Could an AFL Team Relocate to Ballarat?

Discussing a hypothetical Ballarat relocation of a Melbourne AFL team

[@cristiantassone02]

Yep I’m sold. Send north Melbourne there tomorrow

[@BDub2024]

Ballarat is only expected to increase by about 30k in the next 25 years. Perth is increasing by 1.6 million.

[@dead1zed886]

Perth will still be increasing by significantly more, but how realistic are those numbers? Using the growth rate from 2011 to 2023, Ballarat's population will increase by about 48% in the next 25 years - or from 116k to 172k (more than 30k difference). Alternatively the statewide housing targets includes 46900 new homes by 2051 from 53000 currently, an 88% increase. I don't think it's a wise decision but a lot more feasible than your numbers are making out

[@BDub2024]

@@dead1zed886 I don't think its feasible at all. The numbers don't stack up with other far faster growing area in Australia. There is no way that the AFL would allow a club to relocate to another part of Victoria full time. I can't see a club agreeing to it either, as if they're struggling in Melbourne they will be under even more pressure in regional Victoria. North is the only possibility and they've turned their backs on Ballarat. Bulldogs will never move there as they're developing a real presence in western Melbourne. The population growth is in Melbourne and the AFL need to critically ensure that the new immigrants are exposed to AFL. That's the investment required. If clubs disappear from Melbourne which is inevitable, it will be through mergers or relocations outside Victoria. If North made a real effort to work on bringing people to the game in the outer fringe suburbs then that would be an incentive for the AFL to give them even more help.

[@ACDZ123]

Perth will be hitting the 3 million population mark in about 5 years with current growth rate so makes sense a 3rd team there

[@BDub2024]

@@ACDZ123 I think the team will end up being Joondalup if it eventuates. Mandurah would hurt the Dockers too much, plus I'm not sure there would be enough support despite it being a really fast growing area. South West is too spread out and population isn't high enough. If you combine Mandurah and South West (SW Thunder after Peel Thunder) then you may fail to convince both markets. Ideally it would be a relocated North Melbourne to be the Joondalup WAnneroo Roos. But that wouldn't give the AFL a 20th team

[@christopherharvie8716]

What hope does a 3rd team in Perth in gaining a market share against well established players? To this day Freo still has a decent mark of a second class citizen and they’ve been there for 30 years. That alone rules out a third Perth team, because despite having a big population nobody will want to support the newbies.

[@Elcapitaan5]

Interesting. Being from Ballarat myself, I’d love to see us get a team,but as you said,it would take generations to get people to change teams. A team like St Kilda might have a natural advantage, as there are already a fair few saints fans there,whereas I think North would struggle mightily. The demographics are older in Ballarat,though that could be changing. In the end it’s worth a shot if a team is going to fold anyway.

[@BDub2024]

Any club that has to relocate will be forced to move interstate. They won't relocate Melb teams into Vic regional areas. The population isn't big enough. Ballarat increasing by 25k in 25 years. Perth increasing by 1.6 million. Instead have the Bulldogs and North playing there 3 times a year. See how the crowd goes. Ultimately, though regional Victoria is the heartland of AFL. But its in Melbourne that soccer is making massive inroads and AFL can't connect with youngsters.

[@BDub2024]

The only club that should play regular games now there should be Bulldogs. They can even have home matches against the two Adelaide teams. As its only 6-7 hours away and they could easily drive to the game and then stay overnight.

[@xkimopye]

As a north fan who lives in Melbourne, I have wanted this for the last 15 years. Change our name to “Vic Country Kangaroos” be based in Ballarat, play our biggest home games at marvel and our smallest home games at Bendigo. I don’t think it will happen, and would love to see the 20th team be a Riverina team based in Canberra but representing rural south east Australia. That would be a team for 1 million plus people.

[@kellyhomecentre6523]

There is nowhere near the population or industry in Country Victoria (Excluding Geelong) to support an AFL team. Add to that, people choose teams based of tribal connection and in Victoria everyone has already chosen their teams. And for 15 years you have been saying this. I know what you wee saying before that, Gold Coast. Your not a North Melbourne supporter. Stop trying to make a case for killing our club. There is already enough of those people in the "industry" A North fan knows this only too well.

