HFL Division 1 (Central)

[ball breaker]

Can anyone tell me why after all these years is Dennis Raymond moving to Langhorne Creek?

Is he a ruckman by any chance?? They are short in that department and would have offered plenty of $$$ If he is having lost simon feast.

he's married to a Langhorne's girl ... her brothers and close friends are playing b's together! that's my understanding of it all .. nothing sinister other than a close group of mates playing a last year of footy together.

[SK3]

i know for a fact that he won't be playing again. had many operations over the years and just had 2 fingers reconstructed a month ago. he's taking up shooting!!

[outsmarts]

Judging by the recruits gained by both onkas and Mt Barker both are throwing everything at this years title. Both sides have gained much more then they have lost and had big preseasons, obviously most of the talk is on these two sides but judging by form and personel they both deserve early title favouratism. I would assume these two will gain the double chance while 3rd is up for grabs. Uraidla going under the radar having lost key players but look for a big improvement in the younger locals who were put through a gym program by the club to gain size. Lobethal will be a smoky also as they pushed many teams last year and will imrpove once more. Ironbank have recruited again and will make their ground a fortress and should sneak in the 5 one would think. Just my early thoughts

[louisville slugger]

i know for a fact that he won't be playing again. had many operations over the years and just had 2 fingers reconstructed a month ago. he's taking up shooting!!

fairly sure he wouldnt sign a clearance unless he was playing......

[spot on]

i know for a fact that he won't be playing again. had many operations over the years and just had 2 fingers reconstructed a month ago. he's taking up shooting!!

fairly sure he wouldnt sign a clearance unless he was playing......

I hope one of them is not his trigger finger !

[Justquietly]

Well how did everyones trials go? Some good wins from the Roos I'm told so holds us in good stead come Rd 1. What are people's thoughts about Rd 1 after Easter break? I think a game before Easter would be good?

I reckon a breeak after round 1 is unecessary, just do as they're doing this year. Just my opinion.
Re the Onkas & Mt Barker talk - do they have the points to be playing more recruits or are we gonna see some star-stdded B grade teams rolling out?

[jumbo20]

What do people think re B grade this year.Blackwood,Uraidla,Onka Mt Barker and then the rest to make up the numbers?

[jumbo20]

Will Mount Lofty have enough for a C Grade?

[spot on]

What do people think re B grade this year.Blackwood,Uraidla,Onka Mt Barker and then the rest to make up the numbers?

Are you forgetting Ironbank played off in the GF last year, and I believe they have a better squad this year so will be more than making up the numbers.

[2jox]

What do people think re B grade this year.Blackwood,Uraidla,Onka Mt Barker and then the rest to make up the numbers?

I would think that the B-Grade competition would be fairy even this year; Mt Barker, Ironbank, Blackwood & Uraidla are always strong. Lobethal & Onkas have apparantly recruited players which will obviously result in their B's being stronger. Torrens Valley, Mt Lofty & Hahndorf to make up the numbers....

Still find it interesting though that you have included Onkas as a cert to make finals given their recent history in the comp. In all likelihood only 1 spot (5th) will be up for grabs.

[afc9798]

Predictions for the up coming year

1) Onkas- Picked up edwards and prowse and I'm sure one more on the way. No major outs. This fast running fit side will be ready to go come round 1. Only question mark will be if they can compete in the big tight games. I predict they will be too fast too skilful.

2) Mt Barker- Breath of fresh air at the club, new coach is by all reports tactically smarter then alby. They will be fit and young and should have a great year with 3 or 4 new players following the coach to the club.

3) Uraidla- 1 year older will slow them down slightly. No ebert is a big loss. They have picked up the oakly boys but lost a few others to retirements along with ebert. Should still be hard to beat.

4) Blackwood- Herbert sticking around and maybe big simon too. They are throwing money everywhere they can at young reserves sturt players. May have lost myles but have gained as good.

