Probably is, but apparently the naming rights sponsor has been involved in the process for a few months now.......

Also, perhaps they are happy to champion this league regardless of the format???? I know as much as you do..... I do know that whoever was going to submit a bank guarantee has done so and that there are enough clubs there to form a league of some sort with H/A Some say 12 some say 16 ..... who knows?

As long as it’s good $$$’s I wouldn’t care if it’s Gracie’s Only Fans naming rights haha 

Sounds like a bullshit rumour

If true, that would mean they've decided on the final format before knowing how many Bids have been received 

That would be amazing but I have heard rumours of a potential announcement of the new league naming sponsor first...... Hoping it's less "Jims Mowing" and more "CommBank" or "Westpac"  

If phase 1 is anything to go by, we'll hear from the AAFC clubs on Tuesday and from the FA complete list on Wednesday

i dont see the competition commencing in march, unless they do a champions league format for next year.

So, 2 months behind schedule at the moment

How much wiggle room is there ?

How late can it go for a March 2024 kickoff ?

82 page questionnaire / report apparently 

clubs by now would of sent over the $500k Bank / security Guarantee.

would be interesting to see who's left standing.

Again from APIA

Seeming confirmation that it is a $500k Bank Guarantee, NOT up front cash, in order to be considered

APIA also calling it the B League

Hope they dont book with Bonza.... this thing will never "get off the ground" - pun intended....

Thats not reflective of the financial modelling the AAFC have done though mate. Sure they would not have eyes on the specific clubs to be involved but they did model their "wish list" after consulting the clubs that would more than likely be involved....

One is essentially a wishlist put together by an organisation that won't be running the league. The other is the final structure put together by the organisation that is actually going to own and operate the league. Maybe my use of the words 'very different' is a bit of an exaggeration, but there will definitely be differences. That AAFC report was put together without knowing what specific clubs would be involved, without knowing what the financial capabilities of the clubs is nor what the FA's financial capabilities will be.
Also, logic usually takes a backseat when talking about football administration and governance in this country. Otherwise we would have basic things in place like a national transfer and loans system, let alone things like P&R.

Why are they 'likely to be very different' ?

Seems very logical and straightforward to me.

the other option is FA telling each club to organise their own travel,

This would bring down criticism for

a. favouring the SouthEast Metropolitans
b. losing the chance to 'bulk-buy' discount with airline's and hotel chains.

What the AAFC proposed and what the FA are building are likely to be two very different things. It's possible things like pooled expenses are included in the final structure, but that report was just something the AAFC put together and has zero bearing on what the structure will look like. If I were a betting man, I'd say there will be some level of centralised pooled costs, but hard to say at what level.

"However, if any club wishes to withdraw from the RFP process at any stage, they are at full liberty to do so"

Something about the FA attitude bugs me here.

I understand FA are a bit busy right at this moment, so maybe just the work-experience kid got this gig

In the absence of any published information from the FA during the confidential process here is what the AAFC proposed model suggested

FA paying centralised costs including pooled travel, being partially funded by Club Participation Fee



Page 41
http://www.australianfootballclubs.org.au/uploads/9/8/8/1/9881717/aafc_nsd_final_report__22.02.22_.pdf

"A Bank Guarantee is an undertaking by the Bank that payments to your customers and suppliers will be met, without tying up working capital.

The Bank holds your cash or assets as security for the guarantee.

You provide your supplier with the guarantee instead of cash."

Nick Galatas (AAFC Chair) on FNR. 

https://soundcloud.com/fnr_footballnationradio/nick-galatas-the-state-of-our

My Highlight. : He feels the best part of this all is that all these clubs have got together to push this, despite knowing that half of them won't get in.

Division 2 mate, the APL doesnt want to be linked with the old soccer, pumpkin seed eating effniks :)
The cheese stands alone!!!!!!!!! Maybe they can re-hash the old Youth League concept one last time to see if it has legs?

There’s your division three …. easy.

True enough but .... who knows, I guess its all down to how many rabbits they can pull out of the hat? If they cull 10-12 clubs that only just missed out, they will have to give them something to aim for..... I hope. 

There'll be no announcement beyond the starting line up,  

FA clearly stated P/R with NPL to be only considered later

There'll be nothing from the FA til the final announcement

All we'll hear is maybe if a club announces that they've chosen not to carry on.

I think we will see a fair bit of this over the next few months, its going to be a tough ask to whittle 26 down to 10-16. I think the only saving grace will be if there is a "plan" for the clubs that dont make the cut that is appealing enough to make them accept the decision.. Hoping it means the announcement in September will be 14 clubs for NST are xyz and the pathway for promotion to this comp in 2025 is xyz.......
Looking forward to "how" this comp is announced... September, finals time in Australian Football, with the Aleagues pty ltd yet to commence and no word on the horizon of any expansion interest for new franchises... Could be a pivotal moment for the FAs intentions....  I wonder what the APLs response is going to be when this league finally gets off the ground? Waiting for the Rugari "don't look at the NST, look over here" article due anytime now.

Missed this back on May 15



https://www.moretondaily.com.au/news/powers-surprise-at-fa-decision

https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/football-australia-moves-request-proposal-phase-national-second-tier-process

Upon receiving these materials and following a thorough briefing, the clubs will confirm their intent to submit a proposal and will have until early August to finalise their submissions. This will mark the conclusion of the RFP phase, with the Assessment and Review Phase scheduled to commence in August, and the Completion Phase slated for September.

Call it the NSL and separate from A L 
There's more money and interest in setting up a best of 3 All star series between the two leagues