SANFL Country Games

[Swamp Donkey]

Just a thought......

I have always thought that not enough SANFL league matches are being played in the country zones of respective SANFL clubs. I understand that in recent years this is improving, with matches at Victor Harbour etc, however I still believe more effort could be made to engage the country zones into SANFL footy. The benefits of this could be great for clubs, with increased exposure, greater interest from country youth and parents in the progress of their SANFL club, and I'm sure the SANFL would get better crowds in some instances if they planned and advertised it well enough. Host country clubs would also greatly benefit financially which can only be a good thing for grass roots footy development in country SA.
IMHO the Easter weekend of each year, particularly this year (I realise its too late), would a fantastic opportunity to promote the game and get country footy followers back into the swing of the footy season. Who knows it may even spark their interest in SANFL footy again, which I think we all agree has been lost over the past 15 or so years in most cases. Easter weekend would be ideal as country footy generally stops that weekend or has yet begun. Bring it on!

Any thoughts???

[The Big Shrek]

Yep, would love to see WWT running around Locheil or Pt Wakey early in the year!

Seriously though a Doggies match at Willaston or Eagles at Balak would be awesome. I remember Port and someone playing a trial when I was about 5 at Mintaro.

[FlyingHigh]

Agree, would like to see one round each year dedicated to matches in the country, not necessarily over Easter. Perhaps give South the bye, and then each team can play in its zone every other year, whilst South maintains its Easter game at either Encounter Bay or Victor which has been successful over the last few years.

[Liquid Confidence]

Shoe on the other foot...

Gawler Central vs South Gawler was the 'curtain raiser' to a Centrals Sat night fixture, and from all reports it worked extremly well.

Ideally if there is a country venue that can host night matches...

Local club playes their normal matches there with a SANFL match to follow under lights... Means no local footy has to miss for the weekend, and allows other clubs to come and watch the game after their game has finished...

[BL&G_Ump]

Centrals - Nuriootpa/Willaston (BL&GFA)
South - Victor harbour/Encounter Bay (GSFL)
West - Waikerie/Berri (RFL)
Glenelg - Mt Gambier (WBFL)
Sturt - Mt Barker (HFL)/Murray Bridge (RMFL)
Norwood - Lobethal (HFL)
Port - Port Lincoln (EPFL)
North - Port Pirie (SGL)
Eagles - Mallala (APFL)

[Mythical Creature]

Centrals - Nuriootpa/Willaston (BL&GFA)
South - Victor harbour/Encounter Bay (GSFL)
West - Waikerie/Berri (RFL)
Glenelg - Mt Gambier (WBFL)
Sturt - Mt Barker (HFL)/Murray Bridge (RMFL)
Norwood - Lobethal (HFL)
Port - Port Lincoln (EPFL)
North - Port Pirie (SGL)
Eagles - Mallala/Pt Wakefield (APFL)

I hope you are trying to be funny there umpy!

[BL&G_Ump]

Centrals - Nuriootpa/Willaston (BL&GFA)
South - Victor harbour/Encounter Bay (GSFL)
West - Waikerie/Berri (RFL)
Glenelg - Mt Gambier (WBFL)
Sturt - Mt Barker (HFL)/Murray Bridge (RMFL)
Norwood - Lobethal (HFL)
Port - Port Lincoln (EPFL)
North - Port Pirie (SGL)
Eagles - Mallala/Pt Wakefield (APFL)

I hope you are trying to be funny there umpy!

Can't say I've been there recently.... what's its condition like?

[The Big Shrek]

Centrals - Nuriootpa/Willaston (BL&GFA)
South - Victor harbour/Encounter Bay (GSFL)
West - Waikerie/Berri (RFL)
Glenelg - Mt Gambier (WBFL)
Sturt - Mt Barker (HFL)/Murray Bridge (RMFL)
Norwood - Lobethal (HFL)
Port - Port Lincoln (EPFL)
North - Port Pirie (SGL)
Eagles - Mallala/Pt Wakefield (APFL)

I hope you are trying to be funny there umpy!

Has to be there just to put Ciccy back on the old stomping ground. I'd love to see a league team there when the showers were giving electric shocks. Then off to jump in the mud at the wharf for recovery.

[BL&G_Ump]

Where would WWTFC play on the plains then??

[Mythical Creature]

Centrals - Nuriootpa/Willaston (BL&GFA)
South - Victor harbour/Encounter Bay (GSFL)
West - Waikerie/Berri (RFL)
Glenelg - Mt Gambier (WBFL)
Sturt - Mt Barker (HFL)/Murray Bridge (RMFL)
Norwood - Lobethal (HFL)
Port - Port Lincoln (EPFL)
North - Port Pirie (SGL)
Eagles - Mallala/Pt Wakefield (APFL)

I hope you are trying to be funny there umpy!

Can't say I've been there recently.... what's its condition like?

Hasn't changed much in the last 20 years. Small oval, shit surface, okish changerooms enough room to park about 6 cars the rest can just back up on the highway.

[Mythical Creature]

Where would WWTFC play on the plains then??

Either Mallala, Balaklava or Long Plains

[BL&G_Ump]

would be good over 2 rounds i reckon so that all clubs could give it a go