200 Killer Wasps wrote:I dont think that colours are the issue, I think having a 14 round draw for a nine team competition is the major issue.
Mick Beech has said that to have two full rounds would result in a longer season and would leave a too smaller break between summer sports and the football season. This reasoning is as flawed as the draw itself considering that all clubs involved would have started their pre season training late January, early February.
A sixteen round draw including two bye weekends could be easily achieved adding 4 weeks of football to last years program.
1. As Easter 2010 falls in early April the season could begin on April 17 one week earlier than last year.
2. Saturday May 15 corresponds with Centenary weekend last year which is not applicable this year.
3. June 14 Queens Birthday weekend, traditionally no football played on this weekend as it is kept aside for interleague which does not affect Independents.
4. July 3 Would have been Independents V Mid Murray weekend no longer applicable. Some mention of playing Mallee FL however this would contradict the major concern of BSR joining - Independents playing against a team of paid players.
5. The finals could be pushed back two weeks so the grand final is played on September 20 one week after the Riverland grand final. I recall this was done in 1998 and 1997.
The proposal of a 14 round draw involving a split second round may be deemed as fair and equitable for the A grade but is it for the Colts, Netball and proposed under 13's.
Another area that needs some thought is the rivalry between certain clubs and the bigger crowds attracted to these games. East Murray V Wunkar, Paringa V Lyrup, Moorook V Wunkar, Moorook V Cobby are examples of these games and to lose a home game against a rival could result in serious consequence on an end of season balance sheet.
From this year BSR V Ramco, BSR v Wunkar and BSR V East Murray would most likely become rivalry round matches as well.
It should also be noted that when the Independent league formed in 1971 there were nine clubs involved who played two full rounds for 16 games in total plus finals. This applied for 1972 as well.
Finally congratulations on BSR joining the Independents can only make the competition stronger and more exciting.
Extremely well put 200KW, obviously you have put a lot of unbiased thought into your post.
