Jugs wrote:Been well documented on here and other publications that the jump between Div 6 and 7 has been historically a big one, but perhaps the trend has changed with the 3 sides that moved up from last year all currently entrenched in the 5. Maybe the standard has dropped somewhat with a Lockleys reject kicking bags of goals for Ingle Farm, Houghton are held up by one player (no offence Quichey) and Kenilworth have a bloke who is nearly 40 dominating off a half back flank in a wheel chair. The only reason I ask, is I for one was sceptical of a possible jump in grades for a traditional C grade side. I’m not so worried now about SHOC’s imminent move to Div 6 in 2012, and I’d expect them at a bare minimum of making the major round.
I think the gap is still there, however as Quichey pointed out, Glenunga and Central United recruited well over summer. When Henley went from D7 to D6 i expected them to make the 5 but it didnt happen. It is a big ask for any C grade side to be consistently competitive against A grade sides in D6. Adelaide Uni have surprised me a bit this year as to how well they are coping, and i guess their depth is a contributor to their success at this level.
Henley's C grade isn't necessarily weak atm, they have lost a few close games. It is a big call for you to be saying that SHOC's would win
easily.