HFL Division 1 (Central)

[Elmer J Thudpucker]

What happens if the A grade is knocked out before the B grade? Can players who played in the B grade finals but played majority of A grade through the year still play B's?

By-laws are as follows:
17. QUALIFICATION FOR FINALS
17.1. No senior player shall be qualified to play in any finals round in any current season, unless they shall have played at least four (4) of that club’s matches on four (4) separate weekends.
17.2. A junior player will be eligible to play finals in their age group providing they have played at least four (4) of that club’s matches on four (4) separate weekends.
17.3. Any player to qualify for a Grade final below the highest grade in their Club must play the majority of their games for that Grade.
17.4. In the event of more than one grade playing in the finals on the same weekend, any player not selected in the 21 of the highest grade they qualify for, shall be eligible in a grade one below the grade they are qualified for.
17.5. No one of the twenty one players who were selected to play in the last match of the season (including finals) played by the Club in the higher grade, shall be eligible to play for such lower grade should it still be playing in the final round of matches and that no player shall be permitted to play in any grade more than one (1) level below that in which they played their last senior match for the Club.
17.5.1. A deviation from this rule necessitated through injury or illness only may be dealt with by the Permit Committee.
17.6. Any ‘C’ Grade player to qualify for ‘C’ Grade finals must play one third of the Home and Away games of the current ‘C’ Grade season matches to the nearest whole number including the last minor round game.
17.7. At all times if there is any doubt permission must be obtained from the Chairperson of the Permit Committee.

[Rubber Chest]

What happened in the A & B grade at Lobethal today? Updates?

[FairDinkum]

A fast, strong confident Demons over a tiring Blackwood, the Woods didn't have the same pressure on as when they played us, however Echunga looked pretty good, but the game was probably closer than it looked.
The B's, a disappointing Tigers to a Lions team that looked like they had just won the flag, amazing celebrations for an A2 Elimination final, on another not the Tigers have not been in the finals in the A2 Grade for many many years, so it was a first step and good to be back in the September action, also for us having the U15's playing finals is good and keeps that grade regularly playing in finals pressure, can't do anything but help them in the future.

[Lake]

Ive heard that the finals venues have been changed because Barker are now playing in the A's on Sunday. The venues are now Barker on Sat and Balhannah on Sun and then the Prelim at Echunga the following weekend.
Can anyone confirm this?

[Legs Man]

Yes that is correct.

And if Echunga make the prelim it will be changed again.

If this occurs Echunga wont get a final this year I would suspect - which is a bewildering decision regarding a good facility being available.

original fixtures:
Lobey v Uraidla @ Echunga on Sat
Echunga v Mounts @ Balhannah on Sun

Can someone explain why Mt Barker playing on a Sunday equate to them having a final now on the Sat instead of Echunga?

[citycoaster17]

Ive heard that the finals venues have been changed because Barker are now playing in the A's on Sunday. The venues are now Barker on Sat and Balhannah on Sun and then the Prelim at Echunga the following weekend.
Can anyone confirm this?

[daysofourlives]

From an outsider looking in this league's board never ceases to amaze with their logical thinking

So Euchunga were meant to have a final and do all the planning around that only to be told a week before they dont have it anymore and on the other hand Mt Barker now have one week to organize hosting a final.

Pure genius.

Hope Euchunga win the flag and make a mockery of the relegation system

[Lake]

I guess the HFL are assuming that Mt Barker are going to be playing in the A grade prelim.
Seems a bit ridiculous that Mt Barker are getting a final, from what I have heard their oval isn't looking too flash!

[Legs Man]

Think yourself lucky Lake that Uraidla are getting the home changerooms.

Presumption with no logical thinking by the HFL - never!!!

There was no need to change this weekends venues - and if Mt Barker are in the prelim then change that weekends venue to a neutral ground.

