World Footy News

World Footy News reported during last year a decision by the AFLNT (Australian Football league Northern Territory) to include the Alice Springs based club into the premier division of the NTFL. The club played half of the 2013/14 season as an extended trial after an initial four game exposure in the 2012/13 season.

On the field the Redtails certainly enjoyed some level of success. Their 2012/13 performance was heartening with three wins from their four games, including a shock win over eventual premiers, St Mary’s. Last season was not as successful on paper with just one win from their eight games, but closer inspection shows two losses by less than 10 points and only two losses by more than 50 points. The team certainly proved to be competitive over those two trials.

However, the following media release from the AFLNT states that the idea will take on a longer term planning direction for a number of reasons, delaying the club’s admittance to a permanent place in the NTFL Premier League.

Redtails entry into the TIO  NTFL Premier  League now a long term plan.

The AFL Northern Territory Board of Directors met on Tuesday evening and discussed the future of the Central Australian Football Club.

As number of key entry criteria have not been met  by the Redtails,  the AFLNT Board has not granted a license for  the club to compete in the TIO  NTFL Premier League season 2014/15.

AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley did however indicate that this is not the end for the club as AFLNT will work with the club to map out a plan to assist the club to meet the criteria and potentially gain entry in to the league in the future.

“Unfortunately the Redtails despite their best efforts have not been able to source a home ground for games in Alice Springs, which is the main obstacle for entry into the league as home town support is critical for the concept. The club has also done exceptionally well with its fundraising efforts but have been unable to secure three year funding commitments which presents a sustainability issue, so the AFLNT Board have not granted the club a license to compete in the TIO  NTFL Premier league next Season.”

“We will now be meeting with the club shortly to discuss the clubs future and how a collaborative approach between the club, AFLNT and all stakeholders with an interest in the club is the best model moving forward. We have asked the AFL Facilities Manager to prepare a paper on the possibility of developing a dedicated AFL oval in Alice Springs which if it materializes could solve the home ground issue that has not yet been resolved,” said Frawley.