5) Lobey- Young squad, imported 2 centrals players. Their oval suits their play and should win many of their home games for 5th spot.

6) Mt lofty- Haven't heard much from them except their losses. Are a well run club and should gain many back from injuries.

7) Ironbank- 3 Big inclusions but i can't divoulge them yet. Stay tuned.

TV- Who cares

9) Bridgy- why bother

Yeah great post well thought out but just a few to add. I agree Onkas will be very hard to beat. The loss of Kirwan back to Norwood will be hard to deal will but names like Edwards, Contin, Nicholls, Guitink on on board - well the are just massive picks ups. Ive seen all four play and to add that to Shee, Shaun Smith, Tanner, Tanner, Smart and Klun they will be a hard task.
Uraidla are a year older and losing Richards and Ebert will be hard. They have picked up Oakley and his far lesser brother but still you are right they are another year older and another year slower and their "no locals" policy will not help them move forward.
Lobey have a few pick ups but at this stage will struggle to fill two sides from what i here.
Ironbank also have a few picks ups but guys like Damian Sugg will not win you to many games im afriad. They will need guys like Scott Wendelborn, Gareth Williams and Brad Yeomans to step up to the plate.
And most of all with everyone seemingly walking away from Hahndorf, perhaps they do not rate a mention???

With all this said "beware of the Roos" in 2012, We've got a few tricks still up our sleeves.

Was wondering what you would base this on? Sugg has been a great player at Happy Valley, was their Captain and from what I saw of him was very much a match winner. I know he's had a few hammy injuries in the past few seasons, but if you put a fit Sugg and Darren Marks in the midfield, that can only make them stronger. Would have been plenty of clubs happy to have Sugg on their side and I kn ow Valley were very disappointed to lose him.

[Gervais]

What do people think re B grade this year.Blackwood,Uraidla,Onka Mt Barker and then the rest to make up the numbers?

I would think that the B-Grade competition would be fairy even this year; Mt Barker, Ironbank, Blackwood & Uraidla are always strong. Lobethal & Onkas have apparantly recruited players which will obviously result in their B's being stronger. Torrens Valley, Mt Lofty & Hahndorf to make up the numbers....

Still find it interesting though that you have included Onkas as a cert to make finals given their recent history in the comp. In all likelihood only 1 spot (5th) will be up for grabs.

not sure why, but the uraidla b-grade team dropped away last year. im not convinced they will be the pacesetters of previous years.

on another issue, i hear that josh contin is struggling with injuries and is unlikely to play many games for onkas at all this year - anyone confirm?

[overthehill]

Was wondering what you would base this on? Sugg has been a great player at Happy Valley, was their Captain and from what I saw of him was very much a match winner. I know he's had a few hammy injuries in the past few seasons, but if you put a fit Sugg and Darren Marks in the midfield, that can only make them stronger. Would have been plenty of clubs happy to have Sugg on their side and I kn ow Valley were very disappointed to lose him.

I think Marks is over rated, last year Ironbank gave him 1st and 2nd when we played them and he didn't do a great deal. Perhaps the coach gave him a job though. Sugg will be good but i just dont think hes a game changer the way Ironbank play. Mark Bradley was a game changer for them but only because he'd take the game into his own hands. Ironbank dont really play to a set structure so its a hard call

[Lake]

I think Uraidla will be fairly strong in the Bs this year. They will definately have a stronger side than last year with a few good young lads coming through and a few guys returning from overseas, so that will place them in the top couple. I think Barker, Uri and the Woods to make up the top 3.

[2jox]

I think Uraidla will be fairly strong in the Bs this year. They will definately have a stronger side than last year with a few good young lads coming through and a few guys returning from overseas, so that will place them in the top couple. I think Barker, Uri and the Woods to make up the top 3.

Out of interest, who is returning from O/S to play for Uraidla? Seems to contrast what everyone has said re: a few outs for the A-Grade which generally means players going up from B-Grade. Typically it has been the older guys which have flown the flag for them has it not?

