scottroo wrote:I think the strong sanfl junior competition is a huge carrot dangling for large junior clubs like flaggies. Playing competitive teams week in week out is beneficial for young footballers development.
The SFL junior comp is very weak IMO
Ive coached in both, both have their positives and negatives.
SFL being a regional comp is always going to have teams of different strengths, the advantage of the SANFLJ is the re-grading and divisional process means you get a good game of footy every week after the re-grading occurs. The knock is the travel, but parents don't mind if the they can see their kid developing.
SFL Junior comp at the top end is very good and compares to any of the Div 1 SANFLJ teams, there is a different feel to it as a lot of the boys know each other and enjoy the rivalry around the schools and southern areas, something you don't get in SANFLJ. Playing before the Seniors on a Saturday creates a fantastic whole club connection and again something that can't be replicated down in town. Check out South's/West's and even Glenelg's juniors teams and you will see plenty of kids that have come thru the SFL system. The possible #1 draft pick this year came thru it.
There are now 5 SFL clubs with teams in the SANFLJ in 2021.