HFL Division 1 (Central)

[Gervais]

On the Lofty saga : It's not the price of 3 flags . Before Lofty spent money on recruits their club was struggling in both A and B grade but had strong juniors , which now have fallen away . The spend gave the club great success , which is no different to what nearly all other clubs have done.
Unfortunately without cash clubs don't survive central division.

Is it just me or do others find it strange you get relegated on a club championship style system but only need the A grade to win in country to get promoted ?

of course, if you relegated based on the performance of the a grade, then it would still be the devils going down as they finished bottom.

[One Club Player]

On another note, just heard whispers of a big name appointment as coach of Ironbank for next season...... should be a lot of coverage on Triple M for the Thunderers & will be entertaining for the entire league!

No doubt will bring a lot of coverage to the league .. good appointment by the thunderers

Just got wind too. Thought he had a SANFL gig with all the vacancies. Obviously not

i have my doubts that this could be true. if it is, ironbank must have more money than sense, cause he wouldnt be cheap and would have to give up his weekend radio work. as i said, sounds a bit far fetched.

Yeah appoint a legend of SA football with AFL experience who has coached in the SANFL and WAFL and has a huge media profile........makes no sense at all

[the wonder elephant]

[

Yeah appoint a legend of SA football with AFL experience who has coached in the SANFL and WAFL and has a huge media profile........makes no sense at all [/quote][/quote]
Can confirm the appointment of Jars ... will be great for the thunderers and also the HFL will bring plenty to the table I would think .... Don't think the club would be paying anymore compared to what they paid lads pretty tight fisted around there .. Any way grest work to the people behind the scenes .. job well done

[jumbo20]

Will that open up recruit possibilities for Ironbank or what will be there strategy?

[Afterthesiren]

Mt Lofty will definitely request an 11 team comp or a change to the rules to suit their situation. If the HFL buckle to those demands it will show a massive sign of weakness at the helm. The HFL were the laughing stock of the leagues when the same thing occurred with Birdwood 3 years ago. I'd like to see the HFL stand by their By-Laws for a change and enforce the rules. Weak or strong HFL? Show us that you've got a pair.

[has been]

Well done to the Thunderers to land a Legend of the game here in SA. What the great man will bring to the club and competition should not be understated. He has a passion and great desire for grass roots footy and will be fantastic for the club. Don't presume a recruiting blitz as it just does not happen that way any more and I know the club backers won't support that. I believe a few have been told to go already - bring on 2014. Believe Rudi Mandamaker is coming as well as his assistant and a few other footy people as well. Credit to Chris Ladhams in the way he has handled himself.

[cracka]

Mt Lofty will definitely request an 11 team comp or a change to the rules to suit their situation. If the HFL buckle to those demands it will show a massive sign of weakness at the helm. The HFL were the laughing stock of the leagues when the same thing occurred with Birdwood 3 years ago. I'd like to see the HFL stand by their By-Laws for a change and enforce the rules. Weak or strong HFL? Show us that you've got a pair.

Just remember it is the clubs that have the vote to change anything, not the HFL Board.
It's amazing how many leagues are the laughing stock of football. I reckon I've seen that statement made on other forums as well.

[Afterthesiren]

Mt Lofty will definitely request an 11 team comp or a change to the rules to suit their situation. If the HFL buckle to those demands it will show a massive sign of weakness at the helm. The HFL were the laughing stock of the leagues when the same thing occurred with Birdwood 3 years ago. I'd like to see the HFL stand by their By-Laws for a change and enforce the rules. Weak or strong HFL? Show us that you've got a pair.

Just remember it is the clubs that have the vote to change anything, not the HFL Board.
It's amazing how many leagues are the laughing stock of football. I reckon I've seen that statement made on other forums as well.

