HFL Division 2 (Country)

[Armytank]

Personally (apart from oval size) I don't think Ironbanks facilities are bad, it used to be bad, back when clubs both had to use the shed as changerooms.

Thanks Cracka, this is something that is always at the forefront of our minds and we are constantly trying to improve.

[Legs Man]

Ironbank has certainly improved since we last played there albeit the oval quite short.
You can see they are working really hard to get everything in shape across their whole club.

There are some good ovals in Country with Kersbrook being close to if not the best across all divisions.
Milang is a fantastic deck too from memory.

The biggest problem is junior grades and supporters not having all teams at one venue which creates massive strain on volunteers with travel involved.
If it means permits or special allowances to enable clubs to field all 4 grades then this should be implemented.
One or two clubs may only have 3 teams on occasion but we have to allow for this and still keep a club at one venue game day.
It will simply mean a bye for the junior team that doesn't play that day which will still work ok as each club will encounter this on the odd occasion it occurs.

It does seem that 7 teams is the best scenario though currently with Nairne going up due to the rapidly expanding population.
The remaining clubs are pretty even except for Sedan but they seem to be slowly improving.
Hopefully Milang get to a point where they can also come into Country and create an 8 team comp.

A super league in 2015 won't help anyone and simply create big margins and massive travel problems.

[The Gimp]

One thing that does need addressing in country is the junior competition. Especially under 17's.Most country clubs have had strong juniors at one stage or another.

How do we get majority of country clubs to be able to fill majority of their junior sides?

Do we go back to just senior and junior colts in country ?

It is the elephant in the room. One in which all clubs looking to avoid going to country division seem to hang their hat on in justification of their stance.

Toally agree. The Sen Colts hasn't been good for 5 or so years and seems to be getting worse.
One thing I still really can't understand is why Country Div isn't allowed to raise their snr colts age to U18. I know it's only an extra 6mths but this could possibly allow another 1-3 players continue in snr colts which might mean the difference between having and not having a team.
This constant defiance by Central div clubs to not allow it to happen because they think the Country div clubs will "steal" their 17.5-18 year olds is bordering on laughable.
I really think the junior grades in Country div should be U18 and U14.5. And to stay in div 2, you should have both because it is all the gaps in the junior draw that is currently killing div 2 and if it isn't fixed soon, they can kiss goodbye some of the original hills clubs either to merger or folding.

[cracka]

One thing that does need addressing in country is the junior competition. Especially under 17's.Most country clubs have had strong juniors at one stage or another.

How do we get majority of country clubs to be able to fill majority of their junior sides?

Do we go back to just senior and junior colts in country ?

It is the elephant in the room. One in which all clubs looking to avoid going to country division seem to hang their hat on in justification of their stance.

Toally agree. The Sen Colts hasn't been good for 5 or so years and seems to be getting worse.
One thing I still really can't understand is why Country Div isn't allowed to raise their snr colts age to U18. I know it's only an extra 6mths but this could possibly allow another 1-3 players continue in snr colts which might mean the difference between having and not having a team.
This constant defiance by Central div clubs to not allow it to happen because they think the Country div clubs will "steal" their 17.5-18 year olds is bordering on laughable.
I really think the junior grades in Country div should be U18 and U14.5. And to stay in div 2, you should have both because it is all the gaps in the junior draw that is currently killing div 2 and if it isn't fixed soon, they can kiss goodbye some of the original hills clubs either to merger or folding.

At the review meeting I suggested that country div go to U18 specifically for the reason that kids not ready for senior football could help fix that grade & the only person to argue against it was from Kangarilla who said its too big an age gap.

[running defender]

When Maccy have two kids go down to Sturt and play a few games but get told to work on a few things but get told your going to be playing with Mt Barker dosn't that tell you something, when they allready have 30 s/colts. The only way is to cap the bigger clubs it works in town why can"t it work up here, Mt Barker will have a population of 20,000 or more in 5 yrs time they all can"t play for one club.

