SAAFL Div 7 & 7R (2009)

[Bradman]

The top four were head and shoulders above everyone else and very little separated them, it was always going to be an injustice for two of those teams to miss out on a GF. St Paul's have improved on their previous two years, a bit harsh to say they underachieved.

ok Quichey Question would you have picked st pauls to make grand final at the start of the year and why

I did.
With all the talk of Houghton not being able to cope in Div 6 and had to stay with relegation so they didnt get flogged i thought they were genuinely struggling (obviously not) Henley and athelstone are their 3rd sides so dont care how good depth is you still playing their 40-65 best players. With all the bagging of Henley sandbagging it amazes me Houghton dont cop it cos it looks to me they done same thing as Henley!!! Just my opinion Q

[Q.]

Valid point Bradman, but I have to counterpoint.

We came last in Div 6 and under normal circumstances would have been relegated. We were given an option to stay up after certain events, but had to nominate by the end of October. From a team that had already come last in Div 6, we had now lost Luke Starr and Clint Dow. Brett Whales, Dylan Dwyer had expressed interest in playing elsewhere, Matt Ballatori was about to go work in the mines, and there wasn't much chance of getting Matt Newton back. That's six of our top ten players. Also, it was expressed by several of the older heads around the club, that we should have to earn the right to be back in Div 6 and we have that opportunity this week. It was still a hard decision to make, but the right one given what was in front of us.

It was only by our 3rd trial match we had the makings of a team that could possibly be competitive in Div 7. Rexy has done a huge job in a short amount of time to get a team together with some structure and has had the boys playing unified football since R1.

[The Riddler]

Should be a cracking game tomorrow some big Ins for both teams, honestly can't split em on paper so gonna have to go with home ground advantage....Houghton by 4 points.

Good luck to the respective coaches Rexy and Dave!

[zedman]

houghton will go up even if they lose..athelstone wont go up..my opinion

[The Riddler]

houghton will go up even if they lose..athelstone wont go up..my opinion

According to a couple of Athelstone lads i think your opinion is correct Zedman.

[Bradman]

Valid point Bradman, but I have to counterpoint.

We came last in Div 6 and under normal circumstances would have been relegated. We were given an option to stay up after certain events, but had to nominate by the end of October. From a team that had already come last in Div 6, we had now lost Luke Starr and Clint Dow. Brett Whales, Dylan Dwyer had expressed interest in playing elsewhere, Matt Ballatori was about to go work in the mines, and there wasn't much chance of getting Matt Newton back. That's six of our top ten players. Also, it was expressed by several of the older heads around the club, that we should have to earn the right to be back in Div 6 and we have that opportunity this week. It was still a hard decision to make, but the right one given what was in front of us.

It was only by our 3rd trial match we had the makings of a team that could possibly be competitive in Div 7. Rexy has done a huge job in a short amount of time to get a team together with some structure and has had the boys playing unified football since R1.

You obviously had your reasons and not being involved in Houghton football club i dont know. i am saying i was sure saint pauls would go up. but wasnt expecting you guys to be competetive for those reasons and dont see how a clubs 3rd side can beat a clubs first.

[Q.]

You obviously had your reasons and not being involved in Houghton football club i dont know. i am saying i was sure saint pauls would go up. but wasnt expecting you guys to be competetive for those reasons and dont see how a clubs 3rd side can beat a clubs first.

Well, I'm pretty sure that if we had 80-100 seniors to choose from we wouldn't be in Div 7.

I think you are taking a bit away from the blokes from Henley and Athelstone who play C Grade, many of them would be good enough to get regular games in Div 5/6 teams.

[blues_lion]

Keetch you beat me to it! c/d grade teams generally have more resources, more money and a greater number of players to select from that have played high level football ie div1/div1r. At houghton we rely on word of mouth to get players (we dont pay players) it also helps that we have such a great committee and many volunteers that love and do so much the club.

[raider jackson]

Keetch you beat me to it! c/d grade teams generally have more resources, more money and a greater number of players to select from that have played high level football ie div1/div1r. At houghton we rely on word of mouth to get players (we dont pay players) it also helps that we have such a great committee and many volunteers that love and do so much the club.

Couldnt of said it better myself

[Keepitreal]

to treders no1.comment made to play grand final not there.no2 H.D.F.C. to make grand final done well down 1 year back into div6 the next year if successful.no3 coaching statement one might have more experience than other.no4 sides still playing against c/d grade sides should win more than they lose remember A/B grade against those, surely you would agree on these discussions.

