Southern Football League

[Down the Hill]

Far more to it than that LK. People want to play association footy for the SAAFL because they get an SA jumper and get to play an interstate team and every 2nd year get an interstae trip out of it. Most of the best players want to represent the true Country leagues because they have pride in the region and want to put heir leagues strength on the line. Whether SFL was set up differently or not, the blokes in this league don't really give a toss about rep footy. Sure, most of the 22 who played today would have been keen but when I can think of 10 to 12 blokes who should have been in that SFL side ahead of some of those who did play then this is the real reason why the performances of the last 2 years have been average.

Rightly or wrongly, most SFL clubs these days start training in late November early December, play 3 trials and then 8 or 9 games before the June long weekend comes around. The very best players are the best players because they work harder than the rest so come June they are looking for a well earned break. Plus why risk injury playing for nothing when you are getting $200 to $500 maybe more playing a club game. The salad days of Lovelock were in an era when clubs didn't start training until after Australia Day. I have done some research on the Melbourne metro leagues and it appears that the only ones who had rep footy this weekend was only for juniors. Seniors either had a normal club round or had a mid season break.

Plus we live in a different era where arranging a trip away on a long weekend is a lot cheaper and easier than a bygone era and players want to use that rare weekend off in a 20 plus week stretch to do something with the suffering girlfriend, wife, kids or family. Times have changed and I think Senior Association footy for the SFL is a pointless exercise.

[finals fever]

Far more to it than that LK. People want to play association footy for the SAAFL because they get an SA jumper and get to play an interstate team and every 2nd year get an interstae trip out of it. Most of the best players want to represent the true Country leagues because they have pride in the region and want to put heir leagues strength on the line. Whether SFL was set up differently or not, the blokes in this league don't really give a toss about rep footy. Sure, most of the 22 who played today would have been keen but when I can think of 10 to 12 blokes who should have been in that SFL side ahead of some of those who did play then this is the real reason why the performances of the last 2 years have been average.

Rightly or wrongly, most SFL clubs these days start training in late November early December, play 3 trials and then 8 or 9 games before the June long weekend comes around. The very best players are the best players because they work harder than the rest so come June they are looking for a well earned break. Plus why risk injury playing for nothing when you are getting $200 to $500 maybe more playing a club game. The salad days of Lovelock were in an era when clubs didn't start training until after Australia Day. I have done some research on the Melbourne metro leagues and it appears that the only ones who had rep footy this weekend was only for juniors. Seniors either had a normal club round or had a mid season break.

Plus we live in a different era where arranging a trip away on a long weekend is a lot cheaper and easier than a bygone era and players want to use that rare weekend off in a 20 plus week stretch to do something with the suffering girlfriend, wife, kids or family. Times have changed and I think Senior Association footy for the SFL is a pointless exercise.

I strongly agree with your above comments.

[Keyser Soze]

The same excuses each year when the SFL gets beaten......let's face it the SFL is nowhere near as strong as it was 10 -12 years ago. Very few teams have any senior players over 30, actually most would struggle to have many over 27 or 28 and those that do are the stronger sides in the comp. reynella, HV....Players such as Betterman, Draper, Pollard, Dale, Short, Ryan etc would dominate against the kids playing for most teams today?

Compared to the GSFL and other leagues the SFL don't recruit many ex-league/afl players and the B-grade competition is a shadow of former self.....

But still clubs continue to live in the fantasy that they are division one sides, (11 apparently?) For example Brighton and Flaggies have great juniors and 2 years ago were top 4 sides and challenging for the flag but things happen, retirements/injuries/coaches etc and are now along off and have been replaced by MVP and Chrisities as challengers but they will re-build and challenge again in a few years.....

If the SFL are serious (which appears not) they need to focus on getting a strong 8 team div 1 comp which will attract top players to the league, I also agree what is the point of association football, be interested to know how much the SFL pumps into this weekend each year, no doubt paid for by the SFL clubs that have very little interest other than hoping there best players don't get injured?

[Dutchy]

Compared to the GSFL and other leagues the SFL don't recruit many ex-league/afl players and the B-grade competition is a shadow of former self.....

