HFL Division 2 (Country)

[The Gimp]

Hows Paul Jones from Eastern Park going out at Birdwood?

Yeah mate, he's doin well. Filling a role across half back and on the ball. Loves a goal!!

[The Gimp]

Kersbrook have a huge motivation to win this year imagine beating the great birdwood at the end of the year at a fifth of the price!!!! WOW big money brings big pressure just ask garry and and his lions!
And on morris you can see he has great skills no doubt but didnt just have a shocker sat it was plain to see he hates the body HATES IT!

Does Gary Hughes have a connection with Birdwood? Appears to be a lot of money out that way

lamington sales.

Pie sales are always good with The Gimp floating around

Haha, yep I'm keeping the club afloat with my pie/lamington eating antics!

No, we're the only club in Country div that pays players and that's why we're so keen to get up to Central div so we don't feel out of place! Good on all of the other clubs for not spending a dime
It's funny how we have a draw against another top 3 side and everyone starts talking about how much money we spend - I'd hate to think of the figures that would be flying around if we were undefeated!!

[Shortman]

Fact is, there wouldnt be 1 club in the comp that doesnt pay a player. Even SC and Cally would shell out coin, albeit on a much smaller scale. Sadly now to be successful even in Country Div you cant just be reliant on your locals alone to win you a flag. Sure Kersy have the James' which helps them a great deal but quite a number of their key players are imports, Birdwood, Echunga and we are the same. Meadows if anyone, have stayed more local than the rest of us but even theyve had to go outside to get some key recruits.

But how good is it to have these Birdwood guys back on the forum, always good for some banter especially following a game against the rivals.

[Trooper]

Pretty sure the fickle supporters and sponsors of Birdwood have jumped on board this season as they knew success was guaranteed with them being in the lower standard comp. I think it also why recruits have jumped on board. If Birdwood do make the GF and plan to take on Central Div again next year i'd suspect the recruits, sponsors and supporters will jump off again. There are too many people around the place these days that want success without having to work hard for it and go through any pain. You see it more and more with players especially.

[false]

Pretty sure the fickle supporters and sponsors of Birdwood have jumped on board this season as they knew success was guaranteed with them being in the lower standard comp. I think it also why recruits have jumped on board. If Birdwood do make the GF and plan to take on Central Div again next year i'd suspect the recruits, sponsors and supporters will jump off again. There are too many people around the place these days that want success without having to work hard for it and go through any pain. You see it more and more with players especially.

so what gives you the indication that supporters have dropped off? and 4 years in the top flight, often getting flogged that players have dropped off? We brought in 5 recruits this year, the rest have been around for the majority of the time in Divvy 1 and supported us and played through those tough times. and if you remember correctly, we tried pretty bloody hard to stay in div 1 so it's a pretty ignorant comment.

[The Gimp]

Pretty sure the fickle supporters and sponsors of Birdwood have jumped on board this season as they knew success was guaranteed with them being in the lower standard comp. I think it also why recruits have jumped on board. If Birdwood do make the GF and plan to take on Central Div again next year i'd suspect the recruits, sponsors and supporters will jump off again. There are too many people around the place these days that want success without having to work hard for it and go through any pain. You see it more and more with players especially.

Incorrect.
Our crowds and sponsorship have been about the same this season as the past 2-3 actually. And the majority of new recruits were coming regardless of what div we were playing so if we do look at going back up to Central, I believe the majority (if not all) would be all for it.

[Footy Warrior]

Pretty sure the fickle supporters and sponsors of Birdwood have jumped on board this season as they knew success was guaranteed with them being in the lower standard comp. I think it also why recruits have jumped on board. If Birdwood do make the GF and plan to take on Central Div again next year i'd suspect the recruits, sponsors and supporters will jump off again. There are too many people around the place these days that want success without having to work hard for it and go through any pain. You see it more and more with players especially.

so what gives you the indication that supporters have dropped off? and 4 years in the top flight, often getting flogged that players have dropped off? We brought in 5 recruits this year, the rest have been around for the majority of the time in Divvy 1 and supported us and played through those tough times. and if you remember correctly, we tried pretty bloody hard to stay in div 1 so it's a pretty ignorant comment.

So did Birdwood bought or brought these 5 recruits in this year to make sure they get back into Divvy 1? Is it fair to say the Roosters are spending more this year than they have the last few?

[Justquietly]

A bit of banter on here re the Roosters wanting to go back up, what about Echunga or kersbrook? How come Birdwood's the only option? Won't it be offered to the premiership team first?

[Armytank]

The way I understand it is Kersbrook have never been in a position to sustain all of the juniors required to play div 1 and Echunga have been there, done that about 20 years ago. Unless they have changed their mind they have been happy being the bigger fish in the smaller pond so to speak.

[Shortman]

Thats exactly it. I mean im not sure whether "big fish in a small pond" is a fair call because they havent won a flag yet, but I understand the call. IMO they wont win it this year either. They are the most even side of the top 3 but both Birdwood and Kersbrook have more star power at their disposal.

