HFL Division 1 (Central)

[youngpace]

On the junior front. Is it correct that two Central Div clubs have two 13's side. Which were put into a re arranged Country Div fixture, despite country having a full draw of their own 13's? I think in this situation the Central teams should fit into the Central comp, as they are not aiding (as in the past) but hindering Country with these extra teams.

Probably using the logic that it better to mess with the Div 2 comp rather than risk affecting the Div 1 structure.

That approach definitely seems to have been taken, however I don't find it logical at all.
As seen over the last 1-5 years that the structure of Central can and is being greatly effected by whats happening in the Country Div (the current downfalls of Counrty are why Echunga wanted up). Regardless if we are Central/Country or div 1 and 2 it is still the Hills Fooball League.
Perhaps slight risks are in order for the Central Div to improve the league as a whole.

People say your team is only as good as your worst 5 players. This theory could also be applied when talking about a league. People often through about that the HFL is one of if not the strongest country comp in SA, not by that reasoning.

[chopper7]

Just curious to know whether or not any clubs have kicked up a storm about the Div 1 draw?
Personally I think it is a joke that they have set the 2nd semi final and the GF 21 days apart!!!! (2nd semi being the 5 of ape and the GF being the 26th) I understand we need to find a break in the year to stagger the div 1 and div 2 GFs but surely this is a little extreme. Essentially a team can finish top, have a week off then play then have 21 days off until they need to front up for a GF. How as coaches are you meant to manage that? Just want to hear everyone else's opinions on this matter

[R. White]

This is Ducks 3rd year with Echunga I believe, so he wouldn't be taking up too many points anyway?

Good point, definitely is his 3rd. Should think before I type.[/quote]

I think this would be Luke Carey's 4th year at Echunga. 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015. Does this mean he is a 0 pointer?

Just curious to know whether or not any clubs have kicked up a storm about the Div 1 draw?
Personally I think it is a joke that they have set the 2nd semi final and the GF 21 days apart!!!! (2nd semi being the 5 of ape and the GF being the 26th) I understand we need to find a break in the year to stagger the div 1 and div 2 GFs but surely this is a little extreme. Essentially a team can finish top, have a week off then play then have 21 days off until they need to front up for a GF. How as coaches are you meant to manage that? Just want to hear everyone else's opinions on this matter

Had a quick look at the draw but i didnt pick this up. If this actually happens it is ridiculous. There are so many other ways to spread out the season to ensure it both grand finals do not fall on the same day. My preference would be to have a split final round. Say 2 games one weekend and 3 the next. A lot of these final round games are seen as finals for a lot of teams trying to make the five so they may turn out to be crowd pullers. This way helps the league, and the clubs playing to generate more cash and also helps teams preparing for finals with an extra week off prior to finals to get their list sorted (ie injuries)

[cracka]

Just curious to know whether or not any clubs have kicked up a storm about the Div 1 draw?
Personally I think it is a joke that they have set the 2nd semi final and the GF 21 days apart!!!! (2nd semi being the 5 of ape and the GF being the 26th) I understand we need to find a break in the year to stagger the div 1 and div 2 GFs but surely this is a little extreme. Essentially a team can finish top, have a week off then play then have 21 days off until they need to front up for a GF. How as coaches are you meant to manage that? Just want to hear everyone else's opinions on this matter

Had a quick look at the draw but i didnt pick this up. If this actually happens it is ridiculous. There are so many other ways to spread out the season to ensure it both grand finals do not fall on the same day. My preference would be to have a split final round. Say 2 games one weekend and 3 the next. A lot of these final round games are seen as finals for a lot of teams trying to make the five so they may turn out to be crowd pullers. This way helps the league, and the clubs playing to generate more cash and also helps teams preparing for finals with an extra week off prior to finals to get their list sorted (ie injuries)

Still don't know why div 2 can't play on the country champs weekend. HFL say it's a CFL rule but div 7 ammos are playing both that weekend & the long weekend in June & they also come under the CFL guidelines. I reckon your idea of a split round 16 or 17 in div 1 would be less disruptive than splitting the finals.

[cracka]

On the junior front. Is it correct that two Central Div clubs have two 13's side. Which were put into a re arranged Country Div fixture, despite country having a full draw of their own 13's? I think in this situation the Central teams should fit into the Central comp, as they are not aiding (as in the past) but hindering Country with these extra teams.

Country U13's was not a full draw. Only 6 clubs have them on their own so the 4 central clubs have filled the holes with Mt Barker helping Maccy & Hahndorf, Lofty & Blackwood as 2nd sides.
Junior footy in the hills & probably across South Australia is in trouble, not from the bigger clubs having too many but other sports. Registrations are down from the 4 bigger clubs by over 100 kids in the Modis grades alone.

[wazzal77]

On the junior front. Is it correct that two Central Div clubs have two 13's side. Which were put into a re arranged Country Div fixture, despite country having a full draw of their own 13's? I think in this situation the Central teams should fit into the Central comp, as they are not aiding (as in the past) but hindering Country with these extra teams.