The Clubs shouldn't have to vote on anything. The rules are the rules and we should all abide by them. Nothing more to be said really. Echunga up Mt Lofty down as the rule states. End of story. Making an 11 team comp in Central will cripple Country Div even more. Or changing the rules so Echunga have to wait another year is unfair for Echunga and for the team that gets relegated next season when it should be Mt Lofty this season. Sounds like people like to change rules to look after themselves. Birdwood went down, Ironbank went down and came back up before that. If it's good enough for them then it's good enough for the ego loaded Mt Lofty too. Time to swallow humble pie.

[cracka]

Mt Lofty will definitely request an 11 team comp or a change to the rules to suit their situation. If the HFL buckle to those demands it will show a massive sign of weakness at the helm. The HFL were the laughing stock of the leagues when the same thing occurred with Birdwood 3 years ago. I'd like to see the HFL stand by their By-Laws for a change and enforce the rules. Weak or strong HFL? Show us that you've got a pair.

Just remember it is the clubs that have the vote to change anything, not the HFL Board.
It's amazing how many leagues are the laughing stock of football. I reckon I've seen that statement made on other forums as well.

The Clubs shouldn't have to vote on anything. The rules are the rules and we should all abide by them. Nothing more to be said really. Echunga up Mt Lofty down as the rule states. End of story. Making an 11 team comp in Central will cripple Country Div even more. Or changing the rules so Echunga have to wait another year is unfair for Echunga and for the team that gets relegated next season when it should be Mt Lofty this season. Sounds like people like to change rules to look after themselves. Birdwood went down, Ironbank went down and came back up before that. If it's good enough for them then it's good enough for the ego loaded Mt Lofty too. Time to swallow humble pie.

I was more replying to your line "If the HFL buckle to those demands it will show a massive sign of weakness at the helm"
You seem to have a beef with either Mt Lofty or the HFL or both, out of curiosity which club are you with.
By the way I'm not disagreeing with you about Mt Lofty having to go to Country Div.
Also what happened 3 years ago with Birdwood to make the HFL the laughing stock. I thought it was just as the rules state with Torrens Valley to Central Div & Birdwood to Country. Birdwood were not happy about it & made their case as any club would, but the HFL stood by the rules then & made them swap.

[backdoor]

I thought to be promoted you have to have all 5 teams? Surely the fact that Echunga currently do not have all 5 teams should mean that they do not qualify to even be considered yet!

[supercoach]

Lofty surely have to go. Rules are rules. To now want to change them back because it does not suit is laughable. Echunga earns the right to go up so it is pretty simple. All the lofty kids that don't want to play country can tell mum and dad to take them to ironbank now that Andrew Jarman is running the show. What kid would not want to be around that !!! Bridgey is another option as well. Hopefully the rules remain for the integrity of the league.

[Champ]

I thought to be promoted you have to have all 5 teams? Surely the fact that Echunga currently do not have all 5 teams should mean that they do not qualify to even be considered yet!

I heard they were buying an under 13's side and flying them in from Melbourne each week.

[cracka]

I thought to be promoted you have to have all 5 teams? Surely the fact that Echunga currently do not have all 5 teams should mean that they do not qualify to even be considered yet!

Apparently it's not the case. Only have to have A, B, S/C & J/C in central div. U13's are not compulsory so I've heard.

[cracka]

Lofty surely have to go. Rules are rules. To now want to change them back because it does not suit is laughable. Echunga earns the right to go up so it is pretty simple. All the lofty kids that don't want to play country can tell mum and dad to take them to ironbank now that Andrew Jarman is running the show. What kid would not want to be around that !!! Bridgey is another option as well. Hopefully the rules remain for the integrity of the league.

You guys should also get a few.

[rock]

Bumped into some Mt Lofty boys today and they have been told an under the table deal with the HFL has been done so that they remain in Central Division. The HFL has advised Mt Lofty they will intervene and that their position is safe in Central. Interesting as I thought the Clubs that make up the HFL would decide what rules are bent . Sounds like the HFL is pretty bent to me, something smells of corruption.