Not sure i totally agree with this whole C/D grade vs A/B grade to me you still have to beat any team and in some cases I think its easy for the clubs with C/D's to have players goign up and down so they can win, lose games. I dont think it is a valid point at all MR Million.....

Would agree there, you are talking about players that may not cut it in Div 1 or 2 A's & B's anymore but would be quality players going down to Div 7 playing every week not to mention fringe players being rotated from a's, b's to c's so you never really know what you are up against until the day.
These div 1 & 2 clubs also have strong juniors providing additional resources to draw from not to mention league clubs that would prefer players being considered for selection to play at higher grade clubs when dropped.

[Keepitreal]

You obviously had your reasons and not being involved in Houghton football club i dont know. i am saying i was sure saint pauls would go up. but wasnt expecting you guys to be competetive for those reasons and dont see how a clubs 3rd side can beat a clubs first.

Well, I'm pretty sure that if we had 80-100 seniors to choose from we wouldn't be in Div 7.

I think you are taking a bit away from the blokes from Henley and Athelstone who play C Grade, many of them would be good enough to get regular games in Div 5/6 teams.

These A grade sides in Div 7 are in there for a reason (not having a go as I have been involved and played in Div 7 before) and it is because they don't have juniors or are not cashed up, don't have the facilities or ongoing revenue streams to draw from and recruitment is normally word of mouth and is friends and mates that ultimately come and is why they will always be there, sure winning a flag here and there & going up but ultimately cannot sustain it in the higher division, because of the above reasons & go back down again.

[BZB27]

going to watch the game today, any players to watch out for???

[fuzz]

I don't think any of the top5 teams underachieved this year. Henley, Athelstone, Houghton and St Pauls were all in with a chance to make the GF and on any given day I think any one of those teams could beat the other. Any of the remaining three have just as much chance of a premiership as the other. I also think Flinders did well to scrape into the 5, given where they have come from in the past couple of years.
With respect to St Pauls, I think most of the pre season hype surrounding them came from a disgruntled ex coach. I think internally, they would have liked to have made the GF, but it is unfair to say they have underacheived. If they dont make the GF next year then maybe that can be said!!!!

[The Riddler]

going to watch the game today, any players to watch out for???

#15 for The Raggies Andrew Roberts (if he plays) is a class act!

[BZB27]

Houghton Districts home in a thriller by 3 points. It was a great game to watch both teams put everything on the line. Some were questioning the umps in the end wiv a few free kicks going there way but i thought they were the right calls. Congrats to Houghton...

[Jugs]

Valid point Bradman, but I have to counterpoint.

We came last in Div 6 and under normal circumstances would have been relegated. We were given an option to stay up after certain events, but had to nominate by the end of October. From a team that had already come last in Div 6, we had now lost Luke Starr and Clint Dow. Brett Whales, Dylan Dwyer had expressed interest in playing elsewhere, Matt Ballatori was about to go work in the mines, and there wasn't much chance of getting Matt Newton back. That's six of our top ten players. Also, it was expressed by several of the older heads around the club, that we should have to earn the right to be back in Div 6 and we have that opportunity this week. It was still a hard decision to make, but the right one given what was in front of us.

It was only by our 3rd trial match we had the makings of a team that could possibly be competitive in Div 7. Rexy has done a huge job in a short amount of time to get a team together with some structure and has had the boys playing unified football since R1.

Quichey looking from afar and seeing that Houghton have now made the Grand Final, is it fair to say things turned for your mob when the previous coach resigned and Rexy took over?

[Road to Glory]

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSS
one more win lads bring it home karma is a biaarchh for others

[S Demon]

Div 7 Prelim
Houghton Districts 11.10 76 v 10.13 73 Athelstone

Div 7R Prelim
Athelstone 02.01 13 v 15.10 100 Henley

[mr million]

Congratalions to the H.D.F.C. after their gutsy fought out win.Watching the game i thought the first half belonged to athelstone, not so as they missed alot of easy goals. The numbers from the backline were too good for houghton and athelstone's body language was positive going into the second half. After half time the Houghton coach made some pivotal moves.Changing the direction of the game,the dredlock boy into the middle,no18 to half forward line,no8 through the backline/middle area.Athelstone coached looked to go to defensive but the thing that lifted for houghton was their pressure and their group tackling,as the game moved on it was goal for goal and time just ranout for athelstone.Still a good result for athelstone football club.Umpiring was superb i thought,they looked after the player going for the ball and any late tackles or back chatting was given to any side.Final look into the grand final people can say henley has had a weeks break and houghton have had a hard game after yesterday but i think houghtons coach has got trust in his players.Who will get this result??????

[Keepitreal]

Play it again Sam