HALL to Coach in 2008

[rooboy]

Super league a must

IHK, I'II shed some @@@@ing light, don't you worry about that.

You have to many people who are associated with clubs & the league that use the line "its only Sydney football" & back in my day or back home we did this or that" Look at previous comments online when we suggested the super league, comments ranged from "its been suggested before & it won't get off the ground ", "how are blokes going to get to training it costs money to travel around Sydney," "its to far to Canberra & back" & the big one "Don't think clubs will like it, who is going to be in charge?" these comments are always from a few who, do have some influence either at the SAFL or with premier clubs. many of these peolpe don't have any vision!!
Facts are we have a system that is basically half there when you include Wollongong. All premier division clubs pay players, some more than others, some players play for the "LUFF" of it! whats required is grouping these players into 4 super teams for the Sydney metro & 1 from South. The bottom layers(divisions) will consistently feed up wards. And the circle feeds its self. EVERYBODY wins & there is a level for everybody to play this great game. On the back of all this the comp gets 30 odd Swans reserves back spread evenly into the super league.

Let me pose this question to you IHK. A logical step would be to have 2 super teams from the Black Diamond league enter SAFL in a super comp. (Newcaslte is quicker or pretty much the same time to get to than Wollongong) The Black Diamond league would still be able to function and cater for all there other tiers in there market.

But who from both leagues (understand both comps pay there hierarchy) would be willing to lose their job or at least change there roles. Hence key stakeholders won't go down this path. And when you pull down who these stakeholders are there are only a hand few who are holding the football community back.

All we need is some strong, sound & for the good of football in Sydney & surrounds leadership from the AFL not the SAFL. Also the same applies for all clubs the fact is no club will loose any identity under the super structure.
Wouldn't it be good for kids to aspire to this super league.

We could expand on the naming rights & sponsorship of the super league. We could broadcast via the community radio all games with the match of the day to be televised. Why wouldn't tourism NSW/Sydney get on board? the possibilities are endless for the super comp.

Proven over years in every state are you need to grow where the demergraphics are growing. fact 1 (And this is not a cheap shot) Penno will struggle now that kids in the hills have 2 other choices to play football.
Where are inner city clubs going to draw from? when the population has moved West, South & to the central coast these are facts that can not be hidden away.

Thanks Pekay. One thing I would like to know though, which I have struggled to understand since moving to Sydney, and I am likely to put my head on the chopping block for this, is why don't ALL footballers & coaches in Sydney try and play at the highest standard possible (Prem Div 1)?

I understand people get attached to a club etc, and the spirit of football is you don't leave your mates, but I cannot for the life of me understand why people who have obvious football ability (coaching, or playing) don't attempt to play or contribute at the highest possible standard. My only assumption can be that they obviously don't have the confidence, or they like to be a big fish in a small pond.

This is obviously going to get a few people worked up on here, and this is certainly not designed to do so. But for my 2 cents worth I think the entire comps credibility will benefit significantly if the SFL can be more aggressive in encouraging all 1st div and 2nd div footballers to play football at the highest level their ability allows them. The Canberra competition has taken the approach that all 3rds and 4ths (as they are known in Canberra and the equivalant of 1st div and 2nd div) have affiliate clubs that are playing in the highest grade to give the talented players a straight pathway to the top. Pls excuse my naivety if this is already the case for the SFL, but I really think blokes like Pekay who sound like they love the game and live for the game and have something to offer should be making a direct contribution to our league at the highest possible standard.

Sorry Pekay, this is not designed to be a direct attack on you, it is just something I would like to get an explanation on, as I think it is an obvious area of improvement for the comp as a whole.

Coming from the Canberra AFL, when I tell my mates about the SFL and how I am personally going, they just laugh and tell me I am playing in a sht comp anyway and I should stick to eating pies (yes, I am LL). I know and everyone on here knows this is a bull@@@@ perspective, but we need to do something about this and change it.

