Suns chief exposes true inequality plaguing the AFL competition

Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans has elaborated on his recently released document that highlights the stark unfairness of the competition for expansion clubs.

Joining AFL Nation on Friday night, Evans spoke to his document that is now in the hands of the AFL entitled ‘Summary of Advantage and Disadvantage’. In it, Evans breaks down 14 key factors that influence success at clubland for Victorian and non-Victorian clubs, established and expansion clubs, larger and smaller clubs and more subcategories.

The expansion clubs, Gold Coast and GWS, are disadvantaged in every aspect except for the northern academy that is now under consideration as to its future, after the Suns were able to match bids on four academy players early in last year’s National Draft.

It’s work described as “impressive and provocative” by Gerard Whateley.

“I’ve made the initial attempt to try and look at it holistically, it’s hard to take out my level of self-interest as well but I’ve tried to have an unbiased assessment of various factors and I think it’s right if we’re doing a review that the review can’t just be centred on one or two things and has to consider how we get a more even chance at winning a premiership,” Evans told *AFL Nation

Listen to the full podcast and read Evans’ breakdown below

Larger clubs:

Advantaged in: Trade/FA acquisition, contracting/retention, non FB earnings, fixture & marquee, venue & crowd, facilities Disadvantaged in: N/A

Smaller clubs

Advantaged in: N/A

Disadvantaged in: Trade/FA acquisition, contracting/retention, non FB earnings, fixture & marquee, venue & crowd, facilities

Victorian clubs

Advantaged in: Trade/FA acquisition, contracting/retention, non FB earnings, rental costs, fixture & marquee, travel load, Grand Final, second tier, soft cap/staffing

Disadvantaged in: N/A

Non-Victorian clubs

Advantaged in: N/A

Disadvantaged in: Trade/FA acquisition, contracting/retention, non FB earnings, rental costs, fixture & marquee, second tier, soft cap/staffing

Established clubs

Advantaged in: Trade/FA acquisition, contracting/retention, non FB earnings, father/son, NGA, fixture & marquee, venue & crowd, travel load, soft cap/ staffing, facilities

Disadvantaged in: Northern academy

Expansion clubs

Advantaged in: Northern academy

Disadvantaged in: Trade/FA acquisition, contracting/retention, non FB earnings, rental costs, father/son, NGA, fixture & marquee, venue & crowd, travel load, Grand Final, second tier, soft cap/staffing, facilities