Looks like someone has been reading these forums intently over the last few days....
Please read and take note so i don't have to continue to hear everyones whinging
From "The Update":
There seems to be some residual confusion if not lack of understanding over the principles of scheduling B and C grade matches so it’s opportune to clear it up.
Clearly A grade and the highest rank A Grade team get priority as per Rules and Regulations.
Multi team clubs then get priority to assist with volunteers (yes, priority over a club with one team running around even if the premiership ladder suggests the C grade team should enjoy a home final)
But then there are problems we just can’t get around even for clubs with multi teams. Henley for example, quite rightly get priority this week at Henley because a) Henley A grade is the highest rank team but b) Henley B and C grade are all home anyway - that means Athelstone are at the mercy of the draw if not common sense being split 2 ways. If we consolidated the Old Ignatius teams to two grounds who are currently being split 3 ways, it means Athelstone would then be split 3 ways. But Athelstone outrank Iggies so it’s the best of a bad situation for all.
Modbury and North Haven in C4 are at Modbury because either way they’re not affected because they have no other team playing
Golden Grove were given the green light on keeping their C grade at home because they haven’t played triple headers all year but they were offered the chance to go to Pedlar so their club is all in the one spot. They (GG) declined that offer. Their C grade opposition have no say due to being a stand-alone team at least for that day. If GG choose a home final over rationalisation of volunteers, that’s their business and we don’t question it.
Given the residual effect of rain in the last fortnight, we also ask clubs if they’d prefer to have a stand-alone A grade match to preserve their oval. Last week Seaton assumed that option. This week Payneham Norwood Union took an offer to have their C6 team playing in a Preliminary home final as the curtain raiser to the Div. 1 Elimination Final rather than a triple header meaning Goodwood v Rocs in the B and C1 grades are at Goodwood.
When we offer this option we also point out some considerations based on previous experiences i.e. the following is a sample of a letter sent to some clubs in the last week
Sample
Hi guys. We’re dabbling with a thought that may ultimately be determined by you with respect to the curtain raisers this Saturday.
Neither of the B or C grade teams have any affiliation with either A grade team. If there is any suggestion that the expected rain for the balance of this week will play a role in deteriorating your oval and not at all cope with a triple header, only you will know.
What you’d need to weigh up but not limited to is:
1. Oval condition if you have to come back the next week
2. No pre-match atmosphere (this is very noticeable)
3. Reduction in attendance
4. Loss of Income from smaller attendance.
5. Your A grade coach might say he’d rather play the opposition in the slush
6. He might say he’d rather have a faster track
7. The alternative venue would probably pay a share of you home final fee (60/40)
8. It’s a winter sport and it is what it is.
Either way let us know and if it stays as is, then so be it.
All that said, If it were up to us we’d schedule it as per gradings. Its certainly easier for The League to have umpires consolidated so it’s no skin off The League’s nose whatsoever if clubs would like The League to apply rigid terms and conditions for finals fixturing but be careful what you wish for.
At the mid-year GC meeting, clubs told The League to pair B and C grade finals at the same ground or at least the general vicinity (e.g. Athelstone for PHOS/Henley) to alleviate strain on volunteer and B/C grade finals get what they get unless neither club is affected by the draw so that’s what we’re doing and it really is that simple. What doesn’t work in your favour this year could be the opposite in another finals campaign.