HFL Division 1 (Central)

[GetTheSherrin]

JQ, spot on mate, we were never knocking on the door of the top5 but shanty lofty games aalways had a bit of everything at the games. good to watch for the fans.. (still wouldve recommended jumping the fence and not paying 6 bucks to watch it)

mail will be close this yr, id say. either M.Anderson, Trigger, Woody and as a major roughie matty baldock from lofty, as he wouldve definately picked up a couple of BOGs early in the yr and is hard to miss when picking up possies..

[Tex]

any word from the tribunal?

Battam's rubbed out to the end of 2008!!!

[LuvsFooty]

What about Callington's punsishment Tex? Any word on that?

[toad17]

JQ you are too precious. Your Lofty / Bridgy blockbusters were probably huge to a select few ( they had to be because one of you had to win), but who are you to say that Lobey, Birdwood, Gum or Maccy games aren't just as important to them and played with just as much passion ? Please don't tell me that a club like Lobethal don't have passion, pride etc every time they take the field - they would have to be one of the proudest clubs going around and over the last 10 years or so one of the most successfull. Mate no matter who we support and who we are playing for our footy clubs are just as important to each individual as the next - don't down play it.

[Justquietly]

JQ you are too precious. Your Lofty / Bridgy blockbusters were probably huge to a select few ( they had to be because one of you had to win), but who are you to say that Lobey, Birdwood, Gum or Maccy games aren't just as important to them and played with just as much passion ? Please don't tell me that a club like Lobethal don't have passion, pride etc every time they take the field - they would have to be one of the proudest clubs going around and over the last 10 years or so one of the most successfull. Mate no matter who we support and who we are playing for our footy clubs are just as important to each individual as the next - don't down play it.

I wasn't implying that the players don't run out with any less passion. Footy clubs are built on that.
But people here on this forum that have seen Lobey play this year admit that there's something not quite there.
I'd be the first to empathise with the Lobey guys, I've been where they are. Good on some of them for sticking it out. But from what I've heard, their juniors aren't overly strong and I don't think they currently have many young players being blooded in the A's.
You have misunderstood my argument - we still had people watching and interested in the derby, from where I stand, there isn't much interest in Lobey vs Birdwood...or are you going to be at that cracker of a game?
Again, at no point was my comment based on a players lack of passion, but rather interest for spectators.

[Rooster]

JQ you are too precious. Your Lofty / Bridgy blockbusters were probably huge to a select few ( they had to be because one of you had to win), but who are you to say that Lobey, Birdwood, Gum or Maccy games aren't just as important to them and played with just as much passion ? Please don't tell me that a club like Lobethal don't have passion, pride etc every time they take the field - they would have to be one of the proudest clubs going around and over the last 10 years or so one of the most successfull. Mate no matter who we support and who we are playing for our footy clubs are just as important to each individual as the next - don't down play it.

I wasn't implying that the players don't run out with any less passion. Footy clubs are built on that.
But people here on this forum that have seen Lobey play this year admit that there's something not quite there.
I'd be the first to empathise with the Lobey guys, I've been where they are. Good on some of them for sticking it out. But from what I've heard, their juniors aren't overly strong and I don't think they currently have many young players being blooded in the A's.
You have misunderstood my argument - we still had people watching and interested in the derby, from where I stand, there isn't much interest in Lobey vs Birdwood...or are you going to be at that cracker of a game?
Again, at no point was my comment based on a players lack of passion, but rather interest for spectators.

surprisingly enough, for birdwood spectators there is a lot of interest in this game...with one team desperate to get their first win for the year, and the other desperate to not be the first team to lose to birdwood, id say this will be the most intense game of the weekend. i can't speak for lobey, but at birdwood there is no lack of passion, drive or commitment, and any person checking out HFL footy for the first time this weekend would see two teams going all guns blazing at eachother for full quarters.
just remember what grade where playing here aswell, be it lobey v birdwood, or uraidla v mtlofty, its still country footy, and compared to what the rest of the country watch on the tv each week.... we all look like hacks.

[Justquietly]

I have no doubt your mob are keen as mustard, Rooster. I think that could be the difference, to be honest.
But you need someone decent on Hibberd and Coad, or I don't think you guys can kick a big enough score. Would that be fair?
Big party out there if you get over the line. Good luck.
And I think some egos may have been dented by that 'hack' comment

[Rooster]

I have no doubt your mob are keen as mustard, Rooster. I think that could be the difference, to be honest.
But you need someone decent on Hibberd and Coad, or I don't think you guys can kick a big enough score. Would that be fair?
Big party out there if you get over the line. Good luck.
And I think some egos may have been dented by that 'hack' comment

yeh fair, i think we can stop hibberd and coad (we'll be sure to stop coad, being an ex rooster and all), i think kicking enough goals will be our challenge, but were keen and confident... and fingers crossed we'll be partying saturday night.

bad news for battams, have played a lot of footy with the guy, and love him or hate him, he was a gun a few years ago, but if he did the crime then, gotta do the time. i'd say we won't see him back at the end of 08 either, he wouldve been heading towards retirement anyways.... just my opinion.

[Justquietly]

any word from the tribunal?

Battam's rubbed out to the end of 2008!!!

Sh#t...so I assume the charge was 'striking' an umpire?

[Cougar]

any word from the tribunal?

Battam's rubbed out to the end of 2008!!!

Sh#t...so I assume the charge was 'striking' an umpire?

Was the Report made for Negligent or Intentional contact with TM?? I assume Negligent, otherwise he's got off lightly.

[Mop Up]

Couple questions regarding future years in the HFL which some people may be able to help with.

