SA Footy

Reduced season means less revenue for the clubs though? a lot of fixed costs wont change, will there be reduced affiliation fees?

Im sure Walkerville would be thrilled to play in 2 straight grand finals, just to get relegated to D5

Footy Chick wrote:Im sure Walkerville would be thrilled to play in 2 straight grand finals, just to get relegated to D5

It’s not a relegation, it’s a restructuring.

Still think people put far too much weight on promotion/relegation.

8 team Divs is a good move; and the Divs all look so much more competitive.

Footy Chick wrote:Im sure Walkerville would be thrilled to play in 2 straight grand finals, just to get relegated to D5

There are going to be clubs who get their ego’s hurt by dropping a grade but it looks the more logical option personally. I actually see the benefits long term on sustaining more volunteers and administrators by dropping back to 14 minor round matches and giving the lifeblood of clubs a longer break at the end of the season.

The division a club in is really just a number

Doesn't change the way you approach or enjoy a Saturday in the slightest


If you are hung up about status you're still the 30th highest ranked club in the league regardless if you're in D3 or D4

jo172 wrote:The division a club in is really just a number

Doesn't change the way you approach or enjoy a Saturday in the slightest


If you are hung up about status you're still the 30th highest ranked club in the league regardless if you're in D3 or D4

It can affect sponsorship and recruiting players though which is important to point out. Being in D1/2 you probably don’t really see that all too much, however it definitely comes in to play down the grades. I still think the positives out weigh the negatives of the 8 team comp but that’s just my own opinion.

jo172 wrote:The division a club in is really just a number

Doesn't change the way you approach or enjoy a Saturday in the slightest


If you are hung up about status you're still the 30th highest ranked club in the league regardless if you're in D3 or D4

....but, it might change the narrative on whether a Div 6 team could beat a D1R team

jo172 wrote:The division a club in is really just a number

Doesn't change the way you approach or enjoy a Saturday in the slightest


If you are hung up about status you're still the 30th highest ranked club in the league regardless if you're in D3 or D4

Says the guy from the D1 club

I think the big issue that no one has mentioned yet is "what are other leagues going to do". It appears the AdFL has become more a league of choice for metro based players who can earn some coin in recent years. But could that be undone if the HFL, GSFL & BLGFL decide to carry on as per normal next season. And based on some of the decisions a couple of those leagues have made in recent years it makes you wonder whether they have the capacity to think outside the square. Whether that's foolha du time will tell but in November this year a player will likely have the blinkers on when weighing up staying in the AdFL. Also, how will the SANFL and SANFL clubs feel about a 14 game AdFL season. I suspect the SANFL will program 18 matches and do away with state game and split rounds initially just so they have the spare weeks if needed.

This is why I think Option 2 is a stronger option if you are to decide on 8 team divisions. If we're lucky enough to get through 2022 with no or limited Covid interruptions then the option that has the scope to play those 3 extra rounds makes sense. But the league and clubs will also look like geniuses if the drop back to 14 games is required which option 2 allows for.

scottroo wrote:I may be the odd one out but a shortened season sounds amazing. I’d be looking at that full time

I'm with you on this, the only real down side I see is there will be less 300/400 game milestones, you could reach 300 in your 17th season with a good run of injury previously, now it would be in your 22nd at best.

On the upside, at least the league has allowed a 7 week consultation period for clubs to ask all these questions.

The Bedge wrote:On the upside, at least the league has allowed a 7 week consultation period for clubs to ask all these questions.

More premiership cups to be handed out.

Them divisions that scottroo posted look brilliant, the best thing from what I envisage is that there will be a lot less drubbings, div 3 looks to be a ripper.

Lightning McQueen wrote:

The Bedge wrote:On the upside, at least the league has allowed a 7 week consultation period for clubs to ask all these questions.

More premiership cups to be handed out.

Them divisions that scottroo posted look brilliant, the best thing from what I envisage is that there will be a lot less drubbings, div 3 looks to be a ripper.

Prior to Scottoo posting, i had drafted up similiar except i promoted the premier. Reality is whilst the number changes, most the grades look very much the same - in fact the new D5 would be all sides in D4 this year minus the premier and wooden spoon side.

Other positives are those sides who are perpetually stuck in the middle of the ladder or missing finals - 8 teams, top 5 suddenly chances of finals is greatly increased.

The Bedge wrote:Prior to Scottoo posting, i had drafted up similiar except i promoted the premier. Reality is whilst the number changes, most the grades look very much the same - in fact the new D5 would be all sides in D4 this year minus the premier and wooden spoon side.

Other positives are those sides who are perpetually stuck in the middle of the ladder or missing finals - 8 teams, top 5 suddenly chances of finals is greatly increased.

I'd go with top 4.

jo172 wrote:The division a club in is really just a number

Doesn't change the way you approach or enjoy a Saturday in the slightest


If you are hung up about status you're still the 30th highest ranked club in the league regardless if you're in D3 or D4

I'm sure Div 1 clubs never use the number of the division they're in to lure new recruits either

Maybe we can rename the Divs for 2022 to lessen the blow..?
Premier, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7

.

Why is option 2 to play 17 rounds in 8 team divisions. Means 4 teams have 9 home games while 4 teams only have 8.

Would having regional divisions be an option. E.g. have
Div 1
Div 2
Div 3
Div 4 North
Div 4 South
Div 5 North
Div 5 South
Etc
Would save some lower grade travels

cracka wrote:Why is option 2 to play 17 rounds in 8 team divisions. Means 4 teams have 9 home games while 4 teams only have 8.

Hardly a deal breaker lol... but if this stretched beyond next year, then I guess the league would prob flip it the following season i.e. teams have 17 home games in a 2yr period?

The Bedge wrote:

cracka wrote:Why is option 2 to play 17 rounds in 8 team divisions. Means 4 teams have 9 home games while 4 teams only have 8.

Hardly a deal breaker lol... but if this stretched beyond next year, then I guess the league would prob flip it the following season i.e. teams have 17 home games in a 2yr period?

But with promotion & relegation there's no guarantee that 4 teams in each div will have had 9 home games the previous year & 4 would have only had 8