HFL Division 2 (Country)

[Banker]

Haven't seen the condition of either oval but it has happened in the past. Usually the switch is to callington

Birdwood was quiet good, considering the rain we had leading into the weekend. nairne known to bog up fairly bad however, Is echunga set to host a final yet? Surely a better option then throughing more finals at callington

Nobody has played at Echunga since the 28th July so assuming its in good nick too?

[MLWALKER]

Haven't seen the condition of either oval but it has happened in the past. Usually the switch is to callington

Birdwood was quiet good, considering the rain we had leading into the weekend. nairne known to bog up fairly bad however, Is echunga set to host a final yet? Surely a better option then throughing more finals at callington

May I ask why you think Callington is not a good option?

The oval is one of the best in the league, which was just proven, with games being played on it every week for the last 4 weeks (2 Country & 2 Central), with no noticable damage after all of that; and while our facilities are not as flash as other venues, there is nothing wrong with them.

All central division clubs involved in the recent games here commented to us, and the league on how happy they all were with the oval and facilities. So if it's good enough for Central clubs, why not country?

[The Sorce]

Why Reward the club with a final that constantly continues to dissapoints, sure the oval is great, but the lack of crowd is due to the facilities. Echunga, Macclesfield, Kersbrook, Kangarilla would all be better options to draw a crowd, and with a bit of Sun, like today, the ovals with good drainage will be fine sure its going to rain over the next few days/weeks, but Maccy wont have anyone training on it, Maybe Prelim or GF will be held there. As for size of the ground, facilities and the ammount it can hold would have to be up there with Kersbrook & Echunga.

Has anyone heard any rumors as to what ovals they are looking at for the GF normally they have some in mind this time of year. Or is it not decided until the week of the GF?

[youngpace]

Haven't seen the condition of either oval but it has happened in the past. Usually the switch is to callington

Birdwood was quiet good, considering the rain we had leading into the weekend. nairne known to bog up fairly bad however, Is echunga set to host a final yet? Surely a better option then throughing more finals at callington

May I ask why you think Callington is not a good option?

The oval is one of the best in the league, which was just proven, with games being played on it every week for the last 4 weeks (2 Country & 2 Central), with no noticable damage after all of that; and while our facilities are not as flash as other venues, there is nothing wrong with them.

All central division clubs involved in the recent games here commented to us, and the league on how happy they all were with the oval and facilities. So if it's good enough for Central clubs, why not country?

Because I dont like the idea of having so many finals at a ground that belongs to a club who has been a drain on the league in recent years. And I would think echunga will be ruled out of hosting the big dance so may as well use the ground in a week were our A grade is not playing. As the source mentioned there are many other more desirable options.

The facilities are well below par and the small change rooms are a big draw back imo as this limits options for game preperation

[youngpace]

Haven't seen the condition of either oval but it has happened in the past. Usually the switch is to callington

Birdwood was quiet good, considering the rain we had leading into the weekend. nairne known to bog up fairly bad however, Is echunga set to host a final yet? Surely a better option then throughing more finals at callington

Nobody has played at Echunga since the 28th July so assuming its in good nick too?

It is in good shape currently, and the senior playing group wont be training on it thursday night which should help it hold up nicely

[Pinarello]

Haven't seen the condition of either oval but it has happened in the past. Usually the switch is to callington

Birdwood was quiet good, considering the rain we had leading into the weekend. nairne known to bog up fairly bad however, Is echunga set to host a final yet? Surely a better option then throughing more finals at callington

May I ask why you think Callington is not a good option?

The oval is one of the best in the league, which was just proven, with games being played on it every week for the last 4 weeks (2 Country & 2 Central), with no noticable damage after all of that; and while our facilities are not as flash as other venues, there is nothing wrong with them.

All central division clubs involved in the recent games here commented to us, and the league on how happy they all were with the oval and facilities. So if it's good enough for Central clubs, why not country?

Because I dont like the idea of having so many finals at a ground that belongs to a club who has been a drain on the league in recent years. And I would think echunga will be ruled out of hosting the big dance so may as well use the ground in a week were our A grade is not playing. As the source mentioned there are many other more desirable options.

The facilities are well below par and the small change rooms are a big draw back imo as this limits options for game preperation

Pleased it's not just me who thinks the Callington oval & inparticular facilities are sub-standard.... If the league "gives" that mob a final, it's a bloody joke!

