The Best Possible League in SA Football

[Dogwatcher]

As proud as I am of Riverland football, I certainly wouldn't have Loxton North in the greatest SA league (and it's not because they were my old club's greatest rivals).
They have performed exceptionally well up here in recent years and have a strong club ethic. But....I'd say the strongest Riverland club at the moment is Waikerie - regularly winning premierships in all three grades, including years in which they've won all three at once, a quality recruiting policy and a good core of senior and local players. Haven't dropped out of the top three, in my reckoning, in the past decade.
But...from reputation, I wouldn't think they'd be ahead of any of the power teams from Port Augusta, Great Southern, Port Pirie or South East for a start....maybe Division two of SA Leagues (but there's another thread entirely).

[GWW]

GWW,is it a crime to have an opinion? I did mention that people may not agree but no need to carry on. Pull your head out of your ass and realise it is not a crime to put across an opinion. Also find me a suburban football club with the same record as Adelaide Uni (In a league of the same standard) and get back to me about it. Take in to account the SAAFL has almost 70 teams.

You're right mate, i did get a bit carried away with my response to your comments. I disagreed with just about everything you said but shouldn't have done so in the manner i did.

My sincere apologies.

Play on.

[LaughingKookaburra]

No problems mate,whose your local team anyway?

[GWW]

No problems mate,whose your local team anyway?

I dont play mate, but follow a club in the River Murray League from a far. Also keep an interest in a few other leagues, such as the Great Southern, Hills and Mid South East.

Which leagues have you had an involvement in the past, and follow closely presently?

[LaughingKookaburra]

Played southern league,now play amateurs.seen most leagues or played trials against them.especially follow southern and amateurs though

[Oi You]

From someone that has seen a lot of country footy over the last few years (Excluding Div 1 cause no country team would go anywhere near touching the top 5 or 6)

Top 13 (Couldnt narrow it down that far!)
1. Portland = Western Border
2. Langhorne Creek = Great Southern
3. Uraidla Districts = Hills Central
4. North Gambier = Western Border
5. Barossa Districts = BLG
6. Jervois = River Murray
7. Marble Range = Port Lincoln
8. Mt Lofty = Hills Central
9. Blyth Snowtown = North Eastern
10. Waikerie = Riverland
11. Willunga = Great Southern
12. Keith = KNT
13. Kersbrook = Hills Country

[GWW]

From someone that has seen a lot of country footy over the last few years (Excluding Div 1 cause no country team would go anywhere near touching the top 5 or 6)

Top 13 (Couldnt narrow it down that far!)
1. Portland = Western Border
2. Langhorne Creek = Great Southern
3. Uraidla Districts = Hills Central
4. North Gambier = Western Border
5. Barossa Districts = BLG
6. Jervois = River Murray
7. Marble Range = Port Lincoln
8. Mt Lofty = Hills Central
9. Blyth Snowtown = North Eastern
10. Waikerie = Riverland
11. Willunga = Great Southern
12. Keith = KNT
13. Kersbrook = Hills Country

Looks pretty accurate what you've posted there, but presumably you haven't put those teams in order, i think Mt Lofty is definitely top 3, may even be the best. And I know Kersbrook has some high profile players, but would they be in the top league? I have some doubts.

[Oi You]

I tried to put them in order, but your probably right with Lofty. Probably move Lofty up to five or six, as I believe that North would still beat them (even though there apparantly was an all in brawl involing police officers after theirgame with Hamilton Imperials today). On Kersbrook, on their day they can match it with most of the others, but they are inconsistent. This is why Ilisted them as the last team on my list.

[wal65]

9. Blyth Snowtown = North Eastern
10. Waikerie = Riverland
11. Willunga = Great Southern
12. Keith = KNT
13. Kersbrook = Hills Country

My heart says we're number 1 but my head says we aren't near top 10.

I'm not going to argue with you though.

[Cougar]

Kersbrook wouldn't get close.....and I play for em! We do have the James boys back, but we don't give out $$$ to players and therefore would get flogged!

Have heard Uraidla who are undefeated in Hills Central have 13 players with ex SANFL experience.

