HFL Division 2 (Country)

[Cougar]

Double delight for the Brookers today. Winners in both grades and both by a few goals. Dan Clark was BOG in the B's in another premiership for coach Dicky Kleeman. The A's was a hard fought spectacle with the Brookers getting the early break thanks to Daniel Thomas up forward. Echunga fought back, but could never bridge the gap. Paul James and the Josh Laube were great early, and Parasiers, Nafe Pearce and Hutt were brave in defence. I thought the bloke who nearly turns 40, B.James was BOG for mine and was interesting to see the current Adelaide Crow who has his number, Michael Doughty at the game. However it was one of safooty's favourties Daniel 'Nugget' Miller who got the BOG medal. The man had never previously been involved in a premiership, never won a B&F, never even got an encouragment award at Under 9s, now has the Mail Medal, the Norm Smith equivalent and the one he's been really after, the premiership medal. Spose he's Living the Dream now

[Benchwarmer]

Well done Nugget ... I love those fairytale moments that only Grand Finals can deliver

[Power From Port]

Went to the Div.2 GF yesterday and have to say congrats to Kersbrook for their B's and A's wins. On a side note the U/15's Grand Final was the best game I have seen in that age group for quite a while. Well done to everyone involved with yesterday's successes

[Old Blue New Tiger]

I guess what Kersbrook have acheived just goes to show once again that you don't have to try and buy a Premiership. This is not having a shot at Echunga because I wouldn't have a clue what or if they are spending. It gets back to blokes playing for each other and having someone at the helm who can get the best out of the group. Well done to Brett and Dick on acheiving the double . I wonder what the make up of the HFL will be in 2013 if you listen to all the goss.

[Gervais]

I guess what Kersbrook have acheived just goes to show once again that you don't have to try and buy a Premiership. This is not having a shot at Echunga because I wouldn't have a clue what or if they are spending. It gets back to blokes playing for each other and having someone at the helm who can get the best out of the group. Well done to Brett and Dick on acheiving the double . I wonder what the make up of the HFL will be in 2013 if you listen to all the goss.

i think that echunga's total player payments are nowhere near as much as people on this forum might think. i'd be surprised if the difference between kersbrook and echunga's player payments is greater than 5%.

any insights into what you're hearing about the 2013 hfl structure?

[Justquietly]

I know interest in this thread will understandably wane from here on in for a few months but does anyone know if Echunga will pursue their application for promotion? With all the (supposed) uncertainty with both leagues for 2013 perhaps it's all on hold in any case.

[FlyingHigh]

Could leave Kersbrook and Gum in an interesting spot if Birdwood go and the southern hills league idea gets up.
Blasphemous, but could they have to resort to merging to form a Div 1 side?
At worst, it could leave a Div 2 of those two, SC, NB and Maccy. Would the league insist Bridgewater step down? Div one sides play a third team like in the past?
Amazing that, while not be all the problem, so much stems simply from the Cally issue.

[Droversdog]

Could leave Kersbrook and Gum in an interesting spot if Birdwood go and the southern hills league idea gets up.
Blasphemous, but could they have to resort to merging to form a Div 1 side?
At worst, it could leave a Div 2 of those two, SC, NB and Maccy. Would the league insist Bridgewater step down? Div one sides play a third team like in the past?
Amazing that, while not be all the problem, so much stems simply from the Cally issue.

I wouldnt hold my breath waiting for a decision on Callington. I had a few beers with someone from there on the weekend and they don't give a rats if theyre holding up the progress of the comp. Just a couple of blokes in charge there nowadays and theyre in denial and they reckon theyll wait for as long as they like before making a decision on the clubs future. Apparently the leagues hands are tied re giving them the chop and they know it. P***poor.

[Power From Port]

Could leave Kersbrook and Gum in an interesting spot if Birdwood go and the southern hills league idea gets up.
Blasphemous, but could they have to resort to merging to form a Div 1 side?
At worst, it could leave a Div 2 of those two, SC, NB and Maccy. Would the league insist Bridgewater step down? Div one sides play a third team like in the past?
Amazing that, while not be all the problem, so much stems simply from the Cally issue.

I wouldnt hold my breath waiting for a decision on Callington. I had a few beers with someone from there on the weekend and they don't give a rats if theyre holding up the progress of the comp. Just a couple of blokes in charge there nowadays and theyre in denial and they reckon theyll wait for as long as they like before making a decision on the clubs future. Apparently the leagues hands are tied re giving them the chop and they know it. P***poor.

I remember seeing an article in The Courier around May and it said Cally were going to go to C Grade in 2013. Why has this changed?

[test]

Brayden "sheep dog" Hutt is telling all and sundry he's the best recruit kersbrook have ever had and that he's annoyed he ever played a game for gums. Pretty harsh words from the young fella.

Because Daniel Thomas would easily be their best recruit. Half a season for another premiership to his stock pile. Forget 'The Situation', this guys 'The Difference'.

[Champ]

Sacking a premiership coach worked well for Echunga!

Thanks for the updates AT

Will be interesting at Echunga now as Bassani has never had a long tenure at any club he's coached - not that that means he's not a good coach - and given how things went down last year..........

I think they'd be kicking themselves now...! He's only coached one other club so comparing tenures would be a little premature. At any rate I'm sure he's feeling the heat after taking the reigning premiers backwards!

