Southern Football League

[Esteban Vihaio]

Its been going on for years independent schools football, down in the sth Metro area 5 major public high schools have closed down between 1992 & 2004, Glengowrie, Mawson Dover Gardens, Marion & Vermont, Mitchell Pk High which is now Hamilton and turned into half adult tafe, then there is also Surt ,Tonsley, Oaklands Park, Morphettvlle Pk, Dover Gardens & Darlington ( closed last yr with 23 students) primary schools in that same time frame which have closed........there are 14 senior clubs fighting for the same juniors out of 4 public High schools Brighton, Seaview, Plympton, Pasadena.....plus we have to compete with Westminster, Sacred Heart, Imanual senior and junior schools, plus three or four small Catholic Schools, you think its easy.....no its not......since Morphettville Pk joined the SFL IN 1987......there has been massive change, 1000,s off new homes have been built around Seaford , Onkaparinga Hills, Hallett Cove , Shiedow Pk, Woodcroft, and the clubs in those areas have grown large junior bases due to this growth.......and good on then......to finish off my rant i would like to add that it was the Morphettvlle Pk & Marion Football clubs that pushed for the sun minis to be set up...... attending junior meetings back then in 1998 i was amazed at how many clubs opposed this concept with the old saying, junior football should not be played on sun.....look at it now, thank god Happy Valley & Flagstaff Hill saw the light and voted for the minis concept.......I still fondly remember that first game off minis down at the Pastie in 98....was so interested to see so many ppl from other clubs taking the time out to come down and have a look..... junior football has increased in the SFL ten folds.....i bet many ppl who write there posts have no idea on the history off how it started....

[woodublieve12]

Reynella -150pts
M/Vale - 100pts
Edwardstown - 2 goals
Valley - 130pts
MVP - 5pts
Shoes - 120pts
Porties - 40pts

[Look Good In Leather]

At least they are A-Grade teams, ie the best possible 21 at their club, rather than C-Grade teams with the players ranked 43-63. An A-Grade competition cannot be taken seriously when there are some teams within it that are not that club's primary focus. If you are making a comment regarding the standard of some of the A-Grade teams within our competition, then that is a completely different argument, but to refer to some of our league's teams as being no more than C-Grade teams is pretty derogatory.

how is it??? those c grade sides would knock some of those sides off!!!

not derogatory, just honest.

LGIL, what is the cost of the fare to the planet that you live on?

Any league the amount of with 40, 50, 60+ goal drubbings over the past 12 years that the SFL has had can not be taken seriously. Trials are not an exact science, but the lower clubs have played close trials against div 6/7 sides, some of which are C/D grade sides. It's no different than comparing a SANFL club to a Div 1 SAAFL club or Happy Valley.

The ten team Div 1 SFL was something to be proud of.

Lgil, just for a minute take your Christies hat off and think about the league, I know if there were 2 divs then Christies will be in the second division as it stands at the moment, but that is rightfully where you sit, the league is a laughing stock, and although through hard work of the clubs( with no help from the sfl who just want clubs to die a slow death) it is becoming more even, imagine how good a 2 division comp would be, think of the top 8 sides playing a competitive game each week and looking forward to a challenge each week, but also look at how good an 8 team second division would be, very competitive with the winner coming from any club that would make finals. Then if you win it you move up into the first division!! Good reward I think! Lets hope the selfish people like you don't continually get there way and bring some pride back into the sfl, do it now before its to late and let's hope the sfl gets saved by the bell

Settle

I have no issues with the concept of 2 divisions and see it as inevitable if additional clubs join the league. What I commented about before was the stupidity of having C-Grade teams playing against A-Grade teams, not the difference in standard between A-Grade teams. We made that mistake in our league 16 years ago when we put Brighton's C & D grade teams into our Division 2 competition. I have long held the view that this was the start of the collapse of the Division 2 competition. Some of the scores against "Brighton A" were a disgrace and within 5 years out of Meadows, McLaren Flat, McLaren Vale, Mitchell Park, Lonsdale and O'Sullivan Beach, only one team remained in our league.

Also, sort out your maths, which will be the 7 team division?

[THE MOLE]

If the league gets its act together, teams will want to join and numbers won't be a problem. At one stage div 1 had 11 teams and div 2 had 6.
Why the uneven numbers you ask, cos Christies refused to go to second division as they were the cellar dwellers during that time, how was this allowed, cos Christies was pretty much the sfl board, bache x2, leahy, davenport. They couldn't bite the bullet and say ok we will drop to division 2 like we should, and just used their positions in the sfl board selfishly.....
Then they bring in 1 division, some would say a major reason was the influence on the board and the selfishness of a few.
Christies also have 2 members on the future directions committee, while the majority of teams have none... No wonder we have got nowhere over the years.
And on top of that for some unknown reason the future directions committee Delegate who looks after a number of clubs... And who is one of them...... Christies...... Do they get opinions from the clubs they are representing...... Do they respond to those clubs when the clubs they are representing contact them...... So here we are in a position when the leage stupidly let's teams selfish needs represent surrounding clubs and we have got no where........ Time for a change, lots of changes before the league becomes unimportant to those who used to love it.
Lgil, the league is bigger than one club, and all the problems weren't caused by one club, get out of the past move forward, even if its 2 steps backward first.

