HFL Division 1 (Central)

[2words]

your right super the lofty/bridgy sides have always been feirce rivals. Probably stems back to the 1990 drawn grand final and beyond. Have heard that even when the sides aren't travelling so well (recent years) the games still have a lot of bite to them. Sometimes even turning into bloodbaths.

You would have to say that the Barker/Hahndorf rivalry would be right up there also, especially during the magpies glory days in the 90's.

Mind you, i think all central clubs would have some kind of rivalry due to the closeness of most sides in the competition. Im not really sure what goes on in country, but have heard there is not much love lossed during the Meadows/Echunga encounters.

Anyone have any hot tips for the weekend. It will be interesting to see if any of the guaranteed finalists in central will rest players. Could be a couple of upsets, or even a blackwood side slipping into the five at the expense of the tigers.

[great dropkick]

SuperB ..your ability to state the obvious stands u out from the crowd! But as astute as you propose to be, you would well realise that the minor premiership counts for nothing ... remember 2005 ... both A and B-grade leaders didn't win the flag ... one didn't even make GF ... maybe you might even have been part of B-grade title, judging by your 'super tag'. So a lot of footy still to come until the 'Fat cheque sings'.
Rapper, that may be a fair assessment on your behalf, but I can assure you the assumed cost may well be below that of the Mt Lofty pay cue

1. Gordon $$$$$$$
2. Wood $$$$$$$$$$$$
3. Mehhta $$$$$$$$$$$$
4. Sarrno $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
5. Tressinski $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
6. White $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
7. Brooke (apparent B-grader) $$$$$$$$$$$$$
8. Becis (" " ") $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
9. Burch $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
10. Wait (still waiting for form I believe) $$$$$$$$$$$
11. O'Gorman (is he paid per punch?) $$$$$$$$$$$
Sure, perhaps they all don't get mega bucks, but probably put the hand out somewhere along the line.
I guess a case of Touché, Rapper and Devils!

[ball magnet]

Seems like a 'spirited' forum between the Devil and the Demons. May be best side win!
Yes, Lofty/Bridgewater a great rivalry, while Hahndorf and Mt Barker have been at it for over a century.
Uraidla, well seems one of their kind is striking up a real thing against Mt Lofty, but I'd probably suggest they have a keen rivalry against Lobethal, harking back to the old Torrens Valley days. Not to mention the bloodbath days against Ashton. Onkas, probably have a bit of feeling against Lobethal, and as suggested, Ironbank ... well Mt Lofty and Blackwood are keen derby matches.
While Meadows/Echunga may be old rivals, I reckon Kangarilla and Meadows is the ultimate rivalry, given the crowd and atmosphere at their recent game. If you have a spare Saturday, get down to Echunga if the Blues and Dogs clash in the Grand Final ... it'll be on. Kersbrook and Birdwood also have a long standing rivalry, once again to be reflected in Sunday's elmination battle. While on subject of night football, is it possible to see the staging of a night final (not GF) down the track? Would enable people from both divisions to see the cream of HFL footy, given a later staggered start which would enable people to come over for night A-grade after watching earlier Country finals.

[super.b's]

G.D youve really got to let it go mate. as chook said all teams are playing players who are you to suggest lofty pay more than others. atleast half of your posted list dont get paid. stick to what u know mate-- talking up your b's win to scrape them into the finals, and growing cabbages....

[Justquietly]

Yeah c'mon dropkick, let it go.
And in all seriousness, a few on your list aren't getting paid.
Chook made the point, it goes on everywhere. Go to a country league, REAL country, far away, and there's real bucks and no-one blinks.
Lofty/bridgey rivalry WAS fierce, dirty actually. Not quite there this year, except a certain derro unleashing an unprovoked attack behind play. Good leadership that.

[2words]

Well isn't things just heating up the topic of paid players. Let's not beat around the bush, All teams have acquired players through match payments, even sides like Bridgewater and Ironbank. But if you go through some of the names running around the park in A grade you will find that the majority of players are home grown talent.

Struggling clubs just have to sit down and look what kind of players they need at their club on and off the field. You dont want players to come up, have a kick, collect their cash and then piss off without even having a beer with your team mates.

