Norths down, Power up

[tara]

Ali from Auburn contacted all clubs in the general area to them ours included - my understanding is they will be playing out or Mona Park - nice venue and suits fat blokes like myself.

League also indicated the possibility of a fifth divison depending upon numbers - who knows maybe we could eventually see a return of St Ives.

[Pekay]

Well done - that's progression. The Power will go up based on the same philosophy - well that's what i said earlier today based on my sources.

We'll be much more competitive than our last stint in Division 2. A bit wiser, more structured, some better cattle, alot fitter. Not saying we'll win the whole thing, but we'll be well positioned to hold our own against the stronger clubs in that grade. Wish I could have a run, my first year off in 6 years, I'm going to miss it. But with the players busting their asses on the track already under Bully's guidance, things are looking good.

[Pekay]

It's a shame that this re-structure didn't happen a few years back. St Clair would still be around, they were a good bunch of blokes. It encourages the formation of clubs, giving them an opportunity to start with one team, and progress from there. Look how far along UTS have come (albeit in the heart of the city, players falling over themselves to get a run)

[PATCHY]

Have to agree Pekay..there may now be an opportunity to cater for the "participants" who just want a game of footy who have been put off due to the travel involved and other commitments. Would be great to Auburn, St Clare and St ives type clubs enter teams. Need to be flexible to cater for them though as they are likely to have older players and first timers in their teams.
If div 4 can attract 12 or more teams it would ideally have 2 regional comps.
say Div 4 Nort/west and Div 4 City/South. This would enable SFL to cater for a wider range of participants . As you say may even tempt a couple of new clubs to enter teams. Who said Div 4 has to play 18 games? maybe 12 or 14 is enough. Lets remember its the 5th level of footy in the Sydney comp afterall ..Anyone wanting more footy should be playing min div 3 anyway.

I'm on the Power and Jets promoted bandwagon.
Common sense should always prevail.

[tara]

Have to agree Pekay..there may now be an opportunity to cater for the "participants" who just want a game of footy who have been put off due to the travel involved and other commitments. Would be great to Auburn, St Clare and St ives type clubs enter teams. Need to be flexible to cater for them though as they are likely to have older players and first timers in their teams.
If div 4 can attract 12 or more teams it would ideally have 2 regional comps.
say Div 4 Nort/west and Div 4 City/South. This would enable SFL to cater for a wider range of participants . As you say may even tempt a couple of new clubs to enter teams. Who said Div 4 has to play 18 games? maybe 12 or 14 is enough. Lets remember its the 5th level of footy in the Sydney comp afterall ..Anyone wanting more footy should be playing min div 3 anyway.

I'm on the Power and Jets promoted bandwagon.
Common sense should always prevail.

Patchy you would place too much stress on clubs by stretching their resources even further with your suggested regional divisions.

Secondly its easy to say if blokes were serious that should play div 3 as a minimum but what if they cant get a run in that div with their club should they leave and go elsewhere? I can tell you now my club has worked too hard to stay afloat in the past three years to have it happen. We had one team 3 years ago - we now have 3 teams incl 18's and expect to be back in div 2 within 3 years and hopefully division 1 in the long term.

[Pekay]

With all this talk of GWS and how AFL has to gain a foothold, it is a logical step in the right direction to encourage single team clubs to form. St Clair, along with Penriff, are right in the heart of league territory, so to have teams there, be it one, two or three per club, gives our game representation in the right parts.
As for Division 4, there are still blokes that would want to play the full 18 rounds, it will only make the newer players to the game adapt better. When we played 2nd Div in 06, wet weather and forfeits by some clubs reduced our season to 13 games, so an 18 round system would compensate for any unforeseen circumstances like those I mentioned.
Not a fan of the regional system, eliminates bus trips, a staple of any bonding session!
Common sense for us to go up? Agreed. I also think the Dogs in Div 3 should make the jump as well, they are a strong unit, have depth, and would handle themselves well in Div 2.

