AFL.com.au revealed in mid-November that the midweek knockout competition – which has pitted the best state league clubs from around the country against each other for a $100,000 prize for the past four years – was in jeopardy because clubs wanted to focus more on achieving success in their respective competitions.
In announcing on Wednesday the Foxtel Cup would not continue for a fifth season, Simon Lethlean – the AFL's general manager of broadcasting, scheduling and major projects – said the competition had proved beneficial for state-league players.
"The Foxtel Cup was designed to provide another pathway from the state leagues around Australia for players to showcase their wares for a potential AFL career," Lethlean said.
"In the four seasons across 2011-2014, a total of 25 players who had played in teams from the Foxtel Cup were drafted on to AFL lists, including most recently West Adelaide's Sam Durdin, who was selected by North Melbourne in round one of last week's NAB AFL Draft.
"However … the demands of the Foxtel Cup have had to work alongside the goals of senior state league sides, in regards to seeking team success within their state competition, which has proven to be an ongoing challenge."
