2024 Adelaide Footy League - Division 6

[BenchedEagle]

From the pen of the CEO

For and on Behalf of the League Executive



To all League Delegates



Bcc: AdFL Clubs, League Executive, Rules and Regulations Committee, Constitution Committee, Honorary Counsel and Staff.



There has clearly been some narrative on the plight of the Elizabeth Football Club (EFC) in recent days and weeks. But for any to suggest The League had or has not explored alternative solutions to avoid this attention is naïve at best, ignorant at worst.



Whilst ours is not to speak on behalf of the EFC, on the surface they have endured an exodus of players of monumental proportions and the reasons for that are theirs to navigate.



From the moment we returned in the new Year, The Update was littered with pleas to all clubs to prioritise the registration process along to offer us a greater level of comfort in competition composition. It became apparent the EFC wasn’t the only club enduring on and off field challenges in 2024 and our dilemma had been how to separate one club over the other and when we can’t see clear air, we revert to the Constitution and Rules and Regulations that govern this League and they will not be comprised if for no other reason than a significant reference point known as the Associations Act.



For clarity, any club, the EFC included could have or could in the future propose a motion even by circular resolution for the League to take leave from its regulations and in this case, regrade. Our only counsel to that would be that such a resolution without identifying the domino affects also sets a new precedence The League may need to navigate in the future.



It is crucial to note that the last time a club (Kilburn FC) requested their fellow member clubs consider an application to be regraded to a lower division was resoundingly defeated at a Special General Meeting. Prior to that, the Wingfield Royals and Ovingham Football Clubs requested the same from the General Committee and were denied. It is a brave League Executive Committee to go against the wishes of its member clubs after a question has been asked and answered three times in the last nine years with near unanimous conclusions.



In February and March 2024, approaches were made by The League to other clubs to gauge their appetites to allow any of the clubs who had indicated challenges to move to lower graded competition and in turn for those clubs to move to higher graded competitions. As was their right, those clubs chose to main in the divisions their 2023 performances suggested they should be.



To be clear, there is only one division lower than Division 6 that the EFC is currently graded and that was and remains full.



But, whilst it may suit the agenda and narrative of some to suggest the League and the EFC are at odds over this matter, the EFC is acutely aware that whether timing, logistics or governance, there was little The League could do short of them moving to Division 7 and a Division 7 club to Division 6 and that required cooperation.



The Elizabeth Football Club’s position in the League for 2024 and 2025 is secure albeit with some conditions for 2025 to satisfy most notably, to field two senior teams. Those conditions are also relative to at least one other club and whilst two of the four clubs who were advised of this condition earlier in the year have recovered to field two teams, all clubs are aware of what is required as per the Rules and Regulations and The League has gone to great pains to ensure they are as is our responsibility.



Whilst to be discussed further whether at a General Committee Meeting or reminding all in preparation for season 2025 vie The Update, this should serve as a living example of the need to have clubs and players understand the importance of Registration and if the lessons here are for clubs to implement higher levels of discipline so they might at the very least give themselves a chance to avoid similar, then it’s a valuable lesson learnt.



Suffice to say, The League does not enjoy a focus of this genre on one of its member clubs or the league itself. We appreciate the look of the scoreboard images being used as headlines across all forms of media is difficult to comprehend. But all clubs should be under no illusion that alternatives were explored that did not pass any of the challenges of the clubs experiencing those challenges on to other clubs and divisions by robbing Peter to pay Paul.



I remain open to discuss this at any level.


Regards





John Kernahan | Chief Executive Officer

Fair bit of arrogance in that statement. ‘naive at best, ignorant at worst’ is not words a CEO addressing a serious issue within their organisation should use.

Truth is they have done **** all except hold the hard line against them. There will be teams chasing that 82 goals every week for fear of missing out. Making a mockery of legitimate records.

