Re: 2018 VFL Rd 19: Northern Blues vs Coburg
Reply #5 –
I played in the same team as Phil from under 15s until he skipped under 19s and played seniors with Coburg Ammos before signing with Coburg in the VFA. I was having a jar or two with my best mate at the footy on Sunday and he mentioned feeling just a little sad that his local team - Strathmore - had pumped West Coburg with Phil's two boys playing.
Do you remember Rod Galt's cartoon about the huge VFL pig taking over the VFA piglet's Sunday timeslot? A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then but I think Rod's premise was correct. The AFL should have a genuine reserves competition that is separate from the VFL. Apart from providing an alternative path to the AFL, the separation of the VFL and AFL would eliminate the crazy second tier fixture with its plethora of byes. Blokes pressing for AFL selection need to be given every chance to make it.