Having a real quick glimpse AM have won 3 games in 3 years so surely they would have some interest in developing some of their younger kids in the b grade comp.
I don’t think it would hurt the b grade comp as I imagine all 4 teams would be competitive with them based on what I’ve seen. You would also think having a bye in the b grade would be appreciated more than in the A Grade which is still primarily full of ‘serious’ cricketers.
Maybe give AM a five year plan to move back into the A grade comp in which time you hope to bring another team into the league. Not sure who that would be but maybe as suggested it’s a Georgetown, Redhill maybe even Burra, my experience Spalding won’t go.
The other key is Clare, if you get AM in the b grade and can some how get Clare to pull their finger out and develop a b grade you could get back to 6 teams in both B and A grade.
The other ‘swing’ team is Brinky who are hanging on by a thread, luckily having a few old boys staying on but how long can that last.
I think it’s inevitable in ten years that Stanley and Rocky will need to merge, maybe both leagues need to be proactive and really progress that to ensure all current teams stay alive.
Maybe you go something like the Mid North Super League. Top 4 from Stanley and top 2 from Rocky form the 6 team div 1 comp and then the remaining 6 teams form the div 2 comp. Promotion/ Relegation each year with the winners from div 2 promoted, bottom in div 1 relegated to div 2. My experience is that promotion relegation is great for teams coming bottomish to still have something to play for and helps keep numbers available, compared to when your season is done and dusted after round 3 and your zip an three.
The Bullants to the B Grade would be the most logical thing to do, but it’s up to the individual club to drop down unless the league decides to put their foot down. It’s a credit to the likes of Blyth, Watervale and Sevenhill for being proactive and having 2 senior teams and 2+ junior teams. Also Brinkworth do well to have the amount of juniors they do considering their small population base. You’d think Clare would be able to scrape together a B Grade- half old boys and half full of colts (they do have two U16’s teams).
Combining with Rocky River is an interesting one. Yes it would suit the likes of Brinkworth, Blyth and Clare. But what about Lower North, AM and Watervale. You’d be in danger of losing Lower North to either the Barossa or Northern Yorke Peninsula league if the merger was to happen. Maybe a Northern and Southern division with the top 2 from each progressing to a finals series.