Southern Football League

[south4life]

Interesting night at SFL junior AGM with Flagstaff Hill proposing a under 16s and under 21s competition for next year. The proposal was formal and the club received it today and was brought up at the AGM for what appeared to be the first time. The main talking point was that now the under 18s is now under 17.5, that players that are 17.5 or older will not continue playing football in the league or maybe even give the game away all together. The under 21s comp would provide a comp for these players to play in until 21.

Smaller clubs wouldn't have an under 21s team given the struggle to sometimes just field a B grade team. This proposal is definitely designed for probably 3-4 clubs to retain players and stop them from going to other teams or leagues.

The league seemed to be in favour of the idea , from what I could tell from the way they were talking. It obviously makes financial sense for them as they will possibly retain more players in the league and gives them more funds for those players staying.

Obviously there is a lot to consider with this proposal but still I'd like to hear what people are thinking.

[Dutchy]

First I've heard of the u21 proposal, however I do know of players who were playing u16's last year will now be expected to play senior footy in 2017 if they want to stay in the SFL with the new 17.5 rule. Where they can go down the hill and still play U18's.

If the SFL want to remain a strong connection from juniors to seniors they need to do something other wise players will be lost.

[vics01]

Logic behind over age players in U18 was they were not ready for senior footy.. How does reducing the age improve this or will we still have 19 year olds playing 17.5 as they are not ready for senior footy?? Saying that it appears the helicopter/cotton wool parents are to blame for 19 year olds not being ready for senior footy.

[MatteeG]

Logic behind over age players in U18 was they were not ready for senior footy.. How does reducing the age improve this or will we still have 19 year olds playing 17.5 as they are not ready for senior footy?? Saying that it appears the helicopter/cotton wool parents are to blame for 19 year olds not being ready for senior footy.

Not really vics. At 19 I wasnt playing, but I was scrawny as all hell having just grown the best part of a foot in 12 months. I would have been annihilated at B grade level (especially back then (mid 90's)

Didnt start playing seniors until I was about 22 when I at least was 75kg wringing wet...

[Dutchy]

Some 17 & 18yo's could play senior footy, but at say Div 6 or 7 level in the Ammo's, the SFL B grade comp is still a very good comp amongst the top 8 clubs and not all can transition from a year out of u16's straight into it.

There are plenty of current A graders who only started playing good senior footy at 19/20.

[Courtney Fish]

Some 17 & 18yo's could play senior footy, but at say Div 6 or 7 level in the Ammo's, the SFL B grade comp is still a very good comp amongst the top 8 clubs and not all can transition from a year out of u16's straight into it.

There are plenty of current A graders who only started playing good senior footy at 19/20.

Back in my day our last year of juniors was under 17's then straight to seniors. We managed alright.

[Courtney Fish]

Interesting night at SFL junior AGM with Flagstaff Hill proposing a under 16s and under 21s competition for next year. The proposal was formal and the club received it today and was brought up at the AGM for what appeared to be the first time. The main talking point was that now the under 18s is now under 17.5, that players that are 17.5 or older will not continue playing football in the league or maybe even give the game away all together. The under 21s comp would provide a comp for these players to play in until 21.

Smaller clubs wouldn't have an under 21s team given the struggle to sometimes just field a B grade team. This proposal is definitely designed for probably 3-4 clubs to retain players and stop them from going to other teams or leagues.

The league seemed to be in favour of the idea , from what I could tell from the way they were talking. It obviously makes financial sense for them as they will possibly retain more players in the league and gives them more funds for those players staying.

Obviously there is a lot to consider with this proposal but still I'd like to hear what people are thinking.

If they cant break in to the B's at 21 I would say they would leave at 22 anyway. Although isn't that what the C Grade is for?

Smaller clubs wouldn't have an under 21s team given the struggle to sometimes just field a B grade team. This proposal is definitely designed for probably 3-4 clubs to retain players and stop them from going to other teams or leagues.

There's 2 problems and a solution in one paragraph. If you're not good enough to play senior footy at one club there's always a chance for a game elsewhere.

[Look Good In Leather]

First I've heard of the u21 proposal, however I do know of players who were playing u16's last year will now be expected to play senior footy in 2017 if they want to stay in the SFL with the new 17.5 rule. Where they can go down the hill and still play U18's.

