Just an update on the WAFL and possible AFL alignment/host teams or them having their own teams. Contrary to media reports particularly radio there has been no decision on the WAFL comp for 2014.It is fully expected that 2013 stays the same as 2012.I rang Frank Cooper over the weekend to clarify the media reports. He said they are working on a paper but it has not been released to any WAFL Clubs or even the AFL clubs. The media speculation is just that. There has been no paper or even a discussion with the WAFC and the 9 WAFL clubs in the past 6 weeks. I rang JohnDitch burn last night and he confirmed they have had no conversation with FFC or the WAFC again contrary to media reports. I do believe John. Bronte confirmed to Frank Cooper on Tuesday that EP have had no conversation with WCE or the WAFC re host club scenario. Finally I spoke to Haydn Raitt yesterday and he said the same-he hasn’t heard anything different to the above and has constantly had pressure on Walton and Cooper to give us an update. This is expected next week sometime. We are all sceptical, I know (I remain so) but at this point this is all we have. The WAFL remains in the same format as it has for the past 9 years.
Thank-you for the update, Cardy. Have written to one of the Wafl clubs two weeks ago but have not received a reply as yet. I’m prepared to stand on a picket line over this if necessary but the above report seems to be in the positive. That is how it sounds.
West Coast and Fremantle will pay $450,000 a year each for alignments with East Perth and Peel respectively for the next five years under an historic agreement clinched this week by the West Australian Football Commission.
WAFL clubs were last night briefed on the agreement which was signed on Monday night by the Royals, Thunder, Eagles and Dockers. The agreement will start in 2014, although some players will shift clubs next season as part of transitional arrangements.
WAFC chairman Frank Cooper and CEO Gary Walton hailed the agreement as “coming out of the industry” based on guiding principles put to them by WAFL and AFL clubs.
Both said the agreement was the result of a more mature football industry and not comparable to failed arrangements in place with Claremont, South Fremantle and East Perth a decade ago.
“We have done a lot of work on this and referenced it back to the key objectives that the WAFL clubs and AFL clubs gave us at the football summit about the integrity, history of the WAFL being protected and improving the financial sustainability of the WAFL and giving the AFL clubs what they are after in terms of their players playing, training and being managed,” Cooper said. “We think this delivers on all of those.”
Under the agreement:
The alignments must stay in place for a minimum of five years, with 20 months notice to be given to terminate even after five years
The seven non-partner clubs will have their annual grants increased from $425,000 to $525,000. Of the $100,000 increase, $70,000 can be used in year-to-year operations, $20,000 must be put towards building assets and $10,000 towards improving technology
Partner clubs will receive grants totalling $350,000. They are expected to make up the difference in saved recruiting costs, salary cap savings, coaching staff savings and medical staff savings
The WAFC will establish an annual $350,000 development fund. The first target of that money will be to develop shared services between clubs to help slice running costs and improve sustainability
AFL clubs will have the final say in appointing the senior coach of their aligned club, in consultation with the club. This is not expected to affect the appointments of Brian Dawson at East Perth or Cam Shepherd at Peel
Peel and East Perth are to maintain their logos and names
All Fremantle players at East Perth, and West Coast players at Peel, will be swapped to their aligned club for 2013
All interstate players selected in the 2012 national, rookie and pre-season drafts will also join the aligned club next year. The remainder of the AFL squads will join the aligned club in 2014.
·The WAFC will retain the right to alter the recruiting and playing list conditions of the aligned clubs to make sure they are neither too dominant nor too weak.
“We have referenced it back to the key objectives that the WAFL clubs and AFL clubs gave us.”