HFL Division 1 (Central)

[Vaughan]

That's a good point.. Surely there are some people within some of the struggling central div clubs that could see the advantage of playing in the country div??

There were a few a Bridgy who wanted them to go down last year.

i will be deep in the cold cold ground before that happens.
RAIDERS till i die.
V.

i'll start digging

toot toot you will have to bury me alive.
serious if the club goes to division 2 you might as well make the grave big enough for all of us because that will be the end.
so either go get your earthmoving license and did a mass grave big enough to hold the dead remains of a proud club or get out to birdwood this weekend and watch the a grade kick start our 2010 campaign with a great win.
V.

[Justquietly]

Well, it seems there's still confusion re the relegation situation. Fairdinkum's point is something I was thinking too ie a Central div club loses a few players to the SANFL/AFL and subsequently isn't as strong, but find themselves relegated. Another earlier point about a 3-year look at a club would be fairer IMHO. Let teams know: "righto, in the next 3 years all central (and country) clubs are under scrutiny in regards to - club shield, amenities, financial status, players lost to SANFL etc. We will make our decision as to who's relegated and who's promoted after that". At least EVERY team has a chance.
TV has had some solid few years but how many flags to show for it? Is that a measuring stick?
This seems so up in the air and has now unjustly put pressure on clubs in Central.

I will start this with I can only “make assumptions” as a lot needs to be ratified by the HFL. (Mods to agree)
JQ I think you have missed a season or so I will try to help with the history (although I thought u were still just across the square). TV have been very keen to move to Central for 2.5 years and while they have not won premierships have still shown they are the measuring stick when each Country Team play them. I have been amazed by the individual skills on show each time I have seen them they have brought to the Country division (notice the best player last week who is getting a game on the back flank, who has been interleague CHB playing for the Goats previously). However we both know to win a premiership requires a special bond. TV discovered the application before 30/6 rule too late last year so there application comes into effect for 2011.
The HFL has agreed (if they can satisfy all the “playing” requirements, top 2, all juniors grades etc.) they will be admitted to the Central league.

What has not been agreed I believe is what happens after accepting this.

Owen has stated he would like 10 in each league and I agree a lot easier to administrate but is that kosher?
I think we should encourage them to move up but watch out for the effects of relegation.
I suggest none of the other country clubs want to go up, or qualify.

I have been impressed with first Birdwood’s plan and also the application to that plan since they have come up. (Having watched their juniors for many years I was sure they would be successful in this division).
How do you rate success in a “Country Club”. I know what the purists would say premierships but the community support has to be paramount. The Premiership at any level is what is aspired to. However many clubs survive and thrive in fact without them for many years.

We need to give TV that chance and if it means a bye..........well we have had this before?

Having said all that I prefer the Birdwood model to what is happening at TV although it may just be a communication thing.

Alaska - sorry, I can't remember who you are as i was off this forum for a while but I don't need a history lesson as to how successful TV has been. I am not by any means suggesting that TV should not be promoted, my argument is how the relegation side of it is handled. I spoke to a TV player pre-season and he said that the club should go OK in Central but that A grade would struggle a bit (that's fair enough), so I'm not totally out of the loop, mate. Clubs do definitely 'survive' without premierships but that has nothing to do with being a measuring stick. Lobethal (when I played) was a force, on and off the field. they've recently had a really bad patch and seem to now be improvers, but will that be enough to stay up or is it too late and Central lose a club that has been a big part of the league?

[sound4]

That's a good point.. Surely there are some people within some of the struggling central div clubs that could see the advantage of playing in the country div??

