Not sure they are willing. Probably more the fact they aren't allowed to enter.
I think you and JV are becoming confused. If any team is in the top two spots at the end of the season or wins the final they go into the O League. Canterbury and TW have come close. They can do it, despite your inference of a two-team jackup. I simply don't share your assessment that the ASBP is rubbish. What did you call it once JV - "dismal crap". You're way too negative.
Can we examine some facts for a moment.
Yes I have said its dismal crap - because I really do not rate the football shown in it. Its ACFC, Waitakere and the also rans. The also rans are not flash although TW and Canty have their days. Some of the football is down right abysmal. I was at Kiwitea last year when ACFC trounced YHM and Stu Jacobs gave MOM to the worst player on the pitch in Nathan Cooksley. I could have done a better job and I'm over 60!!! The TV games this year (I think TW v Canty was it) was just utter shit. That being said, the competition has a purpose in NZ and it fills that purpose - provides a national league.
There are also ACFC fans saying 'ASB doesn't count' 'O League is where its at' 'Cabbage' so to say I'm way too negative... well I can suggest you throw that same stone at your own mates because the same supporters you hang out with share this view. Read back a couple of pages. I'm not being negative at all. I am telling you that there is no justification for calling this a competitive comp because....
The only teams to win the competition and make O League are ACFC and Waitakere. 'Come close' does not make it competitive or meaningful. What did Canty and TW get in those seasons where they came close that the teams that finished 8th didn't get. The answer is nothing because 'coming close' gets you nothing. If for the next 20 years, TW and Canty come close yet ACFC and Waitakere are still winning and still making O League, it wont make it a competitive comp. Which leads me to....
Making the final is irrelevant because making the final does not guarantee you anything. What did Canty get the year they made that final that Adam Cowan and co didn't get at YHM. The answer is nothing. You can also argue that you guys should give a bigger share of the money to Waitakere because without them winning (Say it was a Canty or TW) then you would have..... nothing (and that point is me stirring so don't take that one with any seriousness). The league is set up in such a way that reality is that going hard to the end, gets you nothing. You get rewarded for consistent league performance (and I have no issue with that)
Stop putting words in my mouth about it being all about winning or I am being negative or diverting away from the stated point. The argument is simply that you have zero grounds to argue that this is a competitive competition. By the facts above (and going back further to the very original point) why is there whinging about U20s and YHM when the result is a foregone conclusion. Please, argue the point. Come back to me because the facts show, there is none. I also urge caution not to use the 'participation' line or 'why turn up then' line because its just more red herrings. The point of the U20s inclusion is to give these kids exposure and of you noted back a couple of pages, I did agree with some of your points. Them being involved will make zero difference to the fact that either ACFC or Waitakere will win the league next year and will make zero difference to the fact that ACFC and Waitakere will make the O League. If we go back to the points you and 2nd Best were arguing, you can rightful argue if the U20s will get anything out of that considering the final make up of the team will change anyway. That's where the real argument is. Giving exposure to an U20s team which is likely to change anyway so what is the point of dressing it up as that exercise?
When you are prepared to discuss those points, then we have a conversation but do not make the above or my opinion out to be anything else that what I have stated.