SAAFL U/17's & U/19's

[Pearcey]

Looks like Gepps Cross will run 17's and 18's next year. Plenty at training but more welcome.
Call Kym Flanagan on 82601022 for details.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[we have almost enough to fill a U/17 as well as U/18

So what do you do with the 16 or so 17's aceman, yeah some would play 18's but that still leaves lets say 35 lads wanting a game with 25 spots open if you just field the one team.

Play the ones that are up to in the B grade/senior sides.

If you have alot of guys who are still u17, the side will be even better next year for the u18 comp. Obviously Sheik, you blokes had a strong u16 team this year ?

Having u18s and u17s is a bad idea.

We had 16's this year Felch no 17's, would really struggle if they had to jump straight to 18's. We were strong in numbers but not size & bulk, also suffered the school footy syndrome of players sporadically training & the team being unsure of makeup until injuries were called through on a Sunday morning. The guys playing 1st & 2nd 18's will still get a kick next season for their school, but it leaves 12 blokes without a team. The school guys would be happy to front up for a 17's comp but trying to play both 1st 18's, u18's & year 11 & 12 study would'nt get much support, especially from parents.
On the other hand, Pearcys mob, posted above me have the facilities & numbers to play both 17's & 18's. I know you stated that some could play B's but with Geppys playing in the top division just how many could they cover before damaging their depth? Same would go for the teams that did have the numbers to play 16's & 17's next year, what do you do with 2 squads of say 25 players, TTG, Gaza ect.
I'm pretty sure that 10 NEMJFA clubs posted an interest in a 17's comp for next year, what's the harm in runnung one if the numbers are there. The only thing missing from what I can see is lack of communication between the clubs & the SAAFL, of the teams posted that have shown an interest there are at least 6 NEMJFA clubs not on that list.

[BigDaddy]

Looks like we are in the same boat Pearcey. Plenty of numbers for a U17's and U18's side, just waiting on the SAAFL AGM to see how things pan out. We may need to end up fielding two U18's sides instead. Not ideal, but we need to ensure that all of the boys that are eligible get a game.

And yes, we will be playing the young guys who are ready in the A's and B's, but we also need to let all of the other young fellas have a kick and a catch and still cater for the older guys in the B's, C's, D's and possibly E Grade sides.