Balmain Dockers Under 18's Withdraw

[Roscoe]

I understand that the Balmain 18's have withdrawn from the Premier Cup

Sad news for everyone, especially the boys who now have to find another team

Campbelltown 18's also forfeited on the weekend

Rather than pointing fingers can we have some meaningful debate on how to

1. Re scedule the competitions(s) for the 18's for the remainer of the year

2. What it means for the future of the Under 18's in coming seasons

[beameup]

Very sad.

Now they need to work on getting rid of the bye in the draw, the inequity that some clubs have bonus percentage having played Balmain but most importantly getting all the boys a game. How I am not sure as most clubs seem to have enough other than Capbelltown. Maybe the NRL model of Camp and Balmain joining might work for a season. Depends on boys and their parents.

[Norris Lurker]

Disappointing if that's the case, especially as it would be the second time in 3 years that Balmain's under 18s have pulled out mid-season.

In terms of Roscoe's questions, what I would be inclined to do is:
1. For the remainder of the season, I'd throw out the draw as it currently stands, and have the Premier Cup draw running parallel with Premier Division except with Riverview replacing Balmain. Not sure how to restructure the ladder - it's not fair when some clubs have already played Balmain and others haven't.
2. With the number of forfeits we've had across the under 18s competition, I'm wondering whether we should go back to having gradings over the first couple of weeks of the season before seeding teams into Premier Cup and Challenge Cup. That may prevent a recurrence of Riverview's Challenge Cup team pulling out on the eve of the season, which meant both comps had a bye - and may have sent warning bells out about Balmain's squad before it got to this. While having the draws for the senior comps out in December-January works well, it may be too early for workable under 18s fixtures.

To lose an under 18s club mid-season once is unfortunate, to do so twice in a couple of years is a problem. Unless there's an influx of junior talent coming into the club next season, I wouldn't put them back into Premier Cup next year. They won Challenge Cup in 2006, and I'd be inclined to put them back there and let them experience some success to work their way back into Premier Cup.

[unconfuseme]

They can afford it - fine them!

[Pekay]

Time for UTS to be given their opportunity. Shift to Alan Davidson Oval, ECE used it for long enough. But then again, if Ern Holmes can be used in Prems, Trumper can as well.

[Mahatma]

and what are uts going to do for under 18s.
seems like an easy fix but im sure unsw will have something to say about them taking juniors.

[Pekay]

and what are uts going to do for under 18s.
seems like an easy fix but im sure unsw will have something to say about them taking juniors.

Nothing really, Sydney Uni didn't need to field 18s for their first couple of years. And clubs living on top of each other, or not even within close proximity, and taking players is as old as time itself. Not a day goes by without a shot from the Riff at ECE on here. I reckon, give UTS their chance, 2 years to get an 18s up and running, or even Manly, they'll be ready, besides their current ground.

[beameup]

Nothing really, Sydney Uni didn't need to field 18s for their first couple of years. And clubs living on top of each other, or not even within close proximity, and taking players is as old as time itself. Not a day goes by without a shot from the Riff at ECE on here. I reckon, give UTS their chance, 2 years to get an 18s up and running, or even Manly, they'll be ready, besides their current ground.

I don't think it matters anyway because we have Riverview sitting there who will never have seniors. Two educational centres providing the full suite of teams will also give Riverview the opportunity to push up some better kids so they do not have to go to North Shore who have great juniors anyway. Gives the boys a pathway.

[ShortHalfHead]

Nothing really, Sydney Uni didn't need to field 18s for their first couple of years. And clubs living on top of each other, or not even within close proximity, and taking players is as old as time itself. Not a day goes by without a shot from the Riff at ECE on here.

Those voices in your head playing with you again?

[Pekay]

Those voices in your head playing with you again?

You know I can go back a few pages and find an East Poach reference SHH, its as easy as finding a post deleted of Doormat's.

[ShortHalfHead]

You know I can go back a few pages and find an East Poach reference SHH, its as easy as finding a post deleted of Doormat's.

Having to "go back a few pages" to find a reference to East Poach is hardly a comparison to "Not a day goes by without a shot from the Riff at ECE on here"
I would imagine that the neatest way of structuring the rest of the comp would be to have the bye teams playing each other and the ladder being reverted to match ratio. I don't know if trial days are the answer for gradings for 2011 and beyond. Didn't seem to be workable in the past. Clubs have to be accountable in realising how competitive they will be in both divisions and nominate as such. The draw will have to be done a lot later than the seniors one. The club review and nomination of 18's teams is done far too early. Struggling Premier Cup clubs should embrace the idea of dropping to Challenge as it makes them competitive which in turn attracts new players, even close to the season's start. Even at the end of last year I thought that three teams would struggle to be competitive and field full sides in PC. I was wrong with Wests who have bulked up this year, the other two, sadly I was spot on with.

[tara]

SHH I would lay money on those struggling clubs knocking back the option of playing in the challenge cup if given the opportunity - they wouldnt be able to swallow their pride.

[Pekay]

Having to "go back a few pages" to find a reference to East Poach is hardly a comparison to "Not a day goes by without a shot from the Riff at ECE on here"
I would imagine that the neatest way of structuring the rest of the comp would be to have the bye teams playing each other and the ladder being reverted to match ratio. I don't know if trial days are the answer for gradings for 2011 and beyond. Didn't seem to be workable in the past. Clubs have to be accountable in realising how competitive they will be in both divisions and nominate as such. The draw will have to be done a lot later than the seniors one. The club review and nomination of 18's teams is done far too early. Struggling Premier Cup clubs should embrace the idea of dropping to Challenge as it makes them competitive which in turn attracts new players, even close to the season's start. Even at the end of last year I thought that three teams would struggle to be competitive and field full sides in PC. I was wrong with Wests who have bulked up this year, the other two, sadly I was spot on with.

Can't we just have a hug and get back to being happy neighbours?

[PATCHY]

perhaps its time to consider regionalising the 18's..a north- west /central- south
Cut the Travel time and make it easier for Players and Parents to get to games.
Also Junior clubs should be able to enter teams. They seem to do alright getting one or 2 teams of under 16 s on the paddock. Perhaps they would be better at getting the 18's on the paddock too.

[Coastal Boy]

I don't think it matters anyway because we have Riverview sitting there who will never have seniors. Two educational centres providing the full suite of teams will also give Riverview the opportunity to push up some better kids so they do not have to go to North Shore who have great juniors anyway. Gives the boys a pathway.

I would have hoped that Riverview would look at entering an "old boys" team in the senior ranks eventually. I would be surprised if they did not have currently a dozen rugby old boys teams.