Adelaide Plains Football League

[The Big Shrek]

Had an interesting chat with a bloke associated with the NEW Angle Vale football Club, he tells me their plan is to get themselves in the BLG in Three years, good luck, i said, but the interesting part is that he said they poached several Virginia players, not sure who, but thats what he said.

He also mentioned that they would be striving to improve their list over the next few years, so i would suggest that a few of their scouts would be out and about, trying to poach other players from several leagues including our great league. Now i wouldn't expect people to be handing in clearance forms straight away, he mentioned the fact that they were quite flush with coin, im not too sure that they know how much money goes through a country club instead of an amateur club, but i think they have a rude awakening headed their way.

personally i would have thought they would have a crack at getting into the APFL as the 8th side, but noooo, big dreams it seems!!

I couldnt think of anything worse than a side from Angle Vale coming into this league. I think your all forgetting that 95% of players and supporters within this competition are from the country and enjoy the country atmosphere and lifestyle of country footy on Saturday afternoon. Angle Vale... country????? Yeah right, head the other way boys. If we need another teams the only solution is north or east, not even closer to Adelaide. Give me a break!!!! Amateur teams from the northern suburbs would be the last teams that i want to be involved with. I realise thats only my opinion but im certain im not alone. Heading south = Trouble with capital "T" and we hear of sh#t happening far too often from that neck of the woods as it is.
Country or Suburbian footy?? I know what i would rather.

Easy Swampy put the gun back in the holster son, I only said that i would have thought that getting into the BLG or the APFL is a massive stretch for these boguns, i don't want to see another team from Angle Vale, i would prefer another team however but thats another discussion, you raised some valid points however re: trouble from that neck of the woods.

mate it was directed more at the bogans that suggested it

Does the APFL need more teams? Maybe HWE could de-amalgamate. Hummocks, Pt Wakefield, Watchman and Auburn. That would make it a ten team comp.

[Dogwatcher]

From an outsider's view, you blokes who are against an Angle Vale side could be being a little short sighted.
Firstly, Angle Vale is not city or suburban.
The 'country' in regards to the northern section of Adelaide starts at the end of Alawoona Road, Munno Para, anywhere after that is country - Angle Vale fits that view.
However, that could all be changing.
Angle Vale is going to be a boom area in the next decade as the new subdivision starts to be developed in that location.
It is going to be the biggest development since Golden Grove by all accounts.
That is only going to give benefits to your region.
Including, hopefully a very strong football club.
Let's look further into the crystal ball and with the growing decline of country towns, some of your clubs may be struggling in a generation's time (like it or not, it's a fact of life), so having another team in your competition will further strengthen it and provide a stronger future.

My 2 cents worth.

[Swamp Donkey]

I see your view DW, but you and I both know that Angle Vale is getting a bit close. I really think that either north or west eg Snowtown, Blyth or Riverton is a better alternative

[Swamp Donkey]

Do you blokes ever think Ricky might be going thru a few things of the field?. Get off his back

Im sure he still put his hand out after the game, so that is absolutely no excuse.

[Mythical Creature]

I'm with Donkey on this one regarding Angle Vale. You only have to look at Virginia's current situation with small Junior numbers with the reason being why play for Virginia and travel to Lochiel when you can play for Ingle Farm or another close by club and travel no more than 20 minutes (which is fair enough i suppose if you're a parent with no ties to the club). Also add to that no Junior netball sides and only 3 Senior netball grades.

There is little atmosphere when you play them purely because the crowd numbers are down. This is hurting every club with revenue ie: gate takings, but I think that its probably hurting Virginia more than any club because they don't get the Junior numbers through on any week.

This is by no means Virginias fault, its just their location but if Angle Vale were to come in this league then my guess is that the same thing will happen with parents having the choice to play for them or club next door with less travel (need not mention petrol prices).

We dont need another club with small supporter numbers and with netball being a big part of COUNTRY Footy all clubs should have to supply netball teams.