McNamara, Doughty, Eagleton, Backwell, Golding, Murphy, Ware, Cranston, Big Seb (now back in SANFL)...just off the top of my head in the past couple of years.

[Panther32]

Far more to it than that LK. People want to play association footy for the SAAFL because they get an SA jumper and get to play an interstate team and every 2nd year get an interstae trip out of it. Most of the best players want to represent the true Country leagues because they have pride in the region and want to put heir leagues strength on the line. Whether SFL was set up differently or not, the blokes in this league don't really give a toss about rep footy. Sure, most of the 22 who played today would have been keen but when I can think of 10 to 12 blokes who should have been in that SFL side ahead of some of those who did play then this is the real reason why the performances of the last 2 years have been average.

Rightly or wrongly, most SFL clubs these days start training in late November early December, play 3 trials and then 8 or 9 games before the June long weekend comes around. The very best players are the best players because they work harder than the rest so come June they are looking for a well earned break. Plus why risk injury playing for nothing when you are getting $200 to $500 maybe more playing a club game. The salad days of Lovelock were in an era when clubs didn't start training until after Australia Day. I have done some research on the Melbourne metro leagues and it appears that the only ones who had rep footy this weekend was only for juniors. Seniors either had a normal club round or had a mid season break.

Plus we live in a different era where arranging a trip away on a long weekend is a lot cheaper and easier than a bygone era and players want to use that rare weekend off in a 20 plus week stretch to do something with the suffering girlfriend, wife, kids or family. Times have changed and I think Senior Association footy for the SFL is a pointless exercise.

Yeah I have to agree, with the game becoming almost a job now to some players, it's important to have the weekend off and get the body right in the middle of the year. The AFL have a split round for this same reason and AFL clubs allow players to take some time off from what is becoming a very long season when you start in November.
Asking a player to put his body on the line when he may get injured and lose income for the remainder of the season is asking a bit too much, especially if it is their sole income.
Why not go back to when we had an Under 23 squad with the exception of 3 older players?

[tigerpie]

Agreed....association footy is for the blokes who want to play!! Its no good fining the guys who dont.
Association footy still has its place but just pick a squad that want to represent their league and then promote the hell out of it!
If the sfl play gsfl every year, make it a showcase, get a sponsor..all players get $200 for playing and free kit. Just an idea.

[Vulcan]

Agree with last post.
If its so important to the sfl that best players play, then f$&n pay them to do so.
Also how bout the club get some added kind of bonus for players who are selected.

[fathersonsfl]

Agree with last post.
If its so important to the sfl that best players play, then f$&n pay them to do so.
Also how bout the club get some added kind of bonus for players who are selected.

I think you are right. It is a sad fact that amateur football players need/want so much renumeration these days.....very sad.

[Dutchy]

From the RMFL -

FOUR River Murray players have been suspended for up to two rounds of league competition for failing to report to Naracoorte for the Cods’ game against Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara on Saturday.

The league suspended Meningie duo Jack Long, Dean Rossi and Mypolonga’s Will Abbott for the next two home and away matches after they refused to play in the interleague clash at Naracoorte.

The Meningie pair will miss the Bears’ home clash against Tailem Bend and away match versus Jervois.

Mannum ruckman Jake Bowen has also been suspended for one match and will miss this weekend’s season-shaping game against Mypolonga.

RMFL president Mick O’Hara said the suspensions were for non-participation in the traditional Queen’s Birthday weekend match.

“Anyone we didn’t hear from at all has got two and anyone who had excuses we didn’t deem as right has got one,” he said.

He said the players would have no means of appealing the suspensions.

[Cove boys]

DUTHCY

that comment is a bit of an insult to those that have put the real yards in over many years.

Thanks Dutchy, there's a lot more hard working people around the club this season that previous season, though all previous work has got us to where we are today....always enjoy Mini's at Flaggies,

[Cove boys]

No agenda DTH, hard not to notice Brighton have been involved in a couple of incidents this year which you play down. Umpire gets whacked. Coach threatens junior player. Very unsocial behavior by the latte boys.