[Look Good In Leather]

When Maccy have two kids go down to Sturt and play a few games but get told to work on a few things but get told your going to be playing with Mt Barker dosn't that tell you something, when they allready have 30 s/colts. The only way is to cap the bigger clubs it works in town why can"t it work up here, Mt Barker will have a population of 20,000 or more in 5 yrs time they all can"t play for one club.

It doesn't work in town. In 2014 Golden Grove had 501 junior players, Payneham-Norwood Union 463 & Modbury 435 all with multiple teams per age group whilst other clubs surrounding them failed or struggled to field teams (Greenacres, Houghton, etc).

[The Panther]

When Maccy have two kids go down to Sturt and play a few games but get told to work on a few things but get told your going to be playing with Mt Barker dosn't that tell you something, when they allready have 30 s/colts. The only way is to cap the bigger clubs it works in town why can"t it work up here, Mt Barker will have a population of 20,000 or more in 5 yrs time they all can"t play for one club.

If true, very disappointing by Sturt.

Anyone not getting a game in juniors should be encouraged to branch out to the other clubs, in the best interests of keeping juniors playing football.

I know Echunga aren't everyone's favourites at the moment , but they are only ten minutes up the road and could always do with more juniors.

or Maccy another 5 minutes on. Macclesfield is such an important club when it comes to the survival of country division and country division is important for the survival of maccy.
Imagine how great it would be for the country comp if Maccy could fill all junior sides. Is it impossible if clubs like Mount Barker and Hahndorf only had one junior team in each age division , then actually encouraged their excess players to go to a club like Macclesfield. Maybe even make the effort to set up a contact for a smooth transition.

If a central club deems a kid not good enough for their side, then helps facilitate a move in the best interest of the kid to a country club so he can enjoy playing full games of footy !

[cracka]

Has anyone on here ever had to say to a kid "you're not good enough,but you're welcome to play for another club" & did those kids then go to another club. With clubs sharing players, just ask Mt Lofty what happens. They tried to do the right thing & help Echunga 3 years ago & lost a heap of kids who are now not playing football at all. We did it with Torrens Valley when they were in country div & also lost kids from football. It was about 4 or 5 years ago when I personally asked the kids if they woukd play for another club or give up footy, all but 2 said they would.

[The Panther]

So did you organise a game for those 2 kids ?

So what your saying Cracka is they weren't getting a game at your club , were offered a chance to play for another club and decided not to play at all.

Still seems like the same result, with kids not playing.

[cracka]

So did you organise a game for those 2 kids ?

So what your saying Cracka is they weren't getting a game at your club , were offered a chance to play for another club and decided not to play at all.

Still seems like the same result, with kids not playing.

No it was when we had 2 x U13 teams & some other clubs (a minority) were wanting capping.

[Legs Man]

Is the junior competition on the agenda at the SGM?
This should be number 1 on the agenda as the clubs already voted previously on maintaining a 10 team comp in Central meaning Bridgey come back to Country.
If they disregard the by law on this then Nairne etc have a right to play Central also in 2015 as long as they field the required sides.
Juniors should be the priority as this is the reason clubs seek Central participation ensuring all of a clubs sides play at one venue on game day .
Capping junior numbers at a given club isn't the answer - making the country comp one that has all sides at one venue is.

[Look Good In Leather]

When Maccy have two kids go down to Sturt and play a few games but get told to work on a few things but get told your going to be playing with Mt Barker dosn't that tell you something, when they allready have 30 s/colts.

All the league clubs do that - utter disgraceful

Then they expect us to give up our best talent "for the good of the game" but avoid doing anything in return.

[Legs Man]

When Maccy have two kids go down to Sturt and play a few games but get told to work on a few things but get told your going to be playing with Mt Barker dosn't that tell you something, when they allready have 30 s/colts.

All the league clubs do that - utter disgraceful

Then they expect us to give up our best talent "for the good of the game" but avoid doing anything in return.

South Adelaide have been fantastic with Echunga ( not rambling because it's us ) and have been really pro active in helping build our junior numbers.
It was a definite improvement on previous years.
If it is the case with the Maccy boys being recommended to Mt Barker it is poor form by the league club - but another show of the perception the league clubs have of Central vs Country for junior development - sad but true.