[tara]

Pekay what do you mean think, you and I both know that the Dogs and yourselves are moving up.

[PATCHY]

Patchy you would place too much stress on clubs by stretching their resources even further with your suggested regional divisions.

Secondly its easy to say if blokes were serious that should play div 3 as a minimum but what if they cant get a run in that div with their club should they leave and go elsewhere? I can tell you now my club has worked too hard to stay afloat in the past three years to have it happen. We had one team 3 years ago - we now have 3 teams incl 18's and expect to be back in div 2 within 3 years and hopefully division 1 in the long term.

Tara , on the "placing too much stress" and stretching resources, i dont quite get that, as the draw is very flexible to suit most clubs. I am assuming your thinking home games resources being stretched. If so they can still play at home at the same as other teams as they do now. What would actually change from what happened last year?

Regarding your clubs situation on div 4, you raise a good point and its one i hadnt considered. point taken.
However i think the bigger picture is the main game and should be considered .

[tara]

Tara , on the "placing too much stress" and stretching resources, i dont quite get that, as the draw is very flexible to suit most clubs. I am assuming your thinking home games resources being stretched. If so they can still play at home at the same as other teams as they do now. What would actually change from what happened last year?

Regarding your clubs situation on div 4, you raise a good point and its one i hadnt considered. point taken.
However i think the bigger picture is the main game and should be considered .

I was referring to the possibilty that a club such as our that really relies upon a few would find it incredibly difficult with all three teams at differnce venues - there were times last year that I ran for the 18's, prepared team sheets for ressies and seniors, played and coached ressies then coached seniors then submitted the results on footyweb not to mention dealing with players who got lost on the way to games etc. 2010 I hope to be focusing on only one of these things each Sat. -

Clubs like Penrith, the Sharks, Parra, Jets will all find themselves in the same boats if we divisionalise things and these along with us who would be amongst the most stretched for resources in 09

[DLH]

It's a shame that this re-structure didn't happen a few years back. St Clair would still be around, they were a good bunch of blokes.

Let's not go down this path again......

Penrith finds it hard enough to field two senior teams as it is without one bobbing up five minutes down the road.

More than happy to see new clubs, but not at the expense of those that already struggle.

[Dunger]

The Junior comp is divided into regions, why can't that continue into Seniors (not at Premier Div though) if there's enough teams? At the moment though I think we're a couple of teams away.

Maybe it's worth trialling for one season in Div 4 or setting up a Div 5?

[tara]

The Junior comp is divided into regions, why can't that continue into Seniors (not at Premier Div though) if there's enough teams? At the moment though I think we're a couple of teams away.

Maybe it's worth trialling for one season in Div 4 or setting up a Div 5?

Div 5 would be the way I go - who knows we may even field a team there.

[PATCHY]

The Junior comp is divided into regions, why can't that continue into Seniors (not at Premier Div though) if there's enough teams? At the moment though I think we're a couple of teams away.

Maybe it's worth trialling for one season in Div 4 or setting up a Div 5?

Dunger,
I like your thinking..
Maybe Premier league and Div one as it is...Metro Sydney wide..

Regionalise the rest...

North west Div 1 and 2..eg.. City South Div 1..and 2 ...and Div3..
2 up 2 down all other comps
Would balance the comps out very quickly...

Would also be useful for under 18.s if enough teams.
10 premier lge clubs in 1st div..10 teams

Regionalise Challange cup when/if 12 or more teams entered..will attract a lot more players...if it can be kept easy for them .. an 8.00 o'clock game an hour or so drive away is not that attractive to a 17 or 18 year old..

[Pekay]

Pekay what do you mean think, you and I both know that the Dogs and yourselves are moving up.

Now how would I know that Tara? We all know Doormat has all the scoops on here. Speaking of which, maybe he took my advice recently?

[tara]

Now how would I know that Tara? We all know Doormat has all the scoops on here. Speaking of which, maybe he took my advice recently?

What he took the headband off for a while and allowed oxygen to reach his brain for once.