So, where to from here?

[Pekay]

Whats going on at southern power? apparently a fair few of them coming over to st george.

I think that's always happened.

[unconfuseme]

Speaking of Tom Harley, one of his signature achievements would have to include his masterful arbitration of the Bankstown Juniors debacle ... he did nothing!

Latest word is that not only will there be no competitive junior team in Bankstown in the foreseeable future, and accordingly no sponsor, but the council has been lobbied by cricket, who desperately want a new facility (so much for all those "complimentary" Grand Final tickets Tom!!!). Since there is no one around to oppose them, it's odds on they will get what they ask for.

Kiss Kelso Park goodbye once the cricket lobby get their clutches on it ... one of the last AFL specific grounds in Sydney is being measured up for a concrete pitch as we speak!... even if there were a team, they won't see posts up till Easter in future.

Making junior football stronger in the west ... by tearing apart another junior club ... shouldn't expect much more, they are just ex-footballers after all ...

[Jupiter]

I've only heard about the Bankstown debacle on here but those facts if true speak for themselves. An aussie rules specific oval, a successful junior club out west, these are the things the "Code" promoters are supposed to dream of.... Absolutely deplorable - I think the biggest league/ Sydney footy failure in my circa 20 year footy memory here. I recall SFA teams being forced to play finals at Kelso as it was the aspirational strategic heartbeat! What happened ? besides the pulse being at Blacktown supposedly now. Terrible! Is it too late do do anything ?

Speaking of Tom Harley, one of his signature achievements would have to include his masterful arbitration of the Bankstown Juniors debacle ... he did nothing!

Latest word is that not only will there be no competitive junior team in Bankstown in the foreseeable future, and accordingly no sponsor, but the council has been lobbied by cricket, who desperately want a new facility (so much for all those "complimentary" Grand Final tickets Tom!!!). Since there is no one around to oppose them, it's odds on they will get what they ask for.

Kiss Kelso Park goodbye once the cricket lobby get their clutches on it ... one of the last AFL specific grounds in Sydney is being measured up for a concrete pitch as we speak!... even if there were a team, they won't see posts up till Easter in future.

Making junior football stronger in the west ... by tearing apart another junior club ... shouldn't expect much more, they are just ex-footballers after all ...

[tara]

My mail in a turf wicket is being installed October 2014

For the record moorebank are the summer tenants and will also be the 2014 winter tenants.

[Pekay]

My mail in a turf wicket is being installed October 2014

For the record moorebank are the summer tenants and will also be the 2014 winter tenants.

No games at Rosedale?

[justabaraker]

I'm reading about all sorts of interesting developments in our footy in the off-season....Balmain's issues...PD going from 12 teams down to 10...coach movements...2014 NEAFL player permit trial.
But, we're not reading about these interesting things on the SAFL website - does that mean that all our stories here are untrue ? Is the SAFL so far behind the pace ? Is it all too secret men's business to be made public ?

You don't create interest in our footy by running reports on B&F awards nights for obscure teams.

[tara]

Rosedale is home per usual. We prefer a backup option for training and preseason venue that's marked with posts. Unfortunately if it ends up with a wicket we will be looking at a private venue. Thankfully we have a private venue should the need arise.

[Jupiter]

Well done - get Moorebank in there as much as possible, that is great work and may eventually limit some of the damage. At least you are creating some demand for the venue which might help it not be lost forever and also might be a great move if juniors gets back up and running again.

Rosedale is home per usual. We prefer a backup option for training and preseason venue that's marked with posts. Unfortunately if it ends up with a wicket we will be looking at a private venue. Thankfully we have a private venue should the need arise.

[MrTaxman]

Now that Tom Harley has resigned from being our states leader can we expect him to be announced as the new coach for the blacktown magic

Big Show wins 1st & 2nd place for quote of the year.

I had plenty of interesting discussions with Tom about the direction of footy in Sydney & NSW over his tenure & he knows where I stand about the "interstaters" coming in whatever capacity for 1 or 2 years and then leaving again sight unseen - I do hope he stays involved in some capacity in Sydney, even as coach of the Magic. As for his replacement, I do think we need someone 100% devoted to the position & not flying down to Melbourne every Friday afternoon. Someone who will watch 5 games of local footy - anywhere in the state - each weekend to understand what the issues are. Looking internally I would like to see Joey La P be given the chance to interview as he has "done his time" but noticed he was pushed aside by someone who played 199 AFL games only last year. There are lots of other smart people involved in local footy clubs that I think would give their all as well although perhaps not generate the same amount of media coverage as Tom obviously could (but is it all about media coverage? The GWS Izzy experiment springs to mind). People who would give their left nut to be involved but due to financial constraints couldn't leave the safety of their employment in years gone by but perhaps have grown up families & mortgages paid & can now devote the time & energy. Someone who isn't afraid to tell Head Office in Melbourne if something is wrong & won't work in the Sydney environment. Someone who cares about footy in NSW. It may be laughed off, but imagine someone with the passion of Pekay or Tara or our man who does the weekly AFL Sydney review on this site, would they be a better alternative to what we have had?