There were a few a Bridgy who wanted them to go down last year.[/quote]

i will be deep in the cold cold ground before that happens.
RAIDERS till i die.
V.[/quote]

i'll start digging[/quote]

toot toot you will have to bury me alive.
serious if the club goes to division 2 you might as well make the grave big enough for all of us because that will be the end.
so either go get your earthmoving license and did a mass grave big enough to hold the dead remains of a proud club or get out to birdwood this weekend and watch the a grade kick start our 2010 campaign with a great win.
V.[/quote]

geez country div isn't that bad

[Bat Pad]

Alaska - sorry, I can't remember who you are as i was off this forum for a while but I don't need a history lesson as to how successful TV has been. I am not by any means suggesting that TV should not be promoted, my argument is how the relegation side of it is handled. I spoke to a TV player pre-season and he said that the club should go OK in Central but that A grade would struggle a bit (that's fair enough), so I'm not totally out of the loop, mate. Clubs do definitely 'survive' without premierships but that has nothing to do with being a measuring stick. Lobethal (when I played) was a force, on and off the field. they've recently had a really bad patch and seem to now be improvers, but will that be enough to stay up or is it too late and Central lose a club that has been a big part of the league?[/quote]


I think it will be a travesty if Lobethal have to go down. They were strong for the better part of 30 years in this comp, and have only been really poor for the last 3 - 4 years. I think they made finals in the A's last in 2004. Were more than competitive in 05. Sorry but when was the last time Birdgewater played in the A grade finals? Would be over a decade yes? I may stand corrected.

[false]

That's a good point.. Surely there are some people within some of the struggling central div clubs that could see the advantage of playing in the country div??

There were a few a Bridgy who wanted them to go down last year.

i will be deep in the cold cold ground before that happens.
RAIDERS till i die.
V.

toot toot you will have to bury me alive.
serious if the club goes to division 2 you might as well make the grave big enough for all of us because that will be the end.
so either go get your earthmoving license and did a mass grave big enough to hold the dead remains of a proud club or get out to birdwood this weekend and watch the a grade kick start our 2010 campaign with a great win.
V.

seriously, what is the great aversion to Country Division? It's not a bad comp at all... aside from a few 30-40 goal wins the comp seems pretty even at the moment... mostly good grounds and facilities... I'd actually say on average the facilities are better in Country then Central.
So what's the big problem?

[toot toot]

Alaska - sorry, I can't remember who you are as i was off this forum for a while but I don't need a history lesson as to how successful TV has been. I am not by any means suggesting that TV should not be promoted, my argument is how the relegation side of it is handled. I spoke to a TV player pre-season and he said that the club should go OK in Central but that A grade would struggle a bit (that's fair enough), so I'm not totally out of the loop, mate. Clubs do definitely 'survive' without premierships but that has nothing to do with being a measuring stick. Lobethal (when I played) was a force, on and off the field. they've recently had a really bad patch and seem to now be improvers, but will that be enough to stay up or is it too late and Central lose a club that has been a big part of the league?

I think it will be a travesty if Lobethal have to go down. They were strong for the better part of 30 years in this comp, and have only been really poor for the last 3 - 4 years. I think they made finals in the A's last in 2004. Were more than competitive in 05. Sorry but when was the last time Birdgewater played in the A grade finals? Would be over a decade yes? I may stand corrected.[/quote]

i think it may even be something like 15 years.

also Bridgewaters only A grade premiership came in divison 2 (1986 I think), might not be such a bad thing if they are forced to go down.

[hillbilly]

Alaska - sorry, I can't remember who you are as i was off this forum for a while but I don't need a history lesson as to how successful TV has been. I am not by any means suggesting that TV should not be promoted, my argument is how the relegation side of it is handled. I spoke to a TV player pre-season and he said that the club should go OK in Central but that A grade would struggle a bit (that's fair enough), so I'm not totally out of the loop, mate. Clubs do definitely 'survive' without premierships but that has nothing to do with being a measuring stick. Lobethal (when I played) was a force, on and off the field. they've recently had a really bad patch and seem to now be improvers, but will that be enough to stay up or is it too late and Central lose a club that has been a big part of the league?

