X Runna wrote:bulldogproud2 wrote:X Runna, you make a number of good points in your post. However, I can't see the logic in downgrading Central's performance simply because there are less fans who attend the competition these days (as you have done in Point a). This has nothing to do with the performance of the actual sides and should not be a factor in looking at how strong Central's performance has been.
Additionally, the point you make in (c) strengthens Central's claim rather than detracts from it as you state. The fact that no other team has successfully maintained a 'second ranking' shows how difficult it is continually perform year after year in the current system.
It must also be taken into account that whilst Central's strong performance these 11 years has been achieved under a salary cap and a more level playing field, previous 'dynasties' have occurred when clubs were able to encourage players to play for them through various incentives. For instance, Port Adelaide were successfully able to gain their greatest family, the Williams', from West Adelaide.
Cheers
Good reply, but just to clarify
What I was getting at in point "a)" is the passion in which the SANFL was played, I guess the "vibe", the importance of it as most football supporters' choice as sport to watch & most of those were passionate about the way their team went about it. Consequently, the clubs were I think more competitive overall to what they are now. "c)" Having followed the SANFL since the mid 1960's, I have seen a bit of it - and really do think apart from the Doggies, nobody else has that consistent desperation they had pre 1991. Full credit to the boys at Elizabeth, in my younger days I had not a minute for them, but now I hold nothing but the deepest respect for them...
Your last comment is valid, but I think there is a tad more to it. Yes, the salary cap has had an effect, but there is also something else which shows up to me, and that is loyalty. Now I could be really wrong here, but even though they have the money, I would bet that Central do not spend the most of any club on player payments. There is a loyalty and a sense of community at Elizabeth, very similar to the way most clubs were before the AFL expansion.
The incentives you mention, in those days I don't think it was the money so much as to why people moved (there were actually very few compared to today's standards), ie the Williams family - I really think it was that sense of 'family/community' which drew Fos there. The fact his kids were very good, and their intention to move as family to Alberton had been part of a deal with Westies, turned out to be great luck, but may well have been nothing if the kids were no good. Luck I guess, just like the Gowans brothers to a degree.
The end of my rant...........most SANFL supporters have been saying for a few years now that the Dog's Dynasty will close soon as they are too old - but they keep holding up. Genuinely, the big test will be when some of your older champs move on, can they hang on? If so, for just a few more years they would lay valid claim to "best ever", if they do drop back for a year or two, and then come back to where they are now - that too would qualify.
We have already done that. At the end of 2005, We lost Arnott, Hay, Bello, Hopwood, Healy, Hurn & ? but We are still at the top!