Country U13's was not a full draw. Only 6 clubs have them on their own so the 4 central clubs have filled the holes with Mt Barker helping Maccy & Hahndorf, Lofty & Blackwood as 2nd sides.
Junior footy in the hills & probably across South Australia is in trouble, not from the bigger clubs having too many but other sports. Registrations are down from the 4 bigger clubs by over 100 kids in the Modis grades alone.

Sobering stat Cracka, 100 down...Would assume that other clubs havent seen a collective 100 increase ... Interest by parents (and kids) in footy is looking a bit wobbly.

[cracka]

On the junior front. Is it correct that two Central Div clubs have two 13's side. Which were put into a re arranged Country Div fixture, despite country having a full draw of their own 13's? I think in this situation the Central teams should fit into the Central comp, as they are not aiding (as in the past) but hindering Country with these extra teams.

Country U13's was not a full draw. Only 6 clubs have them on their own so the 4 central clubs have filled the holes with Mt Barker helping Maccy & Hahndorf, Lofty & Blackwood as 2nd sides.
Junior footy in the hills & probably across South Australia is in trouble, not from the bigger clubs having too many but other sports. Registrations are down from the 4 bigger clubs by over 100 kids in the Modis grades alone.

Sobering stat Cracka, 100 down...Would assume that other clubs havent seen a collective 100 increase ... Interest by parents (and kids) in footy is looking a bit wobbly.

Certainly is.
I got it wrong too, that's over 100 down across all juniors from U8 to S/C, very worrying rregardless.
Also worrying that a suburb like Morphett Vale can't field an U18 side on their own.

[Legs Man]

On the junior front. Is it correct that two Central Div clubs have two 13's side. Which were put into a re arranged Country Div fixture, despite country having a full draw of their own 13's? I think in this situation the Central teams should fit into the Central comp, as they are not aiding (as in the past) but hindering Country with these extra teams.

Country U13's was not a full draw. Only 6 clubs have them on their own so the 4 central clubs have filled the holes with Mt Barker helping Maccy & Hahndorf, Lofty & Blackwood as 2nd sides.
Junior footy in the hills & probably across South Australia is in trouble, not from the bigger clubs having too many but other sports. Registrations are down from the 4 bigger clubs by over 100 kids in the Modis grades alone.

Sobering stat Cracka, 100 down...Would assume that other clubs havent seen a collective 100 increase ... Interest by parents (and kids) in footy is looking a bit wobbly.

Certainly is.
I got it wrong too, that's over 100 down across all juniors from U8 to S/C, very worrying rregardless.
Also worrying that a suburb like Morphett Vale can't field an U18 side on their own.

Yes it's definitely a trend particularly in hills footy by those numbers.
First and foremost is ensuring the juniors we do attract get a game each week.
Having clubs travel as one would definitely help but it seems structuring the comp so this occurs is a problem currently due to so many factors.
The Hahndorf Sedan junior situation only highlights this further.

Don't get me started on the draw - particularly while I am trying to "move on" as there may be another HFL criticism rant.
Surely we have the capacity as a league to work something out regarding the CFL integration into our competition both on a decision making front as well as a programming one.
Mucking around with finals timing ( as well as finals ground allocation ) is really tempting fate IMO.
Do the clubs have a say in the draw structure and is a preliminary draft sent to each club for feedback and or sign off?
I know personally I am disappointed that there aren't any night games scheduled at Echunga again as I reckon this is a great way to showcase the game and utilise something the club invested in.
Saturday night twilight games prior Winter setting in would be great across all grounds that have appropriate lighting.

[cracka]

I'm pretty sure a draft draw is sent out to the clubs prior to the Feb AGM.
Again I'm pretty sure scheduling night games is the responsibility of clubs to arrange.

[magpiemaster]

Just curious to know whether or not any clubs have kicked up a storm about the Div 1 draw?
Personally I think it is a joke that they have set the 2nd semi final and the GF 21 days apart!!!! (2nd semi being the 5 of ape and the GF being the 26th) I understand we need to find a break in the year to stagger the div 1 and div 2 GFs but surely this is a little extreme. Essentially a team can finish top, have a week off then play then have 21 days off until they need to front up for a GF. How as coaches are you meant to manage that? Just want to hear everyone else's opinions on this matter

Correct me If I'm wrong but the last 6 or 7 years the Grand Final has been won by the team which didn't have a week off. Making the gap a possible 2-3 weeks for that team could mean we see this trend continue. Seem's a very odd decision. Having said that, it has resulted in the underdogs winning a few flags which is good for healthy competition.

[youngpace]

On the junior front. Is it correct that two Central Div clubs have two 13's side. Which were put into a re arranged Country Div fixture, despite country having a full draw of their own 13's? I think in this situation the Central teams should fit into the Central comp, as they are not aiding (as in the past) but hindering Country with these extra teams.

Country U13's was not a full draw. Only 6 clubs have them on their own so the 4 central clubs have filled the holes with Mt Barker helping Maccy & Hahndorf, Lofty & Blackwood as 2nd sides.
Junior footy in the hills & probably across South Australia is in trouble, not from the bigger clubs having too many but other sports. Registrations are down from the 4 bigger clubs by over 100 kids in the Modis grades alone.

