HFL Division 1 (Central)

[The_Special_One]

IMO blackwood will play finals but wont push hahndorf, lofty or uraidla! They are a very bulky side with little to no young blokes and their fitness is a long way off the mark! Having said that they are a disciplined side that plays as a team and executes very well! Gigney was at his best mopping up any and most misdirected kicks and there were a lot from a very young and inexperienced Ironbank team.

Lofty boys... were there any outs in the Onkas side?? Is Norton still out? what about Shee no goals not in the best?

[The Big Shrek]

Interesting that people rate Hahndorf so highly. Having seen them play they would slot into div 3 in town. It doesn't say much for the standard of the Hills comp.

[Rooster]

Interesting that people rate Hahndorf so highly. Having seen them play they would slot into div 3 in town. It doesn't say much for the standard of the Hills comp.

think your dreaming shrek. lofty and uraidla would be competitive against most div 1 sides, hahndorf would make finals div 2, as would blackwood, onkas, and maybe ironbank and mt.barker. IMO.

[The Big Shrek]

Interesting that people rate Hahndorf so highly. Having seen them play they would slot into div 3 in town. It doesn't say much for the standard of the Hills comp.

think your dreaming shrek. lofty and uraidla would be competitive against most div 1 sides, hahndorf would make finals div 2, as would blackwood, onkas, and maybe ironbank and mt.barker. IMO.

Think you're dreaming mate. Hahndorf lost a trial to Walkerville who are 1-2 in div 3 at the moment. 20/20 comp Mt Lofty were about the same as Edwardstown who will be middle of the range div 2 this year. Mt Lofty might push as high as top 3 div 2 sides.

[Dashin]

Interesting that people rate Hahndorf so highly. Having seen them play they would slot into div 3 in town. It doesn't say much for the standard of the Hills comp.

think your dreaming shrek. lofty and uraidla would be competitive against most div 1 sides, hahndorf would make finals div 2, as would blackwood, onkas, and maybe ironbank and mt.barker. IMO.

Think you're dreaming mate. Hahndorf lost a trial to Walkerville who are 1-2 in div 3 at the moment. 20/20 comp Mt Lofty were about the same as Edwardstown who will be middle of the range div 2 this year. Mt Lofty might push as high as top 3 div 2 sides.

Trials don't necessarily mean a lot Shrek, always many players out. Having said that Devs have been many Div 2 sides over the past 3 or 4 years. I think they'd be competitive in Div 2, certainly not Div 1 though.

So Ron, doest that mean there is no ligament damage to NPG's fingers? That would be super if it were the case.

Sounds like it is Gordon heading back up the hill. He is a lazy fella but he still kicks 5 a game despite not leaving the goal square. Good bloke and can take a grab. Get him back on board.

Go the three-peat!!!

[dangermouse]

Onkas weren't far from full strength, Norton is out for the year and will possibly be retiring. Contin and Smart will return in the weeks to come which will obviously strengthen their midfiled (which was very poor Friday night). Shee did play, kicked a couple of late goals when the game was all but over but was fairly well held for most of the night by Cooper, Shee played through the guts a little bit as well but didn't have a great impact. Midfield pressure by Mt Lofty was relentless and strangled Onkas into making poor desicions and skill errors.

[magpie in the 80's]

why people keep trying to compare leagues is beyond me.
having trial games against other leagues is great BUT all they are are trials.
playing players out of position to try and find the right formula and mix for the up coming season.
comparing leagues on the back of trial games is utterly useless
the hills league has produced some fine footballers over the years and now is more stronger than it ever was as a competition.
star players returning to their junior clubs and the influx of ex sanfl players only strengthen the competition.
this year appears to be no different despite a couple of clubs falling by the wayside but every club goes through it ocassionally some never get out of it

[The Big Shrek]

Trials don't necessarily mean a lot Shrek, always many players out. Having said that Devs have been many Div 2 sides over the past 3 or 4 years. I think they'd be competitive in Div 2, certainly not Div 1 though.

Agree completely.