[Dogwatcher]

I'm sorry MC, I don't understand your point regarding juniors. How is Ingle Farm (or other junior clubs) effecting Virginia?

[Hazbeen]

I totally agree with the Donkey and the Creature, Virginia has been nothing but trouble IMO since they joined. One of the reasons Roseworthy college were chucked out was their inability (obviously) to provide junior teams and all netball grades.

The trip to Virginia is never a pleasant one and when they travel it is like the Roseworthy days with very poor attendances.

An idea out of left field for the future is something like what occurred on Yorke Peninsula with the merging of leagues to provide a stronger comp. Adelaide Plains could merge with North Eastern with the core of clubs remaining and the far flung ones going elsewhere, e.g. Mallala, United, Balaklava & Hummocks staying, Virginia & Two Wells going to Amateurs and Hamley to either fold or join with other clubs to merge with NEFL then the 2 Clare teams, Blyth, Riverton, Brinkworth & Min-Man joining the new league, Eudunda and Burra to Mid Murray. Would make the new league 10 teams and also strengthen Mid Murray to 7 teams.

Would hate to see our league go backwards with clubs folding but more travel South would not be appealing to true Country footy fans but a move North in line with where the Balak and Hummocks boys play cricket and Tennis would.

[Mythical Creature]

DW, Other clubs are affecting junior numbers at these Southern Clubs because there are so many neighbouring clubs with a lot less travel. If you just moved to an area and you had the choice to play for Virginia or Angle Vale (if it happens) and travel to say Lochiel, Balaklava and get stone chips on your car heading to Long Plains, or play for an alternative close by club with less travel. Like i said if you have no ties to Virginia or Angle Vale it is a lot more appealing to go to Ingle Farm and travel no more than 20 minutes each week.

We are already seeing this happen to Virginia with little or no Junior support. Where is the foundation for future decades? If you throw in Angle Vale then for a netballer you potentially have seven byes for the year (the current 3 plus a bye each time you play V & AV).

[Dogwatcher]

How is travelling to Ingle Farm easier than travelling to play in some of the more far flung areas of the APFL?
You've got to travel to Ingle Farm twice a week for training, that's basically all the way to Adelaide in peak hour traffic, then when you play on Saturday's you've got to travel to where ever Ingle Farm is playing - again close to and around Adelaide.
I can't see how that's a more attractive option?

As for Two Wells and Virginia playing amateurs, won't happen. They're stretching it having Trinity and Angle Vale in the comp as it is.

[Hazbeen]

How is travelling to Ingle Farm easier than travelling to play in some of the more far flung areas of the APFL?
You've got to travel to Ingle Farm twice a week for training, that's basically all the way to Adelaide in peak hour traffic, then when you play on Saturday's you've got to travel to where ever Ingle Farm is playing - again close to and around Adelaide.
I can't see how that's a more attractive option?

As for Two Wells and Virginia playing amateurs, won't happen. They're stretching it having Trinity and Angle Vale in the comp as it is.

Part of Virginia's netball problems are the same for the 3 Gawler clubs in the BLGFL, the Gawler stand alone netball comp is far more appealing than heading off the Eudunda etc for the netballers with no ties to a footy club.

Two Wells and Virgina already play cricket in the Para Districts comp which stretches up to Salisbury and Para Hills so what would be the difference playing footy against Smithfield, Central United, Eastern Park & co?

[The Rooster]

Because Two Wells have always been at Two Wells, we played against the gawler teams once but there is no way we would ever even consider going to the amateur league, Virginia spent some time in the old CDFC/NMFL and did want to be there either, Adelaide plains is Adelaide plains. There a little travel but angle had to travel to Mitchell Park a few weeks back, that's from one side of the city to the other and then some.

This is all hypothetical anyways, they spoke of going to the BLG so let them deal with it, there are a few clubs in our league that are combined sides already so obviously the area's can only sustain the teams we have. Nuff said!

