#Gong

Doesn't surprise me, they are so Sydney centric, but it sounds terrific if true.

Craig Foster and Les Murray together in the consortium? interesting. 

True, would also earn Fox's approval under the broadcast deal, but it would be a shame to have a new club spread across Southern Sydney and the Gong.

Anyway, such a proposal would be miles ahead of every other bid we've seen, except perhaps South Melbourne (and only racial discrimination will stop that bid getting up).

Sth Melb should be the front runner, everything is in place already, it's built on reality and not hopes and dreams.
Really Tassies bid is just as viable, maybe more because the government are getting involved, it got brought up in federal parliament!

Tassie's bid might look good on paper, but if there are strong Sydney and Melbourne bids out there, that will be that, Tassie will not get a look in this time round.

This is a bid on paper as well, that's what I am getting at.
I agree completely, this is what the FFA has been waiting for.

if the rumour is true that Foxtel is willing to tip in an extra $5m per season as long as the 2 new teams are from the "3 biggest markets" then you can say with an absolute certainty that this team will be handed the next licence. My personal view is NSW shouldn't be handed a licence when the ALeague next expands considering they already have 40% of the teams, but we all know how Sydney Centric the FFA is, 

Teams ready to go but the FFA want to wait till 2018. 

It's actually $6 mill per season, starting 2018-19.  The best Sydney and Melbourne bids will get the nod guaranteed (2nd Brisbane team is an emergency).

Everyone else should see themselves out.

Now that a South Sydney bid is coming, I expect the Expansion Criteria to be released pretty quick smart, and miraculously align with what this bid is offering.

Ha, yes, well spotted!

:cool::laugh:

FFA Media statement incoming:

"It turns out our junior accountant made a calculation error, but the good news is we actually CAN afford expansion now.  We've compiled the criteria, and although we won't release it publicly, it turns out that the Southern Expansion bid meets the criteria perfectly!".

Would you say Wollongong would be part of the Sydney market coverage,  and Geelong part of Melbourne?

FFA: One of the criteria's is the name of the team has to have the word "South" in it.
South Melbourne: Fuck where in!!! Ole!
FFA: .....Oh wait!

Hopefully this doesn't turn out like the Sydney Rovers bid.
My worry is the bid could be too broad based and the fans can't really identify themselves with them.
Wouldn't surprise me if its the South Sydney Dragons or something like that.

Does anyone know much about the Chinese Group linked to the bid?

:w00t:

But really, it's sorted by the word Sydney

FFA: Sorry South Melbourne, this is the "No Souths Club"
South Melbourne: But you let South Sydney in?
FFA: We said no SouthS....were allowed to have one!

:w00t:

RIP Wollongong 

was keen on gong away days against the wolves, but will have to settle for 3/14 away games in the gong vs the St George Cronulla shark dragon hawks

In TV terms, yes, I think both would count (not to mention both cities are a very easy drive from the closer suburbs of the respective capital cities).

FFA metrics....New team to have 1million fish....That's regional teams gone....but how to exclude SMFC?.............Geographical home at least 20km from another franchise?
Southern Sydney Sharks(SSS)..Fan group...The Gestapo....

@newton_circus

Geelong yes, Wollongong no. (From what I've read)

Still think Wolves should get in separately to Shire. It's weird cause I'm guessing they would have to do a bit of market research, surely there aren't people out there saying they'd love to drive up from the Gong to support a Shire team when the option of a pure Gong team isn't unrealistic (it's on the table at least surely)

That aside, good that there is further interest in investing in Aus football, especially if they are serious about committing to building infrastructure.

lol, so true