With more clubs going alone, (and surely North Melb to at least consolidate their AFL reserves into one club), it is time we split the 'VFL' into two conferences
VFA Division
Port
Willi
Werribee or Nth Ballarat
Sandy
Frankston
Bendigo
Coburg
(could add Tasmania to even the numbers)
AFL Reserves Division
Coll
Carl
Ess
Cats
BH Hawks
Saints
Casey
Werribee or North Ballarat
Footscray
Northern Blues
Separate ladders, finals & premiers.
VFA clubs play each other twice plus 6 matches V AFL Reserves to make an 18 round season. Final 5 on ABC. GF @ Port. B & F gets Liston.
AFL reserves play each other twice plus 4 games v VFA clubs for a 22 round season. Final 8 on Fox. GF @ Etihad. B & F gets Gardiner Medal.
Separate comps maintains the integrity of clubs playing for a flag rather than just for development - and would produce a more even competition.
Integration maintains media exposure & funding of VFA clubs & players
Can still run development squads/reserves for VFA clubs and Box Hill, etc.
Clubs like Casey/Nth Ballarat/Werribee could either stand alone in the VFA, or retain AFL reserves affiliations.
