Sturt lose Blackwood as a recruiting zone

[Sojourner]

Fromn the Courier,

A HILLS football tradition spanning almost a century has been broken by the SANFL.

Blackwood Football Club, which has for years provided Sturt Football Club with young league players, is now a no-go zone for the Double Blues. Changes to SANFL club boundaries has seen Blackwood - co-founded by Sturt 97 years ago - taken from the Double Blues and handed to West Adelaide. West Adelaide can now sign any Blackwood player once they reach the age of 15. But if Sturt, or any other club, signs a Blackwood player, it must negotiate a $5500 transfer fee or risk losing the player altogether.

Sturt chief executive Matthew Benson said he was ``very disappointed’’ at the move, approved by the SA Football Commission last month.

``It’s a big decision and not a popular one at Sturt,’’ he said.

``We’ve got a great history with Blackwood and there have been some outstanding footballers from that area.’’

``I’m largely unconvinced by the logic thrown up in relation to the decision.’’

Blackwood president Dave Benson said he was disappointed his club was not consulted over the decision.

``I don’t understand how Blackwood doesn’t get a say in it,’’ he said.

``Sturt has worked very well with us in recent years. They’ve shown interest in our football club and provided support when required.

``West Adelaide has done nothing for Blackwood - ever.’’

Former AFL players Brenton Sanderson (Geelong) and Carl Dilena (Fitzroy, North Melbourne) both took the Blackwood-Sturt pathway, as did Paul Cahill who was drafted by St Kilda in November.

And burly Double Blues defender Nicholas Wark, who played state football last year, is also from the Woods.

It is estimated that 300 males aged 10-19 live in the Blackwood area. If however a player at Blackwood Football Club lives outside the zone, he may still be eligible to join the Double Blues.

The SANFL’s boundaries commission meets every five years to even the spread of 10-19 year old males available to each club.

SANFL state league manager Darren Chandler said he understood it was an emotional issue for the clubs involved.

``Every time there is a change to the boundaries, an SANFL club may lose schools and clubs they’ve been working with,’’ he said. ``But it’s about maintaining the balance of 10-19 year (old) males in each of the clubs’ zone.’’

``There were six clubs (including Sturt and West Adelaide) who have had changes made to their zone through the boundaries review.’’

As part of the move, Sturt was given Newton to add to its recruiting zone but Benson said it was little compensation.

West Adelaide football operations manager Scott Turner however said he was ``very pleased’’ with the move.

``Something had to be done,’’ he said.

``We’ve had the least number of boys in the SANFL.

``We understand to increase numbers they had to come from somewhere, and that’s what the boundaries review is for.

``So we applaud the SANFL for having the courage to make the change.’’

[HeartBeatsTrue]

So Norwood then lose Newton?

[Ronnie]

Sounds like the Blackwood President is thrilled!
Whether Sturt have been dudded or not i guess depends on their zone as a whole and how that compares with their competitor clubs.
Never good to lose a long associated club though.
My perception is that West, as an inner city club, have not really had defined boundaries or at least have had movements over the years.
Does anyone know what the new boundaries are? do the league release these because i have heard nothing previous to this news.

[Edward Teach]

No way should Sturt take this. Blackwood is a heartland zone for the club and always has been. This must be rejected. The SANFL is way out of order with this. Norwood have been shafted too. Newton is a heartland area for them and now Sturt can just parachute in and grab any kid that lives in this Norwood zone suburb... what a joke.

Each club has their area and it is up to them to develop it. Stop wrecking tradition and tribalism. These are the two things that keep the SANFL alive and separates it from the sterile AFL. The SANFL are a bunch of morons but this takes the cake.

[TroyGFC]

Geez Blackwood is so close to Mt Barker for when Sturt get kicked out of Unley Oval!!

[Dogwatcher]

Each club has their area and it is up to them to develop it. Stop wrecking tradition and tribalism. These are the two things that keep the SANFL alive and separates it from the sterile AFL. The SANFL are a bunch of morons but this takes the cake.

Without fair zoning the SANFL clubs will struggle to survive.
Centrals has lost Clare and the Adelaide Plains in the past, while other clubs have also lost parts of their zone.
Yep it hurts, but shotgun reactions like the one above are just silly.

Will Blackwood be included as part of Westies country or city zone?

[am Bays]

Does anyone have a link to or a graphic of the proposed new boundaries???

I can't seem to locate them on the SANFL site

[Dutchy]

Sturt chief executive Matthew Benson said he was ``very disappointed’’ at the move, approved by the SA Football Commission last month.

Blackwood president Dave Benson said he was disappointed his club was not consulted over the decision.

Hmm....were they interviewed together? Brothers arent they?

Fair call IMO, no mention on the sudden growth of the hills in particular the Mt Barker area which Sturt hold onto?

[nickname]

The Blackwood President should have it explained to him that the reason West have never done anything for them is that they have been in Sturt's zone.

West have had the smallest number of young males in their zones for the last 15 years. How does anyone propose that be rectified without taking part of a zone off another club? This has gone on for ages. We used to do very well out of Novar Gardens years ago and that was taken off us and given to Glenelg. The population and its spread changes and zones need to change to accommodate that.

[therisingblues]

Blackwood is not very west is it? I am very surprised at this decision. Blackwood feels like Sturt heartland, always has.
Couldn't they realign the boundary near Port's zone instead, and then give the Magpies some of Central's zone?

[topsywaldron]

``West Adelaide has done nothing for Blackwood - ever.’’

LMAO at this.

Why would have Westies have done anything for Blackwood? How much have Sturt done for suburbs in West's zone?

[Dogwatcher]

Couldn't they realign the boundary near Port's zone instead, and then give the Magpies some more of Central's zone?

[wycbloods]

``West Adelaide has done nothing for Blackwood - ever.’’

LMAO at this.

Why would have Westies have done anything for Blackwood? How much have Sturt done for suburbs in West's zone?

Yes just like Centrals are always doing clinics at Noarlunga high . Makes ya laugh what do they expect the clubs to do.

[Hodges 153!]

Former AFL players Brenton Sanderson (Geelong) and Carl Dilena (Fitzroy, North Melbourne) both took the Blackwood-Sturt pathway, as did Paul Cahill who was drafted by St Kilda in November

Not to mention Lennon, Powell, P & B Motley.....

Does seem a disappointing link to break.

[Blacky]

westies might give sturt the airport
or would they like the west tce

[Sojourner]

``West Adelaide has done nothing for Blackwood - ever.’’

LMAO at this.

Why would have Westies have done anything for Blackwood? How much have Sturt done for suburbs in West's zone?

This is no quote of mine!

[Voice]

``West Adelaide has done nothing for Blackwood - ever.’’

LMAO at this.

Why would have Westies have done anything for Blackwood? How much have Sturt done for suburbs in West's zone?

He's just stating a fact. Not saying West should have done something for them.
He's probably trying to ensure West now give them the same support Sturt have.

[am Bays]

westies might give sturt the airport
or would they like the west tce

Maybe West can have the rest of the South Parklands, Victoria Park and Belair National Park instead....

C'mon R&B you know zones aren't based on geography they are based on population of a specific demographic so areas of low population are taken into account.

[redandblack]

westies might give sturt the airport
or would they like the west tce

Maybe West can have the rest of the South Parklands, Victoria Park and Belair National Park instead....

C'mon R&B you know zones aren't based on geography they are based on population of a specific demographic so areas of low population are taken into account.

????

I haven't said a word, TM

[am Bays]

Okay will you and Blacky toss* for avatars then...

my bad, Blacky zones are based on population not geography so vast spaces of nothing are taken into account.