So, where to from here?

[justabaraker]

So, the SFL is dropping the PD from 12 teams to 10....bit of a bummer that we have to find out about it in the Illawarra Mercury !

[felix]

So, the SFL is dropping the PD from 12 teams to 10....bit of a bummer that we have to find out about it in the Illawarra Mercury !

Incredible that this decision is announced in the Illawarra paper first.
Really cant see how the Gong can have 1 team in the Sydney comp and reserves in South Coast league.
Looks like a shambles to me

[Jupiter]

Gong way past needing a rebuild, some change is better than 9 lost years though I reckon. Although a decently run outfit at the time, their bumper crop of a few outstanding Rams etc from 2004 was never repeated - they were promoted on a regional prayer not reality. You'd have to assume from this that no presence in Sth Coast league is seen as a huge issue for them as that league contains a lot of good players and they don't seem to have been able to get that "pathway" (sorry for using the AFL term) going very well either. What I find incredible with this is similar to the Campbelltown and Balmain scenarios - having Premier Div clubs that have participation/numbers issues. Makes no sense whatsoever - it means, again you are basing comp structure on hopes and dreams not reality. I hope the Gong rebounds after a period of strengthening participation in their area and club.

[ShortHalfHead]

Incredible that this decision is announced in the Illawarra paper first.
Really cant see how the Gong can have 1 team in the Sydney comp and reserves in South Coast league.
Looks like a shambles to me

Will keep the registrar busy, doing permits / transfers every week between the grades. Don't know what will happen after June 30 when transfers are stopped. And if they make finals in either, what the matches played will count for in each grade.

One would assume Balmain are dropping as well?

[justabaraker]

Tut, tut SHH......don't mention the "B*#@%" word !

[Jupiter]

Will keep the registrar busy, doing permits / transfers every week between the grades. Don't know what will happen after June 30 when transfers are stopped. And if they make finals in either, what the matches played will count for in each grade.

One would assume Balmain are dropping as well?

After all we've heard on hear and seen across many years they should be de-registered and the "old tigers" loyalists start again with a new licence - perhaps commencing in Div 1 or 2. If they are allowed to keep operating you'd have to ask how much disrepute do you have to bring on the competition to warrant serious action. Safe to say they wont be in Prem Div I would have thought - but then I though I read on here earlier Eagles wanted to drop down too - maybe that's changed? hope so, I thin that would be a bad move for a NEAFL club and such a strong club generally.

[Norris Lurker]

Will keep the registrar busy, doing permits / transfers every week between the grades. Don't know what will happen after June 30 when transfers are stopped. And if they make finals in either, what the matches played will count for in each grade.

I would think it would work similar to Hills Eagles & Sydney Uni players switching between NEAFL and Sydney AFL. Plenty of paperwork, but the system seems to handle it OK.

One would assume Balmain are dropping as well?

Correct.

[chatovadafloor]

Hit bigfooty and maybe start a thread there to talk about B word, I think it is a legit issue which can be talked about but on here it isnt allowed. Commonsense on what is said obviously needs to occur but I think what is going on there affects all in sydney football and is clearly of interest to most too.

- - - Updated - - -

To my knowledge Eagles are staying in prems and believe they should, new coach in Peter Steer for next season too

After all we've heard on hear and seen across many years they should be de-registered and the "old tigers" loyalists start again with a new licence - perhaps commencing in Div 1 or 2. If they are allowed to keep operating you'd have to ask how much disrepute do you have to bring on the competition to warrant serious action. Safe to say they wont be in Prem Div I would have thought - but then I though I read on here earlier Eagles wanted to drop down too - maybe that's changed? hope so, I thin that would be a bad move for a NEAFL club and such a strong club generally.

[ShortHalfHead]

I spoke to an eagles official during the finals and he was adamant they were staying in Premier Div, citing the gap between NEAFL and Div 1 too big a jump.

Manly probably would dispute that though

[mountainsofpain]

Hit bigfooty and maybe start a thread there to talk about B word, I think it is a legit issue which can be talked about but on here it isnt allowed. Commonsense on what is said obviously needs to occur but I think what is going on there affects all in sydney football and is clearly of interest to most too.

I can fully understand why the mods want to keep it off the discussion board for the time being.

- - - Updated - - -

Gong way past needing a rebuild, some change is better than 9 lost years though I reckon. Although a decently run outfit at the time, their bumper crop of a few outstanding Rams etc from 2004 was never repeated - they were promoted on a regional prayer not reality. You'd have to assume from this that no presence in Sth Coast league is seen as a huge issue for them as that league contains a lot of good players and they don't seem to have been able to get that "pathway" (sorry for using the AFL term) going very well either. What I find incredible with this is similar to the Campbelltown and Balmain scenarios - having Premier Div clubs that have participation/numbers issues. Makes no sense whatsoever - it means, again you are basing comp structure on hopes and dreams not reality. I hope the Gong rebounds after a period of strengthening participation in their area and club.

I tend to agree with the bolded.

They won the old SFA Div 1 flag in 2005 (?) and I think went up the year following.

As you said a well run club with a couple of excellent people in particular behind the scenes, but I did wonder about the wisdom of the promotion to Prems.

[Jupiter]

eagles

Great news on the Eagles. I couldn't believe they would take that plunge down a division - no good for them, their juniors or the comp in my opinion. Tough times supporting the NEAFL experiment when they could be trying to stock the trophy cabinet. They and the league need them to have a presence at top level of local footy for sure.

[justabaraker]

Correct.

Norris, can we take it from your cryptic comment that Balmain is dropping down to Div 1 for next year ?
If so, then we are to have a ten team PD comp ex Illlawarra and Balmain -

Correct ?

[chatovadafloor]

Norris, can we take it from your cryptic comment that Balmain is dropping down to Div 1 for next year ?
If so, then we are to have a ten team PD comp ex Illlawarra and Balmain -

Correct ?

Ive heard selby to eagles from balmain

[Pekay]

Cass likely to follow.

[chatovadafloor]

merry go round about to start

Cass likely to follow.