Rooboy, can you shed any light on this?

[Splinters]

Let me pose this question to you IHK. A logical step would be to have 2 super teams from the Black Diamond league enter SAFL in a super comp. (Newcaslte is quicker or pretty much the same time to get to than Wollongong) The Black Diamond league would still be able to function and cater for all there other tiers in there market.

.

They tried to get ONE "Super Team" at U-18 level from Newcastle a few years ago and it failed miserably. The extra cost and travel would kill off the two teams and decimate the local competition - as it is many teams have folded up there as they used to have TWO viable comps.

Wollongon is a LOT more accessible and the travel to sat Campbelltown and St George is a short trip compared against what Newcastle would face.

Plus Newcastle is such a league town that they would barely register on the radar.

A dumb idea that would fail miserably and set back the game even further in those areas.

[rooboy]

Splinters, Its people like you who are pulling the footy back.

Yet again another one who tells us why it can't happen.

Read my response to IHK first!

- NO LOCAL COMP WILL BE DECIMATED IT WOULD STILL BE IN PLACE!!!
All leagues still retain there imagine & clubs.
- Are you suggesting it doesn't cost to get to the ar*e end off Western Sydney already! You need a police escort & 3 cut lunches to get through & to C/Town!!!!!!
- What it doesn't take 90 mins (min) to get to Wollongong for most teams ????
- No wonder U18's didn't take off, there are UNDER 18's who most of them require there parents to ferry them around.

The SAFL is cashed up lets spend the money on THE PLAYERS first, provide them with a great comp, grounds (which is just around the corner) & opportunites to play in a well reagrded league.

As the classic says "Build it with a vision and they will come".

They tried to get ONE "Super Team" at U-18 level from Newcastle a few years ago and it failed miserably. The extra cost and travel would kill off the two teams and decimate the local competition - as it is many teams have folded up there as they used to have TWO viable comps.

Wollongon is a LOT more accessible and the travel to sat Campbelltown and St George is a short trip compared against what Newcastle would face.

Plus Newcastle is such a league town that they would barely register on the radar.

A dumb idea that would fail miserably and set back the game even further in those areas.

[Rafters]

To give my $0.02 worth I think that Sydney footy is dying slowly & there is an urgent need to do something about it. I don't necessarily know what the solution is but a radical overhaul is required & it requires a clean sheet with input at all stakeholder levels rather than a muddied view of what we have currently.

I noticed a significant lower standard of play at Sydney AFL level in the last 2 years compared to the early 90s and I have observed a signficant decline in standard at SFA level in the past 5 years. It is a statement that I think cannot be disputed.

Why don't sides like ST George, Campbelltown, Wests, Norths, Balmain & ECE have more senior players playing each week than what they did 15 years ago? Surely this is a sign that we are not growing our code ... these clubs should be encouraged to have a 5 year goal to have a third senior side each (without merely drawing ie raiding from other clubs in the area such as Manly & Cronulla).

Scrap SFA footy & introduce the division style that was bandied about a few years ago. Reward the good clubs with promotion & allow the older blokes to play in lower levels with their mates.

The number of teams/clubs have dropped significantly from the late 80s with only the universities reversing the trend (academics are not your traditional place that you would consider building footy clubs).

There is a need to let the elite play at an elite level but thee is also a need to let anyone else have a kick of the footy. What is wrong with having 15 different divisions like all other sports seem to have in Sydney? A lower level can introduce someone into senior footy if they don't feel confident.

Why not have modified rules - akin to Masters footy - to ease newcomers into footy?

Perhaps we should look at replicating the rep system that there currently is at junior level (Stars, Pigeons, etc) that leads to state team selection (where they play a few matches against either other states or VFA / SANFL sides) - worthwhile to assess its merit to see if a state based competition could be started if future years. It may mean reducing the number of rounds in he current comp by 3 or 4 to accomodate the additional schedule.