[Lake]

I completely agree LM. I was looking forward to getting out to Echunga and watching the boys play, I haven't been there this year but all the talk is that the oval is looking great! Much rather see a game of footy on a nice green deck than the dirt of Mt Barker.

[Legs Man]

Echunga oval is looking fantastic!

Without sounding too biased - it would be a real pity if it isn't used as a finals venue - particularly as it may be the last chance the Central clubs have to play on it.

[Yellow & Black]

Gees, the HFL have made a few blunders. In hindsight the original oval allocation for finals would've worked perfectly....

If Echunga wins this weekend (which I hope they do) and miss out on a final, will that add more fuel to the fire and perhaps be the knockout blow? Are you guys exploring other options for 2015?

[Legs Man]

No options I am aware of - except for a comp restructure.

KInda unfair to have a Central Semi Finalist playing the lower Country div sides next year - for them that is.

Just cant understand why the HFL has changed the finals venues when they were OK as is?

My understanding is that change is actioned when required - not when it's a maybe.

Anyone on the forum know why this has taken place - or am I missing something again?

Any report back from the Mail Medal would also be good on the forum as I am waiting to hear how proud the HFL is of their achievements this season.

[always there]

The original oval delegation was for Lobethal to host the first semi on the Sunday and the second semi to be at echunga on the Saturday and last Sundays elimination was to be at mt barker. But the board in their wisdom assumed that Lobethal would loose and then hence be playing in the first semi on the Sunday (Lobethal oval) so they swapped the Lobethal and mt barker grounds games.. Of course that backfired and Lobethal was to play in the Saturday and mt barker in the Sunday so they had to swap the mt barker and echunga oval games. Now of course echunga and mt barker
are playing on Sunday next week and as the A grade can not play on their home ground this has caused a problem. Had they left it as it was there would not have been a problem. They should leave the prelim at balhannah because if echunga win on Sunday they can not play on their home ground and there are not many decent ovals left to allocate for the prelim so please don't tell me they will put the prelim at mt Torrens. Difficult all round.

[Elmer J Thudpucker]

The original oval delegation was for Lobethal to host the first semi on the Sunday and the second semi to be at echunga on the Saturday and last Sundays elimination was to be at mt barker. But the board in their wisdom assumed that Lobethal would loose and then hence be playing in the first semi on the Sunday (Lobethal oval) so they swapped the Lobethal and mt barker grounds games.. Of course that backfired and Lobethal was to play in the Saturday and mt barker in the Sunday so they had to swap the mt barker and echunga oval games. Now of course echunga and mt barker
are playing on Sunday next week and as the A grade can not play on their home ground this has caused a problem. Had they left it as it was there would not have been a problem. They should leave the prelim at balhannah because if echunga win on Sunday they can not play on their home ground and there are not many decent ovals left to allocate for the prelim so please don't tell me they will put the prelim at mt Torrens. Difficult all round.

Of course, the Callington Oval (the best playing surface in Central) is also available. After successfully hosting the 2013 Preliminary Final, the HFL in its wisdom decided not to give Bridgewater/Callington a final in 2014 (despite the fact that clubs such as Hahndorf, Onkas and Uraidla haven't missed out in years).

[jumbo20]

The biggest day is obviously the GF where each year it seems a club not only makes a pile of coin but potentially has an advantage.If it is at Hahndorf this year isn't that a huge advantage for their junior sides who are likely to get in.

Why wouldn't we do a Southern League and have the GF at an independent ground such as Unley Oval with clubs able to have catering booths around the oval.Yes the fence issue will come up, but I reckon a huge crowd would attend and no home game advantage.

Surely worth discussing?

