Last week in the AFL Victoria Record we featured an interview with AFL Victoria General Manager Grant Williams.
See his answers regarding the introduction of Richmond and Footscray to the competition, possible renaming of the competition and the future of the Development League:
VFL RECORD: What are you most looking forward to in season 2014?
GRANT WILLIAMS: It will be interesting to see how the new stand-alone VFL clubs (Coburg and Williamstown) perform and what they bring to the competition now that they are operating under their own identity. The interest will be not only in how they perform on field, but how they go about connecting to their local community, as well as the model they develop as they strive to ensure their ongoing viability and sustainability. In a similar way, it will also be interesting to see how the two stand-alone AFL clubs Footscray and Richmond fare.
VFLR: Taking VFL games back to Punt Road and Whitten Oval adds an exciting and attractive dimension to the season.
GW: Yes, there’s a romantic element to these two traditional clubs going back to their roots and playing games for premiership points at their spiritual homes. Certainly, the season opener at the Whitten Oval proved a resounding success with a healthy, enthusiastic crowd of about three to four thousand people there. It demonstrated the strong community passion for the game and club that the people of Footscray have, and there were plenty of Richmond colours there as well. The Western Bulldogs aligned the game so supporters were able to watch the VFL match and then head to Etihad Stadium for their AFL match against Richmond. If that is a demonstration of what these two traditional clubs can bring to their community venues it will prove a tremendous boost for the community game and the VFL competition.
VFLR: What is the most appealing aspect of a 16-team competition?
GW: The additional opportunities for aspiring Victorian footballers to play at state league completion level where there is a healthy mix of AFL listed and VFL players, and where the standard of football is the next best that is available outside the AFL. On average, each VFL round presents about 220 VFL listed players with the chance to play the best standard of football they can. They test themselves against quality opposition and, in some cases, enhance their prospects of impressing talent scouts to possibly be drafted by an AFL club. This means under the 16-team structure we have this year, there are about 40 more opportunities for VFL players than last season and that’s the charter of the VFL in the Victorian football talent pathway – to provide opportunities.
VFLR: How challenging will it be for the traditional stand-alone VFL teams to be competitive on and off the field?
GW: The environment for all VFL clubs has been pretty challenging in the past five to ten years. Clubs have had to adapt to that environment and many have emerged as stronger clubs because of that challenge. The sporting landscape continues to throw up challenges and how clubs deal with that determines how they will progress into the future. Already, there is evidence of local communities ‘buying into’ stand-alone clubs who they can identify with as ‘their’ club and consequently those clubs are seen as more relevant. As the community connection of clubs continues to strengthen more people will become involved and attracted to their club. This interest can be reinvested back into the clubs and the competition. But, like everything, clubs will have to be vigilant and work hard to build and maintain their identity and their relevance in a bid to achieve ultimate success on and off the field.
VFLR: Is there an ideal number of clubs you would like to see in the competition given the Sandringham/St Kilda alliance is expected to end after the 2015 season?
GW: There is not really an “ideal” number of clubs that we would like to see play in the VFL. What we have discussed with the clubs is that any future structure of the competition should accommodate up to a maximum of 18 teams, provide between 200-250 talented player opportunities for VFL players (non-AFL listed players) and be played over an 18 game home and away season. And, this season we have 16 clubs competing and we’re comfortable with that.
VFLR: of the 16-clubs in the VFL this season, all except Bendigo and North Ballarat hail from the original VFA. Has there been any thought of renaming the competition to the VFA to reflect better its heritage?
GW: It is not something that has been considered because we feel the VFL better reflects the current, contemporary competition.
VFLR: Is it a concern that Sunday, traditionally seen as the VFL’s day, now regularly hosts less games than on a Saturday?
GW: We take input from the clubs as to what they would like incorporated, if possible, in their fixture each year. We then provide the clubs with the season draw that identifies the weekends of their home games and who they are playing. The clubs then determine with input from their stakeholders when during that weekend they would prefer to play the game. If clubs then chose to start their game at 10.30 am on Saturday morning which provides supporters a chance to see not only the VFL game, but also the AFL match, we believe that flexibility is a good thing. Most clubs endeavour to set game times and days that allows some “clean air” amongst all other football played in their area including AFL games and also meets the needs of their AFL partners in aligned club situations. Ultimately, we think home teams should be able to control their own destiny in this regard.
VFLR: What is AFL Victoria’s view on the success of night games?
GW: Similar to the game times and days answer above, opportunities to provide a more flexible fixture for all clubs in the competition should be viewed as a good thing. Providing the facilities meet minimum standards not only for the players but also the spectators, playing at night provides greater opportunities to have supporters come to VFL games. To accommodate the changing employment landscape, retail business opening times and other societal requirements, the flexibility to play night games has its place.
VFLR: To help fans identify players, especially those on an AFL list in aligned situations, has any thought been given to having player names on guernseys?
GW: It is not something that has been discussed at length and so I suppose you wouldn’t rule it out. It would be something that would need to be discussed at an annual review with input from clubs and other VFL stakeholders.
VFLR: With less teams than ever playing in season 2014, what is the future of the Development League?
GW: Most people that are directly involved in the VFL competition agree that the Development League offers a high standard competition, far greater than a decade ago. It allows some players the chance to find their feet after exiting the TAC Cup competition or coming in VFL football from community leagues. Mainly for regional, geographic and local relationship reasons North Ballarat does not field a Development League team any more. Where VFL and AFL clubs continue to align we feel there is a definite need to have a competition underpinning the VFL with a distinct development philosophy. It also serves as another step on talented player pathway and many current AFL players, including Sam Mitchell and Michael Jamieson, played Development League football. It’s part of the development journey for many players who go on to achieve greater things in their football careers.
VFLR: Apart from bragging rights, what does the state representative match – this season against South Australia – offer?
GW: The opportunity to play with the best players from the competition against the best players from another State League competition can be for many players a career highlight. It provides a chance for players to test themselves at the best possible level they can. State footy is about opportunity - play in a representative team, selected on form, against peers from another State. It should not be forgotten that players have been drafted on the back of their games in a State match as well.
VFLR: Similarly, what does the FOXTEL Cup provide for the competition?
GW: The Foxtel Cup provides a chance for players within a club environment the opportunity to test themselves against another club from somewhere else in the country and be noticed on a broader scale. The competition provides an opportunity for many clubs to not only promote their current players and partners but their long histories and traditions in the Australian football landscape.
VFLR: What is your message to clubs about increasing attendances/members?
GW: Clubs these days are much more than organisations that just field football teams. They do so much more in their community and there is a synergy with the local community groups and organisations as a result. It parlays into players wanting to play with the club and potentially people volunteering to help, attending functions and, of course, going to games and maybe even becoming involved in sponsorship.
Last Modified on 23/04/2014 17:20