[@xkimopye]

@@kellyhomecentre6523 I am a north supporter, and the reason I thought my of this 15 years ago was because they were seriously thinking of turning us into the Gold Coast or killing the club because of too many Melbourne teams. Whereas a vic country kangaroos would have kept us in Victoria and saved us (luckily we were saved from extinction anyway). There are 2 million Victorians that live in the country regions, which is close 4 times larger than Tasmania’s population. I’m sure a decent proportion of that large rural population would love a team that represented them. Every expansion team has to convert people over from other clubs. And try gain new young fans.

[@tommyandrewd]

You guys tried to lobby for games in Ballarat before the Bulldogs. You never got the government funding to upgrade the stadium because James Brayshaw left the meeting to practice his putting in his office 😅

[@thomasrobertson3337]

Ballarat might have 130k, but there would be a lot more people in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Western bulldogs pretty much have only Essendon as a local competitor in the western suburbs, and the bombers are more of a north west side, being based at Tullamarine. I can't see any good reason why the bulldogs would give up the growing western suburbs to relocate to Ballarat. They would be better off focusing on the west and south-west of Melbourne, where there is a growing population and a lot of opportunity, not to mention already having a pretty significant size fan base in the western suburbs already. Actually, that is really the clincher, you don't turn your back on a substantial number of supporters, with the opportunity to increase it, for an uncertain future elsewhere. A better option would be to connect with the wider western suburbs, outside Footscray, by holding training sessions, practice matches, etc. in the wider western suburbs - which now stretch out as far as Wyndham Value and Melton.

[@StriveToAscendancy1]

Bendigo would be another option for a relocation of a Melbourne based team. Very similar population and population growth to Ballarat at the moment. Ballarat is currently at 130k and Bendigo is currently at 128k.

[@haydentaylor2428]

Possibly a gold fields team where their home ground switches between the two city’s

[@xkimopye]

Ballarat has the benefit of being closer to Melbourne with Melbourne suburbs edging closer to Ballarat

[@StriveToAscendancy1]

@@xkimopye it's only 20 minutes difference from each city centre to Melbourne though

[@BDub2024]

North Melbourne needs to move into the northern fringe suburbs of Melbourne. Then ultimately they will move a few home matches into Bendigo. But North's first priority must be owning the high immigrant areas in Melbourne and bringing new Australians to the game. Without people watching tv and reading newspapers they have no exposure to AFL at all.

[@christopherharvie8716]

Bulldogs have gained a big foothold by playing a few games there. By only moving the team a short drive up the road I’d think the current base would have a very high retention (80%). Ballarat is also a rabid football town and the interest in the game would be as high as a percentage basis that would make Adelaide blush. It is growing very fast and cities with other teams will find it difficult to found a third team against the well established market holders. That said most people are rusted on to their teams and as a Swans fan I’m not turning my back on them just because someone is playing next door. Especially after the farce back in 2016. I personally think the Bulldogs by having a toe in the water are already thinking of making Ballarat half their home. I think their long term plan is to play more and more games in Ballarat, until they are only playing the big Victorian clubs in Melbourne as home games. This would be a relocation by stealth in a way and I’d be surprised if they are not playing at least 50% of their games in Ballarat by 2035. Another thing worth mentioning is playing teams from warmer areas, in Ballarat would be a whomping home ground advantage.

[@keithmainey1303]

As a Brisbane Lions member a lot of members go to games for lions and where their team turns up to play the put on there colours.. so supporting another team is no detriment against audience numbers.

[@jaybourne2200]

Great content mate keep it up👍

[@MichaelSmith-px1ev]

A Victorian country team is a great idea but like Tassie share the home ground between Ballarat and Bendigo. Train lines are direct to both locations. It supports the roll out of renewable energy transition in regional areas just northeast of these areas.

[@BDub2024]

I don't reckon it will ever eventuate. Any relocated team would go to Perth or Canberra. Certainly Ballarat could hot 3 matches per year by the Bulldogs. But I think the pressure will mount for the smaller clubs to play in Canberra, Darwin or Cairns. E.g. GWS play Bulldogs home and away in Canberra... The neutral venue for home and away. That ensures Canberra gets more footy but Bulldogs loses a home game. So it then gets tricky for them to lose more games out of MElbourne to Ballarat. So a difficult thing to navigate. Certainly all preseason matches and pre season training camps need to be in Ballarat to forge stronger links.