I think it will be a travesty if Lobethal have to go down. They were strong for the better part of 30 years in this comp, and have only been really poor for the last 3 - 4 years. I think they made finals in the A's last in 2004. Were more than competitive in 05. Sorry but when was the last time Birdgewater played in the A grade finals? Would be over a decade yes? I may stand corrected.

i think it may even be something like 15 years.

also Bridgewaters only A grade premiership came in divison 2 (1986 I think), might not be such a bad thing if they are forced to go down.[/quote]
How many games have these 2 teams won in the last 3-4 years. They should both have a look at themselves!!

[cricketlad]

toot toot you will have to bury me alive.
serious if the club goes to division 2 you might as well make the grave big enough for all of us because that will be the end.
so either go get your earthmoving license and did a mass grave big enough to hold the dead remains of a proud club or get out to birdwood this weekend and watch the a grade kick start our 2010 campaign with a great win.
V.[/quote]

seriously, what is the great aversion to Country Division? It's not a bad comp at all... aside from a few 30-40 goal wins the comp seems pretty even at the moment... mostly good grounds and facilities... I'd actually say on average the facilities are better in Country then Central.
So what's the big problem?[/quote]

no central div team wants to go down and play against sides like millang and sedan cambri. what a waste of time. there are some big wins in central but nothing like the country div. playing some ferals from the gum might not be wanted either

[Vaughan]

no central div team wants to go down and play against sides like millang and sedan cambri. what a waste of time. there are some big wins in central but nothing like the country div. playing some ferals from the gum might not be wanted either

well put cricketlad.

[R. White]

How can this even be an issue. Torrens Valley are one of the best teams in the country division, no doubt about it. But they fail to produce the goods when the pressure is on.
Some posters are saying that it doesnt matter that they dont win flags!!! What nonsense is that.
If they cant produce the goods Grand Final day when the pressure is on, how are they going to be competitive in the central div when they have to play against quality opposition every second week.
If they win the next 3 flags then i might change my opinion.
As for all you saying Lofty might be relegated, what a load of crap, 3 of the last 4 flags. Good luck!!!
Bridgewater is probably the only team that could be justifiably relegated, but doesnt that take away from central v country. Whilst the two fall under the Hills banner, in my eyes they are two separate leagues. if Hughes wants a Central div flag, why not put offer his resources to Bridgewater!!!

[leather poisoning]

my tips...
Onkas vs Lobethal: Onkas by 5 goals, should be a good contest
Birdwood vs Bridgewater - bridgewater by 6 dobs, they will put it all together soon enough
Mt Lofty vs Ironbank - ironbank by 4 goals, mt lofty are struggling, nothing up forward, no height. will be competitive all year but i just cant see them kicking a winning score
Mt Barker vs Hahndorf - barkers by 5 goal in a quality contest
Uraidla vs Blackwood- dream match up, blackwood will want revenge and looked the goods on the weekend, but uraidla will surely bounce back. uraidla- 6 goals

[Justquietly]

The tips for the Lofty/Ironbank game seem to be going both ways. And opinions thus far seem to be saying that Lofty are competitive but lack height. I want to see Lofty win, but in a battle for that 4th and 5th spot, are they able to? Seems that if people are tipping ironbank (with some pundits saying they won't make the 5), can Lofty make finals? From what I've been told they can't really cover the lost ruckman and Flash so as much as I hate to say it, they could be in strife.

[Tanka]

The tips for the Lofty/Ironbank game seem to be going both ways. And opinions thus far seem to be saying that Lofty are competitive but lack height. I want to see Lofty win, but in a battle for that 4th and 5th spot, are they able to? Seems that if people are tipping ironbank (with some pundits saying they won't make the 5), can Lofty make finals? From what I've been told they can't really cover the lost ruckman and Flash so as much as I hate to say it, they could be in strife.

Lofty should still win. I think there is still too much talent in that side but ie it is a much more even season this year for sure.