[youngpace]

Thats exactly it. I mean im not sure whether "big fish in a small pond" is a fair call because they havent won a flag yet, but I understand the call. IMO they wont win it this year either. They are the most even side of the top 3 but both Birdwood and Kersbrook have more star power at their disposal.

Would have to agree we have hardly been the big fish! the A and B grand finals wins in 2000 and 2 junior premiers since then not a massive amount of flags! We are a small club without alot of coin who is on the top of a cycle atm not a club having fun smashing poor teams.

Star power gets you so far, the age old saying still applies tho, teams win premierships! and we have been adding to the star power, i would put L fleet, j edwards and C guy under that title atm , with A edward, c hall, d edmonds not a huge way behind

[McGovern]

Thats exactly it. I mean im not sure whether "big fish in a small pond" is a fair call because they havent won a flag yet, but I understand the call. IMO they wont win it this year either. They are the most even side of the top 3 but both Birdwood and Kersbrook have more star power at their disposal.

Would have to agree we have hardly been the big fish! the A and B grand finals wins in 2000 and 2 junior premiers since then not a massive amount of flags! We are a small club without alot of coin who is on the top of a cycle atm not a club having fun smashing poor teams.

Star power gets you so far, the age old saying still applies tho, teams win premierships! and we have been adding to the star power, i would put L fleet, j edwards and C guy under that title atm , with A edward, c hall, d edmonds not a huge way behind

Well said mate.

[McGovern]

Pretty sure the fickle supporters and sponsors of Birdwood have jumped on board this season as they knew success was guaranteed with them being in the lower standard comp. I think it also why recruits have jumped on board. If Birdwood do make the GF and plan to take on Central Div again next year i'd suspect the recruits, sponsors and supporters will jump off again. There are too many people around the place these days that want success without having to work hard for it and go through any pain. You see it more and more with players especially.

Can we put you in the 'fickle supporters' category, Trooper? Will you name what HFL side you barrack for when they start winning?

[Shortman]

Thats exactly it. I mean im not sure whether "big fish in a small pond" is a fair call because they havent won a flag yet, but I understand the call. IMO they wont win it this year either. They are the most even side of the top 3 but both Birdwood and Kersbrook have more star power at their disposal.

Would have to agree we have hardly been the big fish! the A and B grand finals wins in 2000 and 2 junior premiers since then not a massive amount of flags! We are a small club without alot of coin who is on the top of a cycle atm not a club having fun smashing poor teams.

Star power gets you so far, the age old saying still applies tho, teams win premierships! and we have been adding to the star power, i would put L fleet, j edwards and C guy under that title atm , with A edward, c hall, d edmonds not a huge way behind

Well said mate.

It is well said but id still back in the Brookers or Roosters top 6 to get the job done on the big day. Thats not to say Echunga arent a good side, you dont get to midyear undefeated without being that, I just see more improvement from the others, Kersbrrok especially.

[McGovern]

Thats exactly it. I mean im not sure whether "big fish in a small pond" is a fair call because they havent won a flag yet, but I understand the call. IMO they wont win it this year either. They are the most even side of the top 3 but both Birdwood and Kersbrook have more star power at their disposal.

Would have to agree we have hardly been the big fish! the A and B grand finals wins in 2000 and 2 junior premiers since then not a massive amount of flags! We are a small club without alot of coin who is on the top of a cycle atm not a club having fun smashing poor teams.

Star power gets you so far, the age old saying still applies tho, teams win premierships! and we have been adding to the star power, i would put L fleet, j edwards and C guy under that title atm , with A edward, c hall, d edmonds not a huge way behind

Well said mate.

It is well said but id still back in the Brookers or Roosters top 6 to get the job done on the big day. Thats not to say Echunga arent a good side, you dont get to midyear undefeated without being that, I just see more improvement from the others, Kersbrrok especially.

Well said regarding his response to the Armytank 'big fish' post but he didn't quote that.

With regards to star power however, you only have to look at the 2 Kersbrook/TV grand finals to see that a champion team will beat a team of champions on the big day. TV arguably had the better team on paper but you've still gotta win it.

[Armytank]

I didn't mean any disrespect by that big fish comment, I believe the Echunga footy club learnt a fair bit about what they want their footy club to be after their last venture in Div1. As other posters have said, they are comfortable in their position, smallish country town club with a good local base mixed with imported talent on a managable budget. Good on them I reckon.

[The Sorce]

Also Adding to the imports statement:
On the weekend Echunga had 9 Locals - who have played all their Juniors with the club play A grade.
Only 3 - 1st Year players
And the rest have been at the club now for 3 to 6+ years.

[The Gimp]

Also Adding to the imports statement:
On the weekend Echunga had 9 Locals - who have played all their Juniors with the club play A grade.
Only 3 - 1st Year players
And the rest have been at the club now for 3 to 6+ years.

That's pretty good to see - comparable to both Birdwood and Kersbrook.

How do the other sides look in this stat? Any other posters want to add theirs up for their club?

I would think Sedan/Cambrai would have the highest.

[Shortman]

We had 8 on the weekend, with another regular over on KI playing interleague.

[Banker]

I know Ironbank arnt in Country div but we had 12 A graders on Saturday who have played juniors for IB. 18 in the B grade