[The Bedge]

You took one line out of context - not arrogance, it’s matter of fact. “ But for any to suggest The League had or has not explored alternative solutions to avoid this attention is naïve at best, ignorant at worst.”

That tells me that they have tried to address the issue or looked at alternatives.

[MW]

It's going to be a circus.

[Footy Chick]

Benched Eagle

So you've rushed back to lend support for your old club then? After all, if people like yourself didn't leave, they wouldn't be in this mess

[The Old Fellow]

A concern I have with Lizbeff at the moment given their publicity - and yes this is a selfish stance - but what happens if one of these clubs battling for the 5 come up against them and they've promoted the club and brought in a stack of celebrity "ring ins" who play the one game and effectively impact that other clubs chances of playing finals or a top 3 spot.

Rd 12 for instance they host Houghton, or Rd 16 Ingle Farm, or Rd 17 Rosewater.. imagine Rosies going out there Rd 17 needing to win and suddenly being met by a team of one off guns all for promo purposes.

If they play B grade, less impact on clubs - might still cost a club a finals spot still, but clubs are build around their A grade and promotion / relegation is around the A grade.

Think you're fair in what your saying.

Thats why i posed the question should the ADFL consider a 'punishment' for Elizabeth for the disruption they 'will have' caused this year due to lack of clarity/mismanagement etc. Whatever way you spin it for whatever reason it was Elizabeth who lost their coach and players 4 weeks before the season.

Obviously, they are suffering with the whopping's they are getting at the moment but should in theory they be allowed to have all the blokes who left return next year in div7, go and win a flag and be back in div6 in 2026.
Is it unfair for the league to try and hold clubs more accountable and punish clubs whose mismanagement affects numerous other clubs. Almost a bringing the competition into disrepute.

Too harsh and unfair maybe.

If the Lodge can do it why can't Lizbeff.

Bedge, your's is not a selfish stance. It is irrelevant who they are playing whether it be the Parkers or at the other end of the scale the Units. Surely the League should have the overall say in who they allow to play in their comp. Just don't allow any 'ring-ins' to be registered. If Lizbeff register and allow the known 'ring-ins' to play what does it say about them as a club. Extreme short sighted with NO benefit to the club and puts them offside with most other clubs. To quote a comment above does playing 'ring-ins' "bring the competition into disrepute.".

These so called organisations what are now getting behind Lizbeff (I should say Elizabeth) for the publicity and supporting the so called under dog (which includes supplying 'ring-ins') need to be sold as not as that, but as destroying the competition and undermining the structure. With enough bad publicity they would back down.

"Is it unfair for the league to try and hold clubs more accountable and punish clubs whose mismanagement affects numerous other clubs. Almost a bringing the competition into disrepute." Quote : To hold clubs more accountable, where they drop grades and it could even apply to where clubs should be promoted but don't take what they have earnt could be deduction of premiership points and place restriction on recruitment of players. Make it as hard as possible for them to win a so-called easy premiership the following year or years.

[BenchedEagle]

Benched Eagle

So you've rushed back to lend support for your old club then? After all, if people like yourself didn't leave, they wouldn't be in this mess

Been a long somewhat successful 5 years since I left club in an outstanding position. Feel really bad for the situation they are in. As a lifelong supporter its hard not to be offended by the wording which when lead by the comment Bedge reckons ive taken out of context, is hard to take seriously.

This talk of having ex stars dropping in is also a terrible idea. Couple other clubs struggling along as well, be very unfair on them.

[Footy Chick]

Benched Eagle

So you've rushed back to lend support for your old club then? After all, if people like yourself didn't leave, they wouldn't be in this mess

Been a long somewhat successful 5 years since I left club in an outstanding position. Feel really bad for the situation they are in. As a lifelong supporter its hard not to be offended by the wording which when lead by the comment Bedge reckons ive taken out of context, is hard to take seriously.

This talk of having ex stars dropping in is also a terrible idea. Couple other clubs struggling along as well, be very unfair on them.

