League may Resurrect Reserves

'AFL reserves football seems certain to return to Victoria in 2009, and with it, many of the suburban grounds that continue to serve as spiritual homes for the 10 Victorian-based AFL clubs.

Changes that are expected to be introduced by the AFL next year will make it easier and more appealing for the AFL clubs in the state to field their own reserves sides, as Geelong alone currently does, in an expanded VFL competition from 2009.'


I hope that Carlton can run a proper reserves team again, where ALL of our young players can play together in the one team at the highest level of competition possible.

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It will be great if we can go back to the days where the reserves match served as a curtain raiser to the main event. Was always fun to get to the ground early to watch a bit of the reserves before the seniors came out. I fully support bringing the reserves competition back!

Unless they play as a curtain raiser it won't make much difference from a fan's point of view.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

yes it will. Who would you rather watch - Preston at Cramer St or the Carlton 2's at Princes Park????

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I support Carlton, Fulham and I'm an accountant - my mate calls me a 3 time loser.

My thoughts exactly. Will be great to see some blue jumpers running around Princes Park again other than a training session.

bloody hope a change is made, at the moment doesn't assist either club and I am sick of 'following' the bullants - a club I have never liked. The club I do like is Sandy - but I can't cheer for Melbourne players.

Interesting to note in the article that a curtain raiser wouldn't happen, I guess the concept of value for money and entertainment is foreign to the AFL

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

They wont be allowed to have a curtain raiser at the DOME due to the surface. Will be very hard at the MCG also maybe one or two. Most of the home games will be played at PP.

Bring the "roots" of the football clubs back and make the members feel part of the club again. That is what is missing. Reserves is the start.

What would this mean in terms of playing list etc? Would they start using "top-up" players for the reserves team??

This is an appealing idea, but with no increase in lists, it presents its own problems. At the moment, we have a list of 38 + 5 rookies, which meant that if we had a reserves team, we'd need to top up at least 1 or 2 a week. However, we have an injury list of approx. 11 at the moment, which means that half the seconds side would be short-term top-ups. This is the biggest problem, when you have to scour local leagues and the TAC comp for top-ups who may play one week, or, in the case of replacements for people like McLaren or Teague, 6 weeks to a season.

It's a strain on resources, and experienced players, like Morrell or (last year) Harford aren't going to play with us as top-up players. And lots of the youngsters mention their leadership at the 'Ants when asked.

As much as I like the idea of a Carlton reserves side and a clear development pathway for our youngsters, I worry that this is too big a commitment for a club that's resource-poor at the moment.

Bingo.

With maximum list size 44, there's no way this can happen.

Hell, St Kilda's struggling to make a 22, let alone two!

The concentration of list sizes is a double edged sword in that it filters out those who aren't up to senior footy but reduces the ability to develop a plyer over a number of years.

Maybe if there was the list as is but another list of 'designated' reserves that the club had first dibs on at the draft...a sort of sub rookie listed player.

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Cer 'ch 'n alluog Blues

The Swans play stand-alone in the Canberra comp. To top up their numbers they take the best 17-18 year old players from around the state to play for them. They generally often take these kids as 'extra' rookies in the draft the next year if they are much chop.

If AFL clubs had the opportunity to do the same thing (with blokes over the age of 20 or so) then it could be another opportunity to unearth some real talent.

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The only way for some people to understand is for them to be on the receiving end

Left wing moralists
In self serving denial
They shit me no end

It would be good for each Victorian team to have an alignment with a TAC team, so if a guy like Kreuzer is dominating at under 18's level he could be selected on a week by week basis to play in the VFL

The article flags all this guys.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

They should never have eliminated the 2nds in the first place - you do not have to be gifted to recognise the problems that have arisen. But now that the 2nds are gone, bringing them back would fatally harm many of the existing VFL teams. Those with marginal finances would be ruined, trying to recreate their lists.
There would have to be a significant change in the VFL and how it is run. The present number of teams would not be viable. Half the number of teams and ........
You get the picture.

It shouldn't have much of an effect on the player base, which is my biggest concern.

Bad luck to a string of clubs, but society's changed, and it's partially reflected in the erosion of local footy. If the AFL goes through with a full reversal, I think the VFL (if it will still be that) will be a strong competition and draw larger crowds.

Pity the AFL was far too myopic in the first place.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

we might be able to steal Bendigo back off the Bummers ie our top ups could come from the BFL like the good old days!!

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I support Carlton, Fulham and I'm an accountant - my mate calls me a 3 time loser.

Pies, Blues may force VFL to expand


Will Wayne Hughes get to see more of his handy work wearing Navy Blue?

I like the Bullants arragement.

Good point. We used to have lists of 40 something but even this wouldn't be enough. 2x22 plus 20% injuries makes a minumum of 50 odd. This in turn has salary cap implications. New coaching staff etc etc.
For those who can't remember, it was great being able to watch the U19s then the twos before the main game. Obviously this isn't going to happen again but it would be great to be able to go to PP again to watch the 'prospects'. Trouble is, it's a 30 hour journey so I'll have to rely on Blue Beatle sending me the occasional DVD.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Very happy with the clubs intention of introducing a Carlton VFL team and it will be great for our young players to develop as one wearing the navy blue onto Princes Park once again.

A big to RP and those who are making it possible.

I get the feeling that watching Carlton (VFL) playing matches at Princes Park once again will be popular with the members.

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There's so much I could say...