2009 COMPETITION STRUCTURE ANNOUNCED

The
2009 AFL Sydney Competition structure has been announced following the
nomination of 49 teams across 19 clubs.

Next
season will see a major restructure of the competitions with the existing club
based system of Premier Division Seniors and Reserves, First Division Senior and
Reserves and the Second Division competitions replaced by a team based
divisional structure. The new structure is aimed at making for more competitive
competitions across the board, after years of lopsided results throughout most
of the senior competitions. The challenge of the restructure is that clubs
senior and reserve grade sides will be split on a number of occasions during the
season, although in most cases, club teams will all be at home together on the
same day.

AFL
(NSW/ACT) Senior Football Co-coordinator Garry Burkinshaw acknowledged the
disruption faced by the clubs however believes that the challenges faced by the
clubs will be compensated by more competitive football "I accept that all clubs
will be inconvenienced by the restructure however the likelihood of greater
competition throughout all divisions will also be of benefit to all clubs"
Burkinshaw said "Our goal is for clubs to be together for their home game which
will enable them to still develop a strong club culture and run fundraising
events" he added.

The
Under 18's competitions will remain unchanged in 2009 with a Premier Cup and
Challenge Cup Competition.

The
2009 Structure is as follows: