NEAFL

[Coastal Boy]

Um, no it wasn't. In fact the Eagles wanted players who didn't get a game in NEAFL to be allowed to play at other Premier Division clubs which is the same system they have in QLD.

How would this work unless the player came from another Premier Division club to start with? If SHEagles or SU did not have any lower grades the idea is plausible but of course they do and furthermore they have a team in the Premier Division. If a player gets dropped is he going to ask to play with North Shore or Campbelltown? That makes no sense to me.

Anyway, all clubs had the opportunity to apply for inclusion to the NEAFL. To my knowledge only 3 applied(the other being North Shore). People should be directing their thoughts or anger towards the AFL or NSWAFL and not so much the clubs in the NEAFL. It's every man for himself at a club level. Hopefully with a few scruples on the way.

[unconfuseme]

They don't have many "local juniors" playing NEAFL at SHE ... and none at SU ...

It would be workable if they remained registered with their club side and were playing as representatives of those clubs for a higher zone entity.

You are quite right though CB, and I have said the same thing here, it is not the fault of either club that the AFL get it wrong, but to pretend that the current model is relevant or doing anything positive for the development of the code in Sydney is laughable.

The simple fact is, the opportunity is there, and it doesn't need much thought to make it into a success ... is there anyone there smart enough though

[Pekay]

They don't have many "local juniors" playing NEAFL at SHE ... and none at SU ...

It would be workable if they remained registered with their club side and were playing as representatives of those clubs for a higher zone entity.

You are quite right though CB, and I have said the same thing here, it is not the fault of either club that the AFL get it wrong, but to pretend that the current model is relevant or doing anything positive for the development of the code in Sydney is laughable.

The simple fact is, the opportunity is there, and it doesn't need much thought to make it into a success ... is there anyone there smart enough though

I would've thought Josh Cass would get at least one game of NEAFL at SHE, he played a few games each for GWS and Swans ressies last year and performed pretty well.

I don't think he's gone backwards in his development, the kid has a huge training ethic, maybe he's not in the best 22 there, I don't know. But, I don't think he went there to be playing Premier Division.

[Norris Lurker]

I find it somewhat amusing that many on here suggest that instead of 2 clubs in the NEAFL, that there are instead effectively 2 x SFL REP TEAMs - call them East & West.

Who does everyone think will actually run these clubs?
Who will coach and be assistant coaches?
Who will be the physios / trainers?
Who is the team manager?
Who volunteers to do the many many jobs required each week?
What ground will they play at?
Who is president and who else will sit on the committee?
Who works on sponsorships to pay for all of the above?
Who organises social events?
Who recruits players?
Who runs the BBQ, the Canteen, Sells Raffle Tickets?
How will they build a member base or supporter base when people are already aligned to clubs in Sydney?

My understanding (and I could be wrong) is that the idea of rep teams was considered; but one of the main reasons they decided to admit two clubs instead of forming rep teams is that the clubs had volunteers who could do things on game day.

It's one thing for the league to ask clubs to supply volunteers for rep games on long weekends when there's no club games on. But to ask them to cough up volunteers for a NEAFL squad when their club is playing elsewhere at the same time, especially if the club is split over multiple venues, isn't going to happen.

[ShortHalfHead]

It's one thing for the league to ask clubs to supply volunteers for rep games on long weekends when there's no club games on. But to ask them to cough up volunteers for a NEAFL squad when their club is playing elsewhere at the same time, especially if the club is split over multiple venues, isn't going to happen.

I would have thought that SHE could come up with enough volunteers having only 4 teams, including NEAFL.

Moorebank and Penrith both field 5 teams and can handle splits adequately. Accept that NEAFL requires more staff, but that would be covered in part by AFL subsidies.

I'll give credit where it is due to Sydney Uni, fielding a massive 7 teams including NEAFL. It's a massive ask and although they seems totally disorganised in the lower grades, manage to get through the rounds.

[The Student]

I would have thought that SHE could come up with enough volunteers having only 4 teams, including NEAFL.

Moorebank and Penrith both field 5 teams and can handle splits adequately. Accept that NEAFL requires more staff, but that would be covered in part by AFL subsidies.