Exactly my point, you obviously did something right, instead of blaming everyone else for being in the position they're in, perhaps head back there and do your bit to make Elizabeth great again

and then if everyone else does the same - they're on their way to having the problem solved

[The Bedge]

Exactly my point, you obviously did something right, instead of blaming everyone else for being in the position they're in, perhaps head back there and do your bit to make Elizabeth great again

and then if everyone else does the same - they're on their way to having the problem solved

Noble, and great comment - love the idea of people getting back around them a lot like Kilburn did when they were struggling..

.. but then there’s a part of me that feels for those who and previously busted their backside at that club or others who should be able to enjoy what time they have these days whether playing or spectating, now feeling compelled to go back and help turn it around.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Whilst the initial statement seems arrogant to some, it’s not a lie. There has been some uneducated shots at the league for the last 6-7 weeks and it’s rife this week on social media to say the least. They are entitled to defend themselves.

The last sentence of the statement shouldn’t be taken away either…..

[Dutchy]

Its pretty clear from that statement the league have no issue if the club ceases to exist.

While a game with some former stars would be a sugar hit Im not sure its great long term, they need to be touching base with former juniors playing elsewhere and sowing the seed to move for 2025 now.

[Courtney Fish]

A concern I have with Lizbeff at the moment given their publicity - and yes this is a selfish stance - but what happens if one of these clubs battling for the 5 come up against them and they've promoted the club and brought in a stack of celebrity "ring ins" who play the one game and effectively impact that other clubs chances of playing finals or a top 3 spot.

Rd 12 for instance they host Houghton, or Rd 16 Ingle Farm, or Rd 17 Rosewater.. imagine Rosies going out there Rd 17 needing to win and suddenly being met by a team of one off guns all for promo purposes.

If they play B grade, less impact on clubs - might still cost a club a finals spot still, but clubs are build around their A grade and promotion / relegation is around the A grade.

Great point, you don’t want another scenario like the SFL in the mid 2010’s when the Footy Show flew Shane Crawford to play for Aldinga. They deliberately missed 3-4 opportunities in the previous rounds to play the top 5-6 sides and they waited to play OSB Lonsdale who at the time were also struggling. From the players I knew, they said pregame preparations were treated poorly by the Chanel 9 production team and left players waiting around so Sam Newman could do a skit. Crawford dominated and Aldinga won which I thought was a disgrace from the SFL for allowing that opportunistic circus to take place at the expense of OSB. Nothing stopped them from doing in the weeks earlier.

Absolute stitch up by the SFL. Appointing a family of massive Hawthorn supporters as Umpires it was only going to end up one way. The umpies had fun in the changerooms after their win though lots of photos with Crawf to remember the day. Aldinga made 10's of thousands out of the day and we were left with the title of Australia's worst team.

[Tex123]

A concern I have with Lizbeff at the moment given their publicity - and yes this is a selfish stance - but what happens if one of these clubs battling for the 5 come up against them and they've promoted the club and brought in a stack of celebrity "ring ins" who play the one game and effectively impact that other clubs chances of playing finals or a top 3 spot.

Rd 12 for instance they host Houghton, or Rd 16 Ingle Farm, or Rd 17 Rosewater.. imagine Rosies going out there Rd 17 needing to win and suddenly being met by a team of one off guns all for promo purposes.

If they play B grade, less impact on clubs - might still cost a club a finals spot still, but clubs are build around their A grade and promotion / relegation is around the A grade.

Think you're fair in what your saying.

Thats why i posed the question should the ADFL consider a 'punishment' for Elizabeth for the disruption they 'will have' caused this year due to lack of clarity/mismanagement etc. Whatever way you spin it for whatever reason it was Elizabeth who lost their coach and players 4 weeks before the season.