Just a little concerned at the attitude of the SFL. Last year in the 18 grand final the was a bit of a scuffle by the two teams and both clubs got whacked with reasonably severe penalties. SFL took no responsibility for that one when it was their security not the clubs on the day. Told clubs bad look for the SFL, reckon the 2 incidents involving BDOS are about the same, umpire incident, accident or not happened during a melee which the SFL have said is will not be tolerated.. Seem to have 2 sets of rules.. Maybe they are being nice to you guys as they are worried you are going to nick off to the SAAFL?

Just on the 18 GF last year. The SFL take full responsibility on GF day for security, yet when it goes pear shape they blame the clubs who have no involvement and are not allowed to have any involvement at all in crowd control. Just for your information at the end of the game there were supporters from just about every club in the league on the ground even a few brighton jumpers.

Just saying

Just like to see footy played by the rules. If any coach threatens a child he/she should get rubbed out for at least a year, I doubt if the coach would get a working with kids clearance again. Be strong DTH step up to the plate and take action it will reflect well on the club. Brighton will be seen as leaders in stamping out unsociable behaviour.[/quote]


Hey Vics you seem to know a lot about the penalities set down by SFL for U18 GF. You would then know both clubs accepted that their players were responsible for their own actions that took place. They took ownership and responsibility, not turn it into a blame everyone else for what happened.

If what you say happened with BDOS, hopefully they will follow through with the correct action required

[Look Good In Leather]

Agree with last post.
If its so important to the sfl that best players play, then f$&n pay them to do so.
Also how bout the club get some added kind of bonus for players who are selected.

I think you are right. It is a sad fact that amateur football players need/want so much renumeration these days.....very sad.

Since when has our league been an amateur comp?

[tigerpie]

Even the amateur league isnt and hasnt been amateur since........ever i think.

[Look Good In Leather]

Even the amateur league isnt and hasnt been amateur since........ever i think.

The amateur league did have quite strict amateur guidelines for a long time (even to a point of banning players who had previously received remuneration for playing, and even in other sports - pro runners etc). This was gradually whittled away as the various metropolitan leagues started folding and then pretty much wiped out completely when SAFA folded at the end of 1995, as there was no "semi-professional" alternative for many of those clubs to go to.

[afc9798]

On to tips for this weekend with a couple of good games expected with Noarlunga vs M/Vale and Edwardstown vs Brighton.
Both should be really good contests, especially if Towns get back up again after a disappointment before the break.

Aldinga vs Vikings - Vikings by 135
Cove vs Morphies - Roos by 45
E'town vs Brighton - Brighton by 18
Hackham vs Flaggies - Flaggies by 70
Marion vs Christies - Christies by 100
Noarlunga vs M/Vale - tipping an upset, Emus by 8
Porties vs OSB - Porties by 160

[HardenUp]

Aldinga vs Vikings - Vikings by a kick.....after the siren to make the margin 300
Cove vs Morphies - Roos by 10-20
E'town vs Brighton - Towns by 30+
Hackham vs Flaggies - Flaggies by 20-30
Marion vs Christies - Christies by 70-80
Noarlunga vs M/Vale - Shoes too old for the Vale - M/Vale by 20-30
Porties vs OSB - Porties by 60-70

[barry footynut]

Aldinga vs Vikings - Valley 210 points
Cove vs Morphies - Cove 3 points
E'town vs Brighton - Brighton 21 points
Hackham vs Flaggies - Hackhem 5 points
Marion vs Christies - Christies 100 points
Noarlunga vs M/Vale - Vale 11 points
Porties vs OSB - porties 50 points

[Keyser Soze]

Vikings to kick 50 goals, Sharks in disarray no Harmen, Jackson or Ellis will be a massive blowout!!
Morphies in a close one but rumour has it $$$ are already running low at Rooland!
Towns to bounce back against Brookman/Brighton....
Hawks to take massive step and upset Falcons in a close one
Saints to kick away after half time and win easily against Rams
Shoes getting back to full strength and a must win against Emus in game of the round!
Porties way too strong....

[Dutchy]

Draw at Flaggies after a goal on the siren

[MatteeG]

Draw at Flaggies after a goal on the siren

Who got the goal on siren Dutchman?