Sobering stat Cracka, 100 down...Would assume that other clubs havent seen a collective 100 increase ... Interest by parents (and kids) in footy is looking a bit wobbly.

Certainly is.
I got it wrong too, that's over 100 down across all juniors from U8 to S/C, very worrying rregardless.
Also worrying that a suburb like Morphett Vale can't field an U18 side on their own.

Thanks for the clarification Cracka. In that case it is great to see clubs making sure kids play footy every week. I think the modern mother is winning in the battle against kids playing footy. To much of this "it's to rough" nonsense.
Would be interesting to know if kids are leaving AFL for other sports or the XBOX. With that knowledge it would be easier to start tackling this issue.

[Alaska]

I'm pretty sure a draft draw is sent out to the clubs prior to the Feb AGM.
Again I'm pretty sure scheduling night games is the responsibility of clubs to arrange.

I think you are right cracka when we put the new lights in it was up to the club to do deals with the opposition on night games. So this year we play at night home and away v Mt Lofty. You need to do the deal and put that to the HFL to put into their draw.
I do not like the finals draw you do not want to finish top.

youngpace good to see you back, you will add depth and put pressure on the current A graders, after all you are my second favourite at Echunga behind Chops.

[Legs Man]

I'm pretty sure a draft draw is sent out to the clubs prior to the Feb AGM.
Again I'm pretty sure scheduling night games is the responsibility of clubs to arrange.

Thanks Cracka - would have thought the clubs wouldn't muck around with finals breaks and timing though?

[jumbo20]

Wow looking at clearances TV must be blessed with alot of points, or maybe they aiming for a B grade flag?

[cracka]

Wow looking at clearances TV must be blessed with alot of points, or maybe they aiming for a B grade flag?

Also the reason why they applied for extra points, AGAIN.

[batmanbegins]

Wow looking at clearances TV must be blessed with alot of points, or maybe they aiming for a B grade flag?

Also the reason why they applied for extra points, AGAIN.

Also dont mind getting other hills clubs local players, Both montgomery boys from echunga, topham ex birdwood and hanna from gums. But if you add their points:

O'sullivan 3
Boras 3
Montgomery times 2 is 6 (although brock may play B grade)
topham 3
Hanna 3

Thats 18 points, im aussuming they have 15 to play with like last year and they may have already existing point players that were 3 last year but are 2 now, although mcentee and the jordans left so maybe not. Will be interesting to see how they work it, handy getting luke ellis back as a 0 pointer though.

[cracka]

Wow looking at clearances TV must be blessed with alot of points, or maybe they aiming for a B grade flag?

Also the reason why they applied for extra points, AGAIN.

Also dont mind getting other hills clubs local players, Both montgomery boys from echunga, topham ex birdwood and hanna from gums. But if you add their points:

O'sullivan 3
Boras 3
Montgomery times 2 is 6 (although brock may play B grade)
topham 3
Hanna 3

Thats 18 points, im aussuming they have 15 to play with like last year and they may have already existing point players that were 3 last year but are 2 now, although mcentee and the jordans left so maybe not. Will be interesting to see how they work it, handy getting luke ellis back as a 0 pointer though.

Faaaark. Obviously trying to hang their hat on A & B grade results to avoid any possible relegation.

[jumbo20]

Plus Watchel from Kangas another 3?

[running defender]

Yes Definitley a stuff up what league in their right mind would play a 6 week finals, simple Div 2 plays country championships weekend or what about a sat, sunday grand final same weekend. what would happen if we played on C/C Weekend, are they going to do suspend every club?
Harley Montgomery only 2pts did"nt play at all last year, they only have 13pts.
How many years they been in Div 1?, spent a lot of money for no result.
Good luck on the Easter weekend hope you back a winner or find a few eggs.
I think Easter bunny is delivering Echunga a couple of new players.

[youngpace]

Wow looking at clearances TV must be blessed with alot of points, or maybe they aiming for a B grade flag?

Also the reason why they applied for extra points, AGAIN.

Also dont mind getting other hills clubs local players, Both montgomery boys from echunga, topham ex birdwood and hanna from gums. But if you add their points:

O'sullivan 3
Boras 3
Montgomery times 2 is 6 (although brock may play B grade)
topham 3
Hanna 3

Thats 18 points, im aussuming they have 15 to play with like last year and they may have already existing point players that were 3 last year but are 2 now, although mcentee and the jordans left so maybe not. Will be interesting to see how they work it, handy getting luke ellis back as a 0 pointer though.

Faaaark. Obviously trying to hang their hat on A & B grade results to avoid any possible relegation.

The lions have been over spending for their points allowance for years. When they were still in country, I recall lining up against a center half forward who told me he was on $600 a game (including B grade games) and couldn't fit in the A's due to points. Needless to say was a tough game that day, the fella booted 6-7.
The ability of TV to recruit players with history within the league go's to show the cash they offer.
On page 1 of this forum there is talk of them struggling when Hughes leaves. That was in 2005...