Obviously, they are suffering with the whopping's they are getting at the moment but should in theory they be allowed to have all the blokes who left return next year in div7, go and win a flag and be back in div6 in 2026.
Is it unfair for the league to try and hold clubs more accountable and punish clubs whose mismanagement affects numerous other clubs. Almost a bringing the competition into disrepute.

Too harsh and unfair maybe.

If the Lodge can do it why can't Lizbeff.

Bedge, your's is not a selfish stance. It is irrelevant who they are playing whether it be the Parkers or at the other end of the scale the Units. Surely the League should have the overall say in who they allow to play in their comp. Just don't allow any 'ring-ins' to be registered. If Lizbeff register and allow the known 'ring-ins' to play what does it say about them as a club. Extreme short sighted with NO benefit to the club and puts them offside with most other clubs. To quote a comment above does playing 'ring-ins' "bring the competition into disrepute.".

These so called organisations what are now getting behind Lizbeff (I should say Elizabeth) for the publicity and supporting the so called under dog (which includes supplying 'ring-ins') need to be sold as not as that, but as destroying the competition and undermining the structure. With enough bad publicity they would back down.

"Is it unfair for the league to try and hold clubs more accountable and punish clubs whose mismanagement affects numerous other clubs. Almost a bringing the competition into disrepute." Quote : To hold clubs more accountable, where they drop grades and it could even apply to where clubs should be promoted but don't take what they have earnt could be deduction of premiership points and place restriction on recruitment of players. Make it as hard as possible for them to win a so-called easy premiership the following year or years.

Not only the lodge but the Salisbury FC went through it two years ago and the guys on the committee were able to turn it around with help from past players and hard work. They didn't need media coverage or one off sponsorship deals and guest players just hard work and help from members.

[Dutchy]

Sam Newman getting a lap of honour in a white suit is all you need to know about getting celebs in to help a club

[Down the Hill]

I’m all for it provided they also bring in Dene from the Lodge to greet the guest players with that famous handshake.

[wenchbarwer]

I’m all for it provided they also bring in Dene from the Lodge to greet the guest players with that famous handshake.

complete with bios

"welcome to The eagles joel selwood an inside Mid who shows some Promise"

[whufc]

I’m all for it provided they also bring in Dene from the Lodge to greet the guest players with that famous handshake.

complete with bios

"welcome to The eagles joel selwood an inside Mid who shows some Promise"

I would run with......"welcome to The eagles joel selwood small forward who we envision will get more midfield minutes this year"

Whoelse are they going to have whilst the rumours run hot.....

-Dan Gorringe
--Joel Selwood
-Gowans x 2
-Srey
-Few marmalade boys
-Couple of ex hawks with Elizabeth playing at home against units on the Saturday and the hawks taken on Port at AO on the Sunday. A few lads to help Plattens old team out.

[Armchair expert]

Feel for the blokes that miss out because some blow-ins want 5 minutes of fame

Unfortunately they couldn't meet my payment demands so I'm not playing.

[whufc]

Feel for the blokes that miss out because some blow-ins want 5 minutes of fame

Unfortunately they couldn't meet my payment demands so I'm not playing.

Im sure they have blokes that wish they could miss a game or have a rest.

I wouldn't be exactly lining up to play this week, especially if im named in the forward pocket.

It might actually bring one day of joy to a bunch of lads who are going to be in for a winter as long as Game of Thrones.

Agee however the competition integrity if one team is stitched up is really disappointing given the amount of time, effort, money clubs put into onfield performance.

[am Bays]

Not sure if he’s doing for engagement but Dan Gorringe has announced on his tik tok that he will play for Elizabeth.

Didn’t say how many game etc but said he is 100% suiting up

of course he's doing this for engagement

Wont give two hoots about Elizabeth once he back on the plane

[Moe]

My mail is that even without all the above mentioned blow ins that Elizabeth may even get a B grade twam up this weekend, or next.
It could be misinformation, but it did come from an Elizabeth junior coach.