[basket case]

Haven't seen the condition of either oval but it has happened in the past. Usually the switch is to callington

Birdwood was quiet good, considering the rain we had leading into the weekend. nairne known to bog up fairly bad however, Is echunga set to host a final yet? Surely a better option then throughing more finals at callington

May I ask why you think Callington is not a good option?

The oval is one of the best in the league, which was just proven, with games being played on it every week for the last 4 weeks (2 Country & 2 Central), with no noticable damage after all of that; and while our facilities are not as flash as other venues, there is nothing wrong with them.

All central division clubs involved in the recent games here commented to us, and the league on how happy they all were with the oval and facilities. So if it's good enough for Central clubs, why not country?

Well M L WALKER ive heard rummors that after the way Shayne Mitchell was treated by the club the players have boycotted the club untill further notice, so that means no one to work other than those who have put the club in its current position all 5 of ya

[citycoaster17]

I still cant believe Birdwood are penciled in to host a final, weather its boggy or not. Facilities are pretty good, but terrible oval, and going on passed history, would be pretty boggy now too!! can anyone confirm that or not??

[Champ]

If I wasn't convinced already I am now! The league hierarchy are devastatingly stupid!
Why the hell would the first week of finals not be at Echunga?

Calling ton you're a deadest joke! Sure there's some nice grass but the parking, travel, change rooms, warm up area are all an absolute disgrace!

Don't hang your hat on bridge water giving you compliments, look at their facilities! Walker your post just typifies your stance that calling ton have a future next year! They don't and as long as the eagles are around the league and the country clubs will continue to die!

Strong mail from both sources involved = Birdwood gone! One more to follow at least.

[Whiteline]

Jeez, talk about kicking a mob when they're down. You boys are hard to please if you rate facilities more importantly than the actual oval.

Cally oval is a sensational oval for the players. Big, grassy, flat.

Seriously, are there any players out there who would not want to play for his club in a final on Cally oval simply because the facilities (change rooms or whatever) are not up to some expected standard? Are there any players out there who would not want to play finals at Cally simply because people think that Cally's playing record does not justify it hosting finals?

If so, you're a beaten team already.

Yes I know I am in Central Div and yes, I'm pretty happy we don't have to play Cally during the season and win by 50 goals, but players want to play on good ovals and don't give a rat's about whose oval it is or their facilities. My point is that good players and good clubs will play finals wherever.

[Gervais]

Jeez, talk about kicking a mob when they're down. You boys are hard to please if you rate facilities more importantly than the actual oval.

Cally oval is a sensational oval for the players. Big, grassy, flat.

Seriously, are there any players out there who would not want to play for his club in a final on Cally oval simply because the facilities (change rooms or whatever) are not up to some expected standard? Are there any players out there who would not want to play finals at Cally simply because people think that Cally's playing record does not justify it hosting finals?

If so, you're a beaten team already.

Yes I know I am in Central Div and yes, I'm pretty happy we don't have to play Cally during the season and win by 50 goals, but players want to play on good ovals and don't give a rat's about whose oval it is or their facilities. My point is that good players and good clubs will play finals wherever.

i have to agree. the playing surface must be the number one factor in determining where finals should be played. let's not forget this is hill country division we play in - are we really expecting palatial change rooms?

make sure the surface is up to scratch, followed by facilities for spectators (working toilets, bbq, canteen, etc).

one final point. if the hfl know birdwood are going to go to the blg league in 2013, why give them a final at all? why not keep the money within the hfl system?

[MLWALKER]

Sure there's some nice grass but the parking, travel, change rooms, warm up area are all an absolute disgrace!

Seiously... what are you on???

Parking?? We have close if not the biggest parking capacity of any oval. The MRA Toy Run was moved to Callington specifically becuase our ground was the only one big enough to accomodate it now.

Warm up area?? Second cricket oval isnt fantastic.. but seriously, it's not good enough for a warm up??

Travel?? 35min drive from the city, easy / straight forward to get to... what more do you want??

Change room facilities are not great, there's not much we can do about that in the short term, but a major facility development is in the works. I can think of a couple of other ovals with comparable visitor changeroom size... but i'm guessing you require a 5 star hotel room to change your dirty boots and shorts in...

"all an absolute disgrace!"... may I suggest you actually stop, think and get your facts straight before oppening your mouth!

