SA Footy

Thought this would be a good topic for discussion.

Does anyone think there is an advantage or disadvantage some clubs have with their zones?

I reckon boundaries are determined by age demographics, but IMO some areas are better football recruiting zones than others due to (football) culture.

For example in country zones, the further away from Adelaide, the less chance there are of having a choice to play a number of sports other than footy. This is where I reckon clubs like Port (with Eyre Pen) and West (Riverland) have the advantage. Just an opinion.

What are other thoughts?

interesting stuff there HBT.

HBT, I'd say West would be up against it more with competition from other sports in those big riverland towns.

Reckon the Eagles have the pick of the country area in terms of size and location, and with them and Centrals, alot of the youngsters can live at home and travel for training. The more the SANFL is eroded, the harder it will be for Port and perhaps Glenelg to convince kids to travel to the city to try out.

Demographics is a big factor. Believe this is part of the reason for Norwood's demise - esp in the North-eastern suburbs around TTG and Modbury, where the families that built there in 70's now don't ahve young kids anymore. Will also be interesting to see in years to come home Norwood and Sturt do in there country hills areas where there have been huge booms in housing prices - how many young families will be able to afford to live there.

Interesting that a couple of the ovals are just inside the club boundries, like Alberton, Richmond and Norwood.

Looks to me that the 2 losers are the Eagles and Sturt. What is the rationale behind the changes anyway - change for the sake of change or what ?

I think you'll find that Port Adelaide are doing quite well thankyou very much with the EP zone. Their sides and particularly the U'17s and U'19s have s..tloads of EP lads playing every week. Do a pretty good job over this way especially in view of the distance factor. Pay for flights for the lads etc. I know they don't please everyone (some leakage of players to other clubs) but who can and overall I think EP is well serviced by them and has been for many years.

steiger, those changes were made 10 years ago i reckon. It was the only map i could find of the recruiting zones.

came from whats looks like an adel uni website.

if anyone has a more updated version please post.

Steiger, I have lived on the EP and know how much Port put into the area. I just think it might be more of a challenge in the future.

Norwood should have an advantage with the North-East as it is one of Adelaide growth areas

Central have taken advantage of the expanding North

South have failed to do so with the South.

The other metro are unlikely to experience much growth.