HFL Division 2 (Country)

[The Crumber]

Cally will be in HFL next year and they are alot stronger financially than some other sides, so they may go on a recruiting mission.
They haven't forfeited this year...Kangys have.

The problem with Cally is that for the past 5 or so years, they have not recruited the right players. For many years they kept paying players that rarely trained, weren't worth the money they were being paid and weren't there for the right reasons.

If they're "cashed-up" like you've said, bank it, and in a year or two, spend it on an excellent coach that has a 3-5 year plan to change the culture of the club. Obviously this needs total support from the committee but if I was at Cally, my goal next year would be to only enter a C grade team and start rebuilding your juniors.

Cally have been told this countless times this year and last, but won't entertain the idea.
They just won't see sense.

[skimmer box]

Obviously you have not read the constitution, unless paperwork is lodged by June 30th they can't go into central...did they lodge...no...end of story, it has nothing to do with players saying this would be a great idea.

[Kickittometoo]

Cally will be in HFL next year and they are alot stronger financially than some other sides, so they may go on a recruiting mission.
They haven't forfeited this year...Kangys have.

The problem with Cally is that for the past 5 or so years, they have not recruited the right players. For many years they kept paying players that rarely trained, weren't worth the money they were being paid and weren't there for the right reasons.

If they're "cashed-up" like you've said, bank it, and in a year or two, spend it on an excellent coach that has a 3-5 year plan to change the culture of the club. Obviously this needs total support from the committee but if I was at Cally, my goal next year would be to only enter a C grade team and start rebuilding your juniors.

Cally have been told this countless times this year and last, but won't entertain the idea.
They just won't see sense.

Crumber, as you would know mate, one or two Cally die-hards pushed the C Grade only and Juniors only proposition at one of the Eagles pre-season survival meetings. Voters wouldn't have a bar of it and wouldn't listen to totally realistic suggestions. This was suggested by decent diehards who do care and who were intelligent enough to envisage the Club's future in HFL. There is nothing more to be done. The big O is afraid to step in. Cally will just have to die.

[CK]

Cally will be in HFL next year and they are alot stronger financially than some other sides, so they may go on a recruiting mission.
They haven't forfeited this year...Kangys have.

The problem with Cally is that for the past 5 or so years, they have not recruited the right players. For many years they kept paying players that rarely trained, weren't worth the money they were being paid and weren't there for the right reasons.

If they're "cashed-up" like you've said, bank it, and in a year or two, spend it on an excellent coach that has a 3-5 year plan to change the culture of the club. Obviously this needs total support from the committee but if I was at Cally, my goal next year would be to only enter a C grade team and start rebuilding your juniors.

Cally have been told this countless times this year and last, but won't entertain the idea.
They just won't see sense.

Crumber, as you would know mate, one or two Cally die-hards pushed the C Grade only and Juniors only proposition at one of the Eagles pre-season survival meetings. Voters wouldn't have a bar of it and wouldn't listen to totally realistic suggestions. This was suggested by decent diehards who do care and who were intelligent enough to envisage the Club's future in HFL. There is nothing more to be done. The big O is afraid to step in. Cally will just have to die.

I've watched this one going on from afar and have said largely nothing about it, but after last weekend, the club really and sadly needs to have a good, long hard look at reality. When I was there back when it began, there was so much spirit, optimism and willingness to look at long term solutions for the situation. When the team made finals in 1998, there was still looking toward the future. Even in the year when Les David stepped in due to coaching resignations, and we were getting beaten by 40+ goals some weeks, the mood was still optimistic.

Someone asked me last week on radio - what enjoyment could these guys be getting from this at the moment? Sure, a part of history, but few would be proud of it. The clubs beating them by these margins surely can't be deriving much enjoyment from it either, in reality. I've passed my details down the line to the club to chat with them, help them in some way, and have heard nothing back, so I have to assume those there want to do it their way.

When all is said and done - the spirit looks gone, and there's not much optimism. Really, really hurts me to say this, but think the time has come to face reality there.

[On The Pine]

Interesting debate, but what from what I can gather Cally are fielding 2 full teams each week, correct? That's a situation remote area clubs would be happy with! If there are numbers, surely folding is a last resort I would have thought.

[Sherrin]

Put TV up, Bridgy down - 10 in Central Div
Drop Callington to C Grade and bring in BSR and Sedan/Camb - 10 teams in Country Div

Problems solvered.

[hillbilly]

Interesting debate, but what from what I can gather Cally are fielding 2 full teams each week, correct? That's a situation remote area clubs would be happy with! If there are numbers, surely folding is a last resort I would have thought.

From what i was told, at least 6 players doubled up last week. Even both senior coaches played A grade....a long way from 2 full teams unfortunately....the end appears closer than ever after last weeks mauling by the lions!