[@banliveexport325]

Ballarat is literally the coldest place in the State. If the AFL was consistent they would have to demand that the Taxpayer pay for a Roofed Stadium like they have done in Tasmania. How can the AFL logically demand that Tasmania must have a roofed stadium paid for by the taxpayer while AFL matches are being played in Ballarat which is an absolute dump of a Stadium?

[@zaco21_]

Relocate North to Canberra (Canberra Kangaroos: Blue, White, Yellow), expansion team based in the Northern Australian market region (NT & Nth Queensland: Northern Crocodiles), Bulldogs to play more games in Ballarat with the expanded stadium

[@stevendunn7710]

Perfect 👌 ive been saying for years Canberra Kangaroos. Name sounds good plus you have the country's Capital with the Kangaroos as the nickname, perfect match!

[@MozartificeR]

I think that North should relocate to a combined territories side in NT and Canberra. And they should make an MCG clone in NT. So that other clubs sell games there. And the WB should expand their base to Ballarat. And commit to more games there.

[@kurtflahavin5994]

Ballarat did try to apply for a VFL/AFL licence in 1955, & the VFL/AFL actually were interested, but eventually went cold on it & nothing ever happened. If Ballarat had of gotten the VFL/AFL licence in 1955/56, the population in Ballarat would have been far bigger than what it is today (& it's still a decent strong population). Looking back the VFL/AFL missed a golden opportunity in overlooking a Ballarat team in the VFL/AFL at the time. Should have happened in letting in a Ballarat team. Expansion could've happened 30 years earlier.

[@VelvetRiot-hz5mp]

Did not know that. I know the Ballarat club was in the old VFA in the 1890s, but moved to play locally in order to increase gates. I did read about them trying to get in back in 1924, when North, Footscray and Hawthorn got in.

[@donaldjgumpofficial5754]

@@VelvetRiot-hz5mp Ballarat Swans are the 3rd oldest club still in operation behind Melbourne and Geelong.

[@Shanegates87]

Ballarat Bulldogs sounds great.

[@BDub2024]

Western Bulldogs is enough. They can just play the 3 games there each year. Against the Adelaide teams. If the capacity can increase then Melbourne clubs could be hosted. Its close enough that Bulldogs fans can easily drive or train there. Is three games enough though? Could Geelong vs Bulldogs also play there?

[@benobrien111]

loving your league and afl content mate

[@VelvetRiot-hz5mp]

Close to Geelong, Bendigo and Melbourne. The crucial thing is, Ballarat is in the direction of the fastest growing region in the nation. It really comes down to stadium rent and costs of housing a team in Ballarat. If it makes money on 10,000 average gates then it might be the solution for a North. Darwin is an insane idea, that place is smaller than Ballarat and too far to fly to for anyone unless you intend living in Bali.

[@davidpickford.]

I think Bulldogs can build a supporter base there as they are the 'western bulldogs' they should look at taking 3-4 home games there a year. I hear a lot of talk about North's moving but the north fringe of Melbourne has a lot of room to grow, maybe North's could take some games to Bendigo and try to get a foot hold in that area. I'm not from Melbourne nor do I follow the AFL but that's how I see it from an unbiased opinion.

[@houls44]

I wouldn’t complain if the kangaroos relocated to Canberra. We just need to upgrade Manuka oval first.

[@BDub2024]

Canberoos, but its GWS territory isn't it. GWS can play home and away matches against Hawks North and Melb each year. That's six games straight away at a neutral venue for both clubs. Sydney could even host a home and away match there... lead to 8 games in Canberra. They don't need a team. GWS needs help and more fans. So they need to own that part of NSW and ACT.

[@awwghh563]

@@BDub2024 GWS need to grow their own market by having a bigger presence in their own market.

[@BDub2024]

@@awwghh563 9 home matches and 1 away match in Sydney for GWS is sufficient. That's a big presence for that market place.

[@phoneticau]

Public transportation to Ballarat is not Melbourne scale and Ballarat population by 2040 will be around 150k

[@latenightlogic]

You could start a team there, relocation is off the cards.

[@peternguyen3704]

Hopefully one day the AFL gives us an opened roof Marvel Stadium

[@XavierB-hx7sc]

As a Saints fan I would rather see us relocate to Cairns. I think it will be more desirable for players due to the fact they will be living in Paradise. North Queensland also has a way bigger population of 700,000 if you include down to Mackay, that will grow to 1mil plus. A lot of people from Melbourne already holiday there mid year. I would rather relocate to Cairns prior to North Melbourne, than be left with relocating to Ballarat as Cairns has already been taken. I would love to see a video on a relocation to Cairns.

