A reserves idea

[ROK Lobster]

Are the Swans reserves playing a combined SFL team this week? If so, what a good idea. As much as I like the Canberra league it is becoming a joke. So why not do the rep thing every week - play a combined side from a different region. The Canberra AFL, the Black Diamond league, the Riverina leagues - surely there would be 10 or so leagues that forward a rep side twice a year. They could be the curtain raisers for the seniors - give some young blokes from the bush a chance to play in the big smoke. And on the return leg the Swans youngsters (and Benny) could go bush (or at least outside the metro area) and do a bit of game development while they are there etc. There could even be the odd interstate game (v Bris reserves, or against a combined Adelaide under 23 side or something) but mainly play against combined regional sides. Surely it would be good for the game. Regional leagues could schedule 2 general byes per season (many of them are struggling for numbers anyway). I am sure that there are problems that I have not thought through but does anyone else think it is a good idea?

[liz]

Re: A reserves idea

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Are the Swans reserves playing a combined SFL team this week?

I think your idea has some merit, though I'm not convinced they'd get that much better opposition (other than against Lions reserves team).

But I've highlighted your first sentence because it's correct in a limited sense. The Swans reserves are playing a combined SFL development (U21) side this weekend as the curtain raiser to the curtain raiser. The second game on the schedule is an ACTAFL combined team against a SFL senior combined team.

I can't see our boys getting much of a hit-out this week.

[Big Al]

Certainly has a lot of merit. The Reserves certainly need more competitive matches than the glorified training runs that the ACT comp is now dishing up.

[Big Al]

Re: Re: A reserves idea

Originally posted by liz
Ithe curtain raiser to the curtain raiser.

3 games of live footy on Saturday. I'm in heaven.

[Nico]

ROK = Einstein.

[desredandwhite]

Re: Re: Re: A reserves idea

Originally posted by Big Al
3 games of live footy on Saturday. I'm in heaven.

Does anyone know the match starting times/gate opening times? I might be in the city earlier in the day, and might go along to watch all 3 games... But I've binned the email from the club, and can't find the info anywhere

[BeeEmmAre]

Re: Re: Re: Re: A reserves idea

Originally posted by desredandwhite
Does anyone know the match starting times/gate opening times? I might be in the city earlier in the day, and might go along to watch all 3 games... But I've binned the email from the club, and can't find the info anywhere

The at ground ticket office opens at 12.45pm and Gate C opens at 1pm.

Matches:

1pm Sydney Swans Reserves v Sydney AFL under 21s.
3.40pm Sydney AFL v AFL Canberra
7.10pm Sydney Swans v Fremantle

[Foreign Legion]

I think the Swans Reserves will win by (if they don't relax) 30 goals....very good hit out.

This is an absolute joke and can't go on much longer.

Under 21's - sheesh.

Talk is that the AFL reserves may be started up again - thank God.

[stellation]

Re: Re: A reserves idea

Originally posted by liz
I think your idea has some merit, though I'm not convinced they'd get that much better opposition (other than against Lions reserves team).

I think they would definitely get better one on one opposition, a lot of the teams in Canberra (for example) have at least one or two very good players- combining them into one team would at least mean our guys get a better chance of having to be accountable.

[stellation]

Re: A reserves idea

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Are the Swans reserves playing a combined SFL team this week? If so, what a good idea. As much as I like the Canberra league it is becoming a joke. So why not do the rep thing every week - play a combined side from a different region. The Canberra AFL, the Black Diamond league, the Riverina leagues - surely there would be 10 or so leagues that forward a rep side twice a year. They could be the curtain raisers for the seniors - give some young blokes from the bush a chance to play in the big smoke. And on the return leg the Swans youngsters (and Benny) could go bush (or at least outside the metro area) and do a bit of game development while they are there etc. There could even be the odd interstate game (v Bris reserves, or against a combined Adelaide under 23 side or something) but mainly play against combined regional sides. Surely it would be good for the game. Regional leagues could schedule 2 general byes per season (many of them are struggling for numbers anyway). I am sure that there are problems that I have not thought through but does anyone else think it is a good idea?

I think it is an excellent idea. The thing I like about it is how it would assist in the development of the individual leagues; if the AFL was serious about development of the sport in NSW at a senior level as well they could throw some of their annual development dollars towards offering some match payments for people playing in the rep teams.

[goswannie14]

I think the idea has merit ROK. Failing something like this being put into effect, I still believe the ressies need to play in the VFL.

[floppinab]

Re: A reserves idea

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
If so, what a good idea.

Just wait on the result after Saturday first. As others have said I have a feeling that the standard of opposition may well be worse but I'll wait on the result first.

[wheels27]

Is there a way this can also be put up for discussion in the NSW footy part here?

I am fairly sure there are more than a few people involved in the state regional leagues who may read that forum, but not the rest of the site.

The idea is one that is so good I reckon it should be put in front of someone either at AFL-NSW/ACT or Swans, well done.

[wheels27]

Re: Re: A reserves idea

Originally posted by floppinab
Just wait on the result after Saturday first. As others have said I have a feeling that the standard of opposition may well be worse but I'll wait on the result first.

The result of the swans playing a junior rep side would be little indication, the standard of the Sydney-Canberra game would be the best indicator of the standard they would be facing.

[SimonH]

Anything that keeps Sydney's 2nds playing principally locally (i.e. within NSW/ACT), is a good idea.

No disrespect to Victorian Swans supporters, but for the development of the game here we can't be seen to just give up on local footy and say 'the standard here will never cut it'. Nor will Swans management ever want to lose the control, unity and the ease-of-observation that they have with a single reserves team (as opposed to the WA/SA model of farming 3 or so players out to each team).

It would have been far more interesting to see the Swans reserves playing the senior SFL representative squad. While the SFL may want to gauge its strength against the ACTAFL, you have to wonder the point of us playing a combined SFL U/21 squad (apart from the fact it's a group of warm bodies who will give us a game). Not only a likely flogging, but the opposition is unlikely to contain anyone under serious consideration for a rookie listing.