[Champ]

Could leave Kersbrook and Gum in an interesting spot if Birdwood go and the southern hills league idea gets up.
Blasphemous, but could they have to resort to merging to form a Div 1 side?
At worst, it could leave a Div 2 of those two, SC, NB and Maccy. Would the league insist Bridgewater step down? Div one sides play a third team like in the past?
Amazing that, while not be all the problem, so much stems simply from the Cally issue.

Southern hills comp is a myth according the officials, their agenda is simple.... Fix juniors and relegate callington, announcement and voting to be done at agm.
Birdwood line is great f they stay but can't stop me going so no point crying over burnt chips which I think is good business really. I mean until someone makes a genuine application or business case they can't do much and they won't go on rumor, bitching and innuendo.
But quite simply is the HFL equipped to have 20+ affiliated clubs all functioning.... I'd say no which means eradicate callington and another will simply take their place?

[Easy Miss]

How's Lachie Fleet? Heard he copped a potential career ending injury Saturday in the last 5 minutes of the game the poor bloke?

[Panther32]

How's Lachie Fleet? Heard he copped a potential career ending injury Saturday in the last 5 minutes of the game the poor bloke?

All good just a broken rib or two!

[McGovern]

It's the $80,000 team (Birdwood) vs the $70,000 team (Echunga) on Saturday. If money has anything to do with it, Birdwood should come out on top

WOW, I wish we had that kind of money to spend!

Nice trolling!

You will need that kind of money plus some if you go to the Barrosa with your affiliation fees and the money you are rumoured to be throwing at a coach your $80k will be almost gone before you even start paying your players

Yep, Birdwood got pipped by Carlton for Mick's serivces.

[Alaska]

Comments from afar:

Well done Echunga on the 2012 season, although they didn't win the A's and B's, I think there was improvement as a club on last year. The B's took a step up and made the GF instead of 3 previous Preliminary's. They blooded youngsters even if one is shooting through, straight to the AFL draft. The decisions this year was clearly on form or training availability for promotion. Therefore, both coaches had to work with a different squad each week. The coaching was in tune so players easily mixed between grades. Overall I think the club moved forward and that can only be good for the future.

The U17s improved drastically during the year and did really well in the finals. The other grades competed and were able to at least provide a competitive engine for the club to evolve from.

The only problem was the lack of decision on the eoy trip, this was made too late. This will not reflect the true camaraderie of the club due to less people being involved? ( Although it looks like Peter has got in early with the leg injury?) The club is in a good place to continue for 2013.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Sacking a premiership coach worked well for Echunga!

Thanks for the updates AT

Will be interesting at Echunga now as Bassani has never had a long tenure at any club he's coached - not that that means he's not a good coach - and given how things went down last year..........

I think they'd be kicking themselves now...! He's only coached one other club so comparing tenures would be a little premature. At any rate I'm sure he's feeling the heat after taking the reigning premiers backwards!

He may not have coached as many as I think but know it's more than one other.

[Cougar]

Brayden "sheep dog" Hutt is telling all and sundry he's the best recruit kersbrook have ever had and that he's annoyed he ever played a game for gums. Pretty harsh words from the young fella.

Because Daniel Thomas would easily be their best recruit. Half a season for another premiership to his stock pile. Forget 'The Situation', this guys 'The Difference'.

Hutty was the 'situation' in defence and Thomas kicked 4 and handed out 2 to be the 'difference'. Thought Nafe Pearce's tackle on Brett White was the standout moment of the GF. White had dodged a couple and was running into an open goal, but Nafe's effort to get back and help out resulted in a holding the ball decision. Was similar to Heath Shaw's effort on Riewoldt of a couple of years ago.

[The Big Shrek]

Brayden "sheep dog" Hutt is telling all and sundry he's the best recruit kersbrook have ever had and that he's annoyed he ever played a game for gums. Pretty harsh words from the young fella.

Because Daniel Thomas would easily be their best recruit. Half a season for another premiership to his stock pile. Forget 'The Situation', this guys 'The Difference'.

Hutty was the 'situation' in defence and Thomas kicked 4 and handed out 2 to be the 'difference'. Thought Nafe Pearce's tackle on Brett White was the standout moment of the GF. White had dodged a couple and was running into an open goal, but Nafe's effort to get back and help out resulted in a holding the ball decision. Was similar to Heath Shaw's effort on Riewoldt of a couple of years ago.

Wowee! Thommo handed two off? Must have been 80m out when he did because anything closer he's having a ping at!

[test]

Brayden "sheep dog" Hutt is telling all and sundry he's the best recruit kersbrook have ever had and that he's annoyed he ever played a game for gums. Pretty harsh words from the young fella.

Because Daniel Thomas would easily be their best recruit. Half a season for another premiership to his stock pile. Forget 'The Situation', this guys 'The Difference'.

Hutty was the 'situation' in defence and Thomas kicked 4 and handed out 2 to be the 'difference'. Thought Nafe Pearce's tackle on Brett White was the standout moment of the GF. White had dodged a couple and was running into an open goal, but Nafe's effort to get back and help out resulted in a holding the ball decision. Was similar to Heath Shaw's effort on Riewoldt of a couple of years ago.

Wowee! Thommo handed two off? Must have been 80m out when he did because anything closer he's having a ping at!

My guess is he had the shots from 80 and they fell short, those legs would be ageing by now!