[@davidpickford.]

Wouldn't really say it's paradise, High crime and you can't swim at the beaches unless you want to risk being taken by a crocodile, Also NQ is huge it's bigger then all of Victoria so the 700,000 is quite spread out

[@donaldjgumpofficial5754]

Cairns to Mackay is nearly as far as Adelaide is from Melbourne.

[@thekhan1987]

man, that would make it tough to not want to support them being a long time ballarat.. ian ? rater? idk

[@kellyhomecentre6523]

There is nowhere near the population or industry in Country Victoria (Excluding Geelong) to support an AFL team. Add to that, people choose teams based of tribal connection and in Victoria everyone has already chosen their teams.

[@user-ep5xq5ew9w]

North Melbourne played VFL for North Ballarat and stitched up by Ballarat when the government give them a football grant they chose Western bulldogs to play games in Ballarat. Julia Gillard was number 1 ticket holders for bulldogs

[@BDub2024]

North Melb just haven't committed generally to the locations, be it Canberra, Sydney, Hobart and Gold Coast (though the latter one was because they didn't want to relocate so fair enough). Maybe Ballarat just felt North would be half hearted. Western Bulldogs taking control of all the west is a perfect match really and they can make it work long term. Whereas I suspect North just wouldn't be as good a match and may have been more temporary. North has a chance to move into the outer fringes of Melbourne and win the immigrants and new Australians to the game and to North Melbourne. They can also consider Bendigo for the future.

[@jasonrisk1082]

For sure go the Ballarat Bulldogs

[@mattturner8849]

I reckon if they move a club it will up to Albury/ somewhere on the border.

[@BDub2024]

The only relocation would be to Canberra and Perth.

[@rmar127]

Go for the best of both worlds. A soft relocation. The dogs play 3 home games a year in Ballarat, the demons three per year in Bendigo and the saints 3 per year in Taralgon. That way they broaden their supporter bases without a hard relocation.

[@andrewsmith2591]

I've always wondered about those ex-Fitzroy supporters. Do they still follow AFL? Do they still support the Lions when they come to Melb? Do they support another team? I'm not aware of any actual studies.

[@BDub2024]

Fitzroy messed up by not relocating earlier, so it was a forced merger and they lost more of their club Whereas Sydney left on their own accord and so still have South Melb fans in Melb. A North relocation to Perth would work. Joondalup Wanneroo Roos.

[@StriveToAscendancy1]

I am one of those Fitzroy supporters who support the Brisbane Lions. Most did follow with the merger but some supported North Melbourne because they preferred the Fitzroy/North merger more at the time

[@joekensington2218]

I personally as a St Kilda supporter for nearly 60 years, I would love to see ST Kilda merged with Gold Coast. Gold Coast Saints sounds good to me !❤❤❤❤❤

[@StKilda1966]

Saints to play home games at MCG

[@rhysh2639]

Make Western Bulldogs a part-time Ballarat team. Ballarat alone is too small for a full-time team

[@FORTISIAKING]

It's too small for now but let's say Ballarats population was to increase over the next 15 years it changes the argument completely.

[@rhysh2639]

@@FORTISIAKING Western Bulldogs should be the team. It only makes sense since Ballarat is in Western Victoria.

[@FORTISIAKING]

@@rhysh2639 agreed but St kilda and North melbourne unfortunately has a smaller fan base than western bulldogs. The thing is the bulldogs has a solid supporter base in the city of maribynong. Where as people living in North melbourne or St kilda don't really care about AFL as much due to the change in demographics. But will see in 15 years or even 10 depending if the AFL stops funding those 3 clubs

[@paulorocky]

What’s the population in the surrounding areas? There’s a potential fan catchment between Melton and the Grampians.

[@rhysh2639]

@@FORTISIAKING In my opinion, North Melbourne should probably focus on playing some matches in Bendigo (which is almost the same size as Ballarat). St.Kilda should focus on all the bayside/peninsula areas of Melbourne e.g. Frankston, Mornington, Sandringham etc.

[@BDub2024]

Darwin is too small too. That won't happen either. Even Tassie and Canberra are just going to be propped up. Ballarat won't go ahead. Even if Ballarat had a 30k stadium that was being fill, it still wouldn't happen.

