dockers forfit?????

[tara]

Do you think you can field an 18's in the foreseeable future? That is the only reason that I could see the AFL having grounds to hold you back should you push for it.

At present you have an extremely well run club with an abundance of expats but who is to say that will always be the case (although I suspect it will). Having an under 18's (junior) component would should that you are definately in it for the long hall.

The only other stumbling block is your ground - will it cope with even more football on it.

[ShortHalfHead]

Having seen four teams play in 18's PC this year, I would say that two of them, Wests and Balmain, would not make the finals in Challenge Cup. Maybe the new zoning rules will help in 2010, but realistically it would be better to have other strategies (as I mentioned earlier)

[DLH]

do u think that uts should replace balmain in the premier leauge i nthe next couple of years?????

I'm not sure why they necessarily have to replace Balmain.

UTS are a bit of a juggernaut these days, I can't see why they couldn't cope with the step up although I don't know whether it's in their plans.

They seem to pick up an awful lot of interstaters, especially from the Ammos in SA and Vic, so they must have developed some good networks which would definitely help them.

Yet another inner city club in Premier Division though which I don't think is ideal strategically.

[Junior]

Short Half head can you explain the zoning rules for 2010? What is the league's stance? Is it a formality or a RWO beatup?

[tara]

Short Half head can you explain the zoning rules for 2010? What is the league's stance? Is it a formality or a RWO beatup?

What do you mean by a beat up?

[Junior]

I simply mean has the league confirmed that this is going to happen or is it something that might be in the pipeline, but people on RWO are already treating it as gospel...

[tara]

Experience says that when the league come out with these plans they are not in the pipeline they are in the process of being finalised.

Id imagine most clubs that are proactive would have already submitted their responses.

[Junior]

Thanks Tara. my initial query still stands, can someone explain how it will work?

[DLH]

The proposal is that Sydney will be divided up into ten regions, with each of those ten containing a Premier Division club along with relevant lower division clubs along geographic lines.

Each of these regions have designated junior clubs which feed in to them.

Clubs that intend on fielding an U/18's side have to lodge a list of 30 players, made up of their current 18's that are still eligible along with kids coming out of their local 16's, by a particular date. These 30 are then tied to that club.

Presumably if more than one club in the region lists a player coming out of 16's (current 18's are already tied to their club) then the kid decides where he will play.

Any kids who aren't listed are then free to go to the club of their choice.

[Steamboat]

Having seen four teams play in 18's PC this year, I would say that two of them, Wests and Balmain, would not make the finals in Challenge Cup. Maybe the new zoning rules will help in 2010, but realistically it would be better to have other strategies (as I mentioned earlier)

That is an assumption that can be made on results, but may not be accurate.You never know what you get from year to year, we have struggled at C Town for numbers this year but last year made the finals with a lot of 1st year players and you would think that given last years results,the thinking would have been a similar if not improved ladder finish.
However, the loss of a couple of players to other clubs meant that we only had a list of 22 eligible players, 3 of which have played 1st grade all year, add to that 3 long term injuries and work commitments of others, meant a reliance of u16s to prop up the numbers, given that they play Saturdays at 2pm, it is hard to persuade them to play 2 games back to back every week.
To say that Wests, Balmain and even CTown would not have made Challenge Cup finals is up for debate, given that UNSW went through last years comp unbeaten and won GF by 20 goals, yet have only won 4 games in PC, there is a distinct change in levels between the both.

[tara]

That is an assumption that can be made on results, but may not be accurate.You never know what you get from year to year, we have struggled at C Town for numbers this year but last year made the finals with a lot of 1st year players and you would think that given last years results,the thinking would have been a similar if not improved ladder finish.
However, the loss of a couple of players to other clubs meant that we only had a list of 22 eligible players, 3 of which have played 1st grade all year, add to that 3 long term injuries and work commitments of others, meant a reliance of u16s to prop up the numbers, given that they play Saturdays at 2pm, it is hard to persuade them to play 2 games back to back every week.
To say that Wests, Balmain and even CTown would not have made Challenge Cup finals is up for debate, given that UNSW went through last years comp unbeaten and won GF by 20 goals, yet have only won 4 games in PC, there is a distinct change in levels between the both.

Steamboat what you say is fair but how many of those kids from UNSW last year are still in that team this year?

[ShortHalfHead]

Of course it was an opinion which I stated . I can assure you that the Dogs of last year were a very different side. Was told at the start of the year by a Dogs player that they would struggle as most of their players were moving up...and didn't they have some talent in last years squad. Bit like Campbelltown last year. I believe they had 40 players looking for a start. I spoke to Peter Free at the beginning of the season and he said 30 of them were 2nd year 18's. Losing players to Uni and ECE hurt them a lot this year which is why the proposed changes will help in evening out the comp. I know it will be a struggle for a while with the Blues in their 18's because of their fragile junior situation. Couldn't understand how they could field 3 teams in the area (until Camden pulled out). I hope things lift for them as they have produced some good footy players over the years.
I have said it before...teams that lose quality players to other regions in underage football also lose the 2nd and 3rd tier players who just stop playing because their mates have gone elsewhere.

[The Runt]

Why has the area around CTown got to the stage that " their fragile junior situation." has happened any wisdom on how to rectify it ?

[ShortHalfHead]

Why has the area around CTown got to the stage that " their fragile junior situation." has happened any wisdom on how to rectify it ?

Tough question. Like any club, they will have to get on the phone and go through their juniors over the last few years and try to convince them to make a comeback. Get a few of the good ones and it's a flow on effect.
I suspected that part of the reason is that one junior club dominated for a few years and kids from other clubs either joined them or dropped out. The Razorbacks have got a decent team again this year but the other club (Campbelltown) is struggling. But full credit to them for getting a team up and hopefully they can build on that. Don't know why Holsworthy didn't field a team this year but I believe a few of them went to Bankstown. Having two junior 16's to feed 2 senior clubs (3 if you count Camden) is near impossible. The hardest task in footy is getting the 16's to move clubs to 18's. Then they need to be in a competitive team to have the enthusiasm to move to seniors.

[Pickup]

pethetic

In response to the forfeit issue.

Along with Campbelltown, Balmain (As clubs) are pethetic and should be kicked out of the Premier Division for next season to take the pressure of big time (NSW) football off the poor babies. These clubs are suppose to be (Semi) Professional, If they cant stand the heat yarda yarda.
I truly hope the NSW AFL show some gooleys or will they be the marshmellows that some would suggest, (Me).