[Rooster]

Put TV up, Bridgy down - 10 in Central Div
Drop Callington to C Grade and bring in BSR and Sedan/Camb - 10 teams in Country Div

Problems solvered.

why bridgy down? shouldnt it be lobethal based on the last 2 years?

[the big fella]

Re this:Obviously you have not read the constitution, unless paperwork is lodged by June 30th they can't go into central...did they lodge...no...end of story, it has nothing to do with players saying this would be a great idea.

No..not end of story..the board have the power to promote/relegate..read the courier this week...

[JS SPORTS]

Re this:Obviously you have not read the constitution, unless paperwork is lodged by June 30th they can't go into central...did they lodge...no...end of story, it has nothing to do with players saying this would be a great idea.

No..not end of story..the board have the power to promote/relegate..read the courier this week...

The Board is no different to the salary cap, a "toothless tiger" and can't or won't make any tough decisions it appears.
Something should have happened before it got this far.

[Gervais]

Put TV up, Bridgy down - 10 in Central Div
Drop Callington to C Grade and bring in BSR and Sedan/Camb - 10 teams in Country Div

Problems solvered.

why bridgy down? shouldnt it be lobethal based on the last 2 years?

I agree, why Bridgy ? surely the team (Lobey) that hasn't won a game for the past two years would drop down. In fact, Ironbank are below Bridgy on the ladder. Regardless, it won't happen in 2010. The Constitution is solid on thsi issue (as are the Clubs). The earliest that TV could play in Central Div is 2011.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Echunga also went up for a year. What a waste of time that was, 30 goals floggings. The gap between divisions is too large. And that has been proven time and time again. Can anyone name a time when a Country Div side went up and didn't finish bottom their first year? Or even win a game? Ironbank perhaps, but they were originally a Div 1 side which returned. We dont need a system which yo-yo's clubs. TV and Kersbrook are clearly the best 2 sides to ever play Country Div, but that is because of their coaches. Both may not be around next year, so were would that leave the sides if they were forced up? And Lobey would probably spend next year finishing around 4th or 5th, gain confidence, money and players by winning a few games, their superior popluation would bring more quality juniors than its rivals could compete with and in one or two years they would be back up. Lets not forget Lobey are a league powerhouse who are just having a rough few years, unlike Nairne who were always the whipping boy.

For those of us that can remember back that far, this is a bad example because Echunga had a far inferior side in '97 (the year it was in div 1) than what it did in '95 and particularly '96 when Walker and co. from town were running around in that '96 side. Whether this was because Walker and co. weren't interested in playing div 1 or if the club didn't want to spend the money, I don't know and remember Echunga did make the finals in the early '90's in div 1 when they had a young Randall Pearce leading the way for them.
Remember yours truly being asked early in the piece in '97 if i'd be willing to play A grade for them and at that stage I hadn't even played for four years and obviously hadn't even done a preseason.

[MONTE CRISTO]

Skimmer Box is right. TV didn't apply by 30th and so the earliest they can play in Div 1 is 2011. They know the rules, and if the didn't they should have. Not sure if support from all clubs would over turn the consitution but reckon they will be in either Div 2 or BL&G next year. I understand not many of the BL&G clubs want them anyway.

[cricketlad]

Put TV up, Bridgy down - 10 in Central Div
Drop Callington to C Grade and bring in BSR and Sedan/Camb - 10 teams in Country Div

Problems solvered.

why bridgy down? shouldnt it be lobethal based on the last 2 years?

I agree, why Bridgy ? surely the team (Lobey) that hasn't won a game for the past two years would drop down. In fact, Ironbank are below Bridgy on the ladder. Regardless, it won't happen in 2010. The Constitution is solid on thsi issue (as are the Clubs). The earliest that TV could play in Central Div is 2011.

bridgy should b relegated because they r by far the worst club as a whole in the league.they have the worst facilities, oval is small getting smaller every year. changrooms are sub par. they arent last in the a grade but with the massive recruits they braught in and to still finish where they r now is showing how bad they are. lobethal were a powerhouse along with handorf of the 90's and should b given the chance to rebuild as mt lofty did. bridgy have been given this chance for 10 yrs. i cant remember the last time they won a premership in any grade or even made finals in a grade. and at this stage they have no teams in finals this year. the club should b relegated. ironbank and lobey are building with youth right now and with a few recruits in the future they will b back up there and good on them for that, but bridgy are just hopeless.

[Gervais]

Put TV up, Bridgy down - 10 in Central Div
Drop Callington to C Grade and bring in BSR and Sedan/Camb - 10 teams in Country Div

Problems solvered.

why bridgy down? shouldnt it be lobethal based on the last 2 years?