Blackwood are a hard one to call as reportedly have lost many from their A's however consistently have 3000 coming through their colts each year. Safe to say they'll be there come finals time.

Logically, I dont understand how Ironbank have suddenly gone from grand finalists last year to 4th or 5th given there seem to be quite a few ins for their A's and subsequent flow on to B's.

Barker always strong and, by reports of their ins, this year should be no exception.

[dutchoven]

I think Uraidla will be fairly strong in the Bs this year. They will definately have a stronger side than last year with a few good young lads coming through and a few guys returning from overseas, so that will place them in the top couple. I think Barker, Uri and the Woods to make up the top 3.

Theoretically Uraidla B grade should be amazing considering its their "local A Grade"

[Justquietly]

Some great insight, lads. Good to see some mentions from clubs we don't hear much about on here usually.
NEVER discount Uris.
All the positive talk seems to be about the Roos & Onkas so they seem to be the expected pacesetters.
I know from Lofty's point of view that expectations aren't high but to be competitive with a young team is extremely important because this is a year where the young guys have to set it up for the next few years. Big bodies will be the issue as will the lack of depth. I reckon the drier, bigger decks actually won't hurt them too much as they can use the youth but the wetter tougher days will be a test.
TV - not much on them, just saw some outs on the other thread...
Lobey - some ins sure, but don't reckon they'll have the depth.
IB - with the postage stamp being a fortress, surely they'd have to be there come September again?
Magpies - might make the 5 I think.
Bridgey - who knows away from home?!

[Bat Pad]

Some great insight, lads. Good to see some mentions from clubs we don't hear much about on here usually.
NEVER discount Uris.
All the positive talk seems to be about the Roos & Onkas so they seem to be the expected pacesetters.
I know from Lofty's point of view that expectations aren't high but to be competitive with a young team is extremely important because this is a year where the young guys have to set it up for the next few years. Big bodies will be the issue as will the lack of depth. I reckon the drier, bigger decks actually won't hurt them too much as they can use the youth but the wetter tougher days will be a test.
TV - not much on them, just saw some outs on the other thread...
Lobey - some ins sure, but don't reckon they'll have the depth.
IB - with the postage stamp being a fortress, surely they'd have to be there come September again?
Magpies - might make the 5 I think.
Bridgey - who knows away from home?!

Are you refering to the B's or A's? When was the last time Ironbank made the A Grade finals?

[Banker]

Some great insight, lads. Good to see some mentions from clubs we don't hear much about on here usually.
NEVER discount Uris.
All the positive talk seems to be about the Roos & Onkas so they seem to be the expected pacesetters.
I know from Lofty's point of view that expectations aren't high but to be competitive with a young team is extremely important because this is a year where the young guys have to set it up for the next few years. Big bodies will be the issue as will the lack of depth. I reckon the drier, bigger decks actually won't hurt them too much as they can use the youth but the wetter tougher days will be a test.
TV - not much on them, just saw some outs on the other thread...
Lobey - some ins sure, but don't reckon they'll have the depth.
IB - with the postage stamp being a fortress, surely they'd have to be there come September again?
Magpies - might make the 5 I think.
Bridgey - who knows away from home?!

Are you refering to the B's or A's? When was the last time Ironbank made the A Grade finals?

Yeah been a while... from memory, 5th in 2007

[cricketlad]

I think Uraidla will be fairly strong in the Bs this year. They will definately have a stronger side than last year with a few good young lads coming through and a few guys returning from overseas, so that will place them in the top couple. I think Barker, Uri and the Woods to make up the top 3.

Theoretically Uraidla B grade should be amazing considering its their "local A Grade"

If your from Torrens Valley saying that, its a bit rich. They 13 locals play in the gf including an under 17. So id check the facts. Cause checking most a grade sides you wouldnt find much better then that. The players are, Tudor, Haliday, Kluvanek and kepa with both Brown and leibelt back from injury should increase the local talent in the side.