HFL Division 1 (Central)

[BALLHOG]

Bridgewater might aswell fold if they move to cornerstone. With in a year or two out their they will loose their identity have hardly any locals playing due to the fact that it will be mostly mt barker residents making up most of the squad. What a joke. They are the BRIDGEWATER RAIDERS not north mt barker raiders!!!! The realistic approach for bridgewater is too go back to country div for a few years get that winning feeling back. It's easy for everyone to bag the facilities but if you have enough money you get what ever player you want. Even going to country will not be easy.

[Silky skills]

played a few trial games on corny oval and it is amazing, flat all over amazing grass coverage, GTS wind is not to bad, yes there is not alot of protection from it but i would rather a bit of wind on a good oval then no wind and play on bridgey..

the only problem is change rooms, toilets and seating, there isnt alot of seating for people to sit and if its raining there r no car park facilities around the oval and if u park on the grass in the wet u will more then likely get bogged...

[MONTE CRISTO]

I've got a question.

If Blackwood B's beat Ironbank B's and Mt Lofty B's beat Onkas B's this weekend will they need umpires or riot control police for the prelim final? Could be the game of the year!

And while on umpires, how come Butch Marston didn't win the golden whistle?

And also agree that the Raiders should stick at Bridgewater. Move away, even for a few games, and you lose your identity.

[tedbullpit]

Bridgewater might aswell fold if they move to cornerstone. With in a year or two out their they will loose their identity have hardly any locals playing due to the fact that it will be mostly mt barker residents making up most of the squad. What a joke. They are the BRIDGEWATER RAIDERS not north mt barker raiders!!!! The realistic approach for bridgewater is too go back to country div for a few years get that winning feeling back. It's easy for everyone to bag the facilities but if you have enough money you get what ever player you want. Even going to country will not be easy.

I think you are being a bit rough Ballhog. Could you say the same about Mt.Lofty playing at Heathfield then given that geographically Mt.Lofty isn't all that close to Heathfield? There is obviously a strong contingent at the Bridgewater club who want to remain in central division. As I said previously there have been players who have turned down very good money to play at Bridgewater purely because of the facilities. There are risks associated with the move (if it's true. We've had no one confirm it as of yet) but it is a risk worth taking. If they choose to stay in both Bridgewater & Central division they are going to continue to go nowhere.

[toot toot]

Bridgewater might aswell fold if they move to cornerstone. With in a year or two out their they will loose their identity have hardly any locals playing due to the fact that it will be mostly mt barker residents making up most of the squad. What a joke. They are the BRIDGEWATER RAIDERS not north mt barker raiders!!!! The realistic approach for bridgewater is too go back to country div for a few years get that winning feeling back. It's easy for everyone to bag the facilities but if you have enough money you get what ever player you want. Even going to country will not be easy.

I think you are being a bit rough Ballhog. Could you say the same about Mt.Lofty playing at Heathfield then given that geographically Mt.Lofty isn't all that close to Heathfield? There is obviously a strong contingent at the Bridgewater club who want to remain in central division. As I said previously there have been players who have turned down very good money to play at Bridgewater purely because of the facilities. There are risks associated with the move (if it's true. We've had no one confirm it as of yet) but it is a risk worth taking. If they choose to stay in both Bridgewater & Central division they are going to continue to go nowhere.

i wondering if Cornerstone would allow a bar on their school grounds? i can just imagine all the empty beer cans that would be left around the ground, not a good image for a private school

[tedbullpit]

Bridgewater might aswell fold if they move to cornerstone. With in a year or two out their they will loose their identity have hardly any locals playing due to the fact that it will be mostly mt barker residents making up most of the squad. What a joke. They are the BRIDGEWATER RAIDERS not north mt barker raiders!!!! The realistic approach for bridgewater is too go back to country div for a few years get that winning feeling back. It's easy for everyone to bag the facilities but if you have enough money you get what ever player you want. Even going to country will not be easy.

