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How many of the 150 family and friends were local Western Sydney kids who may eventually make a difference to the code the future ...?
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The curtainraisers are organised months in advance. I'd guess that it was always secretly set aside for the Div 3 semi. except for the fact that the minor premiers had the week off in that division, so probably hastily arranged for the Div 5 blockbuster to take it's place. Really, anyone who seriously thinks that a marble was drawn out of the barrel as to which game was played should take off their night masks. There were much better games that could have been played, some even had both teams from the GWS region.Comment
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Interesting conspiracy theory SHH, however the curtain raiser was supposed to be UWS Giants in the NEAFL Elimination Final. Unfortunately for them, they lost their last game & home ground final. Sydney AFL were dead against the Div 5 game, but we're overruled by the AFL, who dictated that Blacktown would feature in the absence of UWS.In every game there is going to be a cross-road, and when you get to that cross-road you either step up, or you step down!Comment
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Well, they had a div 2 final between Moorebank and Camden last weekend which would have been extremely appropriate for a start - two Western Sydney clubs involved.
We also had Nor-West Jets playing a Div 3 final last weekend.
Then there were Penrith and Holroyd-Parramatta both playing in the final round of Div 1 last weekend.
Hell, you could have even played the Campbelltown-Sydney Uni match in Premier Division.
The sides representing those western suburbs clubs in those matches I've mentioned were all their first side, not their reserves.
All these six clubs, might I add, have been doing the hard work in the western suburbs of Sydney for years. Parra, The Town, Penrith, Camden and NWJ were all formed in the mid/late 70s/early 80s. Moorebank go back way before that. It would have been nice for one of them to get a bit of recognition on the big stage for all their work in such a difficult area to run an Aust Football club.
I'm aware it would have caused a bit of inconvenience for the clubs which were moved there, but I am sure that could have been managed. And there were plenty of games to choose from (I've listed five possibilities) if any one of them was unmanageable.
Anyway, none of these matches/clubs were considered over the lower final of the lowest division of Sydney senior football featuring the reserve grade side of a western suburbs club which has been around for five minutes.
I wonder why?
*And I haven't even included junior football in the above.Last edited by mountainsofpain; 27 August 2013, 10:31 AM.Comment
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Good Points all round!! This is the first relevant post in the forum.
I agree that the Moorebank / Camden Div 2 game would have been the best option given they are 2 western Sydney clubs!!
I think the Western Sydney juniors are playing their Grand Finals on Skoda this weekend.Comment
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That's a great move having the GF's on Skoda, a real thrill im sure for all concerned.
Why wouldn't the senior GF's get played there? The centre square area at BISP was shocking grand final day last year because cricket pitch prep is in full swing.
What is Skoda used for during summer??Comment
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OK, so mine wasn't relevant eh
Look, there have been two supporters of the Div 5 game on this thread. One is UTSBatsman and the other a Blacktown member. It's always good to get unbiased opinions
For mine, the North Shore-Manly final round in Premier Division would have been the pick. The fight for the minor premiership in Sydney AFL's top competition.
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I believe there is an agreement between the league and Blacktown Council to have Grand Finals at Blacktown. I'm guessing that the Council would have been dirty when GWS moved their club lock, stock and barrel to the city.Comment
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THAT'S MY POINT! ... Of the supposed 150 "wives and girlfriends", how many do you reckon would have preferred to be at the beach or movies, or washing their hair, as opposed to "growing interest in AFL in Western Sydney" .....?
If, as I suggested, they held the u/16 finals there, you would have had HUNDREDS of FAMILIES there ... not to mention, there would be a few people on the field who could take a chest mark and kick a drop punt!
Yep, can someone put out the "Quiet Please" sign - there are geniuses at work
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Well if 150 "Wives and Girlfriends" actually turned up to Skoda on Sunday (23 Degree, sunny day) then I suggest that's where they may have wanted to be, watching their partner play on Skoda stadium..THAT'S MY POINT! ... Of the supposed 150 "wives and girlfriends", how many do you reckon would have preferred to be at the beach or movies, or washing their hair, as opposed to "growing interest in AFL in Western Sydney" .....?
If, as I suggested, they held the u/16 finals there, you would have had HUNDREDS of FAMILIES there ... not to mention, there would be a few people on the field who could take a chest mark and kick a drop punt!
