The state of the game is is a conversation that never stops, and we will continue it in this piece with the question; should relegation and promotion be introduced for the AFL?
For those who don't know what this is, it is a process where a competition is split into multiple divisions, where teams are transferred between based on their performance for the season.
The worst ranked teams in division one are sent to division two, while the best teams of the second division will move up to the first.
Currently, sport in Australia uses the closed model format, where teams competing in a league do not change. This is also the most common format in North America, with the NFL and NBA.
The last two seasons, especially 2020, have been greatly impacted by COVID-19, and a relegation system became a topic of discussion with the uncertainty of what the future holds financially for clubs.
Last year, Melbourne great Gary Lyon shared on SEN, that perhaps relegation could happen.
"Are we looking at a two-tier system? A relation and promotion system. A major competition with 10 to 12 teams, then you're relegated? Is this what they are posturing to," Lyon said on SENBreakfast.
"18 teams are locked away, but now we are getting a vibe maybe they aren't locked away."
Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett has even once shared his desire to see this system in the AFL.
The Hawthorn president wants relegation in the AFL.
➡️ https://t.co/RV9Yt7iRjn pic.twitter.com/EDQuq91Av4
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 15, 2020
How it could work
Relegation and promotion works best when you have a group of independent teams forming a league. Teams that are independent from the leagues they compete in, soccer in Europe for example.
In the AFL, the league itself is much more powerful than the individual clubs, and the teams competing aren't as independent. Having a league of independent teams however, opens up the door for teams negotiating an escape, take the whole European football Super League fiasco from earlier this year, that nearly caused catastrophe.
Looking at the current state of the AFL, things would need to change drastically in order for relegation to be introduced.
Ideally more financially stable teams would be needed, each with a stadium or home ground and a solid fanbase (more later on issues surrounding that).
AFL currently has its obvious major league, and minor leagues like the VFL, NEAFL, SANFL and WAFL. But most of these teams, especially in the VFL, are essentially just reserves for AFL counterparts. The existing infrastructure for professional Aussie rules wouldn't really support relegation.
Best way to implement
Regulation for soccer in England has 20 levels, more than 140 individual leagues and over 480 teams. How many teams could Aussie rules be played with, given the size of talent pools?
For regulation to work, a second league would need to be established to act as the promotion pool, not a development league like we already have.
For this to work, a number of things would need to happen.
First, lists sizes would perhaps need to change, as well as emptying out the state leagues in order to fill the second league. These changes would ensure quality is kept up.
New stadiums would need to be built for the new teams, cost-efficient to run division two and support its teams in the event they are promoted to division one. This would need to happen because you can fall into the scenario of a team being promoted, and becoming mainstays, but not having a suitable ground. This is evident in the UK soccer scene.
This is definitely a tough ask, and is one that could be made easier with private ownership, which in itself has massive implications. Private ownership would make it easier starting up new clubs, or perhaps all the investors with the most money would look to buy pre-existing powerhouse AFL clubs.
Having multiple teams play out of the same ground is an option and could make things easier. We already have this in Victoria with the MCG and Marvel Stadium, but introducing widespread clubs would mean grounds closer to home.
As for upgrades to the new grounds? This can happen once clubs become mainstays in the top tier.
Challenges
Fanbase
Building a fanbase for new teams would prove a difficult task, given that almost all fans have a team they already support.
Say Tasmania is given a team or a few (a whole other story in itself), would the already big Hawthorn fanbase change sides? Will fans cheer for the Tassie team when the Hawks are in town? Or I could be wrong, and Tasmanians are dying for a team, which may very well be the case.
So many fans currently divide loyalties between their local suburban teams and an AFL club without hassle, but what if these suburbs are given licences for the AFL?
Player Options
Players would most likely want options in their contracts in case of relegation. Soccer teams can shed players to other leagues and countries to assist with relegation. In the AFL, there is no where else to go, unless you are traded to another club. Clauses are likely to be put in player contracts, such as pay cuts in case of relegation. The AFLPA would have its hands full with issues like this.
Another issue that could arise, and one that is already in the current game to an extent, is players wanting to move to better clubs. Relegation and promotion would bridge the gap between top clubs and lower sides even more, and players would want to move to better performing sides through free agency. This begs the question, would players want to play in a relegated side?
Financial
There are multiple aspects for the financial side of the sport that could challenge relegation and promotion.
Broadcast: If a team from a major market is relegated and replaced with a regional team from a smaller market, there would be a loss of viewership. Take Brisbane for example, a big market, but not as big as Melbourne obviously given the rival code in NRL. If the Brisbane Lions were relegated and replaced with a regional team, the Brisbane market would be lost.
Loss of blockbuster games: The AFL heavily relies on major blockbuster games like ANZAC Day, The Western Derby and Showdown. To add to that, powerhouse clubs like the "big five" in Collingwood, West Coast, Richmond, Essendon and Hawthorn, bring in a lot of revenue for the AFL.
If any of these clubs were to be relegated, it would result in major losses. The AFL would lose its major games is holds dearly. If the Eagles were to be demoted, that would be much more significant, given they are the major club in Western Australia, and the derby with Fremantle would be lost.
Overall, the financial side of the sport would need an overhaul, in terms of contracts and salary cap as well.
Final Outcome
Overall, relegation and promotion is an interesting topic of discussion when it comes to AFL, and Aussie sport in general. Would it work? There is potential for it to, but the game would need a massive overhaul.
Are there too many obstacles and challenges? Discuss what you think in the comments. Maybe you think the game is fine as is, or there is other aspects that need dire improvement first?