Has the points system been approved to come in or is it still in planning stage? If so when? And does it replace the salary cap altogether or is there still a max amount to be spent even if it ain't policed?

Is the regulation system once talked about going to be introduced anytime soon or has it been thrown out the window??

[shake'n'bake]

JQ i can tell you for a fact, that in a game between Lofty and Ironbank at the Goat track within the last 5 years the number of spectators could be likened to the number of brain cells in battams' head! Ironbank prevailed in a 20 goal win, the balcony was empty, and the atmosphere was like that of a tuesday night training. In all seriousness i don't think i have ever seen a more depleted crowd. And if that occurs with a 20 goal loss, we must wonder what Hackham's crowd must be like with record breaking defeats week after week.

[ball magnet]

Mop Up, believe there is a general meeting of all clubs this coming Monday nite to discuss the implemention of the Points system, obviously the chance for ALL clubs to offer thoughts, positives and negatives towards the implementation of the system for 2008. It'll be interesting if ALL clubs attend given one is really on the brink, after not attending recent playing commitments!!! Also believe that the Lions are to protest to SANFL in regards to Ryan Battams suspension. Not the charge, but the penalty. May seem a bit over the top in some regards, given a recent penalty for an equally alarming breach by a member of a club's coaching staff???

[ball magnet]

PS. Didn't a Blackwood runner get 4 weeks last season for the same type of offence committed by the said coach, interestingly both incidents against Nairne!!

[Justquietly]

Shake - I have also been to some IB vs Lofty that have had GREAT crowds (at Lofty, haven't been to one for ages at thunder dome). The night games have always had a good crowd too.
Look, this all just stemmed from me asking if anyone (other than the players, of course) is interested by the Roosters Loby game. So far only Rooster has showed interest, which is great.

[shake'n'bake]

It's obvious what the positive and negatives will be;

Top 5 maybe bridgey inclusive, probably going to be anti points. why? because most if not all the top 5 have a great mix of imports and local talent! how it should be!

Bottom sides who are struggling and are not financially able will probably be pro points!

My personal opinion;

I think there is a fair and consistent balance going at the moment! Why not improve the quality of the competition for spectators/players and all involved! The more ex afl/ sanfl players the greater the quality! Yes you can argue that it's all well and good if your club has the money, but im sure most clubs will find that if they spend money on recruits that they will win more games, attract bigger crowds, and therefore make a larger profit! Winning games contributes to clubs cash flow immensely, as people want to stay at the club drink more, have a meal and therefore contribute to the overall financial wellbeing of a club!

[magpie in the 80's]

this weeks round to discuss:

CENTRAL July 28th-Round 14
Mt Lofty v Blackwood
Mt Barker v Hahndorf
Onka Valley v Uraidla Dist
Birdwood v Lobethal
Bridgewater v Ironbank

COUNTRY July 28th-Round 15
Blackwood v Meadows
Torrens Valley v Nairne Bremer
Callington v Echunga
Gumeracha v Kangarilla
Kersbrook v Macclesfield

TIPS: mtlofty, mt.barker, uraidla, lobethal and ironbank.
TIPS: meadows, t/valley, echunga, kangas and kersbrook.

[GetTheSherrin]

SnB, agree with ya there mate, why would the HFL want to cull the amount of talent coming into it.. the way i see it the HFL has always been strong, but mtlofty and uris have raised the level of skill, fitness and watchability (im sure thats not a word) of hill games. i think any system could be brought in, instead of a salary cap, but they wont work either unless it policed better. so why not try to police the current system better b4 chucking it out and trying another system that will fail aswell.

re: battams. that seems like a nothing verdict. surely its either a few weeks (in this case could be the end of 07) or life. whats one more yr gonna do? sounds like the board werent to convinced about what happened but still wanted to act tough on touching umps! what a crock..

[on the outside]

I agree with shake n bake about the points system. I think the points system is a stupid idea and is degrading to players and to clubs. grading players on a points basis on how good they are and at what level they have played does not appear to be a positive step for the hills football league. who is to say that just because someone has played reserves football they are worth more points than somebody else. proffesional football is not for everyone regardless of their ability. why should players be rated and only a certain number of 'high level' players be allowed to play on one team. shouldnt the hills league be promoting a higher standard of play and promoting excellence and hard work. there should not be a limit on the number or quality of players that may play at one club. shouldnt it be by the choice of the players themselves? i realise that people are worried about the fact clubs are paying players and recruiting too many 'imports' but we all know this has been happening for years and is a part of country footy. what would also happen if a player who has sanfl or afl experience moves to a town and legitimately wants to play for a local team, or has friends from work, uni, or other parts of life who he wants to play football with. after all isnt football about playing with your mates and having fun. it isnt always going to be even and people who make steps to try to make all sides equal are not thinking clearly. your teams turn will come.
also what would happen at selection time if the team is picked on a points merit rather than on whether players deserve to be in the side or not. surely this is not good for football. also there is nothing wrong with the salary cap and if it was policied properly then nobody would have a problem. this is not the clearest of thoughts but i am simply trying to put my opinion across. i hope the hfl board members think clearly when they try to introduce a points system and how it will affect the standard of hills football.

[Cougar]

re: battams. that seems like a nothing verdict. surely its either a few weeks (in this case could be the end of 07) or life. whats one more yr gonna do? sounds like the board werent to convinced about what happened but still wanted to act tough on touching umps! what a crock..

A few weeks?? The HFL are struggling to attract umps as it is, and an umpire receives a black eye and you reckon the player (regardless of intent) only gets a few weeks!?!? You might say the umps are a protected species, but at the moment GTS, in the Hills, they are also an endangered one.