[Look Good In Leather]

If the league gets its act together, teams will want to join and numbers won't be a problem. At one stage div 1 had 11 teams and div 2 had 6.
Why the uneven numbers you ask, cos Christies refused to go to second division as they were the cellar dwellers during that time, how was this allowed, cos Christies was pretty much the sfl board, bache x2, leahy, davenport. They couldn't bite the bullet and say ok we will drop to division 2 like we should, and just used their positions in the sfl board selfishly.....
Then they bring in 1 division, some would say a major reason was the influence on the board and the selfishness of a few.
Christies also have 2 members on the future directions committee, while the majority of teams have none... No wonder we have got nowhere over the years.
And on top of that for some unknown reason the future directions committee Delegate who looks after a number of clubs... And who is one of them...... Christies...... Do they get opinions from the clubs they are representing...... Do they respond to those clubs when the clubs they are representing contact them...... So here we are in a position when the leage stupidly let's teams selfish needs represent surrounding clubs and we have got no where........ Time for a change, lots of changes before the league becomes unimportant to those who used to love it.
Lgil, the league is bigger than one club, and all the problems weren't caused by one club, get out of the past move forward, even if its 2 steps backward first.

Talk about rewriting history/facts to support your argument, you really have some sort of bizarre hatred for Christies don't you?

I will address your various points:

- "Christies refused to go to second division" - Christies Beach never refused to go to the second division because they were never in a position to get relegated. Please identify what year we refused to go down. Don't say 2001, relegation never came into it because McLaren & Mitchell Park quit and the division fell apart. Also I am unaware of any application from Lonsdale (the Premiers) that year to join Division 1, and when the two divisions merged, they joined up with O'Sullivan Beach. The issue of relegation that season never came up. As for being cellar dwellers during that time, Christies Beach only missed finals on 8 occasions during the 24 seasons we had separate divisions, and only that final season did we finish bottom and potentially be relegated, hardly cellar dwellars.

- "Christies was pretty much the sfl board", "bache x2, leahy, davenport" - Bob & Jan Bache, whilst having sons play for Christies Beach were hardly Christies stooges on the board, Jan was a paid employee of the league as Secretary/Manager and Bob was more involved with umpiring & South Adelaide than Christies, and was not even on the board (Bob was a commissioner, but that is the tribunal, not the board). I am not sure at what point Chris Leahy became a Christies Beach person, he does live in the suburb (maybe that is where you have got your wires crossed) but he by far a Port Noarlunga person. As for Gary Davenport, he played 2 seasons at Christies Beach in the early 80s but is by far a Port Noarlunga person more than Christies. You have drawn some very loose connections there to try to tie to our club, what about the other board members around that time? Merv Mules, Des Halliday, Alan Griffin, Steve Macklin, Craig Warman, Colin Lessue, John Richardson, Clem Hurst,... Did they not have a say?

- "Delegate who looks after a number of clubs... And who is one of them...... Christies" - Considering it took 2 months to get 3 nominations from the clubs for people who were willing to give up there time to the Future Directions Committee, the fact that our President put up his hand to be part of finding a solution is suddenly a bad thing?? If you are so concerned about what is happening in the FDC why don't you put up your hand and give your time to assist? As far as I know it is not a closed shop.

- "leage stupidly let's teams selfish needs represent surrounding clubs" - the representatives were agreed to by the clubs they are representing, the league only facilitated it.

Don't blame our club for what happened, we have just played in the league that has been there for us, fortunately for a large part of time it was in a very good Division 1 competition.

[Look Good In Leather]

If the league gets its act together, teams will want to join and numbers won't be a problem. At one stage div 1 had 11 teams and div 2 had 6.
Why the uneven numbers you ask, cos Christies refused to go to second division as they were the cellar dwellers during that time, how was this allowed, cos Christies was pretty much the sfl board, bache x2, leahy, davenport. They couldn't bite the bullet and say ok we will drop to division 2 like we should, and just used their positions in the sfl board selfishly.....
Then they bring in 1 division, some would say a major reason was the influence on the board and the selfishness of a few.
Christies also have 2 members on the future directions committee, while the majority of teams have none... No wonder we have got nowhere over the years.
And on top of that for some unknown reason the future directions committee Delegate who looks after a number of clubs... And who is one of them...... Christies...... Do they get opinions from the clubs they are representing...... Do they respond to those clubs when the clubs they are representing contact them...... So here we are in a position when the leage stupidly let's teams selfish needs represent surrounding clubs and we have got no where........ Time for a change, lots of changes before the league becomes unimportant to those who used to love it.
Lgil, the league is bigger than one club, and all the problems weren't caused by one club, get out of the past move forward, even if its 2 steps backward first.

