VFL Development League demise – what does it mean for VAFA Clubs?

Brett Connell – VAFA CEO

Back in late July, AFL Victoria advised VFL Clubs the existing VFL Development League would cease to exist come seasons’ end.

The VFL Development League has been under scrutiny for a number of years on various fronts.

Pressures on VFL clubs both financially and from an administration perspective were concerns all the way along. Add to the fact only (8) of the (14) VFL teams fielded a Development Team, which produced uneven fixtures and scheduling difficulties, and the cons began to clearly outweigh the pros.

With combined costs of running the VFL Development League nearing $1M, the competition itself was not viable nor was it the best possible use of investment into the future, given many VFL Clubs were experiencing financial difficulties.

A major argument in maintaining the VFL Development League from VFL Clubs was around development opportunities for players, without the VFL Development League it was argued, that player development would stall.

Of particular interest to the VAFA is that players will still be able to develop playing at community level, the various VAFA representative programs being cases in point, that aid in player development.

Also adding to the above are the real positives of enhanced relationships between VAFA & VFL Clubs and an increase in the depth of talent at VAFA level.

Evidence suggests a growing trend in the player pathway from TAC to the VFL in recent years has involved players leaving the TAC Cup, spending time in the VAFA or community football for a few years and then moving into the VFL with the aim of being drafted when both physically and emotionally ready.

With no VFL Development League in 2018, the club structure for those (8) VFL clubs affected will move to one similar to that currently used by clubs such as Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray, North Ballarat and Richmond, where players not selected in the VFL will play with their VAFA team.

In addition to the influx of returning players to VAFA Clubs in 2018, either permanently or on interchange to VFL Clubs, there is no doubt the depth of talent in the VAFA will increase in 2018 and beyond.

While it is expected there will be a steady flow of former VFL Development League players back into the VAFA, clubs are reminded of AFL Victoria’s Player Points System (PPS) which categorises players according to their playing history and how this may affect their recruiting and team selection in 2018.

The 2017 state-wide PPS cap was 48 points per senior team. This cap has not been set for 2018 and we have been advised consideration is being given to the effect the demise of the VFL Development League would have on the point values for former VFL Development players.

While on the subject of (PPS) caps, the VAFA are currently reviewing the (PPS) caps provided for each VAFA open-age section, in line with 2016 and 2017 tracked data, with a view to making a recommendation to AFL Victoria regarding setting the individual marks for each of our sections for the 2018 season.

There will be plenty of data collection and planning involved before we land on the (PPS) cap for all of our senior open sections in 2018; however, at Club level also bear this in mind as some of you may now move into initial planning and recruiting mode for 2018.

Further advice will follow to our clubs in due course in relation to the 2018 (PPS) cap.

Division finals kick off this weekend so we congratulate those who have made the post-season in their respective sections and look forward to hard-fought and entertaining finals series.

On another note all the very best to all our teams who finish up this weekend, well done and we hope the season ends on a positive note. Also to the umpires doing the same, thank you and well done.

Congratulations to Old Xaverians (Crocs) and Box Hill North winning their respective Club XVIII Finals last Sunday also.

See you @ the footy.