[BALL BANGER]

Bridgey haven't been able to get out of it for 10 yrs. With what I can see 3 senior sides, 2 senior colt sides, the club is in the strongest position it has been in a long time. It's now time to bite the bullet and re-group in Country Div. With all the juniors available it's the perfect place for them to develop skills and a winning culture again. And you can't develop nothing by getting beat up week in week out by 10 + goals.

[Dashin]

Bridgey haven't been able to get out of it for 10 yrs. With what I can see 3 senior sides, 2 senior colt sides, the club is in the strongest position it has been in a long time. It's now time to bite the bullet and re-group in Country Div. With all the juniors available it's the perfect place for them to develop skills and a winning culture again. And you can't develop nothing by getting beat up week in week out by 10 + goals.

A woman I know is heavily involved in the juniors at Shante Town and apparently they don't want to go back to Div 2 because the juniors are quite strong and would absolutely smash all the div 2 juniors teams.

But i agree, the seniors have been too bad for too long and should drop back. Not much chance of attracting enough talent with those facilities.

[Banker]

lol bridgys u17s are bottom...

And how are country and central juniors different anyway? I dont understand that reasoning.

Anyway, the HFL should bring in relegation, it would definately improve the quality of the comp.

[Dashin]

lol bridgys u17s are bottom...

And how are country and central juniors different anyway? I dont understand that reasoning.

Anyway, the HFL should bring in relegation, it would definately improve the quality of the comp.

Yeah i think it may be the 10's, 12's and maybe 14's that have been strong.

I agree though, get a relegation system happening, it would make for a far more interesting competition.

[kick it to me]

lol bridgys u17s are bottom...

And how are country and central juniors different anyway? I dont understand that reasoning.

Anyway, the HFL should bring in relegation, it would definately improve the quality of the comp.

Couldnt agree more, Bridgey is a disgrace. By quarter time in their senior grades, the have usually given up on playing proper football and are more interested in busting heads. They play an ugly brand of football and have nowhere near the depth needed to compete properly in Div 1.

As for Bridgey having strong juniors, what the? Throughout all of my junior football i was in a group that progressed through the grades getting thumped week in week. Bridgey were one of the the only teams we ever looked forward to playing because we had a good chance of at least winning one game per season against them. In 2008 its not much different in Senior Colts and the only reason they win in Junior Colts is because theyve got some tall players, but the other clubs will make that up in future seasons.

[alice the camel]

Anyway, the HFL should bring in relegation, it would definately improve the quality of the comp.

A promotion/relegation system exists in the HILLS CONSTITUTION now!!

However it was conflicted by a promise to Birdwood last year for them to remain in Central for a minimum of 3 years (should they want to).
Will be interesting to see whether the league enforces their own rules this year as it could be LOBY on the way out!!!!

[BALL BANGER]

Relagation seems to work well for Amature League why can't it work for Hills? If the club that comes up works hard enough they should be able to stay up for 2-3 yrs. They should also be given consideration to the points system, say an extra 5 or 10 points for their first year up. This should help them with recruitment and the ability to stay in the Central Comp. Look at Birdwood first year up results as expected. This year look to have improved, should beat Bridgey & Lobey and might sneek in an extra win here or there.

[Dashin]

Anyway, the HFL should bring in relegation, it would definately improve the quality of the comp.

A promotion/relegation system exists in the HILLS CONSTITUTION now!!

However it was conflicted by a promise to Birdwood last year for them to remain in Central for a minimum of 3 years (should they want to).
Will be interesting to see whether the league enforces their own rules this year as it could be LOBY on the way out!!!!

Alice, I don't believe in the past decade any team has been forced into promotion/relegation, I know for certain teams haven't been forced to be promoted. Look at Meadows, they won 3 or 4 flags on the trot! Not quite as sure about the relegation but as i remember, teams would only change Divs if their club was for it.

And i'll tell you right now, hell will freeze over before loby get relegated. They'll come good in the next year or two, atleast they won't be losing to Birdwood.

I can't see Birdwood becoming competitive and staying that way, that's for sure.

[alice the camel]

Anyway, the HFL should bring in relegation, it would definately improve the quality of the comp.

