by Droversdog » Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:19 pm
The discussions here of late are well worth reading. Yes I think the common denominator is that we all agree money is killing country football. A prime example was United Eagles now defunct. I am aware people got sick of their problems years ago and tuned out but their demise really does illustrate the point. How was it that a town of around 200 people managed to recruit players for 5 teams within 5 years of formation? Their juniors were U14s, U17s and U10s if I recall. The A grade finished 4th in their 4th year of inception which was pretty well unheard of and the U17s made the Grand Final. Under 14s won a Premiership under Larry Watson and I was the parent of one very proud kid. The answer is that there was never any money involved. The clubs first and second Presidents (one male, one female) resisted paying any player one cent. The committee were unanamious, supporters and players knew it and came from everywhere.
Then greedy people with stupid ideas took over and evicted what they thought was conservative management. Most had never been involved at a footy club before and wanted Premierships and firedrums and brought their own drinks in the boot. They sat on the committee and never did anything of value themselves. And so the 60 goal hidings began.
I personally didn't want my kids around this mess and we took our footys and went elsewhere when we found a player was being paid $600 a game to stand in the goalsquare and never attend training because he was a big name.
Sorry for the rant. Enough said.