2026 Adelaide Footy League - Division 6

[wristwatcher]

It’s an interesting discussion this one and I’m not sure anyone knows if pre Xmas training and inflated numbers correlates directly to success

Looking at Div 1 it’s all over the shop in 2026

Glenunga - didn’t start until mid Jan
PNU - have had as many as 50 on the track pre Xmas but are widely tipped for relegation
SPOC - had sessions with fewer than 20 but will be expected to play finals
SNorf - have had 40-50 most sessions

I have seen teams start in Jan and make GFs and I have seen teams start in November have 50 on the track and ultimately win nothing but a spoon

Gaza had 70 on the track last year In pre-season and got relegated

The only I can say with certainty is you’d rather have good numbers on the track and create the connection if you are going to have the pre Xmas sessions. I just don’t think it guarantees a thing

[LaughingKookaburra]

It’s an interesting discussion this one and I’m not sure anyone knows if pre Xmas training and inflated numbers correlates directly to success

Looking at Div 1 it’s all over the shop in 2026

Glenunga - didn’t start until mid Jan
PNU - have had as many as 50 on the track pre Xmas but are widely tipped for relegation
SPOC - had sessions with fewer than 20 but will be expected to play finals
SNorf - have had 40-50 most sessions

I have seen teams start in Jan and make GFs and I have seen teams start in November have 50 on the track and ultimately win nothing but a spoon

Gaza had 70 on the track last year In pre-season and got relegated

The only I can say with certainty is you’d rather have good numbers on the track and create the connection if you are going to have the pre Xmas sessions. I just don’t think it guarantees a thing

Starting earlier used to give some clubs a head start in the recruiting process. You’d quite often pick up extra b, c & d graders because blokes would hear from mates about numbers, early hopes ect and it gives you more weeks to get blokes to commit. Now the 3 player rule is firmly in place I’m not so sure there is much value in starting early - Especially this year given the later start.

[wristwatcher]

It’s an interesting discussion this one and I’m not sure anyone knows if pre Xmas training and inflated numbers correlates directly to success

Looking at Div 1 it’s all over the shop in 2026

Glenunga - didn’t start until mid Jan
PNU - have had as many as 50 on the track pre Xmas but are widely tipped for relegation
SPOC - had sessions with fewer than 20 but will be expected to play finals
SNorf - have had 40-50 most sessions

I have seen teams start in Jan and make GFs and I have seen teams start in November have 50 on the track and ultimately win nothing but a spoon

Gaza had 70 on the track last year In pre-season and got relegated

The only I can say with certainty is you’d rather have good numbers on the track and create the connection if you are going to have the pre Xmas sessions. I just don’t think it guarantees a thing

Starting earlier used to give some clubs a head start in the recruiting process. You’d quite often pick up extra b, c & d graders because blokes would hear from mates about numbers, early hopes ect and it gives you more weeks to get blokes to commit. Now the 3 player rule is firmly in place I’m not so sure there is much value in starting early - Especially this year given the later start.

Yep and now the contracts are actually binding the early start seems to have less impact. If they are signed, they are signed. No more Cupido's running around signing at 4 clubs. (Well there was one this year but not in the Adelaide FL)

[The Bedge]

Yep and now the contracts are actually binding the early start seems to have less impact. If they are signed, they are signed. No more Cupido's running around signing at 4 clubs. (Well there was one this year but not in the Adelaide FL)

BAHAHA .. you got jokes.

*edit - contracts are only binding once the player physically registers for the club... plenty of blokes still running around signing for multiple clubs - Mason Pitt + Terrel Rigney recent examples.

Funnier when blokes are getting sign on fees (not those two), and then jump ship and the club cant say anything coz sign ons are taboo.

[Mr Beefy]

It’s an interesting discussion this one and I’m not sure anyone knows if pre Xmas training and inflated numbers correlates directly to success

Looking at Div 1 it’s all over the shop in 2026

Glenunga - didn’t start until mid Jan
PNU - have had as many as 50 on the track pre Xmas but are widely tipped for relegation
SPOC - had sessions with fewer than 20 but will be expected to play finals
SNorf - have had 40-50 most sessions

I have seen teams start in Jan and make GFs and I have seen teams start in November have 50 on the track and ultimately win nothing but a spoon

Gaza had 70 on the track last year In pre-season and got relegated

The only I can say with certainty is you’d rather have good numbers on the track and create the connection if you are going to have the pre Xmas sessions. I just don’t think it guarantees a thing

Starting earlier used to give some clubs a head start in the recruiting process. You’d quite often pick up extra b, c & d graders because blokes would hear from mates about numbers, early hopes ect and it gives you more weeks to get blokes to commit. Now the 3 player rule is firmly in place I’m not so sure there is much value in starting early - Especially this year given the later start.

Yep and now the contracts are actually binding the early start seems to have less impact. If they are signed, they are signed. No more Cupido's running around signing at 4 clubs. (Well there was one this year but not in the Adelaide FL)

It seems Mason Pitt's stay at Para Hills was short-lived

[scottroo]

Contracts are binding the minute they are signed.

Was changed this year

[beef]

Contracts are binding the minute they are signed.

Was changed this year

Binding or not, do you want a bloke at the footy club who doesn't want to be there?

[The Bedge]

Binding or not, do you want a bloke at the footy club who doesn't want to be there?

Nope.. but on the flipside, be nice to show players they cant just **** clubs around for their own selfish needs and wants.