I think you are being a bit rough Ballhog. Could you say the same about Mt.Lofty playing at Heathfield then given that geographically Mt.Lofty isn't all that close to Heathfield? There is obviously a strong contingent at the Bridgewater club who want to remain in central division. As I said previously there have been players who have turned down very good money to play at Bridgewater purely because of the facilities. There are risks associated with the move (if it's true. We've had no one confirm it as of yet) but it is a risk worth taking. If they choose to stay in both Bridgewater & Central division they are going to continue to go nowhere.

i wondering if Cornerstone would allow a bar on their school grounds? i can just imagine all the empty beer cans that would be left around the ground, not a good image for a private school

I know that Saint Peters & Scotch Old scholars who both play at their respective school grounds serve alcohol. Shouldn't be an issue provided they have a liquor license.

[BALLHOG]

tedballpit the move to cornerstone will cost the club an extreme amount of money plus spending coin on top of that to get players I think the move is very unlilkely to happen. They need to upgrade the canteen and bar at bridgewater and put in some covered areas where supporters can watch football from. The oval itself is small but would not be that much different from Ironbank and they still manage to attract players. It's easy to blame the facilities but if the Raiders were winning games it would not be a problem to attract players of good quality. Look who they had last year with gatto and kluzak both very good high profile footballers.

[Bat Pad]

too too right toot toot. cant see any form of government allowing a liquor licence on any sort of school ground.as for alice you are so far off the mark fella! keep guessing though, didnt think you were a bulldog anymore mate! but you seem to know a bit.

[tedbullpit]

tedballpit the move to cornerstone will cost the club an extreme amount of money plus spending coin on top of that to get players I think the move is very unlilkely to happen. They need to upgrade the canteen and bar at bridgewater and put in some covered areas where supporters can watch football from. The oval itself is small but would not be that much different from Ironbank and they still manage to attract players. It's easy to blame the facilities but if the Raiders were winning games it would not be a problem to attract players of good quality. Look who they had last year with gatto and kluzak both very good high profile footballers.

True. But where are Gatto & Kluzek now? They've had some quality players over the years but they've never hung around for more than one season. Ironbanks oval doesn't flood like Bridgy's either.

[BALLHOG]

Ted in reply to the oval flooding that hasn't happened for years even this year being so wet it did not flood. Mt lofty oval was a disgrace when I saw a game their this year also mt barker was disgraceful.

[The Sorce]

It looks like the most sensible option is Country Division. Its not a step back but progressing forward for the club. To be a more competative club and be amongst finals in all grades. If you leave it too long there will be nothing left of the club to re-build and will just disolve or merge.
I don't know when the last time Bridgewater A grade made the finals but if they were to drop back to Country Division i would say they would be close to Top 5. At least they would be competative. I know there is less and less juniors in Country division but that problem is being seen too. Last year Kangarilla didn't have a 17's team, this year they have one and they played finals. The Top Juniors sides in Country Division are as strong if not stronger than the Central divisions. So if you complain about their developement, why you are going to play against some of the best juniors going around in Hills footy and even though it is unbalanced a couple of weaker teams you still will not win everygame, and a 25 goal win is sure to boost the confidence and also help with their skills. So it's up to the board to stop being stubborn and realise what is best for the club, teams have gone from Div 1 to Div 2 back to Div 1 all the time around the country.

[tedbullpit]

Ted in reply to the oval flooding that hasn't happened for years even this year being so wet it did not flood. Mt lofty oval was a disgrace when I saw a game their this year also mt barker was disgraceful.

Barkers oval is the worst in the comp but its not the confines of a postage stamp like Bridgy. I think we should just agree to disagree on the Bridgewater thing hey Ballhog? If Bridgy end up staying at Bridgewater they should be forced to move to country division. Agree that they would still struggle in country but not to the extent that they have in the central comp. If they relocate to cornerstone give them 2 seasons to get their sh*t together and if they dont then send them to country div.

