HFL Division 1 (Central)

[Afterthesiren]

Looks like Bridgey are now in the box seat for relegation. I don't agree with the points system involved as it's clear Torrens Valley are the weakest club in the competition. Bridgey could save themselves by simply stacking their B grade and by stacking I mean playing their As in the Bs. Why not... they don't deserve relegation and this would keep them in the strong Central Div Competition. There would be no shame in it and why not manipulate a system that is obviously faulty. I encourage Bridgewater to do this and send Torrens Valley back to where they belong.

[Zipper]

From a players point of view I couldn't be happier to see Bridgewater relegated. Yesterday's game was an absolute disgrace and I am not sure how that oval was deemed fit to play on. The mud was ankle deep in most parts of the oval and by quater time you couldn't differentiate the payers. On more than one occasion players were almost being taken out by team mates and at one point a free was given when this occurred. Not to mention the smell and no doubt health issues with the ground as there were multiple players who's eyes were red, irritated and constantly weeping. Players expecting a warm shower/working showers were in for a rude shock. The B graders opted to 'clean' themselves in the river as this was the only way to get all of the mud off.

I know relegation isn't going to solves these issues but maybe it is the wakeup call they need.

[jumbo20]

sounds bad, but in fairness other ovals may not have been to good,Lofty included.What is the rules in relation to deeming a ground fit or unfit for play?Would Bridgewater been fined, how are the points then allocated?

[Gervais]

were any posters at the tv vs blackwood game yesterday? was dale ellis red-carded - what for?

[dukes]

From a players point of view I couldn't be happier to see Bridgewater relegated. Yesterday's game was an absolute disgrace and I am not sure how that oval was deemed fit to play on. The mud was ankle deep in most parts of the oval and by quater time you couldn't differentiate the payers. On more than one occasion players were almost being taken out by team mates and at one point a free was given when this occurred. Not to mention the smell and no doubt health issues with the ground as there were multiple players who's eyes were red, irritated and constantly weeping. Players expecting a warm shower/working showers were in for a rude shock. The B graders opted to 'clean' themselves in the river as this was the only way to get all of the mud off.

I know relegation isn't going to solves these issues but maybe it is the wakeup call they need.

In complete agreement with these comments! It has obviously been very wet lately but the condition at bridgy were unacceptable! That being said, what topped the day off after playing in the mud was the fact that there was no working showers!! How can bridgy justify paying several players upwards of $800 a game but not supply the bare minimum of facilities! Whilst expecting a warm/cold shower after a game could be considered a "luxury" ... Not being able to wash the filth from the oval off and becoming infected is not!

HFL should be looking at 2 options for bridgy... RENOVATE or DETONATE !!

[Zipper]

sounds bad, but in fairness other ovals may not have been to good,Lofty included.What is the rules in relation to deeming a ground fit or unfit for play?Would Bridgewater been fined, how are the points then allocated?

I am not sure how but the HFL assessed the oval and deemed it fit to play. I agree that Lofty is not in great condition itself but it is in a completely different league compared to Bridgewater oval.

[has been]

Full credit to ironbank on the condition of its oval. Would be the best surface in the hills at present was immaculate yesterday

[Whiteline]

Drove past Bridgie oval this afternoon. Yes, it is just black mud without a blade of grass visible.

Does Bridgewater train on that oval when it's in that condition?

Here's one to ponder......Does the HFL have the power to tell a club "Sorry, your ground is unfit to play so your club plays away games until it is in an acceptable condition."

[MatteeG]

They should Whiteline.

A few years ago at flaggies we played some home games at Reynella as our oval was too far gone.

Much improved these days now the drainage is up to scratch.

[Whiteline]

Just looked at the last 6 rounds and see that Bridgie are home for only 2 of the last 6 games. They're hosting Lobey in R15 and the Woodsmen in R17.

[flanker]

Attached image

[false]

We played there a couple of years ago when there was literally not a blade of green grass to be seen... really unsafe conditions for people doing ankles and knees but also people getting sick!

[On The Chest]

We played there a couple of years ago when there was literally not a blade of green grass to be seen... really unsafe conditions for people doing ankles and knees but also people getting sick!

Wow. This brings back memories. So nothing has changed since 1976. Remember after a game standing by the big stone wall at the side of the oval with the water pouring over the wall and washing the mud off before we went and had a nice clean cold shower.

[Whiteline]

Thanks Flanker for the photo.

Seriously, why should Lobey and the Woods be expected to play on that heap in the two remaining home games that Bridgie have? We're not going there again this season and I know it's too late for the Devs, but the HFL should step in now and order that Round 15 and Round 17 get played at Lobethal and Blackwood respectively. By all means, give the gate-money or whatever home game commercial arrangements the HFL has to Bridgie, but play the games on decent ovals.

Also, is there anything stopping Bridgie from approaching the HFL and asking to play away instead of at home? Surely their players would rather play away on good grounds than that mud heap.

Food for thought (and thank God we don't have to play there again this season).

[The Panther]

Standard hills ground of 10 -15 yrs ago I think it was some where around 2000 where it felt like it rained every day for 10 wks and all clubs ovals looked like that. Drowning in the fwd pocket by the scoreboard at Blackwood was a real possibility.

[The Panther]

Attached image

By the way i think all ovals should look like this. I blame "El Nino" for my lack of playing achievements.

[On The Chest]

Wouldn't want the job of washing the gurnseys. Omo should get on board as a major sponsor.
Imagine trying to recruit players there. Potential recruits would take one look at this and say, "no thanks"

[Justquietly]

Jeez. I saw some photos of Bridgey over the weekend, nothing short of unplayable. Sure at Lofty we don't have the best oval but Bridgewater is something else, disgraceful. In answer to those wondering if something can be done - yes, & it has in the past. A few years ago Bridgey was forced to move home games due to the water running from the cliff end (I think)& flooding the oval. I have also heard this year of 3 visiting teams having had players needing to go to a GP due to infected eyes after playing at Bridgey. As for having to 'bathe' in a creek...no words for that. A grade was close to having no water AT ALL.
On The Chest - spot on, recruiting would have to be all about the money, not the facilities.

[Banker]

Ironbank Oval was banned a few years ago:

Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:32 am

Wouldn't mind hearing the opinion of opposition players on the state of Thunder Park. Last week our wonderful HFL president slapped a ban on Ironbank playing at home unless remedial action was taken. In essence this means the centre corridor is now fenced off and we train around it. We also needed an AFL Rep to inspect the ground and give the OK. Bridgy are happy to play there and so too is Benno from Blackwood.

The ground is not mud and has not been all season (it's had a fair bit of sand dumped on it in recent seasons), it is very patchy from the lower end to half forward at the other thru the guts. I find it comical that the two-faced President would ban us, yet Ironbank and Onkas played in a comedy show on Mt Barker's oval last year. The President is unable to work with clubs, he works against them. From what I hear, many other clubs have had enough too, we just need someone to put their hand up.

[Gervais]

Ironbank Oval was banned a few years ago:

i remember watching a game at mt barker 3 or 4 years ago where the conditions were as bad as i'd seen. the entire oval was mud. even still, the bridgy photos look even worse.

mt barker, ironbank, bridgy - these things are cyclical and some hills grounds cant cope with torrential rain. maybe the hfl should program bridgy more home games in the early part of the season when things are dryer. i saw the bridgy home game vs hahndorf earlier in the year and the oval was fantastic.

need to fix up the showers though.