The Melbourne Demons board of management should be commended for their bravery in keeping coach Mark Neeld for a while longer. Frankly, the board realised, and it’s been evident, that although the young Melbourne side has shown a lot of endeavour on the field, they are not near good enough to be competitive for four quarters of football. Sadly, at the current rate of improvement, it will take three to five years for a good side to develop. This is not any particular coach’s fault, but a serious AFL problem.
The AFL is busy throwing bailout cash and resources into the bottom clubs such as Melbourne, but it is a waste of time and money in the long run as teams fail to improve and membership/ticket revenue free-falls in the meantime. This is not the solution to the issue – there have to be rule changes.
The real problem lies in the lack of AFL short term on-field options for teams stagnant at the bottom of the mid-season ladder. The AFL has unfortunately thrown all their eggs in the one basket with their pre-season drafts, free-agents and trades. Their strategy is supposed to be upholding the integrity of the even playing field, where in theory a team can develop its playing stock to win a premiership at least once every 18 years.
It hasn’t worked in the past and it doesn’t work now. The so called level playing field from 2001 to 2012 has given Brisbane and Geelong three premierships apiece from four grand finals each, and Sydney two premierships from three appearances. Need I remind readers that both Sydney and Brisbane were and are still receiving salary cap concessions from the AFL, while cellar-dweller teams are left floundering. Where is the equity in that?
I would prefer to see the draft disbanded for cheque book diplomacy and the salary cap increased to $50M per year. I can already hear the screams.
But hang on, footy is a $1.2 billion TV game and the grand final at the MCG is only for connected sponsors, corporates and those few who can afford the high ticket prices.
Besides, it takes approximately $180 (including collateral spending) for a family of four to go to a home and away match these days. Much more cost effective watching every game live on Foxtel. It’s all about ratings, and having bottom clubs getting thrashed weekly will cause TV audiences to tune out.
What has this to do with a solution for the ailing Melbourne Football Club? If the AFL provided for a mid-season trade period or even let injury hit or struggling clubs acquire experienced players on loan from other league and AFL teams, the result will instantly improve competition and benefit both club members and television viewers. If the loan option was available to the Demons right now, they would probably embrace it.