COULD AFL Victoria swinging the axe on its VFL Development League after this year provide an upshot to country football?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As had been pre-empted for some time, the death knell on the VFL Development League – the VFL’s reserves competition – was sounded last Thursday.
It’s a shame for young players, such as those exiting the Bendigo Pioneers’ system or standout prospects at local level, aspiring to play at the highest level they can that a transitional pathway has been removed.
Yet the upside could be a timely boost to country football.
The VFL Development League features eight teams – Port Melbourne, Casey, Box Hill, Sandringham, Coburg, Williamstown, Northern Blues and Werribee.
In a 23-a-side competition, that’s 184 games of footy per week that will be no longer available next year to players given the demise of the competition.
It’s a chance for country football to help cover the void of those lost 184 games, while with VFL opportunities at clubs that had Development League teams to be trimmed, it could also help country clubs keep hold of their talented youngsters for a bit longer.
No Development League going forward also means players who aren’t selected in a VFL team will have to play their football at their aligned club – many of which are in country leagues, such as Bendigo.
Losing one of the pathways from next year suggests that while the TAC Cup will remain the starting point to identify potential AFL and VFL prospects, a greater emphasis like it was in yesteryear may now be placed back on senior country – as well as metro – football as a breeding ground, which is one of the key messages AFL Victoria is selling.
“A growing trend in the player pathway from the TAC Cup to the VFL in recent years has involved players leaving the TAC Cup, spending time in community football for a few years and then moving into the VFL with the aim of being drafted when both physically and emotionally ready,” AFL Victoria boss Steven Reaper (pictured) said.
“Players are still able to develop within community football, and we believe this decision will help enhance relationships between community and VFL clubs and grow the depth of talent at community level into the future.”
While one door shuts for the VFL Development League, it could be the opening of another for country football.
Luke West – sports reporter
