Season 2016 - early days

[Norris Lurker]

They weren't premiers in Div 1 - they were very close but no cigar.

But the overall point is right, they're always up there at the business end of the season. They've got a womens team as well this year - in 2012 they had 3 teams, now they're up to 7. Not a bad growth rate.

[Mug Punter]

They weren't premiers in Div 1 - they were very close but no cigar.

But the overall point is right, they're always up there at the business end of the season. They've got a womens team as well this year - in 2012 they had 3 teams, now they're up to 7. Not a bad growth rate.

Could easily see Penno having six senior sides, two juniors and a women's team by 2020 if not sooner, they have good high end talent with strong sides in three of the top four divs and they should be easily able to add new sides with two under 19s in place. The balance of power in the Hills district has really shifted in recent years, partially due to Penno playing the long game and partially due to the gross incompetence of Baulko and their NEAFL fantasy.

In fact I can see a real arms race as clubs race to getting a full set of senior teams.

Sydney Uni are pretty much there with 6 teams including NEAFL to Div2 with only missing in Div 3, incredible depth. Likewise UTS only miss Div 3 and surely this is the year they deliver in PD.

Manly need to get their Div 2 team to Div 1 asap and add a fourth senior team pronto as do St George and North Shore who need to embrace their junior and promote an inclusive club environment rather than the elitism that has to date stunted their growth. ECE should also follow the Penno model but with their weak Under 19s and loss of paid players this year could they struggle for even three teams this year?

The two clubs that really stand out as vulnerable are Wests and UNSW. Wests are a basketcase in the making with a huge drop in class from their PD team, which is leaking senior players, to Div 2 and 3 who won 5 and 10 games respectively finishing 7th/8 and 5th/10. Their depth is poor and it works both ways - one is their Seniors get pumped but the other is that already weak lower grade teams get belted too.

In many respects UNSW are worse than Wests but they do field an extra team. But their lower grades in 2015 were terrible - Div 1 and 3 winning ZERO and THREE and both coming dead last. This mob are a poor man's Sydney Uni, the residual goodwill from the East Sydney Takeover have evaporated and UTS has filled the Eastern Suburbs void very nicely. They could easily slip back into SFA mode like Mac Uni or Sutherland.

[Tom Wills]

They weren't premiers in Div 1 - they were very close but no cigar.

But the overall point is right, they're always up there at the business end of the season. They've got a womens team as well this year - in 2012 they had 3 teams, now they're up to 7. Not a bad growth rate.

How can a club go from 3 team to 7 in 4 years? Is it an influx of interstate players, surely they can not have that many juniors coming through.
If we look at that growth where are all the Maroubra and St Ives under 17s going?

[tara]

How can a club go from 3 team to 7 in 4 years? Is it an influx of interstate players, surely they can not have that many juniors coming through.
If we look at that growth where are all the Maroubra and St Ives under 17s going?

Coach 4 a simple explanation. Do your due diligence. Valued people like hounddog aka rakic were ostracized. Im no expert on penno but had conversations that now make sense to see theid rapid growth

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry should say in my opinion. And only by those seeking changes

[Pekay]

Why must you speak in riddles Colesy? Spill ya guts, or send me an email.

[Pmcc2911]

I hear that there has been some movement between Wests and Moorebank, can anyone elaborate?

[Pmcc2911]

"Manly need to get their Div 2 team to Div 1 asap and add a fourth senior team pronto as do St George and North Shore who need to embrace their junior and promote an inclusive club environment rather than the elitism that has to date stunted their growth."

North Shore have changed their approach (even it was a perception) and are becoming more inclusive, witness the 2nd 19's team aimed predominantly at guys who come out of 17's and don't want to play for sheep stations every week.

[Pekay]

So who is playing who this weekend?

When Garry was running the show, you'd get a practice match schedule through pre-season. MG did the same. Lift your game HQ!

I see Penrith are facing Maitland.

Jets have an intra club.

Who else?

[Pmcc2911]

Bombers are playing ES/UNSW

[Norris Lurker]

North Shore & UNSW-ES are playing four grades at Mahoney Park tomorrow. Don't know who else.

[justabaraker]

So who is playing who this weekend?

When Garry was running the show, you'd get a practice match schedule through pre-season. MG did the same. Lift your game HQ!

You're right Pekay. The AFL puts out something on their website every day during the off season, just so the punters have a little morsel to chew on. Even if it's nothing more than a quotable quote from some no-name.
Is it too much to hope the Sydney AFL would give us updates just so we know they're still breathing in there ?

[Mug Punter]

Is it too much to hope the Sydney AFL would give us updates just so we know they're still breathing in there ?

Yes

[ZaccyJ]

So who is playing who this weekend?

Randwick Div 2 v Sydney Uni @ Mahoney on Sun
Randwick Div 4 v UNSW @ Bat & Ball on Sat

[saviour01]

Saints v syd uni prems div 1 and 19s on sunday.

Few div 4 boys may go through div 1.

[Footy Barista]

I heard of the grapevine manly were due to play Parramatta last Saturday however the go annas pulled out late Thursday night due to not having enough numbers for any teams...