[Spearhead]

The tips for the Lofty/Ironbank game seem to be going both ways. And opinions thus far seem to be saying that Lofty are competitive but lack height. I want to see Lofty win, but in a battle for that 4th and 5th spot, are they able to? Seems that if people are tipping ironbank (with some pundits saying they won't make the 5), can Lofty make finals? From what I've been told they can't really cover the lost ruckman and Flash so as much as I hate to say it, they could be in strife.

It's going to take some creative coaching for the next couple of weeks. Ruckman will only be out for this long, and I think that there are other options that could go forward to cover Flash. He will be missed, but I don't think a lack of tall forwards is the reason we are struggling but rather the other end of the ground (no Nielsen, Mantis, Jumbo).

[Justquietly]

fair enough, Spearhead. Purely by looking at the results it appeared that the Devs lacked a bit up forward. I was also told that Burch WASN'T palying on the ball much. WTF? He's the first guy I'd have in the trenches when hard balls have to be got.

[king of smoo]

[

seriously, what is the great aversion to Country Division? It's not a bad comp at all... aside from a few 30-40 goal wins the comp seems pretty even at the moment... mostly good grounds and facilities... I'd actually say on average the facilities are better in Country then Central.
So what's the big problem?[/quote]

Country div is an excellent comp which is on the improve as you can see with teams such as gumeracha & macclesfield who were both down the bottom struggling now are challenging most teams at least making a competitive game anyway. Country div's standard of footy doesnt get the respect from most people due to the constant floggings given to callington & this year we will probably see the same happen to Sedan Cambrai. As for the facilities well i agree i think they would be just as good as most central div clubs

[overthehill]

Hi All,
Short time reader first time writer. Here are my tips for the week:
Onaks V Lobethal - i think onkas are a good side but not convinced they're not pretenders yet, easy start to the season. They will be up by 11 at half time and win by about 5-6 goals (not a second half side)
Birdwood V Bridgewater - hard fought game id say but bridgy struggling to be first at the footy. Birdwood by 3 Goals (and Roger Sweet to get arrested)
Mt Lofty v Ironbank - I feel like after what i read on here i may know nothing about these 2 sides. Maybe Lofty should have kept L.Fleet if they're so short on height but i think Fleety was short on heart so who knows. Lofty by 5 Goals
Mt Barker v Hahndorf - its hard to know with Hahndorf who going to play and whos not but with Fisher on the ground barker cant lose. The roos by 8 Goals
Uraidla v Blackwood - might be some blood shead here as payback comes looking for the cabbage. Blackwood by 4 goals (Padroth to eat Down alive in the ruck but Down to smash him around the ground)

[Tooting Bec]

That's a good point.. Surely there are some people within some of the struggling central div clubs that could see the advantage of playing in the country div??

There were a few a Bridgy who wanted them to go down last year.

i will be deep in the cold cold ground before that happens.
RAIDERS till i die.
V.

i'll start digging

classic toot toot!

[The Sorce]

So Vaughan, your saying if Bridgewater Do not WIN this weekend against Birdwood (an Ex-Country Division Team) Then Bridgwater will Volunteer to Drop down to the Country Division................

[BALLHOG]

Vaughan you are so one eyed is isn't funny, Bridgewater are way out of there league in Central division. For the last 15 years the A grade have been pathetic and the last 4 or 5 years the club in all grades have been a joke. As a past player at the club for 10 long years the club didn't change at all if anything it went backwards. Let's put things in perspective you gave Loby there first A grade win in two and a half years and they certainly aren't a top five side. Onkas may possibly sneek in to the five but will be no threat to the top sides. Birdwood on the weekend will probably take the points aswell, it that's the case where do the club go. Country A grade level is a very good comp apart from Callington and sedan. Yeah the juniors and B grade comp may not be as strong but that should suit a club such as Bridgewater that have been poor in all grades in recent years.