I'll give credit where it is due to Sydney Uni, fielding a massive 7 teams including NEAFL. It's a massive ask and although they seems totally disorganised in the lower grades, manage to get through the rounds.

Fair call, I don't think anyone would consider what goes on at St Paul's on a Saturday to be a smooth operation. A lot of time and energy is focused on the pointy end of the club and sometimes things get missed down the bottom. And as I'm sure is the case for every club at every level, each week brings a new challenge.

[Tom Wills]

Student, I would take ShortHalfHead's comment as a compliment. Your club is incredible well organised, and if things slip a bit (I say slip not FUp) its only in the lower grades. Its great to see teams in Div 3, 4 and 5 still love the club and not use the club for a game.

But getting back to the thread NEAFL, how do you get so many top line players to play without paying them considerable $ - what is the base payment for a NEAFL player?

[Mug Punter]

Student, I would take ShortHalfHead's comment as a compliment. Your club is incredible well organised, and if things slip a bit (I say slip not FUp) its only in the lower grades. Its great to see teams in Div 3, 4 and 5 still love the club and not use the club for a game.

But getting back to the thread NEAFL, how do you get so many top line players to play without paying them considerable $ - what is the base payment for a NEAFL player?

It's a pretty simple principle, the only clubs in Sydney that should be genuinely paying players should be the Swans and GWS. Decent second tier players that have a chance of playing AFL by being part of their SANFL/VFL set up (not the Mickey Mouse NEAFL) should be paid a semi-pro wage just like the kids in SA and Melbourne are.

The SFL should be essentially amateur (and yes Student that gives you an advantage via your scholarships offset by the fact you have no juniors). The SFL should be a VAFA themed comp based on community engagement and junior development, it should grow as quality as the grassroots develop. Sure you'll get a few clubs throwing a few dollars about from time to time but, seriously, you'd have to be pretty mercenary to change clubs for $200-300 a game in Sydney. Penno have set the benchmark for structure this way - afford what you can in terms of BOG votes to provide some financial reward for effort but only as much as the club can afford.

It's simple. There are maybe 5-10 kids in Sydney who have been missed by the AFL Draft and Rookie system. They could be easily absorbed into the Swans and GWS playing at a higher level in a decent state based league.

Sydney Uni and Baulko have been drafted into this comp with the AFL pandering to the egos of those clubs. I know that the posters here from Uni are very precious and protective about their little club which is fair enough but I think if they were brutally honest they wold prefer to be aiming for their second SFL flag in 100+ years than trying to finish above the ACTAFL clubs in the NEAFL with no realistic chance of ever winning that comp. They are merely making up the numbers, of that there can be no argument....

[The Student]

Student, I would take ShortHalfHead's comment as a compliment. Your club is incredible well organised, and if things slip a bit (I say slip not FUp) its only in the lower grades. Its great to see teams in Div 3, 4 and 5 still love the club and not use the club for a game.

But getting back to the thread NEAFL, how do you get so many top line players to play without paying them considerable $ - what is the base payment for a NEAFL player?

I guess it is probably a combination of the scholarship scheme, plus the opportunity to study, along with proximity to the city, the chance to play at that level, access to the sports science stuff (the strength & conditioning, gym facilities, dietitians etc). That sort of thing, no big secret I wouldn't have thought. Couldn't tell you what blokes get paid per game but I know it isn't a lot. Certainly wouldn't be the determining factor in coming to the club.

[The Student]

That's fair enough, I understand where you are coming from and agree with a couple of your points. The Penno payment system sounds like a good one to keep the club sustainable and the players happy - they are a model club in Sydney and one that do a lot of things well.

I will say that with the scholarship scheme though, guys have to be studying at a tertiary institution and need to meet a lot of criteria both on field and academically to maintain their status. Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (and various benefactors) are in effect affording athletes the opportunity to further their education in lieu of handing out cash. Of course it benefits our footy club, but it's also a way for SUSF to make a difference. Obviously the opportunity to run a scheme like that is something unique to university clubs and an advantage that we have, but it is also something our club and especially SUSF are proud to be able to do.