[@Firefoxbaron]

These numbers the afl has is not looking The Moreton Bay Local Government Area is one of the fastest growing in the country with a population of more than 480,000. This is forecast to grow to close to 700,000 by 2041, a larger population than the state of Tasmania. As it also borders Brisbane so if your not a lions fan it a win win just saying the bulldogs be very welcome

[@leighreganarblaster9852]

The Western Bulldogs has around 50,000 members

[@BDub2024]

Bulldogs need to really keep working the western Victoria area. Hold more matches to the west. Do preseason training camps in the area.

[@BDub2024]

If any club has to leave Melbourne then it would leave Victoria permanently. The club would probably then go to Perth Canberra, or they'd merge with Gold Coast or GWS. NZ isn't ready yet. They aren't going to go elsewhere in Victoria, just like how NRL aren't relocating former NSWRL teams like Bears and Jets into country NSW which is far more populated and expansive. Question is how Melb clubs better service immigrant areas in the fringes. Should side relocate training bases there. How can they connect with those areas, if its just training and not home grounds. Can a stadium replace Docklands and move into an outer suburb where AFL can regain a presence.

[@eddielong8663]

Last time I checked, Perth was an AFL town. Even Tasmanians were willing to bluff on the AFL, by telling the AFL that it's either brand new club or nothing, and they'd rather just miss out entirely once and for all, than be insulted any further. You have to be on drugs to suggest the people of Perth would accept a relocated Victorian club.

[@adrianyoungman2740]

I'm thinking long term here but with the success of the Fitzroy / Brisbane merger and obviously South Melb / Sydney relocation if the AFL will look to bolster both the Suns and Giants in the future with say Gold Coast Saints and GWS Kangaroos then you could have the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat playing marquee games in Melbourne like Geelong do. This would leave Melbourne to the big clubs and like you signed off the video give these teams new markets and in the case of GC and GWS supporter bases in Melbourne as well for away games.

[@BDub2024]

I'm thinking any relocated club will go to Perth Canberra or merge with suns and giants. That's it. They won't go to regional areas. The AFL is allowing the lowly supported clubs in Melbourne to gradually die. Without a zone or free to air coverage or press talk, they will continue to plummet.

[@BDub2024]

Those clubs refused to go to Canberra, Sydney and Gold Coast... I think you will see GWS playing home and away matches in Canberra against North, Bullies and Saints (for example). That would be six games in Canberra for GWS on a neutral venue. That's great for growing GWS in NSW/ACT. Same concept in Darwin. Eddie Everywhere is always talking about Suns and Giants basically playing all their matches outside Victoria WA and SA... that's how it would basically be done.

[@LevyHappyClapper]

Yes ... collingwood should go

[@richardwood9177]

Maybe 3 home games a year with the Bulldogs otherwise it’s a pipe dream.

[@BDub2024]

Should be 3 games, but its hard for Bulldogs. The AFL will want clubs like Bulldogs playing home and away matches in Canberra Darwin etc. If Bulldogs have 7 home games in Melbourne and 6 away games then its not so good for their continued success in Melbourne. I know Eagles play 12 games in Perth but expectations different for Vic clubs.

[@richardwood9177]

@@BDub2024 I think 3 games in Ballarat. Too small for an 11 home game team. But as the “Western” Bulldogs it kinda makes sense. Especially if they are games attracting lower attendances. Nobody wants to see 10K fans at Marvel.

[@BDub2024]

@@richardwood9177 Ballarat should really be getting close to 20k fans (if the ground fitted it). Its pretty disappointing to only get 10k there (I know the capacity is low). Western Bulldogs can extend through to Werribee, Bachus Marsh and onto Ballarat... Have all the preseason camps there and practice matches too. Embrace the area.

[@davidstephen5472]

Nah.....non Vic teams would cry more

[@benjaminrowley]

Send the dogs there make them a regional team help out the local footy and grass roots

[@BDub2024]

Any clubs leaving Melb would go interstate. AFL want less clubs in Victoria ultimately, so wouldn't allow it. Bulldogs would have to play 3 games there and possibly increase it over time. But they'll be in pressure to play home and away matches in Canberra, Cairns Darwin etc...

[@benjaminrowley]

@@BDub2024that’s when u merge the saints and kangas and move them to Darwin

[@BDub2024]

@@benjaminrowley Saints have increased over time their supporters and tried hard. but their management is no good. North's support will go backwards. No team should be going to Darwin at all.