[MLWALKER]

and Thank you Gervais & Whiteline... at least there are still some around with some common sense and decency!

[Pinarello]

ML >edited< err Walker

Your oval is OK - its not the bloody MCG FFS!

Your change rooms are terrible.

Your Bar & Canteen are ordinary.

Your gatekeeper "charges" full tote for teams playing 1 game (ie Senior Colts) and we leave as soon as possible. Why would you want to watch your mob!

Your 'club" is a disgrace and the HFL have pandered to you for long enough. Go back to C Grade, build your club, from the bottom up with Juniors. Your club has contributed to the current state of HFL country division, to the point where clubs want to leave as a result.

These are facts - face up to them!

[Justquietly]

Sure there's some nice grass but the parking, travel, change rooms, warm up area are all an absolute disgrace!

Seiously... what are you on???

Parking?? We have close if not the biggest parking capacity of any oval. The MRA Toy Run was moved to Callington specifically becuase our ground was the only one big enough to accomodate it now.

Warm up area?? Second cricket oval isnt fantastic.. but seriously, it's not good enough for a warm up??

Travel?? 35min drive from the city, easy / straight forward to get to... what more do you want??

Change room facilities are not great, there's not much we can do about that in the short term, but a major facility development is in the works. I can think of a couple of other ovals with comparable visitor changeroom size... but i'm guessing you require a 5 star hotel room to change your dirty boots and shorts in...

"all an absolute disgrace!"... may I suggest you actually stop, think and get your facts straight before oppening your mouth!

You don't write real estate ads do you?

[youngpace]

The facilities are only a side issue and yes as many of you have said are not the deciding factor, the deciding factor is that this club has been the key to bringing the appearance of the Country league (and in effect the HFL as a whole) to a new low. Stop rewarding them with finals, it only gives callington more money to spend on footballers that run the 100m in 37.2 flat...

[Kick'n Back]

At the completion of the minor round here is my team of the year

F: D.Henke B.Smith C.Morris

HF: J.Farrugia J.Mcleay D.Miller

C: B.White P.James B.Pearce

HB: D.Liston L.Carey M.Gardiner

B: Q.Graham D.Edmonds A.Edwards

Ruck: R.Wade B.Wakefield A.Jennings

Int: R.McGahey M.Thomas T.Lipetri

[The Crumber]

Are callington playing their last game this weekend[/quote]


There are several options on the table that we are discussing for our future, but there are a lot of internal variables to consider, as well as waiting to see what, if any, changes the HFL come up with / implement as far as the divisions etc..

We do want the club to survive, however, we also know we cant put you all through another year of the same, so whatever decision is made, we will be setting ourselves a deadline, and if it's clear it's not going to work by then, then we will pull the pin.[/quote]


Don't set dead-lines; it hasn't worked for you in the past and just prolongs the pain. But don't pull the pin either. Make a decision NOW.
If there are internal variables, confront them and deal with them by calling an AGM within a month, publicise it and call for community suggestions if any.
Field 'C's in 2013, as a multitude of sensible and knowledgeable footyheads on this site have suggested you do for several years.
I don't see the HFL coming up with any changes to the 2013 divisions at this stage, so don't make this as excuse for inaction.
And if it's your juniors you're worried about, an energetic group of parents should be able to lobby for and justify their inclusion next year somehow. You can't tell me the HFL would fail to accommodate a keen, well-managed junior team and would probably bend over backwards to do so.
'C's doesn't need a cast of thousands to make it happen. It would allow your club to re-build, re-focus and allow all involved to enjoy their footy again.[/quote]
[/quote]

JEEZ WILL THIS BLOODY CALLINGTON SAGA EVER END? THE SOLUTION IS AS ABOVE, TOTALLY AGREE ON ALL COUNTS. ALL I'D LIKE TO KNOW NOW IS IF CALLINGTON ARE MAKING MONEY OUT OF ALL THESE FINALS AND IF SO WHY??

[The Barron]

what will every one talk about on here if callington are kicked out of country division?
might have to talk about the footy but that wouldn't feel right.
probably just find the next topic to whinge about.

[youngpace]

what will every one talk about on here if callington are kicked out of country division?
might have to talk about the footy but that wouldn't feel right.
probably just find the next topic to whinge about.

Ur on the money baron, A discusion re ovals for finals even gets swung to the callington debate as soon as the C word is mentioned