Under 18's @ SANFL level

[Jimmy]

im on the U18 bandwagon now

[redandblack]

With all due to respect to the trainers, I really dont think their feelings would come into the equation!!!!

Havent you ever had to get up extra early every now and then then for work, uni etc etc....we all do it, its called the real world....if you dont like it dont do it...

That's fine, but many league clubs are already struggling for volunteers, so if we don't do it, who will?

Nobody's expecting the League to consider trainers' feelings. We'll all do what we have to do. I'm just stating an opinion.

For example, a Friday night game means having to leave work early afternoon. A 9am saturday start means getting up at 5.30am, after a week of normal work, plus attending training until 8pm 3 nights a week.

I'm just making the point that people are affected by these decisions.

FWIW, I'm opposed to an Under 18 comp, but not for reasons to do with times.

[MightyEagles]

Exactly, we're always looking for people to run water during games and scoreboard attandants and so forth.

[Blue Boy]

Exactly, we're always looking for people to run water during games and scoreboard attandants and so forth.

Do you have trouble in getting people in general or enough people to cover 2 games ???

[MightyEagles]

Exactly, we're always looking for people to run water during games and scoreboard attandants and so forth.

Do you have trouble in getting people in general or enough people to cover 2 games ???

I think it's a little bit of both. We really need people who could stay for both games for all the season.

[Blue Boy]

Exactly, we're always looking for people to run water during games and scoreboard attandants and so forth.

Do you have trouble in getting people in general or enough people to cover 2 games ???

I think it's a little bit of both. We really need people who could stay for both games for all the season.

Well if ya have only one game wont that help ???

[MightyEagles]

We can get by, but more help is needed.

[Punk Rooster]

We can get by, but more help is needed.

rubbish, just work harder!

[MightyEagles]

But many hands make light work.

[BPBRB]

But many hands make light work.

You sound like the Jehovah's trying to build a whole church in a weekend!

[Dan The Man]

What does every one think of having an Under 18 competition @ SANFL level instead of its current set up of Under 19 and Under 17 competitions ???

I agree ! It has several benefits in that it would save money for the clubs by having all its resources at 1 venue each week and by cutting the expense of another team.They have played all 3 games at the 1 venue in the WAFL for as long as I can remember. Let's face it guy's at 19 still playing U-19's don't usually progress any further anyway.

[smac]

FWIW, I'm opposed to an Under 18 comp, but not for reasons to do with times.

What are your reasons then? Not trying to start an arguement, just trying to understand another perspective.

[Blue Boy]

FWIW, I'm opposed to an Under 18 comp, but not for reasons to do with times.

What are your reasons then? Not trying to start an arguement, just trying to understand another perspective.

Im the same - I thought there would be more people being able to help ???

[redandblack]

FWIW, I'm opposed to an Under 18 comp, but not for reasons to do with times.

What are your reasons then? Not trying to start an arguement, just trying to understand another perspective.

Fair question.

I think that many players are lost to football with an Under 18 comp before they have had time to develop. I'm pretty sure that's what is happening in Vic and looking at the players coming through my club, many are the better for having that extra year at underage level.

The highly talented players are going to be drafted at 18, but the next level down are the ones we're looking to come through for SANFL. I would suspect the majority of these have played Under 19's. I also think it's not correct to say if they're not ready at age 18 they're not good enough.

Although all players are different, I doubt you'd see too many young ruckmen ready to play Reserves at 18.

I think an Under 18 comp in SA might benefit the AFl, but certainly not the SANFL.

[JK]

RAB, how much would financial remuneration help in finding enough trainers at clubs to cater for this?

Given the Salary Cap is a set limit and most clubs are showing tidy profits these days (lol hopefully ALL soon), would providing trainers with better than just a token payment get the numbers required?

[redandblack]

RAB, how much would financial remuneration help in finding enough trainers at clubs to cater for this?

Given the Salary Cap is a set limit and most clubs are showing tidy profits these days (lol hopefully ALL soon), would providing trainers with better than just a token payment get the numbers required?