If the SFL want to remain a strong connection from juniors to seniors they need to do something other wise players will be lost.

There should be no U/16s expected to play senior football next year, they will all be eligible for U/17.5

Not sure there would be much appetite for an U/21 competition, nothing to stop Flaggies or any other club nominating an U/21 team in the C-Grade competition.

[Dutchy]

Read my post, U16's from 2015 are now over aged next year.

[Look Good In Leather]

Read my post, U16's from 2015 are now over aged next year.

...and there are U18s from 2015 already playing senior football, ages do increase each year. What's your point?

[shoe boy]

[quote="south4life"]Interesting night at SFL junior AGM with Flagstaff Hill proposing a under 16s and under 21s competition for next year. The proposal was formal and the club received it today and was brought up at the AGM for what appeared to be the first time. The main talking point was that now the under 18s is now under 17.5, that players that are 17.5 or older will not continue playing football in the league or maybe even give the game away all together. The under 21s comp would provide a comp for these players to play in until 21.


Give the game away?
I would of thought they just follow the natural progression to play the next level and aspire to play at the highest level possible.

As for under 21 , why not 25 then mum , dad , nanna and poppa will be happy.

[vics01]

SB
Give the game away?
I would of thought they just follow the natural progression to play the next level and aspire to play at the highest level possible.

As for under 21 , why not 25 then mum , dad , nanna and poppa will be happy.

Unfortunately SB there are a lot of Soft C**** these days who have been told by their parent for the last 17 or 18 years "You don't have to do that, everybody is a winner"

Not sense of having to achieve.

[neverwas neverwillbe]

SB
Give the game away?
I would of thought they just follow the natural progression to play the next level and aspire to play at the highest level possible.

As for under 21 , why not 25 then mum , dad , nanna and poppa will be happy.

Unfortunately SB there are a lot of Soft C**** these days who have been told by their parent for the last 17 or 18 years "You don't have to do that, everybody is a winner"

Not sense of having to achieve.

Young lad at McLaren of a very small build applied for another year in senior colts. Got knocked back by the league and now regularly plays A grade. Still hasn't grown much either!!


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[Mister Footy]

Just heard that SFL legend and Happy Valley head trainer for the last 3 decades Hank Middleton has retired because he is seriously unwell. Reckon every club in the league has a player Hank has helped at when big injuries happen

Top bloke will be greatly missed around the club - raising a (light) beer for you Hank

[afc9798]

Just heard that SFL legend and Happy Valley head trainer for the last 3 decades Hank Middleton has retired because he is seriously unwell. Reckon every club in the league has a player Hank has helped at when big injuries happen

Top bloke will be greatly missed around the club - raising a (light) beer for you Hank

Hear, hear. Has been many people take potshots at him over the years due to him being pedantic about player safety. But for mine, hands down the most professional, caring and diligent bloke you could ever meet. Couldn't have had my boys in better hands than Hank and his team over the years. Hoping he recovers and that his legacy at the club is recognised. Always showed equal care for HVFC players and the opposition and was the first bloke there when something needed to be done. One of those blokes who would never sing his own praises, but I'm happy to. Cheers Hank, you are a legend.

[The Hound]

Wineflies losing a key forward is what I am hearing

[Dutchy]

Just heard that SFL legend and Happy Valley head trainer for the last 3 decades Hank Middleton has retired because he is seriously unwell. Reckon every club in the league has a player Hank has helped at when big injuries happen

Top bloke will be greatly missed around the club - raising a (light) beer for you Hank

Geez he will leave a big hole at HV, hope he gets well soon.

[Animus]

Wineflies losing a key forward is what I am hearing

Also Nobes from Christies to Waikerie

[RFC 2010]

Wineflies losing a key forward is what I am hearing

Also Nobes from Christies to Waikerie

For a young guy, he is racking up a huge number of guernseys. Uncle would be proud!

He's only in his early 20's and already played at Reynella, Porties, Morphett Vale, Hackham, Christies and is now moving onto Waikerie. Fair effort!

[Front & Centre]

I'll add my thanks to Hank Middleton for all his work at HVFC - my son has been put into an ambulance by Hank and I was glad to have someone who was calm and "pedantic"

On another note whilst racking up a number of guernseys has been mentioned above I believe Marion has a new coach. This guy would have several SFL polos in his wardrobe now.
Good luck to him. Hope players like hearing "React"