Obviously sides like Uraidla & Mt Lofty has done this very well to date. I have actually been out on the town and seen local boys from Lofty and recruits running a muck and having a great time in the city as a group. Tight knit unit on the field and off. Can only make them a better side if there all playing for each other and pulling the rope in the same direction.

Have heard that O'Gorman and Gordon actually coach a devils u10 side. Obviously care about the club and do what is necessary in making for a good future - JUNIORS.
How many paid players coach junior sides???

[super.b's]

2 words, thats right mate rob and flash have been working really hard with all the u10's and theyre lovin it. we've all recruited players in the past that play, grab their check, and bolt. i can assure u not one of the new faces at lofty in the last 2 years are like that. all of them do a lot around the club and help where ever they can. and as u said weve managed to pick people right for our whole footy club, not just the win/loss part of it.. good on you for noticing..

[ontheball]

Thats right mate, good comment. Yes lets leave the who's paying who discussion and move on. It will never be settled so just forget it. Who cares if players are being paid. Its the way modern footy has to go. Take Mt Lofty for example, yes im sure they are paying quite a few players, but who cares. If they hadnt lashed out and got new players to the club, who knows, they might have not been in existance for much longer. I believe that it is just making the competition more interesting. Look at Blackwood last season, and look at them now. It goes in cycles and if money is involved in bringing these clubs to the top, who cares. Thats just my view. The word is Mt Lofty have paid for a lot of their players with sponsorship and and fundraising, so its clear that any club who is willing to put in the hard work behind the scenes will have success on the field. Good on them. BRING ON FINALS!

[magpie in the 80's]

i remember when we played at hahndorf under coaches lynton bishop and gary carlson that all the "a" grade squad at that time had to do at least 2 coaching clinics with either the junior or senior colts during the year , paid or non paid players

[Special K]

Rapper, dont forget Richards in my opinion there best player as well.

[Justquietly]

Special K - nice advertisement on the forum index page. There are other supporters on here, they just come and go a bit. But other input would be good.

[great dropkick]

It is good to see renumerated players put something back into the club ... over our way, did anyone notice Thommo umpiring the senior primary ... he does a great job as he has at all home games this season, and the kids just luv him ... hence his personal cheer squad in the Ferrari grandstand last Saturday. Agreed, we all need 'em, but it's good to see them paying their way. Wot chance you Devils boys of giving a few blokes a rest this week? Seeing you have wrapped up SuperB's precious minor premiership? May be underestimating Hahndorf

[super.b's]

i know for a fact that uraidla wanted the minor premiership aswell dropkick ya chop... as for resting players, not sure how they will go, weve already got a couple out so may not be able to rest anymore. will let u all know after training 2nite.

[2words]

Special K, Would highly doubt that puca would be getting anything at all, seeing as he is a local. Lets be honest, the optimum reward (far greater than money) is winning a premiership with your mates, for yourself and for the footy club that has become like a second family to you over the years. I am yet to be part of a winning premiership side in any grades, and aspire to get at least one under my belt at some stage.

[Justquietly]

I highly recommend it, 2Words. Keep trying, they're damn worth it.

[magpie in the 80's]

i played for nothing (being a local) while players got paid from the city to play. it didn't worry me because without those players we wouldn't have won premierships. i left the club and played in the western border league and got payed very well. i came back the following year and got payed to play locally (no where near the money) i went on the committee and helped in coaching clinics with the colts. in the following years i played for nothing but over the years the paid players we had back then always put something back to the club. as said somewhere before in this forum picking the right players to pay and getting them to play more than one year is the key

[Special K]

2 Words you have a point he is a local but he is one of the finest footballerz in the hills and if he went to another league he would be pulling big bucks, even you lofty can admit he is a very good footballer

[super.b's]

yeah puckers pure class, bit shocked to see him play forward against us, has he done it alot this year. got one of the best marks going around.

[Special K]

He does and courage to die for.

[Shanty Lad]

Give the bridgey bashing a rest boys. Bridgewaters a great club and will be back and competitive in div 1 next season. Let the lofty boys enjoy their moment in the sun the raiders won't stay down for long.