL House.
It's clear they want NSW and QLD clubs performing well, three of the four clubs are near the top they just need the Suns to join them.

They still cant have the MCG having sub 20k people on a saturday night.

Melbourne isnt even in spoon contention and they cant get any fans to games. Most of the melbourne clubs fans have shown they dont turn up to games if their club isnt any good.

They cant have nobody at games, they dont need 90k to every game, they just need something better than what theyve got.

Like sub 20k is just a ****ing joke

 

[Kobe Gryant]

They cant have Richmond, Melbourne and soon to be Collingwood having sub 20k home crowds at the MCG.
Its a bad look.

Thatll be bumped up the priority list im sure

Not a believer in either conspiracy, but the focus will surely be the Northern states if there is one.

The AFL has not only survived - but experienced growth - for the best part of 30 years with only Collingwood out of the big 4 clubs up and about virtually every year

Say what you want about Richmond, Essendon, & Carlton...but as long as they're not historically bad, their supporters tend to show up.

The other factor is there's no growth market in Victoria either.

Outside of migrants, the vast majority of people are born into a family who already likes footy...and if they're not, they're coerced into it by the masses around them as time goes on (E.g high school and University)

It's a very similar story out west and in SA, and it'll remain that way even if the team's suck. The culture of footy is just ingrained so deep into those states, and it has been for generations.

That same just can't be said in QLD or NSW.

As someone who lives there, if the Swans or Giants aren't going well, the AFL hardly warrants a mention.

 

[Handsuper47]

Current ladder doesn't mean anything, never has. All that matters is who shows up when it's finals time.

 

[stallon]

Not a believer in either conspiracy, but the focus will surely be the Northern states if there is one.

The AFL has not only survived - but experienced growth - for the best part of 30 years with only Collingwood out of the big 4 clubs up and about virtually every year

Say what you want about Richmond, Essendon, & Carlton...but as long as they're not historically bad, their supporters tend to show up.

The other factor is there's no growth market in Victoria either.

Outside of migrants, the vast majority of people are born into a family who already likes footy...and if they're not, they're coerced into it by the masses around them as time goes on (E.g high school and University)

It's a very similar story out west and in SA, and it'll remain that way even if the team's suck. The culture of footy is just ingrained so deep into those states, and it has been for generations.

That same just can't be said in QLD or NSW.

As someone who lives there, if the Swans or Giants aren't going well, the AFL hardly warrants a mention.

I know what youre saying, but I disagree.

The AFL has an inherent victorian bias in it, and unless the newish management with Dillon and Kane running the show want to change anything(unlikely), itll continue.

You only have to look back at the most recent time this happened, the 2000-2006 era of non vic dominance, and the AFLs response to it. Imagine doing a ****ing inquiry into why the vic teams were shit lmao.

The northern states have all the bonuses and benefits to be strong teams now, Brisbane has been strong for a few years and is getting a heap of good kids for bugger all, Swans got a heap of kids in the 2015-2020 areas and are benefitting right now, GWS is still up there and no signs of slowing, and GC I dont even need to explain.
Do they really need much more attention from AFL head office?

The AFL will give Tassy all the benefits of being a new club which is fine, but if the Bombers cant go far in the finals, Blues cant get it done, and Collingwood/Tigers get stuck at the bottom for 5+ years the AFL just cant have that, as itll be a prolonged period of rebuilding with tassy having the bottom of the ladder covered.

The only Vic teams that look like being strong in 5 years time are the Hawks and North, with Saints, Geelong and the Dogs being next in line. Richmond maybe it depends how their rebuild goes, they are basically starting it right now though.

If you look at the non vic teams, most of them are currently or have recently been through a rebuild, West Coast, Freo and the Crows are all very young teams who youd expect in 5 years to all be strong and looking at finals. Add the 4 Northern teams and thats 7 clubs thatll be looking at finals. If Port can find a couple more high picks to complement Butters, Rozee and JHF they could be in the mix too.

Is the AFL going to be happy with a finals series with 6 non vic teams for example? With only the Hawks who can play an actual home game at the MCG?
I dont think so

Obviously its just a projection but I think its a fair one

 

[Moonatic77]

Yep definitely coming to and end, just like it did in 2001
Silly thread

 

[Borussia Teeth]

Where’s Papa G?

 

[Freomaniac]

Where’s Papa G?

good question. Papa G would have an honest view on this.

 

[Papa G]

good question. Papa G would have an honest view on this.

