Australia's second-tier football clubs will "continue their push for a national second division, but are prepared to work with Football Federation Australia on its creation," according to Michael Lynch of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The newly-formed Association of Australian Football Clubs "met for the first time in Melbourne on Monday night." Delegates agreed that the "best way forward is to work within the existing framework of the sport rather than lead a breakaway to challenge FFA and the A-League." The group believes a second-level competition "could be set up as early as" the '18-19 season. Whether that will be a national league or one "comprised of two conferences is yet to be determined." It will "seek support from state and local governments to help fund the process and step up the search for commercial and business partners to boost investment in the second-level clubs." Critics claim the AAFC has "underestimated the funds required, particularly for travel and accommodation for away games, but the group counters that many of the costs required for player payments and administrative staff are already in existing club budgets" (SMH, 3/22).