Yep, can someone put out the "Quiet Please" sign - there are geniuses at work
As for your comment dissing the Div 5 players in Sydney, are you aware that, that is the exact mentality of Melburnians towards our premier Div Comp..(Cant Kick, Cant Play) We are all involved in Sydney Footy because we love the game and our clubs.
Good work Genius!!Comment
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Supporters would have turned up to any game they played. In varying, but still significant enough, numbers.
The question is why did they pick this particular game? On the face of it, I see no valid or logical reason at all.Comment
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Your telling the story - were they there or not? ... were you there? ... how much did you pay for your ticket?
I have watched Div 5 football and found it very entertaining.
... Division 1 u/16's football is about 100 times more like "football" though!
So far as the attitude of Melburnians to Sydney football is concerned, who gives flying care in the world what they think??? ... it's not the Melbourne public that is going to save the code in Sydney ... IT'S GETTING KIDS INVOLVED IN THE GAME that will make a difference. How many of those WAGs bothered to stay and watch GWS play ... did you?
And, please, don't give Melburnians too much credit for their "knowledge" of the game - they did have Dane Rampe under their nose for 2 years - and listen, no need to become all defensive about this, unless you are a Melburnian yourself, or you were the one who scheduled the game ... if so, I apologise for confusing you with logic
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Exactly - they know if they go and support him in his finals, as soon as his team gets knocked out, he promised to take them to see that movie with Brad Pitt in it ...
Sorry mountains, you should know by now that your search for "valid or logical reason" when it comes to decisions of the AFL in Sydney, will only result in a long, frustrating fruitless quest!
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I wonder if they realize that there used to be another Blacktown club? Which did attempt to be a local entity.
There would be no-one currently working at the AFL Sydney who would even remember it. The likes of Ian Granland, Davo, Peter Hiscock, etc have long gone.
The club started off as Mount Druitt in 1983, I think they changed their name to Blacktown around 1987 and last played in 1994, the disastrous year when they just couldn't cope with the move up to the SFA (after SFA Div 2 folded). They copped some truly horrendous hidings that year.
Their home ground was always at Whalan Reserve I believe. Someone else may know.
They supposedly merged with Parramatta (who at roughly the same time dropped down from the top division), who became Holroyd-Parramatta-Blacktown as a result. But the merger was tenuous at best and any signs of the marriage have long since disappeared.
In fact at the time I don't think that many Blacktown players ended up playing at Parramatta anyway.
So I wonder if anyone at Blacktown "good news story" realizes they had a predecessor which truly did the hard work in trying to pioneer the senior game in the Blacktown area? No leg ups from the AFL then......
PS - I think the old Blacktown used to play in NM jumpers and were the Kangaroos. I'd need that confirmed as well though.Last edited by mountainsofpain; 4 September 2013, 10:20 AM.Comment
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They were the Kangaroos, they had junior teams as well, I remember being a 5 year old running around at Whalan in about 86.I wonder if they realize that there used to be another Blacktown club? Which did attempt to be a local entity.
There would be no-one currently working at the AFL Sydney who would even remember it. The likes of Ian Granland, Davo, Peter Hiscock, etc have long gone.
The club started off as Mount Druitt in 1983, I think they changed their name to Blacktown around 1987 and last played in 1994, the disastrous year when they just couldn't cope with the move up to the SFA (after SFA Div 2 folded). They copped some truly horrendous hidings that year.
Their home ground was always at Whalan Reserve I believe. Someone else may know.
They supposedly merged with Parramatta (who at roughly the same time dropped down from the top division), who became Holroyd-Parramatta-Blacktown as a result. But the merger was tenuous at best and any signs of the marriage have long since disappeared.
In fact at the time I don't think that many Blacktown players ended up playing at Parramatta anyway.
So I wonder if anyone at Blacktown "good news story" realizes they had a predecessor which truly did the hard work in trying to pioneer the senior game in the Blacktown area? No leg ups from the AFL then......
PS - I think the old Blacktown used to play in NM jumpers and were the Kangaroos. I'd need that confirmed as well though.
As an avid footy nerd, and a Blacktown local, I'd trawl through footy records for their results, and one has always stuck in my mind. They lost to UNSW 81.49-535 to 0.1-1. Not sure what grade, I always thought it was reserves but I don't think they had a ressies, and I don't think ressies results would've been published anyway.
Our former President Glenn Whitney played for them, still has a key ring with the Kangas logo.
I remember them.Comment
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