AFL clubs set to go it alone * Sam Landsberger
* From: Herald Sun
* November 29, 2010 AFL clubs may abandon their VFL affiliates and field stand-alone reserves teams from 2012.
AFL Victoria is expected to ratify the radical proposal in January as part of an extensive review.
The 12-10 player rule has already been abolished for next season, meaning VFL clubs can field as many AFL-listed players as they want.
AFL Victoria chairman Grant O'Riley said clubs wanted the option to stand alone, while two teams are believed to have declared they want out of their VFL partnerships.
"We're in the process of looking at putting on the table to AFL clubs the opportunity to consider whether they want to run their own VFL team from the 2012 or 2013 season," O'Riley said.
"Some of the AFL clubs are very, very happy with their alignment and I don't believe they would ever find the need to break away.
"But a couple believe they'd be able to get better (AFL) results with their own VFL side."
Collingwood and Geelong field VFL teams, which gives them total control of player and team development.
Both pay a licence fee of about $110,000 and incur a raft of staffing costs and player payments.
But O'Riley said the Cats and Pies - AFL premiers in the past two seasons - were comfortable with the expenses and the fee was considered "not gigantic".
St Kilda signed a five-year partnership with Sandringham last year and chief executive Michael Nettlefold told the Herald Sun in July the alignment was not suffering problems and would continue.
But with the opportunity to ditch the Zebras two years early, speculation has mounted that St Kilda could field a VFL team from Moorabbin's Linton St Oval.
North Melbourne divides its alignment between triple-premier North Ballarat and Werribee but could cut ties with the Tigers, particularly if John Brumby is re-elected and the Kangaroos' deal to play four matches at Ballarat's Eureka Stadium is finalised.
Four of the eight AFL clubs with VFL alignments are believed to have canvassed the idea of running a reserves side.
"I don't expect much change at all, but the key is that we give them the opportunity," O'Riley said.
"As a board, we felt there was no harm in tabling to these clubs that they can apply to stand alone in this competition if they want.
"It enhances their support for the competition and the AFL's support for the competition because they see we're trying to cater for everyone's needs. The VFL is here to stay and the most exciting part is it continues to evolve."
O'Riley said AFL Victoria would ensure any VFL clubs which had their alignments broken would be left in a viable position.
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