The Annual Player & Coach Merry-Go-Round

[often_confused]

Sorry I am still confused, so a squad of 47 players (35 primary + 12 Rookie) will form the basis of the Uni NEAFL squad, with some also being available for Swans top ups. The 12 rookies will be drawn from the 2 academies.

These players will presumably train with the Sydney Uni NEAFL squad and then if not selected will return to the home club, potentially one they have not trained with for an extended period to play. Setting that aside, consider:
* Uni can revise their list during the season (what does this mean, more likely than not it means they will look to their Premier Div Group)
* There will be a mini draft of players moving from other competitions to Sydney Uni (how would that operate Geographic OR lower team gets first pick OR Sydney AFL allocation) who gets rights in the draft Only Premier Div or other levels

I am sure it is a genuine attempt to provide a pathway to promising kids, while also ensuring the four relevant AFL clubs have a decent competition for the Reserves to compete in (this is obviously the Primary driver for the AFL). I do not know if it will work or not. I am happy for folk to close their eyes and enjoy. I am not sure that it is not a tremendous put down to the current Sydney clubs and coaches by implying they will only secure appropriate training in the new environment. I am positive it would be better received if discussions were held outside the troika of Swans, Sydney Uni and the Sydney AFL.

As an aside I am not at all sure this is consistent with the approach in Qld or ACT and it appears more likely changes are concurrent rather than this change matching the processes in those other locations. Where will UWS draw its NEAFL top ups ? Are they intended to come from Sydney UNI also (which raises a huge logistics issue for potential players) or does every one West of Concord go to UWS.

I guess if it does not work, further changes can be mandated without consultation in the future.

[The Student]

Not sure if it has been made clear that any Uni player currently at the club - say a Matt O'Dwyer or Nick Winmar - will not be subject to the mini draft and will be eligible to play PD. It only really affects new recruits, which means that if someone comes from interstate for example, and chooses to play at SU for whatever reason they are ineligible for PD. I completely agree with players from other clubs on the NEAFL list going back if they aren't selected - to be honest I wouldn't think there would be a huge amount of them in any case.

[justabaraker]

It puts Sydney Uni in a category on its own - not particularly better or worse. Just 'different'.

Student, you seem to be in the loop at Number One, how does the club feel about all this ? Were they consulted or was it just thrust upon them from on high ?

[The Student]

It puts Sydney Uni in a category on its own - not particularly better or worse. Just 'different'.

Student, you seem to be in the loop at Number One, how does the club feel about all this ? Were they consulted or was it just thrust upon them from on high ?

I don't think anyone apart from the people right at the pointy end of the club know much about it at this stage. I'd have to assume there was some consultation as I don't think the club would have sought to have these rules put in place.

[Pekay]

Looks as though the Lions will return to the SCAFL in Senior footy.

Lions quit Sydney to rejoin South Coast competition - AFL Sydney - FOX SPORTS PULSE

[The Runt]

Any early thoughts on the way the Divisions will stack up next year?

[Norris Lurker]

A lot depends on team nominations. But with Illawarra withdrawing, it opens up a spot in Div 1 - so possibly Penrith may stay up.

[Pekay]

I'd have no issue seeing Blacktown jump up to Div 1. They have the cattle.

[Chicken Legs]

I'd have no issue seeing Blacktown jump up to Div 1. They have the cattle.

I would suspect to see ECE step into Wollongong Div 1 position and Penrith stay put. That's what I am hearing anyway!

Prems won't change although again I would suspect some of the lower performing teams will be getting watched closely this year.

Div 2 will see Saints take ECE position with no other movement there.

From there it's game on!

[tara]

Chicken - Sydney Uni and ECE will move to Div. Still leaves the Riff looking at relegation.

[Pekay]

It's a bit crook that ECE get promoted back to Div 1 ON PAPER but makes perfect sense, as it'd be their 2014 Prems team running around, and they'd street Div 2 by the length of Flemington.

I'm sure the Riff want to stay in Div 1, but that's the nature of the relegation best I suppose. Wonder if their recruitment targets, namely Messrs Rogers and Perry would want to play Div 2 though?

*accidentally leaked documents on the Defence network make for interesting reading! Still waiting for the next instalment..

[DLH]

It's a bit crook that ECE get promoted back to Div 1 ON PAPER but makes perfect sense, as it'd be their 2014 Prems team running around, and they'd street Div 2 by the length of Flemington.

I'm sure the Riff want to stay in Div 1, but that's the nature of the relegation best I suppose. Wonder if their recruitment targets, namely Messrs Rogers and Perry would want to play Div 2.

I think you'll find that Nick Perry is a confirmed 'in' regardless of Division Pete.

[Pekay]

I think you'll find that Nick Perry is a confirmed 'in' regardless of Division Pete.

Annnnnnnnnnd HOOKED!

Very good pick up. Top bloke too.

[ShortHalfHead]

Annnnnnnnnnd HOOKED!

Very good pick up. Top bloke too.

N Perry a good pickup.

A Rogers probably going to stay interstate.

We've certainly made every possible effort to stay in Div 1 but now looking unlikely. Thought Nor-West may have applied to go back up again to make D2 a very Western Sydney Comp.

[The Student]

Annnnnnnnnnd HOOKED!

Very good pick up. Top bloke too.

Agreed - he will kill it in Div 1 or 2, wherever the Rams play. He had to do a lot of travel last year to train and play with Uni so it's a good result for him to be closer to home. Hope he does well.