2024 Country Footy Championships

[DoublebluTiger]

They're on at Victor Harbor, based at Victor and Encounter Bay footy club ovals, starting tonight with a womens and mens game at Victor under lights.

SANFL match, South v North at Victor oval Saturday afternoon.

Some websites to help:

Schedule, Venues etc - https://www.playhq.com/afl/org/south-australian-country-football-championships/2024/2fa4d5f8

Tickets - https://premier.sportsubs.com.au/sanfl/sanfl/products/event/think-road-safety-sa-country-football-championships-1217

Streaming (subscription required ) - https://www.sanflnow.com.au/2024-country-championships Pity they couldn't let some local streaming operators e.g. MFLTV do some games for free.

Interesting to see how the grounds hold up with the rain earlier in the week and forecast of showers across the weekend. Victor's deck is generally pretty good at draining the water though.

[Jimmy_041]

Does anyone know where we can see the teams (or do the SANFL charge for that as well?)

[wenchbarwer]

https://www.playhq.com/afl/org/south-australian-country-football-championships/south-australian-country-football-championships-2024/senior-men/baebc977/R1

All teams are up except for Southern

[DoublebluTiger]

Would SANFL recruiters take interest in this weekend to find a rough diamond? Any history of a player going to a higher level from a weekend like this?

[wenchbarwer]

Would SANFL recruiters take interest in this weekend to find a rough diamond? Any history of a player going to a higher level from a weekend like this?

I've found it's more a recruiting ground for country leagues more than anything.

[Dutchy]

If you are keen on watching sign up for the SANFL now free trial

[daysofourlives]

Absolutely pointless weekend, all about snouts in the trough for the SANFL hierarchy.
Charging to watch it online is disgraceful when so many of the country leagues have free streaming of their regular season.

[wenchbarwer]

Would love to see a comparison between each zone's selected side, and the consensus strongest side.

There was chalk and cheese between Southern's 2021 side that won it, and the 2022 side that finished last. There were a lot of players that didn't back up in 2022 for whatever reason.

[UpThere]

Would love to see a comparison between each zone's selected side, and the consensus strongest side.

There was chalk and cheese between Southern's 2021 side that won it, and the 2022 side that finished last. There were a lot of players that didn't back up in 2022 for whatever reason.

I was thinking this also. Especially when you have the likes of Bryce Gibbs (victor harbor) and sam and Tom Jonas playing in kangaroo island league to choose from. Not to mention missing other top players from the leagues. Boys put up a great fight for what they had to work with but does make you wonder what was going on there

By the way. Had no problems streaming for free. https://bit.ly/3zDHPL7

[LaughingKookaburra]

Would love to see a comparison between each zone's selected side, and the consensus strongest side.

There was chalk and cheese between Southern's 2021 side that won it, and the 2022 side that finished last. There were a lot of players that didn't back up in 2022 for whatever reason.

I was thinking this also. Especially when you have the likes of Bryce Gibbs (victor harbor) and sam and Tom Jonas playing in kangaroo island league to choose from. Not to mention missing other top players from the leagues. Boys put up a great fight for what they had to work with but does make you wonder what was going on there

By the way. Had no problems streaming for free. https://bit.ly/3zDHPL7

Let’s be honest, if you’re getting paid $500-$1000+ a week then why would you risk your short term footy and work income? Rep footy had its time, sadly it’s passed.

[tigerpie]

Rep footy isn't dead at all.
Sure some of the very best wouldn't play to protect their incomes but you still see some great games and actually playing in them is, apart from a flag, the pinnacle I reckon.
It's mainly u23 so any bloke looking to get a gig at a sanfl club and move to the big smoke can attract attention.

[Failed Creation]

Rep footy isn't dead at all.
Sure some of the very best wouldn't play to protect their incomes but you still see some great games and actually playing in them is, apart from a flag, the pinnacle I reckon.
It's mainly u23 so any bloke looking to get a gig at a sanfl club and move to the big smoke can attract attention.

I wholeheartedly agree.

At least from the Central zone women's perspective, there were girls left, right and centre wanting to be invited to trial. And some were distraught not to be chosen.

That says to me that this isn't a Mickey Mouse junket.

My wife and I went down for the weekend, and we'll do it again in a heartbeat next year. It was great to see the talent across the state's regions, and the nerd in me loves visiting country grounds and looking around the clubrooms. My wife doesn't enjoy me dragging her to that part of it though...

[Down the Hill]

Not sure you can compare Men's and Women's. Things are all fairly new in the Women's space and their passion for Rep footy is based on only a few years of it being a thing. I think the Country Champs has grown in status and profile in recent years and has a place - particularly with the Women now being involved.

But I would be getting rid of June Long Weekend Intra-League games that several leagues still engage in. Online results and modern comms should mean you don't need intra-league games to assist with picking Zone Teams. Tell the country players that you are free to make plans for the June LW, or simply enjoy the week off to give the body a rest, but that we expect you to be available if selected in the Zone Team for the Country Champs in July.