[@benjaminrowley]

@@BDub2024 saints have nothing to show for for how long they’ve been in the comp them and north are dead weight

[@BDub2024]

@@benjaminrowley I agree that North don't pull their weight. They are propped up by the AFL and have a poor record of being committed to the Sydney Canberra Hobart marketplace. They should be forced to really work the immigrant areas in Melbourne and bring them to footy. Get out in the fringes and get the councils to support a joint training, community and recreation hub. Provide services to the kids and get federal fnding. A whole generation in Melb will be lost to AFL. They must not remain in Arden St. Long term they should be the third perth club. I do think that Giants and Swans could be playing home and away matches in Canberra. If both clubs played North home and away in Canberra, then straight away that would give North 4 games there. North never commit do they...

[@alexlanning712]

Take those teams out of there current locations, and you will alienate most of the Victorian public!

[@richardwood9177]

No protection from the weather in Ballarat in winter. Only hard core fans. If Hobart needs a roof then Ballarat would definitely need one and where’s the return on investment. Won’t happen.

[@BDub2024]

7 degrees in Ballarat today at the max. Perth was cold at 17 degrees and barely anyone was outside. So any footy at Ballarat needs to have protection for the fans from cold and rain.

[@richardwood9177]

@@BDub2024 Agreed. And some of the proposals I’ve seen are crazy. And they’re making Hobart put on a roof. I think we’re on the same page but some people saying put a team full time in Ballarat or Bendigo just don’t get it. You need a population of 500K to support a team. But it would be a great marketing opportunity for the Bulldogs like Hawthorn in Tassie.

[@BDub2024]

@@richardwood9177 I read that Ballarat is set to increase by 25k in the next 25 years. Perth is talking about another 1.5 million people. Melbourne will keep expanding big time. I'm concerned how the new generations just have no knowledge of AFL and they'll never take it on and soccer will start to dominate over time. People don't watch tv or read papers. All they know is soccer. Clubs like North and Bulldogs need to really work hard into those outer suburbs. North need to move their training base and identify definitely. But I reckon Hobart will find it really hard to win the fans consistently. So many people there will still barrack for their former AFL side. Evidence is what has happened in WA and SA who are really parochial. A lot of people stuck with their previous AFL team. Younger generation are following their parents. Or just watch it on tv and choose a club

[@richardwood9177]

@@BDub2024 wasn’t much better in Sydney. Ballarat’s a great city, I grew up in Vic country, but it can’t support a team by itself. I never got the whole Western Bulldogs thing when they stuck to Footscray. Collingwood & Eddie tried to help them out in the Footscray & Fitzroy merger days but the said they’d rather go under. Some clubs have no vision.

[@BDub2024]

@@richardwood9177 North is the club that messed up. You only have to compare Hawks in Launceston (successful) with North in Hobart (unsuccessful). Half hearted. North then bunker down at Arden St despite it being bleeding obvious that their fan base will continue to plummet. They need to work harder to win new fans and members. If they moved into new Australian areas, then they may actually receive extra support from the AFL. At the same time the councils would pump in a lot of money and link it to community centre and rec centres pools. Freo moved to Cockburn and got the council to throw in signficant money and got a whole new facility built for them.

[@brodielindrea9412]

north melbourne arent losing money or fans atm. relocation talk is ridiculous.

[@VelvetRiot-hz5mp]

Yeah, because the AFL gives them hand outs.

[@Dlxxx159]

Move a team to represent the south east suburbs

[@jakemasura2454]

What about the saints

[@BDub2024]

Saints are already the south eastern team.

[@andrewhowden6198]

Not until they fix the Western Freeway

[@richardwood9177]

Ballarat is too small. Bendigo & Darwin too small. Canberra - maybe if GWS actually become GWS.

[@BDub2024]

GWS should have been called Western Sydney ACT Giants. Greater and GWS is so stupid and stops it being recognised as a Western Sydney football club. People just see GWS and wouldn't even know what it stands for.

[@scottbennier1335]

Too many AFL Teams now and too many teams in Victoria. Some of the Victorian Clubs should merge as the NSW NRL Clubs have.

[@tangiers365]

GET RID OF ST KILDA OR NORTH MELBOURNE when tassie come in

[@StKilda1966]

NO!