A promotion/relegation system exists in the HILLS CONSTITUTION now!!

However it was conflicted by a promise to Birdwood last year for them to remain in Central for a minimum of 3 years (should they want to).
Will be interesting to see whether the league enforces their own rules this year as it could be LOBY on the way out!!!!

Alice, I don't believe in the past decade any team has been forced into promotion/relegation, I know for certain teams haven't been forced to be promoted. Look at Meadows, they won 3 or 4 flags on the trot! Not quite as sure about the relegation but as i remember, teams would only change Divs if their club was for it.

And i'll tell you right now, hell will freeze over before loby get relegated. They'll come good in the next year or two, atleast they won't be losing to Birdwood.

I can't see Birdwood becoming competitive and staying that way, that's for sure.

Constitution refers to prom/rel system ONCE an even number of teams was established!!
In relation to Birdwood, - and I'm not from there - at least they made a gutsy call and one based on fair reason - they have a local high school that will act as a feeder to their club - they've got a hell of a lot more going for them than other smaller towns that are feeling the pinch!!

Wont matter in a few more years anyway as due to above reasons the Country div will disintegrate leaving a single Div in the league - sorry but thats just the way of the times!

[Rooster]

Anyway, the HFL should bring in relegation, it would definately improve the quality of the comp.

A promotion/relegation system exists in the HILLS CONSTITUTION now!!

However it was conflicted by a promise to Birdwood last year for them to remain in Central for a minimum of 3 years (should they want to).
Will be interesting to see whether the league enforces their own rules this year as it could be LOBY on the way out!!!!

Alice, I don't believe in the past decade any team has been forced into promotion/relegation, I know for certain teams haven't been forced to be promoted. Look at Meadows, they won 3 or 4 flags on the trot! Not quite as sure about the relegation but as i remember, teams would only change Divs if their club was for it.

And i'll tell you right now, hell will freeze over before loby get relegated. They'll come good in the next year or two, atleast they won't be losing to Birdwood.

I can't see Birdwood becoming competitive and staying that way, that's for sure.

let's not forget that when birdwood went up ALL the other div 2 clubs had the opportunity to do the same thing, and they were all to scared to do it, birdwood recognised the plight of div 2 and made the long term descision to attempt to become competitive in div 1. which this year we have taken a big step towards... our A grade were down to Uraidla by 3 goals at 3quater time, and IMO will give Onaks a good solid push this week... our U/17's (winless last year) beat Mt.Lofty two weeks ago i believe... things are on the up at birdwood, and you mt.lofty guys might not believe but we're a club with a long and proud tradition. (i played all my juniors there and never once missed a grandfinal) birdwood ARE competitive, and WILL stay that way... lots of juniors, big highschool, smart people running the club.
i'd say bridgy and lobey will be the ones to leave if any go. and as for Kangarilla coming up... well... if someone drops down it should be bottom team, not just the latest up. meadows and TV should've grabbed their chance when they had it!

[seaess]

hey rooster your juniors should be strong you have a high school in your town. you were beaten by over 100 points in the last round of 2006 and didn't recruit for 2007 you have made up little ground on the top 5 this year and only have one year left of the guarantee to play in div 1. the top 5 clubs in div2 would finish above yourself/Bridgy and Lobey easily. You guy's had the right idea, just didn't have the team to do it at that time.

[Rooster]

hey rooster your juniors should be strong you have a high school in your town. you were beaten by over 100 points in the last round of 2006 and didn't recruit for 2007 you have made up little ground on the top 5 this year and only have one year left of the guarantee to play in div 1. the top 5 clubs in div2 would finish above yourself/Bridgy and Lobey easily. You guy's had the right idea, just didn't have the team to do it at that time.

actually we've made up a lot of ground on the top 5 this year...we've already played the best 3 sides hahndorf,lofty and uradila and been competitive in 2 out of 3....i agree we didn't have the team to do it last year... but we did. and we're here, and we aint moving. so you just enjoy what'l soon be a 6 or 7 team competition in country div. we'l keep running around with the big boys.