So, where to from here?

[Benchwarmer]

[QUOTE=Tom Wills;628037]An early start, based on what I saw in 2013, ladder position and Grand Final results what about this for the 2014 Divisions.
Would love to hear your thoughts of where it is wrong from the Division you are most closely aligned with.


Division 1 - 12 Teams
1. UTS Bats
2. Holroyd Parramatta Goannas
3. UNSW/ES Bulldogs
4. St George Dragons
5. Penrith Rams
6. Pennant Hills Demons
7. Macquarie University
Promoted from lower Division
8. Manly Warringah Wolves
9. Sydney University
Relegated from Higher Division
10. Balmain Dockers
11. Illawarra Lions
12. Sydney Hills Eagles

Hey Tom,
I like your thinking but curious as to why would you have a 12 team comp in Div 1??
Makes sense to me if all comps are back to 10 team competitions ie.. 10 teams 18 games ,play each other twice home and away..
IMO the only comp not comprising 10 teams should be the bottom Division and if they get 12 or more applications it should split to two comps geographically based to reduce travel . Perhaps 14 or 15 rounds only with plenty of byes in the middle part of the season when most clubs struggle for numbers .
Perhaps Div 5 /North and West Div 5 South and east or similar
both winners promoted to Div 4 .

[Pekay]

[QUOTE=Benchwarmer;628075]

An early start, based on what I saw in 2013, ladder position and Grand Final results what about this for the 2014 Divisions.
Would love to hear your thoughts of where it is wrong from the Division you are most closely aligned with.


Division 1 - 12 Teams
1. UTS Bats
2. Holroyd Parramatta Goannas
3. UNSW/ES Bulldogs
4. St George Dragons
5. Penrith Rams
6. Pennant Hills Demons
7. Macquarie University
Promoted from lower Division
8. Manly Warringah Wolves
9. Sydney University
Relegated from Higher Division
10. Balmain Dockers
11. Illawarra Lions
12. Sydney Hills Eagles

Hey Tom,
I like your thinking but curious as to why would you have a 12 team comp in Div 1??
Makes sense to me if all comps are back to 10 team competitions ie.. 10 teams 18 games ,play each other twice home and away..
IMO the only comp not comprising 10 teams should be the bottom Division and if they get 12 or more applications it should split to two comps geographically based to reduce travel . Perhaps 14 or 15 rounds only with plenty of byes in the middle part of the season when most clubs struggle for numbers .
Perhaps Div 5 /North and West Div 5 South and east or similar
both winners promoted to Div 4 .

How do you see the make up of the comp then Benchwarmer? I agree, 10 teams per comp is ideal.

[Norris Lurker]

In an 18-round season, the best fit is to have 10 teams in each division, with each team playing everyone else twice. This season, Premier Division had 12, every other division had 10.
Assuming every club nominates the same number of teams as they did this year, there's 10 for each division plus 2 over. If Premier Division drops back to 10, it's a question of which division has the extra teams. From each division above that, you would need to relegate the bottom 2 teams and don't promote anyone.
That all changes if any clubs drop teams or nominate new teams.

[justabaraker]

In an 18-round season, the best fit is to have 10 teams in each division, with each team playing everyone else twice. This season, Premier Division had 12, every other division had 10.
Assuming every club nominates the same number of teams as they did this year, there's 10 for each division plus 2 over. If Premier Division drops back to 10, it's a question of which division has the extra teams. From each division above that, you would need to relegate the bottom 2 teams and don't promote anyone.
That all changes if any clubs drop teams or nominate new teams.

Norris, have you heard anything about whether the League is thinking about changes to the structure ? I haven't heard anything

[Norris Lurker]

The only change to the structure is Under 18s becomes Under 19s.

As far as I'm aware, the divisional structure will continue next season. There's talk of 2 clubs being relegated from Premier Division, which may or may not happen. Then it depends on how many teams each club nominates for next season.

[Pekay]

We are only nominating one at this stage, numbers over summer will determine whether a D5 team comes up.

