NEAFL teams to get chance in Foxtel Cup

The AFL today announced key changes for the 2013 Foxtel Cup competition that will now see the best teams from each state join the competition with the NEAFL given its first opportunity to participate.

AFL General Manager National and International Development Andrew Dillon said the AFL had moved to secure the top two teams from each of the WAFL, VFL and SANFL entry to the Foxtel Cup competition.

Four leading teams from the TFL/NEAFL will also play qualifier matches to win the right to join the first round of matches against the leading state league sides.

NEAFL Eastern Conference Manager Jack Masters said Queanbeyan, the 2012 NEAFL Eastern Conference Premiers, are deserving of their shot at the Foxtel Cup.

“Queanbeyan earned their spot in the 2013 Foxtel Cup after stellar 2012 season, winning the Eastern Conference of the NEAFL with a stirring performance against the Sydney Swans reserves,” Masters said.

“Under new coach Kade Klemke, the Tigers produced an exciting brand of contested footy, something I think will hold them in good stead when they face the NT Thunder in round one.”

For the first time in the competition’s three years, the leading SANFL sides, 2012 Grand Finalists Norwood and West Adelaide, will join the leading WAFL and VFL teams; reigning champions Claremont, East Fremantle, Werribee and Port Melbourne.

Queanbeyan, Southport, Burnie and the NT Thunder will play qualifying games to join the six leading sides in round one.

All matches in round one, the semi finals and the Grand Final will now be played on Tuesday nights, to maximise exposure for competing clubs and players.

Dillon said the competition had been altered from its 16-team format to a 10-team format, in recognition of the fact that the competition should complement the state league seasons and not compromise any team’s pursuit of its state league premiership with too many extra matches.

A SANFL, VFL or WAFL side would now be required to win three knockout matches to claim the title, rather than four, while teams from the developing states will have the opportunity to play each other in qualifying matches, before progressing to play the more established sides.

The 2012 competition saw three players on show who were subsequently chosen at last month’s NAB AFL Draft on the Gold Coast – Claremont’s Tom Lee, Port Magpies’ Tim Broomhead and West Perth’s Mark Hutchings – providing the opportunity for state league players to push for higher honours, as well as the remaining opportunities to be picked at the upcoming NAB AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts.

“The Foxtel Cup will now have all the best state league teams on show, with the confirmation that SANFL premiers Norwood and runners-up West Adelaide will be part of the revised format,” Dillon said.

“The competition has its primary goals to provide opportunities for state league teams to increase their professionalism, while allowing further chances for state league players to push for opportunities with AFL clubs.”

Queanbeyan will play a qualifying match in April against the NT Thunder, with the winner to progress to the Foxtel Cup to play Werribee in the first round.

Qualifying Round:

Two qualifying knockout matches for NEAFL/TFL teams to be played in the period between April 13-20, 2013.

Round One:

Four round two knockout matches to be played in the period between May 21 – June 18, 2013.

Semi Finals:

Two knockout semi-final matches to be played on July 9 and July 16, 2013.

Grand Final:

Grand Final to be played on Tuesday August 6, 2013. Venue to be determined dependent on the competing teams.