SAAFL Cup - A la FA Cup - Possible or not?

[hillscrow]

Often there's talk on the forum about whether particular clubs from lower divisions could be competitive against higher 'ranked' clubs...would clubs be prepared to compete in a secondary 'knock out' cup competition? Obviously a great deal of thought would need to go into the concept but minor rounds could take place prior to the season, maybe instead of trials and then throw in the other games throughout first half of the year with mid-weekers at Thebby. A modest rego fee of say $1,000 per club plus a sponsor could create a reasonable prize pool. Maybe not all clubs would be interested so start with 64 teams or 128 if everyone took it up, with some double ups...Just a thought...what do the 'masters of the forum' think?

[Jetters]

Dear Hillscrow, have you thought this through for longer than 3 seconds?

Yours sincerely, master of the forum, Jetters.

[Q.]

$1000 rego... Modest?

[hillscrow]

Many said the same about the FFA Cup...yes, it's a different level I.e. A-League etc but why not? In the SAAFL we have the promotion / relegation system which is great as you always have something to play for, even when not challenging for a finals berth but there are many clubs who just won't get the opportunity to mix it with the best...why not avail a 'feel good story', reward a battler...and to answer your question, yep, I did give it a little thought, unlike some of the dribble you read on here!!

[Footy Chick]

It's not a completely silly idea by any means - but logistically could be difficult.

Then you'd have the higher divs either not competing or not filling full sides for the fear of injury.

Would be interesting with enough interest though.

[hillscrow]

As we see, every comp around the world has those issues...some clubs take it more seriously than others and that's why you see the 'minnows' get up...make it attractive enough and you just never know...maybe an idea for Ch 9 to get involved with, never know maybe telecast the last few games...just thinking outside the square otherwise it's always going to be the same old 18 round seasons.

[LaughingKookaburra]

I couldn't see any positives from it. Sides getting beaten consistently by 20 plus goals does no good for any clubs morale and why would any club lower than say div 2 pay an entry fee of 1k knowing its just going to be pissed up the wall with a 30 goal loss @ some stage....

[hillscrow]

Agreed re: entry fee...maybe something more negligible and to host a game you pay a small supp fee but the principle of the concept? The results would be a luck of the draw thing but you could 'handicap' it to a degree by not having the top couple of divs play in the first couple of rounds. Having been involved in different divs I reckon there could be some interesting results on particular days...at the end of the day a game of footy is 50/50 to start with and we do see plenty of upsets.

[Failed Creation]

I like where you're coming from, @hillscrow, but I wouldn't mind seeing a 'Champions League' of sorts, where the premiers from select leagues play off in a knockout format.

For example, you could have the Div 1 & 2 premiers from the Channel 9 Adelaide Football League and the premiers of the SFL, GSFL, BL&GFA, APFL, Yorke Peninsula, RMFL etc.

I think 8 teams would be ideal, and play during the pre-season as a warm up to each league's season proper.

[BigB]

Now now Jetters, even being a fellow club man I must disagree with your quick rejection of the notion, it's one I've mulled over a few times myself and I think it's worth thinking about even tho the logistics of a 'whole of league' knockout are probably too difficult. Could work as a "pre-season" format with Div 1&2 / 3&4 / 5&6 / 7&8 grouped. No entry fee, play for the fun (something we can accomodate at amateur level better than most) and honour on an opt in basis with Thebby hosting the finals, and teams making the finals splitting the profits of the day maybe?
Agree would need lots of "workshopping" to get it right. I do like the other concept mentioned here, ie a champons league comp - Div 1&2 premiers plus premiers from other CFL affiliated clubs in a knockout comp.
The reality is it will probably never get off the ground but not a bad intellectual exercise to think how it might work.

[Footy Chick]

Also, done right , it might negate the need for trial games.

Although, playing teams from other grades appeals to most, even if it doesn't really give any indication as to where a team is at.

[Failed Creation]

Also, done right , it might negate the need for trial games.

Although, playing teams from other grades appeals to most, even if it doesn't really give any indication as to where a team is at.

Exactly. Why would any club want to play a team in its' own division before the season starts? Sure, the sides both may not be full strength, but you'd give the opposition a reasonable look at a lot of your cattle.

I always enjoy pre-season games more when they feature two teams from different divisions/leagues. It could also be a good way to build a rapport between the two as well.

[Robb_Stark]

i do like the idea so what if a div 1 side wants to field a C grade side to play it they get knocked out early i think its more better then playing trial games with no incentive

[Lightning McQueen]

Clubs could enter 2 sides, we could perhaps have a Div 1 Reserves team up against say...........a Div 5 team.

[Footy Chick]

Hillscrow did that joke in the opening post luv.(in a round about sort of way)

Your losing your touch

[Cohiba]

Clubs could enter 2 sides, we could perhaps have a Div 1 Reserves team up against say...........a Div 5 team.

So the suggestion is for the draw to be fixed to suit........rather than a marbles out of a bag draw for a true knockout comp?

Q - Would there be enough Ovals available being on the tail end of the Cricket season.

And as a knockout comp over how many weeks would it be conducted?

[HH3]

Why not have an AFL 9's Cup with club teams?

I'd play in that.

[Pag]

I like the idea in theory, but logistically trying to find time to program the 6 rounds you'd need to have a 64-team knockout comp would be hard work.

[HH3]

Could play AFL 9's on a Wednesday night. Wouldn't even be sore the next day.

We have our solution! You're all welcome!

[Pag]

I wouldn't put my hand up to play AFL 9s, I found avoiding the physical contact too difficult having played proper rules for 15+ years.