I'm not taking anything away from loxton either slug but the umpires Were Shocking Yesterday and if something's not done about it ASAP it can very easily turn a great competition into an average one
The RFL is no longer a great competition. It has dropped off dramatically ove rthe last couple of years and would struggle against most other country leagues i would think.

Have to disagree with your last comment BC. The simple facts are all country leagues outside those on the city fringes are struggling. Towns are shrinking and services are dying. Add to that the fact many potential footballers are having to work Saturdays etc. I'd say most people in any country league would say their standard of competition had dropped in the last 15 years. Geez even the SANFL is dying. However to say the RFL would struggle against most other leagues is nonsense. Have a look at where your fringe A graders play in other competitions and most are still kicking around in A Grade competitions. All countty sport is struggling and the RFL is no different. The competition to really worry about is the Indies and those communities.. I am proud of the RFL and believe it is one of the best run country leagues going round. Our ovals and facilities are equal to any top country league and players from outside the region would agree. The disappointing problem is there are only 6 teams.

I see on the Sanfl fixture release there is a game scheduled for the Riverland between West and Port. Any ideas which club is hosting it??

Also, sad news about a couple of Indy clubs not fielding sides next year. Really there is a lot of talk, but we only have to look back 10-15 years when BSR were part of the old Mid Murray and see that this club not that long ago was fielding u13, u16 b and a grade teams. Country clubs are struggling and player numbers are declining, I think all the clubs in the league have to get together and look at where they will be in 10 years. The region will not sustain the current number of footy teams, and I would think the Indy clubs in particular need to be proactive to maintain some if not all of their heritage and identity. It is better to have a plan now than to watch these proud clubs fold.

Congrats Adelaide United, an amazing effort from where they were after 8 games. I cannot think of any club from any top level sport in the country that has achieved ultimate success from such a position. Well done.

My wife and myself love our sport, and while I've been to a few A League games, I've always been an Aussie Rules supporter due mainly because that is what our parents and broader family follow.

Sunday's game would rank up with one of my favourite sporting events I've been to. The atmosphere was electric, and the game itself exceptional. That free kick from Isaias was top shelf and Sanchez's late sealer were unforgettable moments now entrenched in my memory.

The grandparents kindly baby sat our little ins and we'd made a weekend of it by staying at a hotel in the city. I must say the many Wanderers fans we met were all true ambassadors for their club and it is always unfortunate when the actions of a few are unfairly reflected as the majority. That being said lighting flares is just plain stupid and dangerous and I'm sure the AO will be passing on their surveillance tapes to the FFA.

So should AFL be worried? Of course, bring a quality product like that and we'll be back every week and so will the 50k other people. Rule changes, too many uncompetitive teams and a completely uneven draw has seen me increasingly lose interest in AFL and I can assure you I am not alone.

And let us not forget that the A league GF is not locked into Melbourne or Sydney like AFL and league. As someone living outside these cities it is just amazing to have it played in our 'backyard' and in doing so is actually winning over more support for the code by being truly national.

So congrats to the Reds, you've converted me...

Great Southern Football League defends decision to drop 15-year-old girl umpire from A-grade grand final


Get the feeling that this is going to overshadow the Premiership win and make national headlines.....



FWIW a Female umpired the boundary in the YPFL GF yesterday at Paskeville and didn't seem to have any issues.


Maybe the media would love to give the Riverland Football League a call for a positive story...... The golden whistle was awarded to one of our female field umpires up here, and she also umpired the A grade GF. She is excellent, and the players and supporters I've spoken to agree. Could definitely umpire at a higher level.