Still 4 rounds to go but at the moment at least it is difficult to see a Victorian side winning it based on form. Carlton were firm favourites for the Victorian fairytale but are waivering. Looking at the draw almost all sides in the top 9 have quite a few 50/50 games so anything can happen. Essendon look gone. Nobody wants to see Geelong win it again, they really aren't that good but they may well Bradbury it which is an awful outcome. I don't think they will, but Bracksy is in charge of the MCC so you never know.
The Dogs and Hawks are playing well but will have to do it from ourtside the top 4, but 2016 showed us the AFL can definately engineer an outcome.
Maybe its the year, that the AFL decides, with all the growing calling out blatant of VicBias, bullshit MCG contracts, they let a non Vic team win it.
Then the 4 circle jerking Collingwood morons on the VicBias thread can say "See, See"

 

[Liam Boy]

it'll be over until it comes back in like 3 years.

 

[RUNVS]

Doesn't feel like it. Victorian teams have 15 of the last 17 premierships and it is very likely they will have 16 of the last 18 by the end of the year.

Apparently though this is not a problem for the AFL.

 

[PCORF]

Geelong and Carlton are Victoria's best hope. Not sure about the Bulldogs right now, they have been inconsistent at times (losing at home to teams they are expected to beat) but if they can finally get a good streak together then who knows.

I am not sure if the Swans are winning it, they have been average after that dominant second half in Adelaide. The Lions probably a better chance right now, they are hungry indeed and will need to continue that in 2 months time.

 

[sexyhunk]

Geelong and Carlton are Victoria's best hope. Not sure about the Bulldogs right now, they have been inconsistent at times (losing at home to teams they are expected to beat) but if they can finally get a good streak together then who knows.

I am not sure if the Swans are winning it, they have been average after that dominant second half in Adelaide. The Lions probably a better chance right now, they are hungry indeed and will need to continue that in 2 months time.

Swans are still way ahead of everyone. collingwood had a lull towards end of last year as well or be it cause Nick Dacios been out, but still no team can maintain the rage all year. I except swans to fire up in a months time.

hawks and dogs are best place vic teams as they not just in good form but they are winning games interstate not just games in VIC. They will have to travel some stage during finals, maybe even more than once the way top 4 is shaping up.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Still 4 rounds to go but at the moment at least it is difficult to see a Victorian side winning it based on form. Carlton were firm favourites for the Victorian fairytale but are waivering. Looking at the draw almost all sides in the top 9 have quite a few 50/50 games so anything can happen. Essendon look gone. Nobody wants to see Geelong win it again, they really aren't that good but they may well Bradbury it which is an awful outcome. I don't think they will, but Bracksy is in charge of the MCC so you never know.
The Dogs and Hawks are playing well but will have to do it from ourtside the top 4, but 2016 showed us the AFL can definately engineer an outcome.
Maybe its the year, that the AFL decides, with all the growing calling out blatant of VicBias, bullshit MCG contracts, they let a non Vic team win it.
Then the 4 circle jerking Collingwood morons on the VicBias thread can say "See, See"

View attachment 2062314

See no reason why the Bulldogs in particular can't make top 4.

I think we'll see another premier from outside the top 4 soon, it's becoming more likely. The pre finals bye definitely helps. Last year GWS and Carlton almost made the gf.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Hoping for a Brisbane GWS GF. Won't mind Freo having another crack and even winning it, their fans should be rewarded for their loyalty.

 

[MadMaxx]

Doesn't feel like it. Victorian teams have 15 of the last 17 premierships and it is very likely they will have 16 of the last 18 by the end of the year.

Apparently though this is not a problem for the AFL.

Are you suggesting that the non Vic Clubs need a leg up to win?

Your numbers are skewed by 3 very successful clubs having a great run. Cats Hawks and Tigers build great lists and won multiples.. 11 of those 17 flags.

Go back a bit longer, and you see the Swans win 2, Adelaide and the Eagles having great runs, a 3 peat by the Lions.

Get good guys. There is no conspiracy here.. Just get good.

 

[3207]

Nah they want NSW and QLD clubs up the top.

Yes that’s why the Giants are second last for free kicks awarded. We’re loved by AFL House

 

[Freomaniac]

Still 4 rounds to go but at the moment at least it is difficult to see a Victorian side winning it based on form. Carlton were firm favourites for the Victorian fairytale but are waivering. Looking at the draw almost all sides in the top 9 have quite a few 50/50 games so anything can happen. Essendon look gone. Nobody wants to see Geelong win it again, they really aren't that good but they may well Bradbury it which is an awful outcome. I don't think they will, but Bracksy is in charge of the MCC so you never know.
The Dogs and Hawks are playing well but will have to do it from ourtside the top 4, but 2016 showed us the AFL can definately engineer an outcome.
Maybe its the year, that the AFL decides, with all the growing calling out blatant of VicBias, bullshit MCG contracts, they let a non Vic team win it.
Then the 4 circle jerking Collingwood morons on the VicBias thread can say "See, See"

View attachment 2062314

happy with 2 non vic sides in the 2024 AFL grand final?