backdoor wrote:Turn it up.... Everyone knows its the HFL who helped Echunga out in winning the flag, not so much the coach. All Bas did was use the extra points to recruit some quality players, not look to develop kids or bring in fringe players from Central Division clubs to add depth to their squad. A very short sited approach. For a club to be handed an additional 5 points after being in the top two over the past few years is nothing short of a disgrace. How the hell are the other clubs meant to close the gap when they get this level of support. I really feel for the clubs like Nairne, Meadows, Gumeracha and Maccy.
Apart from their A's the rest of the club is struggling for numbers. They would be foolish to go up as it just isn't sustainable.
Maybe the HFL need to use the same approach as the River Murray when it comes to the points system and reduce a teams points if the are dominating the competition, as surely it is better for everyone if the competition is more competitive as a whole.
Let's be honest, one of the biggest downfalls to the points system is how a team can handle a mass exodus from players.
Looking at clubs in other leagues I have seen teams go from playing grand finals to not making the 8 after an exodus.
I think Echunga were right to request a couple of extra points when you look at the amount of A graders that left the club last season.
Dave Liston- Darwin
Clint Guy- Cairns
Brock Rothe- Langhorne Creek
Tom Rowe- Langhorne Creek
Cameron Dunn- Torrens Valley
Brock Montgomery- Torrens Valley
Jack Bevelander- Bridgewater
Dan Threadgold- SAAFL
Jack Snell- WA
James Brackin- NSW
Brett Harland- Country Footy
Daniel Sheehan- Retired
Brad White- Retired
Luke Tester- Retired
Jason Baylis- Retired
That's 15 A graders, tell me what team wouldn't be demoralised from losing 15 A graders from your club?
I think Bass has done a great job, not only promoting B graders and juniors but also picking up a couple of players who fit in well.
Let me also add that just about every player that went to Echunga came because of the relationship they had with Bassani, not dollars.
Have a look at the team that won and you will see it was very different to the team that played in the GF the year before, so it is a credit to the coach for pulling those guys together to go through undefeated.
12 players from the 2013 GF played in the previous GF.
As much as you may hate them, you have to respect what they have done.