[Mug Punter]

That's fair enough, I understand where you are coming from and agree with a couple of your points. The Penno payment system sounds like a good one to keep the club sustainable and the players happy - they are a model club in Sydney and one that do a lot of things well.

I will say that with the scholarship scheme though, guys have to be studying at a tertiary institution and need to meet a lot of criteria both on field and academically to maintain their status. Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (and various benefactors) are in effect affording athletes the opportunity to further their education in lieu of handing out cash. Of course it benefits our footy club, but it's also a way for SUSF to make a difference. Obviously the opportunity to run a scheme like that is something unique to university clubs and an advantage that we have, but it is also something our club and especially SUSF are proud to be able to do.

Believe it or not, I actually am a fan of Sydney Uni and the model they have adopted, it is a way of making a difference and in reason it has a real place in Sydney footy.

I am also a fan of their inclusive culture and the amount of players, many new to the game, who get a game every week. I like that they are fundamentally a club by the players for the players. They are a club that was ahead of its time in terms of the multi-team model that replaced the elitist model where dozens of guys got turned back by clubs like North Shore because they "weren't good enough". Know I have made a few (OK, many...) cheap shots at Sydney Uni recently but really my issue is with the system not the club.

Like many others who lobve Sydney football, I have a massive problem with the NEAFL and I think it is not good cherry picking two teams from many in the Sydney comp and bestowing them with benefits that other clubs do not have, with no pyramid structure in place. I think the Sydney Comp is massively poorer for not having Sydney Uni and Baulko playing for the flag under an even playing field with their best sides. I think they add little to the NEAFL but are mere pawns for the AFL clowns running football in this state. I also think that the clubs in question have been hijacked by egotistical administrators within their midst on their own glory path with no real interest for the game, only their club. (Sydney Uni has an unfortunate record of this, ask any old timers about President Skinner). I also think that the two clubs in question are being used by the NEAFL and if they were brutally honest would be better off being back as inclusive members of the Sydney football community rather than being above...

All in my opinion of course and we'll have to agree to disagree.

You'll all be pleased to know it's the last I'll say on the NEAFL and will try and make all my NSWAFL posts from now as constructive as possible....

[chatovadafloor]

Actually one of your best on here, tend to agree with most of this.

Believe it or not, I actually am a fan of Sydney Uni and the model they have adopted, it is a way of making a difference and in reason it has a real place in Sydney footy.

I am also a fan of their inclusive culture and the amount of players, many new to the game, who get a game every week. I like that they are fundamentally a club by the players for the players. They are a club that was ahead of its time in terms of the multi-team model that replaced the elitist model where dozens of guys got turned back by clubs like North Shore because they "weren't good enough". Know I have made a few (OK, many...) cheap shots at Sydney Uni recently but really my issue is with the system not the club.

Like many others who lobve Sydney football, I have a massive problem with the NEAFL and I think it is not good cherry picking two teams from many in the Sydney comp and bestowing them with benefits that other clubs do not have, with no pyramid structure in place. I think the Sydney Comp is massively poorer for not having Sydney Uni and Baulko playing for the flag under an even playing field with their best sides. I think they add little to the NEAFL but are mere pawns for the AFL clowns running football in this state. I also think that the clubs in question have been hijacked by egotistical administrators within their midst on their own glory path with no real interest for the game, only their club. (Sydney Uni has an unfortunate record of this, ask any old timers about President Skinner). I also think that the two clubs in question are being used by the NEAFL and if they were brutally honest would be better off being back as inclusive members of the Sydney football community rather than being above...

All in my opinion of course and we'll have to agree to disagree.

You'll all be pleased to know it's the last I'll say on the NEAFL and will try and make all my NSWAFL posts from now as constructive as possible....

[justabaraker]

Actually one of your best on here, tend to agree with most of this.

Me too, MP.....but that doesn't mean we want you to keep bashing on about it.

[Mug Punter]

Me too, MP.....but that doesn't mean we want you to keep bashing on about it.

You have my word...

[often_confused]

Interesting story story in Canberra Times

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/act-sport/belconnen-and-queanbeyan-look-set-to-give-neafl-the-boot-20140803-zzyje.html