[Banker]

Maybe the Mt Lofty hierarchy are trying to install some confidence into the playing group so they don't walk out?

[FairDinkum]

Unlikely any under the table deals by the HFL, their hamstrung because the clubs will make the decision, mt lofty have to be doing the back room deals right now and stitching up their support with other clubs to vote in their favour, HFL will be powerless when the clubs vote.

[ball magnet]

Isn't there a lot of emotional trash going on ... Mt Lofty down, Echunga virtually up at this stage, that's the simple equation ... time for Devils to take the medicine from a situation which has arisen, drop down, recruit strongly and get the job done as far as at least reaching 2014 Country A-grade grand final ... then apply for promotion and be back in the Central fold for 2015. A flag is a flag if you are good enough, no matter what competition and perhaps if some results are blown out next season, no blame for Mt Lofty, just doing what they have to get back up ... take it as a year in exile Devils and place someone else in the Central hot seat for relegation ... maybe we could see the implementation of regular promotion and relegation as per Amateur League, and not just a hit and miss HFL process at the moment ... case of wrong place at wrong time for Mt Lofty ... they have faced and overcome bigger adversity than this ... proud of the past, confident of the future, so the challenge has been set. However, up to HFL to find a suitable competition for the juniors ... isn't that the league creed about fostering football ... not destroying it. Lofty losing juniors will certainly have blood on the hands of the wise heads at HFL house.
Anyway, Cambrai is a nice spot in July they reckon????

[Champ]

Isn't there a lot of emotional trash going on ... Mt Lofty down, Echunga virtually up at this stage, that's the simple equation ... time for Devils to take the medicine from a situation which has arisen, drop down, recruit strongly and get the job done as far as at least reaching 2014 Country A-grade grand final ... then apply for promotion and be back in the Central fold for 2015. A flag is a flag if you are good enough, no matter what competition and perhaps if some results are blown out next season, no blame for Mt Lofty, just doing what they have to get back up ... take it as a year in exile Devils and place someone else in the Central hot seat for relegation ... maybe we could see the implementation of regular promotion and relegation as per Amateur League, and not just a hit and miss HFL process at the moment ... case of wrong place at wrong time for Mt Lofty ... they have faced and overcome bigger adversity than this ... proud of the past, confident of the future, so the challenge has been set. However, up to HFL to find a suitable competition for the juniors ... isn't that the league creed about fostering football ... not destroying it. Lofty losing juniors will certainly have blood on the hands of the wise heads at HFL house.
Anyway, Cambrai is a nice spot in July they reckon????

Great post, simple equation.
Lets not forget that Lofty were in the same position in 2012 when rumours arose that Echunga were making an application for central. By that theory they've had two seasons to turn it around on the club championship poll.
I for one have no problem with constant promotion/relegation between the two, it keeps rivalries alive, new competition and places and importance on not only winning the GF but also ensuring you're mangaing your entire club to not come bottom.
Let's not forget, if Echunga don't have all their eggs in one basket then they could be the side that drops down at the end of 2014 when the Devils perhaps lodge their application.
I believe as per the paper that one of the driving reasons for Echunga applying to go up is not for senior success for the future of the clubs juniors - thats something that should be applauded.
As for lofty losing juniors etc well then welcome to the same thing that country clubs are subject to annually and let it be a lesson to the other central division clubs who cast votes primarily based on the central division rather than Hills Football! Poor Lofty - nah! I say good on Echunga!

[flanker]

No one's having a go at Echunga, good on them for wanting to take the step up I reckon!

Could create an interesting time now that we have at least 11 teams wanting to play in the top tier and that regular promotion/relegation could be a possibility. Will certainly make for exciting and also nervous times for the clubs near the bottom! Then there's also Nairne & Birdwood who have been Div 1 clubs and would be considered as among the biggest country clubs, wonder if they would be keen to step up if they won the right?