I can’t see how the AFL can afford to be propping up another fledgling club.
They already do so (massively) with Saint Kilda, North, GC, Brisbane and GWS.
A 19th AFL side will soon require a 20th AFL side, and all of these clubs will have to have a Women’s team (which I am fine with) but we all know these women’s sides run at a loss
which I am again fine with - if the club can afford it.
North have to go to Tassie - and Tassie can’t say we don’t want them. They cannot afford a team without AFL help - this is their chance.
North have been selling around 5 home games a year. They blew the Gold Coast chance - its time they woke up. They can bring all their history and traditions to Tassie and make a go of it.
This keeps the Comp at 18 - Way to Go.
WA should be looking to relocate St Kilda or Footscray to Bunbury too - Bunbury Dogs or Bunbury Sharks (with St Kilda’s kit). Get a speed train from Perth to Bunbury built - they do it in Japan and China without any trouble.
Essendon to Canberra too.
The above gets three teams out of Melbourne therefore making Vic teams travel more. It makes the comp more economically viable (this can’t be stressed enough) and it puts Bunbury on the map.
All doable if the AFL stop the handouts to struggling Vic Clubs and if they send a firm message to Tassie that this is whats happening regarding your AFL team
There is no way that North go to Tassie. They have already made that clear that it will not happen.Unlike the Hawks, they have not had success down there, hence the selling of games to the two WA clubs.And the fact that the AFL allowed them to sell, or give their permission to sell them tells the story.The AFL some time ago told all clubs they can sell games, but not to WA.
I think North have to be told in no uncertain terms to fight their own fight and pay their own way. The AFL can no longer keep propping them up.Go back to pre 87, they were a basket case then. Only Ansett kept them afloat.They were and still are worse than Fitzroy.
And to add to those clubs struggling, you forgot to mention that Melbourne are always , at seasons end, having their hand out for money.
Remember all the assistance they got in the seasons pre their premiership. A CEO at the AFLS cost, A coach(Roos) under the AFLs cost.And money to boot.Yes a VFL premiership granted to them, and still asking for money.
I am not sure the WAFC would allow another WA club, especially a failed VFL club to take root in WA.
There was talk of Fitzroy coming to make the Fremantle Lions.But almost all players rejected that proposal and went elsewhere leaving the VFL with no option other than to sell the licence to the Bears.
Rather than try to force the failed VFL clubs out of Melbourne, make them fight to save their clubs. Make them find ways to survive and stand on their own with out AFL assistance.
Interesting topic TFAF. 
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it’s too late
they’ve got government coin this time
and since Demetriou
every Vicco club has had a protection racket in place
there isn’t another sport anywhere in this world
where certain clubs only travel 4 times a year
and there’s no sport anywhere in this world
where year after year after year hand-outs are readily given
to poorly run outfits like the usual Victorian culprits and their draft-pig
pets like GC , GWS & BL
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It has been a while since Brissie asked for hand outs.
GC& GWS will be on the teat for while yet. As will the Devils when they come in.The AFL have make sure they become viable.
VFL clubs, Roos, Saints and Dees, need to be sat down and read the riot act. Stand on your own feet or fold.
But as the old saying goes: All clubs are equal, just some are more equal than others.
Not Fold Anchor - Relocate
Relocation is no good.That will never happen.
As I said, North are a dead case. Regardless of wherd they go, they are not wanted. Can’t draw membership or supporters.
Saints have been a basket case for a long long time, as have the Roos and Dees.
They have been run like country football football clubs. But then maybe that is unfair on country clubs. At least most survive on their own.
To relocate, the place the AFL want to locate them to, the place has to want them. Not many places want them. North failed in Tassie, as did Saints.