BFG wrote:My point is more from a perspective of the financial health of the league, wheras (like it or not) the general footy public has an idea in their head that playing C grade is far less serious and of a lesser standard than "A grade" clubs and therefore tend to attract a more casually minded footy player.
Sort of, except I think the general footy public has an idea in their head that playing
Division 7 is far less serious and of a lesser standard and therefore tends to attract a more casually minded footy player.
A grade sides have been playing C Grade sides for donkeys years. It's been fine, would've been fine and everyone would have had a great year, C Grade sides included. Instead, we solved a problem that doesn't exist and ****** up an entire year of football for 6 clubs.
BFG wrote:In reality some C grade clubs are more than competitive in div 7 and while in an ideal world the 31st -40th best teams would play in div 4, 41st -50th would play in div 5, right down to div 7 the reality is that is never going to be the case.
It could be, if the league stuck to their guns and promoted and relegated on stricter terms. Each year would have slight variances due to recruitment and expansion, but over time, we would get close.
It got close, actually, until we started letting clubs get away with not being promoted or requesting demotion "because we're a C grade and we like winning so D6 is too hard" and "we lost a heap of money, therefore players, we don't want a year of pain so let us slide". **** that, play where you belong based on your standard and the previous years results.
BFG wrote:In my opinion, from purely an overall league health point of view, Div 7 should be made up of only A and B grade sides. More players playing football in the SAAFL the better for the league as a whole regardless of what division they are in.
I dont understand. How does screwing up 7 clubs fixture result in more players? Don't buy into this argument that "C graders only want to play C Graders" as it is a complete myth. Most C graders don't even know what division they're playing in half the time, let alone what grade side they're playing in round 16.
BFG wrote:One side clubs would be playing in the C grade competition which, hopefully over time with increased success would see them graduate back to two teams and return to div 7. Obviously this would never happen as it would leave div 7 with too few teams currently but for the long term success of the league and also the division 7 competition I believe that this is the right way forward.
This I agree with. Wingfield sould absolutely be able to play C-whatever.
BFG wrote:So that is where I "kinda agree" with marbles........ I think
Thats alright, you're from CLG after all
. Hope Coxy and Whyborn are training well.