[tara]

I expect a few new teams to be nominated from what I have heard although it will be interesting to see if they are allowed. We will be nominating a new one.

[zik]

I expect a few new teams to be nominated from what I have heard although it will be interesting to see if they are allowed. We will be nominating a new one.

Why are we even considering relegating a team which has made 2 of the last 3 grand finals? Sure Balmain has their issues off the field but they are trying to resolve them. Surely prolonged poor performance should be a factor to assess relegation, not just 1 poor year on the track.

I have noticed that there has been some movement down at Balmain. They are asking all previous members and players to re-sign their membership to the Drummoyne sports club this Saturday from 10am-2pm at the Marrickville Lawn Tennis Club. This will ensure an accurate list for the upcoming AGM. If you?re a Balmain Dockers member or a Drummoyne Sports Club member and would like your vote counted get down there from 10am and pay your $33.00.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151691641116709&set=o.183189855192526&type=1&ref=nf

I think the Sydney AFL community should get behind this and help save this foundation club.

[Flying Swan]

[QUOTE=Pekay;628389]

How do you see the make up of the comp then Benchwarmer? I agree, 10 teams per comp is ideal.

I agree. the byes make life very difficult especially when the top team has it and they filter into the 2s. The opposition are then given a raw deal.

[Ancient Tiger]

Why are we even considering relegating a team which has made 2 of the last 3 grand finals? Sure Balmain has their issues off the field but they are trying to resolve them. Surely prolonged poor performance should be a factor to assess relegation, not just 1 poor year on the track.

I have noticed that there has been some movement down at Balmain. They are asking all previous members and players to re-sign their membership to the Drummoyne sports club this Saturday from 10am-2pm at the Marrickville Lawn Tennis Club. This will ensure an accurate list for the upcoming AGM. If you?re a Balmain Dockers member or a Drummoyne Sports Club member and would like your vote counted get down there from 10am and pay your $33.00.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151691641116709&set=o.183189855192526&type=1&ref=nf

I think the Sydney AFL community should get behind this and help save this foundation club.

I know it would be a big call for you to come out and try to save this once proud club, but if you do, you will be helping to save a club that has a specific focus on junior development and genuine interest in the future of the sport. Our foundation has always been until recently an inclusive club, and that includes socializing with rival clubs. If you can get down there it would be brilliant!

110 years of history we are fighting for!

[justabaraker]

I know it would be a big call for you to come out and try to save this once proud club, but if you do, you will be helping to save a club that has a specific focus on junior development and genuine interest in the future of the sport. Our foundation has always been until recently an inclusive club, and that includes socializing with rival clubs. If you can get down there it would be brilliant!

110 years of history we are fighting for!

So, how did it go at the card table outside the tennis club ? Did you get a friendly welcome ?

[Norris Lurker]

Can we please leave the Balmain internal issues off this forum, at least till the end of the month. I have no desire to be mediating Balmain's internal issues, and would rather they have every opportunity to sort it out themselves.

[Tom Wills]

Division Structure I agree with Norris and lets back to Sydney AFL.

Other than making it easy with 10 teams per division I have seen no contradicting views on who should be in what divisions. IMO, from watching many Divisions the 12 team Division 1 structure is the right option. Of the 12 teams, for 6 this would be their top team with Eagles also not having premier division team. This could end up being the most interesting Division in next years competition.

Yeah its not as easy as a 10 team division for Div 1, but whoever said Sydney Footy was easy.

Again would love to hear comments about teams being in the wrong divisions.

[Norris Lurker]

The Illawarra Mercury are reporting (link here) that Illawarra are dropping back to Div 1; confirming a 10-team Premier Division team next season.
Interestingly, their magoos will play in the South Coast AFL rather than in Div 2.

[Pekay]

The Illawarra Mercury are reporting (link here) that Illawarra are dropping back to Div 1; confirming a 10-team Premier Division team next season.
Interestingly, their magoos will play in the South Coast AFL rather than in Div 2.

Thanks for the link. Good for them, a smart move and with the flexibility available to do this, will invigorate the club.

So, they drop voluntarily, who else will make the drop?