Country Games

[Sojourner]

Interested to see that the WAFL have matches in the rural areas of WA, on the weekend East Fremanltle belted Swan Districts in Karratha, only 1540ks out of Perth.

Clearly they are working pretty hard to grow the WAFL as a competition by taking it to the people. Why its so hard for the SANFL to do the same is a mystery, each SANFL club should be required to play a home game in their country zone over two seasons to ensure some matches are played in the country and at the same time the clubs should have a responsibility to invest back into their zone with visiting schools and supporting the local sides in the area. If a competition that used to get less numbers than the SANFL to games can do it, I do think the SANFL need to pull their finger out and do more to profile the competition this way in SA.

Sharks big guns put the heat on Swans
ALEX MASSEY, The West Australian
July 30, 2011, 6:17 pm
East Fremantle recorded the highest WAFL score this season and consolidated their spot within the top four in stifling Karratha heat this afternoon, smashing Swan Districts by 102 points.

Led by a brigade of fringe West Coast players, the Sharks piled on 14 goals to six in the second half at Kevin Richards Memorial Oval to secure a crucial four points.

Chris Masten, 34 disposals and four goals, was best on ground among a number of Eagles to fire in the 28C heat, with Koby Stevens (29 touches, one goal), Brad Dalziell (27, three goals) and Brad Sheppard (23, two goals) staking strong claims for AFL selection.

West Coast rookie Jacob Brennan held Swans' sharpshooter Tim Geappen to just two majors and had 16 classy touches in the defensive half.

For the reigning premiers, former Crow Jarrhan Jacky and 17-year-old Dayle Garlett were among the few to play four quarters while captain Josh Roberts (27 touches) was gallant in his first game back from injury.

The Sharks essentially had the game won midway through the second term after making the most of a strong breeze in the opening quarter. Masten was instrumental when the game was on the line with nine disposals and two goals by quarter time.

East Fremantle defender Luke Weller held Ashley Hansen to just seven touches in what was a dark day for the former Eagle and his adopted club.

The Swans now face the grim reality of winning the wooden spoon less than 12 months after lifting the premiership cup.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/ ... -on-swans/

[HOORAY PUNT]

The clubs do invest in their zones with visits etc.

On the other point of country games , they have been tried many times by the SANFL but they lose the SANFL clubs money.

Your club has played at Encounter Bay a few times , unfortunately it was not really a promotion for South.

West and Stuurt have also done it in the last 2 years.

[tigerland09]

Souths U18s also played at Strath a few weeks ago.

[Jim05]

I actually enjoyed going down to Encounter Bay when Norwood played South. Seemed to get a decent crowd

[FlyingHigh]

Mentioned this before, but i'd like to see each team play a game in the country each year, one year in it's zone, next away, with the exception of South who should try to build their Easter Encounter Bay game each year.

[goraw]

Mentioned this before, but i'd like to see each team play a game in the country each year, one year in it's zone, next away, with the exception of South who should try to build their Easter Encounter Bay game each year.

or even have a *super weekend* where we have 2 double headers, on saturday and sunday . at 1 venue . i would definately go to that.

[Sojourner]

Mentioned this before, but i'd like to see each team play a game in the country each year, one year in it's zone, next away, with the exception of South who should try to build their Easter Encounter Bay game each year.

Agree with your suggestion, yet its worth pointing out that the area of Moonta and the copper traingle allocated to your own club is packed out with people over the Easter Break, an SANFL match at Moonta oval or another local oval would do pretty well over an Easter break. I am not sure of the last occassion that WWT hosted a match in their zone but think its well overdue, especially if the club is serious about generating new members and interest in the side along with encouraging kids from thier country zone to try out for the club if their parents have the opportunity to connect with it.

[FlyingHigh]

You're right Soj, the Eagles could certainly boost their profile in the Copper Coast (where I actually live) by playing a game at Moonta or Kadina. Don't think we have played any since the mid-late 90's when we played at Clare and Whyalla when it was in our zone.
I see it as an opportunity for South to create a tradition of sorts like the Bays have on June long weekend.
Anything to promote the SANFL

[FlyingHigh]

Mentioned this before, but i'd like to see each team play a game in the country each year, one year in it's zone, next away, with the exception of South who should try to build their Easter Encounter Bay game each year.

or even have a *super weekend* where we have 2 double headers, on saturday and sunday . at 1 venue . i would definately go to that.

That's a great idea goraw. Might need to play it at a larger town than some of the games have been played at, or perhaps Renmark one day and Berri the next. Saturday could be 3:00 and 6:00 if lights are good enough.

[westcoastpanther]

A Port game in Port Lincoln would easily get over 4000 people. Great days previously when they have been held. Against the Panthers would be nice....

[Bluedemon]

maybe they should have a country round where all games are played in the country zones.

[redandblack]

West have played games in most of the towns in the Riverland and at Karoonda.

[wycbloods]

West have played games in most of the towns in the Riverland and at Karoonda.

Played one in Lameroo a fair while back as well. It would have been about 1999/2000 IIRC.

[Agile]

Could be a way of developing stronger tie's with the country zones. Don't know how it would work but if there is a chance to schedule a country round mid season with all clubs playing on a bye weekend with SANFL fixture instead of this stupid split round. How could it be?

[Agile]

Roosters played Dogs up the Barrosa. That was a hell of a bus trip with the spread 50:50. Great laugh.

[redandblack]

There have been several trial games in the country as well.

I can remember playing North at Laura (?) in the mid-90's.

[Dogsbody]

Berri Oval a few years ago for Dogs vs. Bloods was a good road trip.

Port played the Dogs at Whyalla over a decade ago... ended controversially IIRC.

[Big Phil]

Berri Oval a few years ago for Dogs vs. Bloods was a good road trip.

Port played the Dogs at Whyalla over a decade ago... ended controversially IIRC.

Yeah, I think John Platten was playing and I think with a windy night, the ball went through the goals and then blew back onto the back of the post, something like that.

Port won by less than a kick IIRC - Spelly, do you have the details from this game?

[The Patriach]

I agree, this season alone the WAFL have played games in
- Esperence
- Karratha
- Geraldton
- Kalgoorlie

Would be good for example to see the SANFL clubs play one a season:
- Central - Nuriootpa (BL&GFA)
- Norwood - Somewhere in the Hills big enough (Hills)
- WWT - Kadina/Wallaroo @ Easter (YPFL)
- Glenelg - Mt Gambier (WBFL)
- Sturt - Murray Bridge/Mt Barker (RMFL/HFL)
- West - Berri/Renmark (RFL)
- North - Port Pirie/Port Augusta (SGL)
- Port - Port Lincoln (PLFL)
- South - Encounter Bay/Kangaroo Island??! (GSFL/KIFL)

Its definitely got my vote!!!

[Pseudo]

There have been several trial games in the country as well.

I reakon (sic) in the first half of the nineties when the Foundation Cup was still a going affair in the pre-season, some FC cup games were played out in the sticks. I have a vague memory of Sturt belting Norwood somewhere in their zone, circa 1993.