Reserve Grade

[The Insider]

As most would know, this weekend, First Grade have a bye, but Reserves and U/18's will still play to make up for the Super Saturday weekend in Round 1.

Apparently the Sydney AFL has decided that there are no regulations as to who can play in Reserve Grade, meaning that clubs could effectively load the 2nds with First Graders to snatch a win.

I would have thought that the obvious solution would have been for the Sydney AFL to state that any player who played Round 1 in First Grade cannot play this game. Is it as simple as this?

What does everyone else think?

[Monty Burns2]

As most would know, this weekend, First Grade have a bye, but Reserves and U/18's will still play to make up for the Super Saturday weekend in Round 1.

Apparently the Sydney AFL has decided that there are no regulations as to who can play in Reserve Grade, meaning that clubs could effectively load the 2nds with First Graders to snatch a win.

I would have thought that the obvious solution would have been for the Sydney AFL to state that any player who played Round 1 in First Grade cannot play this game. Is it as simple as this?

What does everyone else think?

I heard the opposite - that anyone playing in rd 1 was not permitted to play(but it was third hand)

[The Insider]

I was told that anyone can play, and if any clubs wanted this changed, it was up to the two teams playing on the day to come to some arrangement. Ludicrous. Does anyone know the official line from the Sydney AFL?

[shearer]

Official line is there are no restrictions and anyone can play.

[Dunger]

The official rule is that once you've played 9 home and away games in one grade, you can't drop back to a lower grade.

If the League was concerned that teams would be 'loaded' for this round they would have amended the rules OR have the seniors break at round 9.

[tara]

The official rule is that once you've played 9 home and away games in one grade, you can't drop back to a lower grade.

If the League was concerned that teams would be 'loaded' for this round they would have amended the rules OR have the seniors break at round 9.

The league believe that it all evens up come finals time.

[Pace To Burn]

The official rule is that once you've played 9 home and away games in one grade, you can't drop back to a lower grade.

If the League was concerned that teams would be 'loaded' for this round they would have amended the rules OR have the seniors break at round 9.

I think you will find that rule applies to under 18 players during the regular season. EG If an under 18 has played 9 or more games in either Firsts or res they cant go back to 18s, and it is the same in the finals unless both teams are playing on the same weekend. Eg A player that has played 9 first grade games can only play ressies in the finals if they are playing on the same weekend.

I dont think too many teams who are struggling in ressies would risk injuring first graders just to get a win. Most of the sides struggling in ressies probably dont have the depth in the ones so it would make it pretty stupid to do so.

[Henry]

The rule is actually as follows:

During the home and away season any player who has played nine or more matches in one grade is not permitted to drop back more than one level, based on the following competition rankings:

1. Premier Division Senior
2. Premier Division Reserves
3. First Division Senior
4. First Division Reserves
5. Second Division

Although U18's aren't listed I take that to mean a kid who has played 9 games in the 1's could drop to 2's during the H&A but not to 18's. All of which is a moot point given we've only played 6 rounds in the 1's.

In my opinion, fringe 1's players will play 2's this week as well as some guys who are short of a gallop due to injury.

[The Insider]

I think everyone is missing the point. I understand the rule about eligibility for playing up or down, but surely unique circumstances require unique rules. Never before has all of First Grade played on one day with Reserves and U/18's having a bye (which i think was a good idea by the way).

[shearer]

I was suprised when i heard that the league had ruled that way, i was expecting the blokes who played seniors in round 1 to be ruled ineligible like they would any other round.

[pocketrocket]

I understand the theory of it very well, but on game day some clubs use players from both the 18s and reserves to fill their first grade team, after they have played in their respective team before the ones, therefore playing 2 games on the one day, so this is the reverse where the 1s have played first and not last. but i do agree, to avoid teams stacking their 2s this weekend, maybe a unique law should apply with exceptions for those who can state a case for playing down.

[Pace To Burn]

I was suprised when i heard that the league had ruled that way, i was expecting the blokes who played seniors in round 1 to be ruled ineligible like they would any other round.

We have been known to have guys play both Ressies and Ones on the same day. Not ideal but does happen(Just being picky).

[T-Rock]

Who really cares??????

There are going to be fringe players or players needing to get back some form who should get a run this weekend, but if a club is that desperate for a win in the magoos that they will risk injuring key first graders then good luck to them!

Anyway, it's not about a league ruling, I think it's a club morale thing. If I was a two's player who didn't get a game this weekend because the club wanted to give their first grade players another run, I wouldn't be a happy camper. If the team did win doing this, it would be a bit of a hollow victory.

[YoungKanga]

I understand the theory of it very well, but on game day some clubs use players from both the 18s and reserves to fill their first grade team, after they have played in their respective team before the ones, therefore playing 2 games on the one day, so this is the reverse where the 1s have played first and not last. but i do agree, to avoid teams stacking their 2s this weekend, maybe a unique law should apply with exceptions for those who can state a case for playing down.

i played 11 quarters of football one day at roger sheenan...
Full 18's in ruck
Full Ressies CHF
3/4 of 1sts CHF

goes without saying i couldnt move for a week.
some of u blokes dont realise how lucky u are to have a team to pik every week.

[pocketrocket]

thats what i was trying to say youngkanga, as i have been in that position many times, playing a couple of games a day.
i also agree that it would be a hollow victory and i wouldnt be a happy camper missing out because a first grader has come back, but sometimes it is not about the individual, it is about the club, and getting a first grader back in form for the sake of the club may be a valid reason to play down.