I am still at a loss how we have interstate carnivals for underage & at masters levels - all being a success & highlight of those careers - yet we don't at senior footy when most players are at the peaks of their football. I know that AFL recruiting is different these days in gettin 'em young & train them up yourself or a few years, but I am sure that a battle hardened player would be of better value in some AFL ranks (especially those currently hit by injury) & they could be identified in these state carnivals.

Why not see if Newcastle want to be involved in Sydney footy? Maybe they wouldn't be interested but for the sydney based sides one trip up the F1 each year wouldn't be the hardest thing in the world for promoting the good word - most clubs seem to travel that way in pre-season anyway so the travel excuse doesn't have much currency.

PS The bagging that ye do with each other on this site is absolutely baby stuff - have the balls to put your own name to your words or don't bother at all. And those that fall for the bait need to get thicker skins. Ye need to look at the bigger picture in promoting Sydney footy - alot of potential recruits would google Sydney footy & come to this site only to be turned away. To those that do match reviews of games I say thank you as I enjoy reading them.

[Bomberland]

I think you are all thinking too much,the only change i can see that will allow players to play at their best would be to allow a national carnival to take place every second year for which sydney, riverina, south and north coast and some ovens and murray sides can be picked in. Currently this is not available to sydney players as we are not considered "country'' and are not allowed to play in the country champs held every two years. they call this a state league but where are our players vying for all australian honors... just a thought.

[Splinters]

Splinters, Its people like you who are pulling the footy back.

Yet again another one who tells us why it can't happen.

Read my response to IHK first!

South: Clapham, Brixton, Battersea and Wandsworth ? Clapham and Battersea have become very popular over the past couple of years, with many of the industrial buildings being replaced by new flats. This is a lively area with plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and pubs. Here you?ll find lots Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans taking advantage of the reasonably priced accommodation and good transport links.

South West: Earl?s Court, Fulham, Putney, Wimbledon and Southfields ? Many antipodeans head to these areas full of working travellers, particularly Earl?s Court which is full of hostels and affordable accommodation, with excellent transport links to central London. For more of a ?neighbourhood? feel head to Putney or Fulham, where lively pubs and clubs meet parks and public libraries. Wimbledon (great spot for tennis fans!) and Southfields also have lots of flat-shares and good transport links.

West: Shepherd?s Bush, Acton, Hammersmith ? Fast becoming the hot-spot for Aussies and Kiwis working in London. Shepherd?s Bush and Acton are filled with affordable accommodation and legendary pubs such as the Shepherd?s Bush Walkabout and Acton?s Redback Tavern. Head here for the pub culture and accessible transport links, or Hammersmith for a tamer (and slightly more expensive) experience.

South East: Greenwich, Docklands, Canary Wharf ? The Docklands and Canary Wharf areas are booming at the moment, with new housing and business popping up all over the place. There are fairly good transport links thanks to the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) and accommodation is reasonably priced. There isn?t much of a vibe in these areas though, so head to Greenwich if historical buildings and antique markets are more your cup of tea.

North: Highgate, Hampstead, Archway ? These pretty Zone 2 suburbs have a village atmosphere, with leafy parks, pubs and fancy restaurants. They are quite pricey though, so you won?t find too many struggling antipodeans. These are real ?English? suburbs, where the likes of Jamie Oliver and Pierce Brosnan own houses, so make sure you have plenty of pounds saved before flat hunting here.

North West: Notting Hill, Willesden Green, Kilburn, Wembley, Camden ? Camden and Notting Hill are the trendier suburbs in this area with bustling markets (Camden and Portobello Road), swanky restaurants and buzzing bars. You will of course pay more for living with the ?in crowd? in these elegant streets. For more affordable but still buzzing suburbs home to many working travellers, try Willesden Green, Kilburn and Wembley.