[Dogwatcher]

Two Wells and Virgina already play cricket in the Para Districts comp which stretches up to Salisbury and Para Hills so what would be the difference playing footy against Smithfield, Central United, Eastern Park & co?

Big difference between Para Districts cricket and amateur footy.
They could travel to games as far away as Flinders Uni and Mitchell Park.
While in some of the higher grades, a game at Elizabeth or Smithfield would be the closest they'll ever get.

[Swamp Donkey]

How is travelling to Ingle Farm easier than travelling to play in some of the more far flung areas of the APFL?
You've got to travel to Ingle Farm twice a week for training, that's basically all the way to Adelaide in peak hour traffic, then when you play on Saturday's you've got to travel to where ever Ingle Farm is playing - again close to and around Adelaide.
I can't see how that's a more attractive option?

As for Two Wells and Virginia playing amateurs, won't happen. They're stretching it having Trinity and Angle Vale in the comp as it is.

Get your map out DW, Lochiel is close to 100km from the northern suburbs whilst there are existing clubs within the northern suburbs barely 15 kms apart. That might have something to do with being more appealing!!!! By the time they do get into the league petrol will be $3 a litre, its a fair cost for parents to trek to Lochiel, and it should not be required just to play footy!

[Dogwatcher]

Travelling a hunjy k on country roads is a heck of a lot quicker than going across town, I'm pretty certain.
Could be wrong I guess.

But, again travelling to Ingle Farm twice a week for training, before you even play, when your club is down the road is very cost prohibitive. Add to that, you can car pool with team mates if you get organised and the cost of playing country footy isn't so bad.

[Mythical Creature]

Try telling that DW to someone who is new to the area and have barely been past Gepps Cross in their lives. They will take the city option just about every time.

[Dogwatcher]

If it comes down to the $$$$ most people see things pretty quickly.

[Swamp Donkey]

Travelling a hunjy k on country roads is a heck of a lot quicker than going across town, I'm pretty certain.
Could be wrong I guess.

But, again travelling to Ingle Farm twice a week for training, before you even play, when your club is down the road is very cost prohibitive. Add to that, you can car pool with team mates if you get organised and the cost of playing country footy isn't so bad.

Plus i dont really want them to

[Dogwatcher]

ha ha ha - well. Now there's an argument that makes sense!

[twogood4u]

I totally agree with the Donkey and the Creature, Virginia has been nothing but trouble IMO since they joined. One of the reasons Roseworthy college were chucked out was their inability (obviously) to provide junior teams and all netball grades.

The trip to Virginia is never a pleasant one and when they travel it is like the Roseworthy days with very poor attendances.

An idea out of left field for the future is something like what occurred on Yorke Peninsula with the merging of leagues to provide a stronger comp. Adelaide Plains could merge with North Eastern with the core of clubs remaining and the far flung ones going elsewhere, e.g. Mallala, United, Balaklava & Hummocks staying, Virginia & Two Wells going to Amateurs and Hamley to either fold or join with other clubs to merge with NEFL then the 2 Clare teams, Blyth, Riverton, Brinkworth & Min-Man joining the new league, Eudunda and Burra to Mid Murray. Would make the new league 10 teams and also strengthen Mid Murray to 7 teams.

Would hate to see our league go backwards with clubs folding but more travel South would not be appealing to true Country footy fans but a move North in line with where the Balak and Hummocks boys play cricket and Tennis would.

(hazeen)!Should be NEVERWAS. Do you play the banjo? you like watching deliverance? you breed pigs.? geeeez you can talk sh*t. football will grow with the expected development and the current format will change . maybe your nasty manner towards virginia is the reason the trip down south is unpleasant for you. if you show a little respect it might be returned!

[twogood4u]

swampy, dog watcher. scientific fact. that inbreeding will eventually cause extinction!