[The_Special_One]

Don't know why Bridgey would lose their identity if they moved... That is a ridiculous statement! I could count the number of guys at Ironbank who live in Ironbank on one hand!!! Most come from down the Hill and closer to Lofty... In my opinion it's not Bridgy's facilities or oval that does the damage, it's the culture the club is perceived to have.... It still remains the only club in the comp i have not had a beer at!!! (and that says something in itself) The younger players hate the senior players and there is no atmosphere... What parent in their right mind would take their son to play footy at that club??

Bridgy should be all for the move to cornerstone, sure there is some big issues to work around, But surely dropping to div 2 isn't the answer... Having played in both divs i reckon bridgy will lose more from going down a division, than relocating... They can still train at bridgy and keep their clubrooms there, it just means they play footy at cornerstone on a saturday, i don't see the issue...

#And there is no need for riot police for the Lofty Ironbank game, if it happens! As it was solely a HFL decision and nothing was ever said or lodged on the behalf of Ironbank!

[Banker]

I could count the number of guys at Ironbank who live in Ironbank on one hand!!!

Is there only one finger on that hand special one?

[BALLHOG]

Special one you are an idiot bridgewater have a huge number of kids comming through and to say they hate the snr players is a load of crap. Maybe if you came in for a beer you would see how the club really is.

[The Gimp]

Special one you are an idiot bridgewater have a huge number of kids comming through and to say they hate the snr players is a load of crap. Maybe if you came in for a beer you would see how the club really is.

I went in for a beer after the game at Bridgy's and there were more Birdwood snr players there than Bridgy's and we only had 7 there!!!

Bridgy's barman was embarrassed!!

[Amateur Footy]

Special One you are not comparing Apples with Apples. Ironbank Oval is in Cherry Gardens (right next to Ironbank) so you cannot lose your identity when your oval is in the area. And if you count the number of blokes who grew up in Ironbank, Cherry Gardens and neighbouring suburbs you would find the majority of the club is local. Pretty hard to have many grow up in only Ironbank when most people would drive through it without noticing.

You cannot have a 'Club' atmosphere at a private school and Mt Barker is a hell of a long way from Bridgy. No move outside of Bridgewater or they are finished IMO. Need a decent committee as that's where it all starts from.

Agree it's not good in Bridgy clubroom after game. Last 2 seasons we have vastly outnumbered Bridgy players.

[BALLHOG]

The sad thing is at bridgy all the young kids for some reason like to go home first then come back a bit later. Usually about 6.30 the numbers pick up, but it is sad that the lads don't go up and have a beer with the opposition afterwards. But it would be hard to face up to guys that have smashed you all over the park.

[can't beat the facts]

The kids go home probably to have a hot shower, rather than try and share the sparse dribbling supply of cold water in the showers at the clubrooms.
Anyhow when they do rock up they are met with prices no cheaper than the pub.
Surely a sports club bar must offer cheaper prices than the local pub?

[devilsadvocate]

BP, he wasnt referring to the player last week. he was referring to a player that hasnt made the A grade side this week and therefore cant play in the B's either... but he would be able to play B's if we were both playing on the same day.

Thats a joke. Where is the logic in that?

The only reason I can think off is that you are trying to keep both teams alive; ie "stack" the B grade beacause if the A grade lose, they have the double chance. Of course, for this scenario, you would have to assume that an automatic berth to the A Grade grand final is not worth as much as a B grade prelim! Ludicrous!!Don't think it is Owen this time, pretty sure he has distanced himself from these situations. Some other guy (Sickerdick) making these calls.
Have spoken to the SANFL about it, the Hills league is the only one that interprets the rules this way, in every other league(and every other year in the Hills) as long as both teams are playing on the same weekend, any player can play anywhere.

That's the only reason I can think of too. Who would seriously do that though? If that's what the rule is there for, then it really is a joke.

The only solution I can see is to have both sides of the draw on the first 2 weeks of the finals played on the same day at different venues. It's totally imprcatical and will never happen, but if it did, the player in question could play this week.

Under SANFL rules he would be allwed to play. Why do the HFL think they are above everyone else making stupid judgements like this.