[cricketlad]

The original oval delegation was for Lobethal to host the first semi on the Sunday and the second semi to be at echunga on the Saturday and last Sundays elimination was to be at mt barker. But the board in their wisdom assumed that Lobethal would loose and then hence be playing in the first semi on the Sunday (Lobethal oval) so they swapped the Lobethal and mt barker grounds games.. Of course that backfired and Lobethal was to play in the Saturday and mt barker in the Sunday so they had to swap the mt barker and echunga oval games. Now of course echunga and mt barker
are playing on Sunday next week and as the A grade can not play on their home ground this has caused a problem. Had they left it as it was there would not have been a problem. They should leave the prelim at balhannah because if echunga win on Sunday they can not play on their home ground and there are not many decent ovals left to allocate for the prelim so please don't tell me they will put the prelim at mt Torrens. Difficult all round.

Of course, the Callington Oval (the best playing surface in Central) is also available. After successfully hosting the 2013 Preliminary Final, the HFL in its wisdom decided not to give Bridgewater/Callington a final in 2014 (despite the fact that clubs such as Hahndorf, Onkas and Uraidla haven't missed out in years).

You need to do some research Elmer. Uraidla didn't have a final played there last year. Re the Callington issue, ya a good surface, wouldn't say it's the best surface either. Very hard deck atm. No doubt one of the better ovals to play on but the facilities at the oval are horrid. You need to go check the changerooms and the toilets the players have to use. They are well below par.

[Elmer J Thudpucker]

You need to do some research Elmer. Uraidla didn't have a final played there last year. Re the Callington issue, ya a good surface, wouldn't say it's the best surface either. Very hard deck atm. No doubt one of the better ovals to play on but the facilities at the oval are horrid. You need to go check the changerooms and the toilets the players have to use. They are well below par.

Correct, Uraidla missed out last year (for the first time in memory) - luckily it didn't put a dent in the A grade player budget !!

But why are Hahndorf having their 3rd Grand Final in 5 years? If it is to be played at Hahndorf, then why not let a clubs such as Ironbank or TV (who cant host finals) the opportunity to run a BBQ on the outer wing - just share the love a little bit.

[Rubber Chest]

You need to do some research Elmer. Uraidla didn't have a final played there last year. Re the Callington issue, ya a good surface, wouldn't say it's the best surface either. Very hard deck atm. No doubt one of the better ovals to play on but the facilities at the oval are horrid. You need to go check the changerooms and the toilets the players have to use. They are well below par.

Correct, Uraidla missed out last year (for the first time in memory) - luckily it didn't put a dent in the A grade player budget !!

But why are Hahndorf having their 3rd Grand Final in 5 years? If it is to be played at Hahndorf, then why not let a clubs such as Ironbank or TV (who cant host finals) the opportunity to run a BBQ on the outer wing - just share the love a little bit.

Hahndorf is easily the best venue to watch finals and the surface is in great condition. The only issue is the car parking. Remember parking miles away a few years ago.

[Rubber Chest]

The original oval delegation was for Lobethal to host the first semi on the Sunday and the second semi to be at echunga on the Saturday and last Sundays elimination was to be at mt barker. But the board in their wisdom assumed that Lobethal would loose and then hence be playing in the first semi on the Sunday (Lobethal oval) so they swapped the Lobethal and mt barker grounds games.. Of course that backfired and Lobethal was to play in the Saturday and mt barker in the Sunday so they had to swap the mt barker and echunga oval games. Now of course echunga and mt barker
are playing on Sunday next week and as the A grade can not play on their home ground this has caused a problem. Had they left it as it was there would not have been a problem. They should leave the prelim at balhannah because if echunga win on Sunday they can not play on their home ground and there are not many decent ovals left to allocate for the prelim so please don't tell me they will put the prelim at mt Torrens. Difficult all round.

Of course, the Callington Oval (the best playing surface in Central) is also available. After successfully hosting the 2013 Preliminary Final, the HFL in its wisdom decided not to give Bridgewater/Callington a final in 2014 (despite the fact that clubs such as Hahndorf, Onkas and Uraidla haven't missed out in years).

Callington is rock hard, definitely wouldn't want to play a prelim there, massive advantage to the team going straight through to the GF in all grades.