- Are you suggesting it doesn't cost to get to the ar*e end off Western Sydney already! You need a police escort & 3 cut lunches to get through & to C/Town!!!!!!
- What it doesn't take 90 mins (min) to get to Wollongong for most teams ????
- No wonder U18's didn't take off, there are UNDER 18's who most of them require there parents to ferry them around.

The SAFL is cashed up lets spend the money on THE PLAYERS first, provide them with a great comp, grounds (which is just around the corner) & opportunites to play in a well reagrded league.

As the classic says "Build it with a vision and they will come".

No rooboy, just realistic

Your comments are pie-in-the sky stuff, nice to dream but we need to deal in reality too.

I would rather the NSWAFL concentrate on getting the regional comps right first - how you can talk about expansion when the SFA is in such a parlous state just shows yuour ignorance of the local scene.

FWIW IF I were running the game the first step I would do would to get the Swans ressies playing in the SANFL out of Monarch Fields. It could be a combo of Swans ressies, young local talent and maybe some old hard heads from interstate to add depth. It would need to be at least semi-pro for the non-Swans players and it would need real commitment.

THAT would create added genuine interest in the game at the local level. THAT would open up a carrer path for local kids playing the game. And it wouldn't decimate the local league in the process - despite your assetions I believe it would.

Agree we need to think out of the square I just happen to disagree with you that's all

[rooboy]

Spineless,

You are agreeing with me you @@@@ing idiot. firstly what is this crap you have pulled down from the net don't add it to my comments!

Pie in the sky - swans ressie to play out of C/Town with some wise old heads joining them. Get real

You talk of ignorance - Why do you think am placing these thoughts forward in the first place?.

Your comments only benifits your mates out West (C/Town) and not the rest of the the teams, players & supporters of SAFL, yet again another one who can't see the bigger picture.

No rooboy, just realistic

Your comments are pie-in-the sky stuff, nice to dream but we need to deal in reality too.

I would rather the NSWAFL concentrate on getting the regional comps right first - how you can talk about expansion when the SFA is in such a parlous state just shows yuour ignorance of the local scene.

FWIW IF I were running the game the first step I would do would to get the Swans ressies playing in the SANFL out of Monarch Fields. It could be a combo of Swans ressies, young local talent and maybe some old hard heads from interstate to add depth. It would need to be at least semi-pro for the non-Swans players and it would need real commitment.

THAT would create added genuine interest in the game at the local level. THAT would open up a carrer path for local kids playing the game. And it wouldn't decimate the local league in the process - despite your assetions I believe it would.

Agree we need to think out of the square I just happen to disagree with you that's all

[Splinters]

Spineless,

You are agreeing with me you @@@@ing idiot. firstly what is this crap you have pulled down from the net don't add it to my comments!

Pie in the sky - swans ressie to play out of C/Town with some wise old heads joining them. Get real

You talk of ignorance - Why do you think am placing these thoughts forward in the first place?.

Your comments only benifits your mates out West (C/Town) and not the rest of the the teams, players & supporters of SAFL, yet again another one who can't see the bigger picture.

You are a king-sized toolhead and I won't bother with your silly little posts going forward.

[the ghost]

and this has what to do with balmains coach?

[Mahatma]

the posts just turn to dribble after a while ghost and spiral out of control.pretty funny really

[chaz]

ill have to agree with you there mahatma just abit of carry on!

[rooboy]

ghost,

Should you follow the replys you will notice questions being asked along the way. originally the question asked was Is Sydney AFL is in a bad state when jibs like Hall are playing.

and this has what to do with balmains coach?

[chaz]

seriously rooboy there isnt a side in sydney that hall wouldnt get a game in

[rooboy]

Chaz, You can't have a leader/playing coach who is the laughing stock of the comp. Hally has really got it wrong with his style of play.

He would be more suited to 1st division.

seriously rooboy there isnt a side in sydney that hall wouldnt get a game in

[chaz]

its not entirely his fault he hasnt got the cattle to actually have a game plan