AFL arrogance behind failure

LIKE most lovers of Australian Football, I am deeply concerned about the health of the game in this state. That said, I think it’s time for most commentators take a cold shower and fully examine how we have got to this sad situation.

In my view the demise started about 40 years ago with the death of competition after competition, football disappearing from state schools, many more sports options for juniors and changing family life leading to football attendees spending weekends with family rather than trooping off to watch footy.

I read continually we need to go back to the “good old days” of regional club football but, as a commentator for many years, I saw the demise of crowds leading to matches for the few faithful still interested in going. The loss of day-by-day running of Tasmanian football to new masters over Bass Strait and the consequent loss of decision-making by people at the coal face removed the destructive parochial cancer that is Tasmania but is partially responsible for today’s problems.

I am dismayed about the way the AFL has treated our state. It is an arrogance beyond my understanding and that has not changed since the days of Alan Aylett. When I was Head of Sport for the ABC, I had meetings with the AFL and concluded, correctly, Tasmania was not only taken for granted but played no part in future planning. The money poured into NSW and Queensland. The staff at headquarters is in excess of 250 with such positions as general manager India and China.

It seems the considered opinion of some we can stage a rebirth of AFL in Tasmania with a few more millions from the controlling body. I only hope that helps but the crumbs from the rich man’s table won’t bring about revitalisation.

We need a strong state league properly funded. We need our under 18s playing in the TAC Cup. Most of all we need to bring football back into our schools. Neville Oliver Geeveston