[Toto]

Any news of recruiting? Have heard a few things about Kersbrook regarding one of the Ebert brothers.
Also heard that Nairne have lured sunraysia football league gun full forward Zachary Peake back after previously having him before leaving to go back to mildura.

[doubletrouble]

Welcome callywater to country division

[Ye Olde Place Kick]

Welcome callywater to country division

And goodbye Sedan Cambrai?
Cracka might be the man. Did Birdwood put a motion up, don't think voted on yet that if you don't field at least one colts team you can't play in the Country div? If so does that mean S/C to play C grade only, off to Riverland independent or won't come into effect if passed til 2016?
Can any one enlighten me please?

[cracka]

Welcome callywater to country division

And goodbye Sedan Cambrai?
Cracka might be the man. Did Birdwood put a motion up, don't think voted on yet that if you don't field at least one colts team you can't play in the Country div? If so does that mean S/C to play C grade only, off to Riverland independent or won't come into effect if passed til 2016?
Can any one enlighten me please?

Sorry, cant help with the outcome but yeah believe there was talk of Sedan/Cambrai being forced to play C grade due to not having any juniors, this will help the country comp having all teams playing at the same ground most weeks. I think (could be totally wrong) they've done a deal with TV & their juniors are playing there this year.

[Esteban Vihaio]

Welcome callywater to country division

And goodbye Sedan Cambrai?
Cracka might be the man. Did Birdwood put a motion up, don't think voted on yet that if you don't field at least one colts team you can't play in the Country div? If so does that mean S/C to play C grade only, off to Riverland independent or won't come into effect if passed til 2016?
Can any one enlighten me please?

Sorry, cant help with the outcome but yeah believe there was talk of Sedan/Cambrai being forced to play C grade due to not having any juniors, this will help the country comp having all teams playing at the same ground most weeks. I think (could be totally wrong) they've done a deal with TV & their juniors are playing there this year.

Would it be good for S/C though if they were forced to reduce to one side?

[cracka]

Welcome callywater to country division

And goodbye Sedan Cambrai?
Cracka might be the man. Did Birdwood put a motion up, don't think voted on yet that if you don't field at least one colts team you can't play in the Country div? If so does that mean S/C to play C grade only, off to Riverland independent or won't come into effect if passed til 2016?
Can any one enlighten me please?

Sorry, cant help with the outcome but yeah believe there was talk of Sedan/Cambrai being forced to play C grade due to not having any juniors, this will help the country comp having all teams playing at the same ground most weeks. I think (could be totally wrong) they've done a deal with TV & their juniors are playing there this year.

Would it be good for S/C though if they were forced to reduce to one side?

I would say yes, better to do that than end up like Callington. They should follow Milangs example, they used to have 2 teams & struggled through in div 2, folded for a few years came back & now play within their limits.

[The Gimp]

Welcome callywater to country division

And goodbye Sedan Cambrai?
Cracka might be the man. Did Birdwood put a motion up, don't think voted on yet that if you don't field at least one colts team you can't play in the Country div? If so does that mean S/C to play C grade only, off to Riverland independent or won't come into effect if passed til 2016?
Can any one enlighten me please?

Sorry, cant help with the outcome but yeah believe there was talk of Sedan/Cambrai being forced to play C grade due to not having any juniors, this will help the country comp having all teams playing at the same ground most weeks. I think (could be totally wrong) they've done a deal with TV & their juniors are playing there this year.

Would it be good for S/C though if they were forced to reduce to one side?

More importantly, would it be good for the division/league if S/C were forced to one side in the C grade? And the answer is yes.
They've had long enough to get up to speed with the requirements of Country div and they just haven't been able to fill junior sides. They have also struggled to fill 2 senior sides with multiple players constantly doubling up after the B grade to play A's.
I really think it's time they bit the bullet and nominated a C grade side and took a leaf out of Milang's book.
Otherwise we're just going to see another Callington debacle which will once again tarnish the league even more than what it is now....