[Jupiter]

Big Show wins 1st & 2nd place for quote of the year.

I had plenty of interesting discussions with Tom about the direction of footy in Sydney & NSW over his tenure & he knows where I stand about the "interstaters" coming in whatever capacity for 1 or 2 years and then leaving again sight unseen - I do hope he stays involved in some capacity in Sydney, even as coach of the Magic. As for his replacement, I do think we need someone 100% devoted to the position & not flying down to Melbourne every Friday afternoon. Someone who will watch 5 games of local footy - anywhere in the state - each weekend to understand what the issues are. Looking internally I would like to see Joey La P be given the chance to interview as he has "done his time" but noticed he was pushed aside by someone who played 199 AFL games only last year. There are lots of other smart people involved in local footy clubs that I think would give their all as well although perhaps not generate the same amount of media coverage as Tom obviously could (but is it all about media coverage? The GWS Izzy experiment springs to mind). People who would give their left nut to be involved but due to financial constraints couldn't leave the safety of their employment in years gone by but perhaps have grown up families & mortgages paid & can now devote the time & energy. Someone who isn't afraid to tell Head Office in Melbourne if something is wrong & won't work in the Sydney environment. Someone who cares about footy in NSW. It may be laughed off, but imagine someone with the passion of Pekay or Tara or our man who does the weekly AFL Sydney review on this site, would they be a better alternative to what we have had?

Yes they would be much better, especially if they had the backing of a proper Club Commission - who, frankly should be their master along with the AFL - ala SANFL. It has been said by so many for so long - decent consistent leadership at the right levels with a proper local structure. All other approaches seem to be just "time stamped" AFL initiatives of the day.

[Footy Barista]

Whats going on at southern power? apparently a fair few of them coming over to st george.

Sorry to jump In here saviour ? Who is off to st George with rod ? Geez that has to be a bonus for the dragons

[justabaraker]

Mr Taxman - seeing as you've raised your head above the turret, like a gopher in one of those arcade games........what's doing re Balmain ?

[MrTaxman]

Mr Taxman - seeing as you've raised your head above the turret, like a gopher in one of those arcade games........what's doing re Balmain ?

I wouldn't have a clue ... not affiliated with them.

[Mug Punter]

Over two months sine the end of the season and longer since the debacle at Henson that drew attention to this issue.

Strong, proactive leadership would have a resolution in place by now.

BTW, Drummoyne Sporting Club is for sale. Land value I assume for the rest of the plot to be developed. What a sad sad story. As they say, be careful what you wish for....

Balmain were a very successful, sociable and respected part of the old second division. They were a players club who used to throw all the spare cash into the pot, divide it up and go on an end of season trip somewhere and play a game against an overseas league. They had the right model for success and then instead of building success they went and tried to buy it, remember they were paying Zochling $800 per game in the 90s. Insane!!!!

Now they don't even have a ground as it has been taken over by another club and are playing in Newtown (where the club who has taken their ground should play - insane innit) , another nail in their coffin and a shameful act by the NSWAFL in letting it happen because all that matters is AFL pathway and a NEAFL club trumps an SFL club every time. And no this isn't another Sydney Uni rant, they can only be as opportunistic as they are allowed to be, we all look after our own patch I guess.

Yes I bagged them in the past because we all could see this coming. What I will say is that the Balmain Club used to be a fine fine club and I believe it deserves saving. It shouldn't just be up to that club's members to sort this out, the NSWAFL MUST get involved. The club can be saved but we all know how hard it is to revive a club in recess.

If Balmain AFC die then the NSWAFL has blood on its hands. For once guys, show some leadership. You can spend the money and time on a stupid PR exercise supporting a bunch of thugs (Auburn) and you can do it on your own funded team (Blacktown Majic), perhaps a team with over 100 years contribution to the game in this city deserves a helpinh hand don't you think.

[Norris Lurker]

63 senior teams have been nominated for 2014, an increase of one on 2013. Also 16 womens teams (up 4 on 2013) and 17 Under 19s teams (steady compared to the number of teams that completed Under 18s in 2013).
Interestingly, it appears some new clubs have nominated teams. Some clubs have nominated additional teams, so some others have dropped teams. All will be revealed in a few weeks.