Would the SANFL ever revert back to the U/17 and U/19 comps?

[Chambo100]

Man you are Mr Stats.

I just can't conceive of keeping or having access to such records.
I tips me lid.

Just a colollory to my previous post.

have spoken with the reserves coach of another sanfl club, a football manager and heard opinions directly from an Under 18 coach. All are unanimous that the current concept is not the gravy train it was promoted to be and also support the 17/19 concept as a better fit for local footy development.

[drebin]

Hmm we have had one year of the U18's - give it time!

[Wedgie]

And consider this. It was supposed to reduce the amount of blow out margins.

It was?
Can you provide a link please?

I read plenty of reasons including reducing costs, improving the amount of South Australians drafted, improving our performances at the national carnival and providing a more elite competition but saw nothing official that it was supposed to reduce any amounts of blow out margins.
Blowouts have been a part of junior competitions since Moses was a boy because ofthe different way clubs promote and develop their juniors and I would think this stat is irrelevent.
You can point positives and negatives at the new comp but the simple reality is you wont have an accurate reflection on if its truly a success or a failure for at least a couple of years if not more.
Until then people are just sprouting crap to suit their own agenda IMHO.

[redandblack]

Chambo, I've spoken to similar people and they are just as adamant that it is a big step forward.

One made the comment that it used to get difficult at times to attract players, but now all juniors want to play 18's if they can.

We're all just debating from our own entrenched positions anyway.

I agree with drebin and Wedgie

Also have a look at the 18's finals when they have their best teams in and then judge the standard.

[bickle]

i cant see the 16's lasting, give a couple of years then gone (if the current format is used)

[spell_check]

And consider this. It was supposed to reduce the amount of blow out margins.

It was?
Can you provide a link please?

I read plenty of reasons including reducing costs, improving the amount of South Australians drafted, improving our performances at the national carnival and providing a more elite competition but saw nothing official that it was supposed to reduce any amounts of blow out margins.
Blowouts have been a part of junior competitions since Moses was a boy because ofthe different way clubs promote and develop their juniors and I would think this stat is irrelevent.
You can point positives and negatives at the new comp but the simple reality is you wont have an accurate reflection on if its truly a success or a failure for at least a couple of years if not more.
Until then people are just sprouting crap to suit their own agenda IMHO.

That wasn't an official SANFL reason, it was something that others used to suit their own agenda.

[drebin]

I agree with drebin and Wedgie

Ditto

[ca]

I agree with drebin and Wedgie

Ditto

So do I

[am Bays]

Chambo, I've spoken to similar people and they are just as adamant that it is a big step forward.

One made the comment that it used to get difficult at times to attract players, but now all juniors want to play 18's if they can.

We're all just debating from our own entrenched positions anyway.

I agree with drebin and Wedgie

Also have a look at the 18's finals when they have their best teams in and then judge the standard.

Well R&B I haven't spoken to anyone whose said it was or has been a good idea or what was promised has been delivered, apart from on this site. Admitadly my sample size of conversations is biased towards the negative. Spoke with a South U/18 coach at Naorlunga in May and he said they still struggle to get all their best kids to play juniors as the pull of their local clubs is too strong.

There will be no extended U/16s next year on three clubs were in favour of extending it. The one club who fell out of the four who voted against the change voted more on harsh financial realities the club faces rather than what they would lke to do for their juniors.

[redandblack]

Well, amBays, I've spoken to a lot of people who think it's been great, but our separate experiences are fairly predictable.

I'll watch the 18's finals with interest and I'm sure you'll see a high quality series, with the best of the local talent playing, particularly from your team.

Seeing that those playing will be the cream of the under 18's and the very top quality of lower age players, supplemented by up to 6 overage players, the standard will be very high.

[am Bays]

Well, amBays, I've spoken to a lot of people who think it's been great, but our separate experiences are fairly predictable.

I'll watch the 18's finals with interest and I'm sure you'll see a high quality series, with the best of the local talent playing, particularly from your team.

Seeing that those playing will be the cream of the under 18's and the very top quality of lower age players, supplemented by up to 6 overage players, the standard will be very high.

Yep I'm sure it will be a good finals series of U/18s just like the 19s always was, full of quality football. Will it be better highly doubt it. Will it be as good probably. Will clubs have to make harsh calls on 18-20 year olds in Oct/Nov who could do with an extra year in club structures - you betcha.

[spell_check]

Well, amBays, I've spoken to a lot of people who think it's been great, but our separate experiences are fairly predictable.

I'll watch the 18's finals with interest and I'm sure you'll see a high quality series, with the best of the local talent playing, particularly from your team.

Seeing that those playing will be the cream of the under 18's and the very top quality of lower age players, supplemented by up to 6 overage players, the standard will be very high.

Yep I'm sure it will be a good finals series of U/18s just like the 19s always was, full of quality football. Will it be better highly doubt it. Will it be as good probably. Will clubs have to make harsh calls on 18-20 year olds in Oct/Nov who could do with an extra year in club structures - you betcha.

Even though we lost both finals last year, I thought they were good matches to watch (the 2nd Semi and Prelim).

[redandblack]

amBays, we've been through this a hundred times.

You can play up to 6 overage players and very few players who are likely to be good league players are 'lost' under either system.

Let's both stick to our opinion and let time be the judge.

It's not going to change back.

[Chambo100]

I accept as per my first post that 1 year will not be enough to determine the success of the U18 concept.

However, Red and Black is more optimistic than myself.

If this success comes (ultimately) at the price of the integrity of the current league and reserves competition then I am wholeheartedly not behind it.


Even after one year, I am sceptical that less kids and families around the footy club is a good thing.

I accept patience is needed with the concept, but this is not one big chemistry experiment.
I would much rather hear from the sanfl as to the outcomes that are planned to be achieved from it. Both long and short term.

Yes, we will all need to bide our time...............the jury is out!

[am Bays]

amBays, we've been through this a hundred times.

feels like more...

You can play up to 6 overage players and very few players who are likely to be good league players are 'lost' under either system.

fully aware of that about the number, but four weeks ago Glenelg sent back 15 players to local clubs due to our relatively good injury management systems. Some (not all) of those could have legitimately played 19s or others in the 2s could have dropped down to the 19s those sent back to local league could have stayed in the 2s. Both 19s and 2s are a better standard of footy than SFL A grade or Div 2 amateurs - which is better for their future potential development as league footballers.

Let's both stick to our opinion and let time be the judge.

Agreed and I respect you point of view.

It's not going to change back.

Not if the Glenelg, Sturt and Central Districts Footy clubs have a say in it!!

am bays over and out!!!

[Chambo100]

[/quote]

Not if the Glenelg, Sturt and Central Districts Footy clubs have a say in it!!

am bays over and out!!![/quote]

...or the Magpies