[The Rooster]

Morphett Vale
Mt Lofty
Jervois
South Gambier
Willunga
Langhorne Creek
Lucindale
dont know anything about leagues north of adelaide.
uraidla not near these sides here in this list.

just curious,

If Morphett Vale is so good, and i don't know them from a bar of soap, than how come South Adelaide in the SANFL is so shit, wouldn't The Panthers recruit some of the stars from Morphett Vale? Jars took a punt on some local lads when he took the reigns at Nth.

Just a question!

[LaughingKookaburra]

South are not shit,they under-acheive something chronic.There is a culture down South amoungst the football fraternity of laziness,so if they do not make league sides they cant be bothered sticking around and would rather go back playing with their mates at local level than play either fringe SANFL or reserves (I have a few mates where that is the case).People also forget it is a big area down south of the hill and Morphett Vale is the biggest suburb area wise and population wise in Adelaide. Morphett Vale are no doubt the best side in S.A outside of the SAAFL,to be honest can't see it coming to an end any time soon either.........

[The Rooster]

South are not shit,they under-acheive something chronic.There is a culture down South amoungst the football fraternity of laziness,so if they do not make league sides they cant be bothered sticking around and would rather go back playing with their mates at local level than play either fringe SANFL or reserves (I have a few mates where that is the case).People also forget it is a big area down south of the hill and Morphett Vale is the biggest suburb area wise and population wise in Adelaide. Morphett Vale are no doubt the best side in S.A outside of the SAAFL,to be honest can't see it coming to an end any time soon either.........

Fair enough, but answer my question, shouldn't south go and get some of these superstar players?

every other club in the state, that has any reasonable junior or senior player gets the call up, whether they recognise it or not. South is no different in regards to laziness, i know a lot of players who haven't cracked it for a league game, or would rather play with mates or what ever reason you give, it's their choice and their regret when its all over and they watch some bozo on telly playing AFL getting paid good $$$ and know that 5 years earlier they ran rings around them.

Here's another point, Surely some blokes from Morph support the panthers the same way that most everyone up north has a spot for the Dogs, surely some would want to represent the Panthers rather than see them spend squillions on players that are transient?

[Dogwatcher]

I agree with your post Rooster.

Out of curiosity, do wish you'd had a crack at Centrals when you were younger? I kow another player of our acquaintance who I personally wish had of had a crack - I reckon he would've done very welll.....

[The Rooster]

yeah, regrets, i reckon i had a small window in the Early nineties to go out and have a crack, but didn't and always think i should have, just to try. i suppose you never really believe you can do it if you haven't been in the junior programs, but "bucket" Mckenzie is a perfect example that you don't need to.

But yes i know the other bloke and he definatley should have, i wonder if they would still consider him with Gavin Chaplin being the reserves coach and being good mates with him.

[Grape Ape]

I don’t know much about amateur league but Morphett Vale and Willunga would have to be near the best clubs in the state if my logic is sound:

Southern Districts has been the dominant zone in the SA Country Champs winning something like 4 of the last five years. Southern Districts is comprised of Southern, Great Southern, Hills, River Murray and KI.

In 07 Hills and KI contributed 1 player each to the side so their influence in insignificant. The bulk of the side came from Southern, Great Southern and the RMFL who was smashed by Great Southern in the West End Cup. That leaves the SFL and the GSFL. Each of these leagues have been dominated by Morphett Vale and Willunga who have both won the last four premierships.

I have been told that Morphett Vale and Willunga play trial matches against each other each year? I know that pre season games aren’t a reliable indicator but can someone tell me who has had the upper hand in these matches?

[rogernumber10]

As someone who watched them at the start of their rise, Goodwood Saints has done an amazing job of the last two decades. They were stuck in A4 / A3 for a long time through the mid80s but got their stuff together around that time and have been up to the top end of A1 now for more than a decade with at least four flags and I reckon three or four GF losses in that time.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Saw the SFL gf and Morphett Vale still would not go with the top half of div 1.No doubt they would play in div 1 but still do not rate them better than most div 1 sides. Trials are no indication on how sides will be that year.Still think Morphett Vale are a better side than Willunga and Langhorne Creek though.

[Grape Ape]

In your opinion LK, what gives Morphett Vale the edge over Willunga and Langhorne Creek?

[LaughingKookaburra]

You seen how fit that side is?? Class across each line aswell, plus the standard of the SFL is better than GSFL (The top 10 clubs anyway). But once again thats my opinion,everyone is entitled to one.