AFL clubs keen to develop their own talent Sam Landsberger
From: Herald Sun
April 10, 2011 8:53PMSECOND-tier football is set for its biggest shakeup in more than a decade with five AFL clubs believed to want out of VFL alignments.
All Victorian clubs are affiliated with a VFL team, except Geelong and Collingwood, which field stand-alone teams and have total control over player and team development.
A highly placed AFL club official told the Herald Sun the Cats and Pies, who have won three of the past four AFL premierships, hold a "significant competitive advantage".
He added there was a correlation between the second-tier formula and AFL success.
Both incur licence fees and staffing costs of about $250,000, but that sum was described as "not gigantic" in December by Grant O'Riley, who was AFL Victoria chairman at the time.
"AFL clubs have had enough of the current system and AFL Victoria acknowledge that, but they've got other issues to deal with," the club official, who did not want to be named for fear of damaging his club's alignment, said.
"VFL coaches aren't thinking what's best for these kids' development. They're trying to kick enough goals to win games, which goes against all the principles of development.
"Consistency of message, playing at quality venues and not having winning as your major criteria is critical to the development of young talent.
"I think in 10 years we'll look back and think, 'How did we recruit players and send them off to another club to play under different coaches?'."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick stated pre-season he wants to break away from VFL partner Coburg once the Tigers clear their debt.
Melbourne, angered by affiliate Casey's decision to recruit Brendan Fevola, is also a strong chance to go alone.
Western Bulldogs wants its own reserves side and could play out of an upgraded Whitten Oval, while St Kilda's relationship with Sandringham continues to suffer problems.
The Saints could utilise Moorabbin's Linton St oval for reserves matches.
But Zebras general manager John Mennie said it would be a blow to lose their affiliation.
"I think all AFL clubs would stand alone in a perfect world, but I know it's not the model AFL Victoria is looking for, so we're very hopeful St Kilda will stick with us," he said.
Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn all have strong control over their VFL affiliates and could stick with the same format.
Fremantle and West Coast joined forces last month to push for their own WAFL reserves sides as early as next season.
Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast and Sydney all have reserves sides in the newly created NEAFL, as will GWS when it enters the AFL next year.
VFL operations manager John Hook wants the VFL alignments to continue.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-clubs-keen-to-develop-their-own-talent-without-a/story-e6frf9jf-1226036866240