A few more:

- "At one stage div 1 had 11 teams and div 2 had 6" - this was never the case, given in 1999 there were 12 teams in Div 1 & 7 in Div 2, but this was corrected in 2000 when the bottom 2 Div 1 teams were relegated (Flagstaff Hill and O'Sullivan Beach) to try to even it up, that got Division 1 back to 10 teams and Div 2 to 8 teams. The increase to 11 teams in div 1 (1994) and 12 teams (1997) were a compromise to allow Mitchell Park and Brighton respectively to come straight into Division 1. Neither of those years was it because Christies Beach refused to go down, the bottom side in 1993 was Flagstaff Hill and in 1997 was Mitchell Park.

- "the league is bigger than one club, and all the problems weren't caused by one club" - From what I have read from you, all the problems were caused by board members of the league representing Christies Beach. I named one club, Brighton, because it was relevant to the scenario that was being discussed and was definitely on topic. I certainly did not accuse all our problems on them, just that having their C & D grade play in Division 2 was a significant cause to its demise. I also consider Kangarilla and Meadows winning premierships but refusing to be promoted as causing problems as well as this severely hampered McLaren, Aldinga, O'Sullivan Beach and Cove's ability to seek promotion (Cove and the McLaren clubs were also guilty of this prior). Anyone who says that if you don't win the premiership you don't deserve to go up is either ignorent, stupid or both. To have the future of your club come down to one game is ridiculous, as is seen many times in the Amateur League, which is being painted here as the utopia of football structures/managements, the team promoted as runner up usually survives without going back down the following season more often than the premier.

- "get out of the past move forward" - happy to, but you were the one who was bringing up the past. In this case it was relevant to reflect on a situation in our history as it was very similar to the issue that was discussed from the Amateur League.

Anyhow, unusual to have a Saturday free from football... Should be a cracker tomorrow

[the big bang]

first points go to LGIL i'd say........

[zooman07]

Possibly the worst umpiring display in history at noarlunga v osb.. Men in white had no idea they get paid good money to umpire A grade . And still f$%k it up . Absolute disgrace ..

[Oldman Munga]

Possibly the worst umpiring display in history at noarlunga v osb.. Men in white had no idea they get paid good money to umpire A grade . And still f$%k it up . Absolute disgrace ..

And what about the 2 that umpired the 18s and B Grade ??? the older bloke is without a doubt the worst getting around . plucking at straws and guessing from 50 metres away is a disgrace, would rather Nobes and that's really saying something

[mdj]

Zooman.....pretty sure they train Wednesdays at wirreanda high if you wanna give it a go

[WHEELS&DEALS]

Its been going on for years independent schools football, down in the sth Metro area 5 major public high schools have closed down between 1992 & 2004, Glengowrie, Mawson Dover Gardens, Marion & Vermont, Mitchell Pk High which is now Hamilton and turned into half adult tafe, then there is also Surt ,Tonsley, Oaklands Park, Morphettvlle Pk, Dover Gardens & Darlington ( closed last yr with 23 students) primary schools in that same time frame which have closed........there are 14 senior clubs fighting for the same juniors out of 4 public High schools Brighton, Seaview, Plympton, Pasadena.....plus we have to compete with Westminster, Sacred Heart, Imanual senior and junior schools, plus three or four small Catholic Schools, you think its easy.....no its not......since Morphettville Pk joined the SFL IN 1987......there has been massive change, 1000,s off new homes have been built around Seaford , Onkaparinga Hills, Hallett Cove , Shiedow Pk, Woodcroft, and the clubs in those areas have grown large junior bases due to this growth.......and good on then......to finish off my rant i would like to add that it was the Morphettvlle Pk & Marion Football clubs that pushed for the sun minis to be set up...... attending junior meetings back then in 1998 i was amazed at how many clubs opposed this concept with the old saying, junior football should not be played on sun.....look at it now, thank god Happy Valley & Flagstaff Hill saw the light and voted for the minis concept.......I still fondly remember that first game off minis down at the Pastie in 98....was so interested to see so many ppl from other clubs taking the time out to come down and have a look..... junior football has increased in the SFL ten folds.....i bet many ppl who write there posts have no idea on the history off how it started....

and now we have 3 clubs Marion, Edwardstown and Morphy parks trying to find another 75 (25 per team) kids to play Saturday under 14's. Try finding that many kids around our areas. almost mission impossible.

