2011 Fixtures Released

[Norris Lurker]

Are up on the Sydney AFL website, and some clubs have put them up on theirs.

Opening round fixtures for Premier Division:
Saturday, Apr 02
North Shore vs. Wollongong Gore Hill Oval 2:10 PM
UTS vs. UNSW/ES Trumper Park 2:30 PM
Western Suburbs vs. St George Picken Oval 2:30 PM
Pennant Hills vs. Balmain University Oval 6:30 PM
East Coast Eagles vs. Sydney University Bruce Purser Reserve 6:30 PM
Campbelltown - Bye


Will have a look in more detail tonight.
For those who have had a look through it, what are your thoughts? Are you happy with your club's draw? Who are the winners and losers in your division?

[Tassie]

Norris,

Do you know if any clubs were asked their thoughts on the Anzac Day games. Having only taken on the Campbelltown job I was surprised that all Premier Division teams, bar the 3 bye teams, are playing on Anzac day. I would rather be celebrating this day as a person who served in the defence force and paying due respect to those who have not returned to our shores. What are yours and other contributers thoughts?

Tas

[tara]

Tas Ill provide you with the leagues official response that I got along with the article that was attached if you want.

[Pekay]

Norris,

Do you know if any clubs were asked their thoughts on the Anzac Day games. Having only taken on the Campbelltown job I was surprised that all Premier Division teams, bar the 3 bye teams, are playing on Anzac day. I would rather be celebrating this day as a person who served in the defence force and paying due respect to those who have not returned to our shores. What are yours and other contributers thoughts?

Tas

We'd more than likely fold if made to play ANZAC Day. Hard enough getting the boys to play a day either side of it, and why should they play? It's their day.

I find it offensive to those who have served to play on the day, and even had similar thoughts of Essendon-Collingwood playing on the day too, despite being a Bombers fan, however, after experiencing the day lat year at the G, it is a very solemn occasion, and the silence, and amount of respect and awe that flowed through the crowd when they played footage of our diggers, either old B & W or new vision from the Ghan, was deafening.

They have got it right I think.

[Norris Lurker]

We've had Sydney AFL games on Anzac Day before - not often, but it has happened. I remember we had a round a couple of years ago when Anzac Day was a Saturday.
It's especially unusual this time round because Anzac Day is also Easter Monday, and traditionally Sydney AFL doesn't play over the Easter weekend. But when UTS were promoted, in order to continue an 18-game season, 2 extra rounds need to be added to the schedule.
My guess is that it's a one-off, and when it's determined how many and which Sydney clubs will go into the NEAFL they'll structure Premier Division to have an even number of teams next year.

BTW Tassie, welcome to RedAndWhiteOnline; and good luck with your new gig at Campbelltown this season.