It would certainly help, CP, but I'm not sure how much.

I think you'll find that some clubs have little trouble getting trainers, while others are always looking for them. There's also a fair turnover of Head Trainers for many reasons, including the time commitment.

Most clubs survive on people loyal to the club and often money isn't the issue for these people, but finding water-runners and trainers is more difficult. I think this stems from the time that SANFL had some 'glamour' and trainers were paid a pittance, if at all. Times change, but they're still paid next to nothing, as other priorities always take over.

Throwing money at trainers isn't the answer, but their conditions need to be brought up to current-day standards.

If you follow a team and have some time (it can be flexible), it's a fantastic way to be involved. I wish I'd started sooner than I did.

[MightyEagles]

At the Eagles unders it's more the water-runners that we need more then anything and maybe an extra trainer for training/game. We usually get some help from overseas students that go to Uni, 3 or 4, but 1 of these go to the games (which is on a rotating basis).

[JK]

I managed to run the water for a Ressies match last season (against Westies at the Parade) and thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I got caught watching the play a few times and forgot to do my job lol.

Have known quite a few of the trainers at our club over the last few years and I can't vouch enough for the quality people they are, but I can't help feeling they have been under treated/recognised/valued for most of that time, which is very sad as their sacrifice for the love of the club is/was enormous!

[smac]

FWIW, I'm opposed to an Under 18 comp, but not for reasons to do with times.

What are your reasons then? Not trying to start an arguement, just trying to understand another perspective.

Fair question.

I think that many players are lost to football with an Under 18 comp before they have had time to develop. I'm pretty sure that's what is happening in Vic and looking at the players coming through my club, many are the better for having that extra year at underage level.

The highly talented players are going to be drafted at 18, but the next level down are the ones we're looking to come through for SANFL. I would suspect the majority of these have played Under 19's. I also think it's not correct to say if they're not ready at age 18 they're not good enough.

Although all players are different, I doubt you'd see too many young ruckmen ready to play Reserves at 18.

I think an Under 18 comp in SA might benefit the AFl, but certainly not the SANFL.

Some good points there RAB (and thanks for the response). I reckon the biggest issue with how things are now is the size of the 'talent pool' that clubs are drawing from. Numbers are certainly not a problem (at least at Centrals), there seems to be plenty of kids trying out but the quality seems to drop significant;y after the best 10 palyers. Cutting the number of teams will improve the standard of the comp.

The flow on effect is that the local leagues are also strengthened by 21 players per league club who are now playing in local leagues, where they are not out of their depth.

I reckon the status quo is OK, but a change needs to be made to see if we can do it better.

PS, I have spent time as an official with the underage sides, stopped for two reasons - time commitment was the main one, but wanting to watch the league play was the other. I may have just been able to squeeze out some more time if that was the only issue.

[Wedgie]

FWIW, I'm opposed to an Under 18 comp, but not for reasons to do with times.

What are your reasons then? Not trying to start an arguement, just trying to understand another perspective.

Fair question.

I think that many players are lost to football with an Under 18 comp before they have had time to develop. I'm pretty sure that's what is happening in Vic and looking at the players coming through my club, many are the better for having that extra year at underage level.

The highly talented players are going to be drafted at 18, but the next level down are the ones we're looking to come through for SANFL. I would suspect the majority of these have played Under 19's. I also think it's not correct to say if they're not ready at age 18 they're not good enough.

Although all players are different, I doubt you'd see too many young ruckmen ready to play Reserves at 18.

I think an Under 18 comp in SA might benefit the AFl, but certainly not the SANFL.

r&b, your points there are the negatives that I have that come immediately to mind against the proposal but I suppose its a matter of weighing up the negatives v positives. I'd be interested if anyone knows of a league player that played 17s till he reached the end of eligibility and then 19s until the end of eligibility and then reserves. I'd imagine 99% of players would have been playing a higher grade at an earlier age though.
Big concern for me is 15 yo kids playing against 18 yo kids, could be a huge difference in body development there.