[as you wood]

and now we have 3 clubs Marion, Edwardstown and Morphy parks trying to find another 75 (25 per team) kids to play Saturday under 14's. Try finding that many kids around our areas. almost mission impossible.[/quote]

Yes there are 3 clubs looking, but Towns had there Junior base stolen from under neath them and still trying to get juniors up and running.they will succeed in getting juniors back to that Club and play in Sat & Sun Comp

[vics01]

MZ
Firstly, I respect your views. Your comment "MSFL caters for college kids who want to play Sunday's" seems to sum up your attitude. No college kids in the SFL is one way to tackle the problem.

I have worked very hard for a number of years to attract and retain college kids to play footy in the SFL.

These college kids are not missing out on football as they are playing Saturday football with the school which is a choice they make. They are getting an extra game of footy each weekend.

SFL established a Sunday comp to take the overflow of kids from Saturday football for a number of lifestyle and other sport reasons there are not the kids playing football that there were several years ago.

Maybe they should look at playing Saturday football with the local club either full season or when school commitments allow

MZ you also seemed to have missed the point about lost $$ to clubs who have games moved to accommodate these 2nd sides. There is not the $$ around at the moment in sponsorship, every $$ is important in these tough times.

WHEELS AND DEALS
and now we have 3 clubs Marion, Edwardstown and Morphy parks trying to find another 75 (25 per team) kids to play Saturday under 14's. Try finding that many kids around our areas. almost mission impossible.

Maybe clubs need to think outside the square and combine junior sides in order to filed teams.

The bigger picture is clubs need to look at mergers with others in order to survive. There are a lot of clubs all trying to feed from the same pond, which is smaller than it was 20 years ago, eventually it will dry up if things stay as they are.

[MZ]

These college kids are not missing out on football as they are playing Saturday football with the school which is a choice they make. They are getting an extra game of footy each weekend.

SFL established a Sunday comp to take the overflow of kids from Saturday football for a number of lifestyle and other sport reasons there are not the kids playing football that there were several years ago.

Maybe they should look at playing Saturday football with the local club either full season or when school commitments allow

They play 12-13 games a season with the school and no finals. I know that when school footy is not being played and all kids are available BDOS picks the best avaiable side in the Saturday 14s and 16s regardless of the kids school.

I think we are on the same page when it comes to school footy though - a waste of time. Compared with the club experience it leaves a lot to be desired.

[Panther32]

Can't we move all this kiddy talk to the juniors!!!
Was surprised to see M/P beat Brighton so convincingly on the weekend. What happened to Brookman, Rivers, Tucker, Sneeza??
Doesn't get any easier for them with Happy Valley on Thursday.
What's happened out at Porties this year? 0 and 3!
And Cove going down to Edwardstown? Edwardstown have now knocked off Porties and Cove.

[vics01]

P32

It is about the future of this league..

[Panther32]

P32

It is about the future of this league..

And there is a section called "Junior football".

[barry footynut]

Can't we move all this kiddy talk to the juniors!!!
Was surprised to see M/P beat Brighton so convincingly on the weekend. What happened to Brookman, Rivers, Tucker, Sneeza??
Doesn't get any easier for them with Happy Valley on Thursday.
What's happened out at Porties this year? 0 and 3!
And Cove going down to Edwardstown? Edwardstown have now knocked off Porties and Cove.

Brookman and Will Rivers are OS but will return within a wk or so I believe.. Tucker has retired and sneezer has a hand injury keeping him out. Just to get the skipper back will be a huge boost and lift the entire team. Parks were solid to tall and had a well drilled mid field or smalls had to battle hard all day. Parks have improved for sure and will be there to test out Valley come September.

[Front & Centre]

Can't we move all this kiddy talk to the juniors!!!
Was surprised to see M/P beat Brighton so convincingly on the weekend. What happened to Brookman, Rivers, Tucker, Sneeza??
Doesn't get any easier for them with Happy Valley on Thursday.
What's happened out at Porties this year? 0 and 3!
And Cove going down to Edwardstown? Edwardstown have now knocked off Porties and Cove.

Brookman and Will Rivers are OS but will return within a wk or so I believe.. Tucker has retired and sneezer has a hand injury keeping him out. Just to get the skipper back will be a huge boost and lift the entire team. Parks were solid to tall and had a well drilled mid field or smalls had to battle hard all day. Parks have improved for sure and will be there to test out Valley come September.

Valleys are going to have to get over the pattern of slow starts or Brighton could get the jump on them this week

[vics01]

Understand all is not well at Porties.

Players not happy with coach, not committing enough this year??