I agree, why Bridgy ? surely the team (Lobey) that hasn't won a game for the past two years would drop down. In fact, Ironbank are below Bridgy on the ladder. Regardless, it won't happen in 2010. The Constitution is solid on thsi issue (as are the Clubs). The earliest that TV could play in Central Div is 2011.

bridgy should b relegated because they r by far the worst club as a whole in the league.they have the worst facilities, oval is small getting smaller every year. changrooms are sub par. they arent last in the a grade but with the massive recruits they braught in and to still finish where they r now is showing how bad they are. lobethal were a powerhouse along with handorf of the 90's and should b given the chance to rebuild as mt lofty did. bridgy have been given this chance for 10 yrs. i cant remember the last time they won a premership in any grade or even made finals in a grade. and at this stage they have no teams in finals this year. the club should b relegated. ironbank and lobey are building with youth right now and with a few recruits in the future they will b back up there and good on them for that, but bridgy are just hopeless.

Fortunately the decision as to who gets relegated is based on the HFL Constitution and on field performances, rather than on your subjective and very biased opinions.
I find it particularly amusing that you think a Club is immune from relegation if they were once strong or have nice changerooms. Give me a break. Look at the Amateur League competition, Division's 3 and 4 are full of clubs who were once strong Div 1 clubs in previous years.
Finally, I too have noticed that the bridgy oval is getting smaller every year. Whenever I drive past at night I see the oompa-loompas moving the fence-line in, and redirectign the creek. sheesh.

[bobster]

such a great reply... y would loby deserve to stay in central div when its quite obvious that loby are far worse and havnt won a game in years

[cricketlad]

such a great reply... y would loby deserve to stay in central div when its quite obvious that loby are far worse and havnt won a game in years

its because lobethal's club as a whole is stronger. bridgy when was the last time ur a grade made finals?? lobys was only a few years ago. the conditions of clubrooms and changerooms are a majour factor , if ur club bridgwater isnt up to scratch in terms of playing ability for years and ur oval and changrooms are the joke of the competiton then why should you stay in a strong league?? actually keep bridgy for all i care watching teams smash there a grade b grade 17's and 14's yr after yr makes me laugh. how bout just fixing ur oval and changrooms and that will b a start.

[Gervais]

such a great reply... y would loby deserve to stay in central div when its quite obvious that loby are far worse and havnt won a game in years

its because lobethal's club as a whole is stronger. bridgy when was the last time ur a grade made finals?? lobys was only a few years ago. the conditions of clubrooms and changerooms are a majour factor , if ur club bridgwater isnt up to scratch in terms of playing ability for years and ur oval and changrooms are the joke of the competiton then why should you stay in a strong league?? actually keep bridgy for all i care watching teams smash there a grade b grade 17's and 14's yr after yr makes me laugh. how bout just fixing ur oval and changrooms and that will b a start.

I'm actually an ex Onkas player, but just can't work out the logic of protecting teams cause their changerooms are good or the team used to be strong. That's the whole point of relgation, you live or die by the on-field performances.
One final point, the changerooms at bridgy are no worse that Mt Lofty's (I'm talking about the visitors rooms), while their clubrooms (bar, dining area, etc) are fine. Agreed, the oval is shite after heavy rains, but hey, Mt Lofty, Mt Barker, Ironbank, to name a few, aren't exactly football park.

[JS SPORTS]

such a great reply... y would loby deserve to stay in central div when its quite obvious that loby are far worse and havnt won a game in years

its because lobethal's club as a whole is stronger. bridgy when was the last time ur a grade made finals?? lobys was only a few years ago. the conditions of clubrooms and changerooms are a majour factor , if ur club bridgwater isnt up to scratch in terms of playing ability for years and ur oval and changrooms are the joke of the competiton then why should you stay in a strong league?? actually keep bridgy for all i care watching teams smash there a grade b grade 17's and 14's yr after yr makes me laugh. how bout just fixing ur oval and changrooms and that will b a start.

I'm actually an ex Onkas player, but just can't work out the logic of protecting teams cause their changerooms are good or the team used to be strong. That's the whole point of relgation, you live or die by the on-field performances.
One final point, the changerooms at bridgy are no worse that Mt Lofty's (I'm talking about the visitors rooms), while their clubrooms (bar, dining area, etc) are fine. Agreed, the oval is shite after heavy rains, but hey, Mt Lofty, Mt Barker, Ironbank, to name a few, aren't exactly football park.

It's time the club reps stood up and demanded the HFL directors show some initiative and do what's best for the league, not selfish individuals that run footy clubs. Promotion & relegation will even up the comp and the standard will improve as a result.

[skimmer box]

Cock Eye you talk with forked tongue. The exact reason there are constitutions is to ensure things are done by a process not by emotionally charged morons who think they know it all. The football crystal ball will show in 5 years time many different pictures. Not so long ago Mt. Lofty was a whipping boy, be careful getting carried away with the TV roller coaster. They will lose players and if you take out there 15 recruits who are not life long TV people they would be an ordinary side.
Times change and money runs out...a p/ship this year will mean squat if the clubs dives for the next ten.