Rivalries between the SAAFL clubs - Who are they in 2012-13?
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:30 pmJust what are the big rivalries in SAAFL football today? - What are the rivalries that have stood the test of time over many years?
Many rivalries are geographical, but not always.
As a player the rivalries in the late 70's, all of the 80's and much of the 90's were:
Riverside v Semaphore Central/Port District (which had been on-going since before the Second World War) and is still strong there today with Port District and Portland.
Probably no stronger rivalry in SAAFL football, other than the college teams. Certainly between the suburban clubs. A healthy rivalry, as well.
Riverside v Broadview (both powerhouse A1 clubs of the 70's, 80's, early 90's, and Broadview are still today) and of course but never forgotten were the games against Kilburn, which were unbelievably tough. Neither side gave an inch or asked one. Players would belt the shit out of each other all day and then have a beer afterwards and have a great laugh about it. You would look forward to the re-match, where you might earn the right to get one in on the guy who got you earlier in the season, before he got you again. Gladiator type matches and not seen today. Very enjoyable and absolute respect for everyone on the other side, no matter how hard they had hit you earlier that day.
Enormous respect was shown playing those 3 clubs especially, and there still is respect for all the clubs mentioned. You used to go hard at it on and off the field and still everyone says g'dday, even today. Great memories.
Playing the Greeks was always fun. In a different way however and resulted in having to take the boxing gloves to nearly all games. Bit of fun. Tribunal would be sitting for weeks these days after playing the Greeks. Would have been a week long effort in hearing all the cases circa 2012, and all the crap charges and ridiculous reports they make. Stupidity gone wrong, when just a bit of fun and nobody really got hurt. Today it is all about the image set and not wanting to get bad publicity and also keeping sponsors happy, and not wanting to lose funding. The knee jerk reaction last year, was based largely around those thoughts.
In a strange way Riverside and University had a strong bond as well, which was brought about by the great Fred Bloch. Fred was always a guest and a speaker at functions at Riverside in the 80's. Not many would realise the bond between these two clubs, as both clubs are very different in their thoughts and socio economic backgrounds. Soured at the moment, and lack of any respect for Uni, but the memories from those days are still there.
What are the rivalries now, where teams just want to play each other and look forward to the contest. The days of the boxing gloves and the all-ins have gone, but you can still have rivalry, without the off the ball entertainment.
Clubs like Modbury v Tea Tree Gully spring to mind, and I am thinking that is largely geographical. What are the real long term rivalries in the SAAFL, that have gone on for 20+ years and not just half a dozen years.
Many rivalries are geographical, but not always.
As a player the rivalries in the late 70's, all of the 80's and much of the 90's were:
Riverside v Semaphore Central/Port District (which had been on-going since before the Second World War) and is still strong there today with Port District and Portland.
Probably no stronger rivalry in SAAFL football, other than the college teams. Certainly between the suburban clubs. A healthy rivalry, as well.
Riverside v Broadview (both powerhouse A1 clubs of the 70's, 80's, early 90's, and Broadview are still today) and of course but never forgotten were the games against Kilburn, which were unbelievably tough. Neither side gave an inch or asked one. Players would belt the shit out of each other all day and then have a beer afterwards and have a great laugh about it. You would look forward to the re-match, where you might earn the right to get one in on the guy who got you earlier in the season, before he got you again. Gladiator type matches and not seen today. Very enjoyable and absolute respect for everyone on the other side, no matter how hard they had hit you earlier that day.
Enormous respect was shown playing those 3 clubs especially, and there still is respect for all the clubs mentioned. You used to go hard at it on and off the field and still everyone says g'dday, even today. Great memories.
Playing the Greeks was always fun. In a different way however and resulted in having to take the boxing gloves to nearly all games. Bit of fun. Tribunal would be sitting for weeks these days after playing the Greeks. Would have been a week long effort in hearing all the cases circa 2012, and all the crap charges and ridiculous reports they make. Stupidity gone wrong, when just a bit of fun and nobody really got hurt. Today it is all about the image set and not wanting to get bad publicity and also keeping sponsors happy, and not wanting to lose funding. The knee jerk reaction last year, was based largely around those thoughts.
In a strange way Riverside and University had a strong bond as well, which was brought about by the great Fred Bloch. Fred was always a guest and a speaker at functions at Riverside in the 80's. Not many would realise the bond between these two clubs, as both clubs are very different in their thoughts and socio economic backgrounds. Soured at the moment, and lack of any respect for Uni, but the memories from those days are still there.
What are the rivalries now, where teams just want to play each other and look forward to the contest. The days of the boxing gloves and the all-ins have gone, but you can still have rivalry, without the off the ball entertainment.
Clubs like Modbury v Tea Tree Gully spring to mind, and I am thinking that is largely geographical. What are the real long term rivalries in the SAAFL, that have gone on for 20+ years and not just half a dozen years.
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