Heard lots of replies like this from Kangas fans when they rejected the GC offer from the AFL. Only problem is such platitudes don't pay the bills and don't fill stadiums (as the Kangas are finding out now).
IMO Sheeds is on the money with one matter, and that is this issue of nationalization ain't over. Demetriou will do a victory tour and retire (IMO) after GC17 and GWS are up and rolling, but then the next csar takes over. Then what happens? Every CEO has had expansion teams they can hang their hat on, and I'll be stunned if Vlad's successor will be willing to break the chain.
This gives two options (again only IMO):
1) create 2 new teams - most likely a third perth and a tassie side
OR
2) merge two melbourne teams and create a tassie side
OR
3) relocate a melbourne side to tassie
Reason I am picking tassie is it seems to be getting the most impetus, and their Govt is providing the most off-field support for any team entry.
Assuming this is the case, who are the candidates for relocation or merger?
IMO once again, you would be looking at Melbourne (finances and supporter base) and the Kangas (finances and supporter base).
On the periphery to this I have the dogs (although I think they are a long shot now given their successful off-field rebuild).
As for us, we would not be an option TODAY. Finances while not ideal, are keeping us afloat. Membership is still very strong (considering lack on onfield success), and we are having glimmers of promise from a rebuild.
HOWEVER, if the rebuild goes balls up, membership finally gives up on the eternal promises, and we struggle to match the income streams from other clubs (i.e. we are about to lose a massive chunk of our pokie revenues to the Blues apparently), then we may be in a situation where the AFL starts nudging us in certain directions to serve their ends.
As you can see from all the if's, but's, and maybe's, I see this as a long shot option. However I have no doubt the AFL will become desperate for expansion once more in 5-10 years, and if we stumble, I have absolutely no doubt we will be in the gun from the AFL.
As I have said before, I would support merger or relocation (if done right) only if its a choice between that and folding.
