Some points about a critique being a critique and not a whinge. My critique is from a genuine concern for the traditions of the SANFL and that its long term development under the current inequitable structure is on the path to destroying these traditions. The immense structural inequity of funds and resources alluded to in my earlier post are the key here. Both local and global histories of any social structure let alone economic structure show time and time again how an inequitable wealth and resource structure sees the few blossom at the immense expense of the many. To start this SANFL season with clearly two sets of rules and resources, one set that advantages two clubs and one set that disadvantages eight clubs, builds in this inequity from the start with the ultimate outcome of two teams having far more potential to grow and develop than the other eight. Pointing this out is not whinging. It is pointing out that this inequity will erode and compromise the traditions of SANFL. Ultimately, two clubs can have all they want in both the elite corporate sporting sphere and the local sporting sphere and eight clubs left to pick up the crumbs. While Port Adelaide and Adelaide can be beaten, the overwhelming differential in resources and access to resources will see them dominate the league frequently over the long term. It cant be anything but this. To argue differently is a nonsense and suggests that money and resources dont impact on a clubs ability to compete. The evidence to support this view is how the Canberra league has totally changed in the last decade or so. Clubs folding and / or being told they are not good enough and now gone to a total league restructure all to cater for the Sydney and now Giants reserves teams. Look at the team that has dominated this league. It is no surprise. I dont want to see the SANFL develop the mind set for its supporters and clubs that is now the tradition of the English Premier League. That is where, in that league because of inequitable resourcing and access to resources, only four clubs out of twenty (20%) have a realistic chance of winning the title in any year and the remaining sixteen teams have the aim of either being competitive and finish mid table or to simply survive. Of interest, the elite EPL clubs do not play their reserves or underage teams in the other leagues. They have their own leagues. They appreciate what the impact of reserves in the other leagues would be. This is not the long term tradition I want for the SANFL where only 20% of the teams have a realistic chance of winning the premiership in any year. A second point of interest in todays Advertiser is Peter Darleys surprise that South Adelaide has not won a flag since 1964. Given the current SANFL setup it will not happen in the next 50 years either, but this time it will be unsurprising. The solution is simple. If the AFL want a reserves competition, it should create and fund it and not use the SANFL and its long term traditions as the grist to turn its wheels of progress. Port Adelaide has worked hard to repair the fractures history has created between its AFL and SANFL components. One of the tools it has effectively used to achieve this is tradition and they should be applauded for seeing this. Unfortunately this tradition is now at the expense of the SANFLs tradition.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 23:48:08 +0000
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