Southern Football League

[Cheese Twisties]

Now people, this is just a talking point and a discussion question for this lazy Friday afternoon after having lunch at the pub - but would Hackham and Lonsdale ever consent to some kind of merger? Now before you bombard me with abuse this is my reasoning:

- Both clubs senior results struggling at the moment
- Both sides struggling to fill B grade senior teams (Hackham now taking players from their U18's who have to forfeit games)
- Lonsdale have no juniors, Hackham does have juniors (a merger would mean more senior players so 18s could continue developing in the colts rather than being forced to play seniors)
- Hackham have one of the better ovals IMO, and whilst while lonsdale still have their lease, their current oval and facilities arent all that flash and who knows whats gonna happen when the school does close and get torn down

Really dont mean to knock anyones hard work at these two clubs, and i know no-one wants to merge, but its just a thought?

[cyclops]

Now people, this is just a talking point and a discussion question for this lazy Friday afternoon after having lunch at the pub - but would Hackham and Lonsdale ever consent to some kind of merger? Now before you bombard me with abuse this is my reasoning:

- Both clubs senior results struggling at the moment
- Both sides struggling to fill B grade senior teams (Hackham now taking players from their U18's who have to forfeit games)
- Lonsdale have no juniors, Hackham does have juniors (a merger would mean more senior players so 18s could continue developing in the colts rather than being forced to play seniors)
- Hackham have one of the better ovals IMO, and whilst while lonsdale still have their lease, their current oval and facilities arent all that flash and who knows whats gonna happen when the school does close and get torn down

Really dont mean to knock anyones hard work at these two clubs, and i know no-one wants to merge, but its just a thought?

I agree totally twisty.A few people just may have to swallow a bit of pride and start thinkn about the long term.My worry is if sumfn like this dosnt happen sooner than later then these clubs wont be round at all.I really hope im wrong.Clubs like hawks and sullys have alot of tradition but so did Fitzroy.Smell the roses people!!!

[AFLflyer]

sounds like a ripper idea on paper. Londsdale would have clubrooms, and share one of the best ovals in the competition. This would draw more supporters, players etc!

somehow I think a bit of pride would get in the way. Where would you start with a move like this, unfortunatley it just wouldn't happen.

[Zelezny Chucks]

Let me ask you this. Would mixing Chicken Twisties with your beloved Cheese Twisties leave a bad taste in your mouth CT?

[cyclops]

sounds like a ripper idea on paper. Londsdale would have clubrooms, and share one of the best ovals in the competition. This would draw more supporters, players etc!

somehow I think a bit of pride would get in the way. Where would you start with a move like this, unfortunatley it just wouldn't happen.

So do you agree in that case the end is inevitable unfortunately.

[AFLflyer]

interesting to hear what the lions and hawks on here would think of this, imm sure they wouldnt support it!

[Waterboy]

interesting to hear what the lions and hawks on here would think of this, imm sure they wouldnt support it!

I would think with the school closing and the possible relaxation of some of the restrictions on Lonsdale that they'd want to see what they can do on their own before looking at another merger.

[Cheese Twisties]

Let me ask you this. Would mixing Chicken Twisties with your beloved Cheese Twisties leave a bad taste in your mouth CT?

Zelezny Chucks perhaps you should merge with Bosshog, as you are both struggling for supporters and you share a common theme of utterly mystifying comments

[bass_player]

Yes the Lions seniors are struggling this year due to injuries but they did make the finals the previous 3 years. Why now is it that they should merge with Hackham? If thats your logic then Hackham should have merged with Aldinga, Morphy Parks or maybe even Marion in previous years. Sure we don't have the greatest facilities in the league but we have an oval, we have club rooms and change rooms (even if they are the schools). One bad season shouldn't condemn a club to a merger.

[rodney fox]

Yes the Lions seniors are struggling this year due to injuries but they did make the finals the previous 3 years. Why now is it that they should merge with Hackham? If thats your logic then Hackham should have merged with Aldinga, Morphy Parks or maybe even Marion in previous years. Sure we don't have the greatest facilities in the league but we have an oval, we have club rooms and change rooms (even if they are the schools). One bad season shouldn't condemn a club to a merger.

Agreed Bass Player, but I reckon Ct has a propelling arguement, looks great on paper(screen).

Go the Roaring Hawks!!!!

[Fair Play]

Yes the Lions seniors are struggling this year due to injuries but they did make the finals the previous 3 years. Why now is it that they should merge with Hackham? If thats your logic then Hackham should have merged with Aldinga, Morphy Parks or maybe even Marion in previous years. Sure we don't have the greatest facilities in the league but we have an oval, we have club rooms and change rooms (even if they are the schools). One bad season shouldn't condemn a club to a merger.

Agreed Bass Player, but I reckon Ct has a propelling arguement, looks great on paper(screen).

Go the Roaring Hawks!!!![/quote]

Gold!!!

[cyclops]

Yes the Lions seniors are struggling this year due to injuries but they did make the finals the previous 3 years. Why now is it that they should merge with Hackham? If thats your logic then Hackham should have merged with Aldinga, Morphy Parks or maybe even Marion in previous years. Sure we don't have the greatest facilities in the league but we have an oval, we have club rooms and change rooms (even if they are the schools). One bad season shouldn't condemn a club to a merger.

Mate if youre sayn the future of lions n hawks is gona be ok then i rekn thats awesome.no one wants any clubs finishn,just thoughts to keep clubs going.

[MatteeG]

Still sucks that the council kicked Sullies footy club out of Galloway Road, prompting the merger with Mawson....South Adelaide Soccer Club bites the big one.

If Lonsdale and Hackham merged would they have OSBLHFC on the back of the guernsey?

[Bag The Points]

Yes the Lions seniors are struggling this year due to injuries but they did make the finals the previous 3 years. Why now is it that they should merge with Hackham? If thats your logic then Hackham should have merged with Aldinga, Morphy Parks or maybe even Marion in previous years. Sure we don't have the greatest facilities in the league but we have an oval, we have club rooms and change rooms (even if they are the schools). One bad season shouldn't condemn a club to a merger.

Agreed Bass Player, but I reckon Ct has a propelling arguement, looks great on paper(screen).

Go the Roaring Hawks!!!!

Gotta be the Grizzly Roaring Hawks !!!!
Don't forget the old Mawson Bears were part of this

[Bag The Points]

On a serious note, I can't see a merger working over an extended period of time if the areas involved are sprinkled unevenly. I may have an old-fashioned view, but I believe clubs need a District to represent if they are going to last, so surely mergers should be between neighbours.
The OSB/Lonsdale Alliance looks OK because they were adjacent. If the Lions then joined with Christies, that should certainly work.
This leaves Hackham in a real tough hole though. Morphett Vale or Noarlunga look their only realistic possibilities, and I can't see either of those agreeing to a marraige with the Hawks any time soon.

[O'KNOWLEDGABLE ONE]

To me I think both Hackham and Lonsdale need to make a decision as they either risk totally losing the representation of their club/s or Ensure the club has a future and one which two clubs can be proud of & continue their tradition (even though merged). Pretty piss poor the coach walked out I feel, you surely would not of taken the job expecting to make finals would you!! Lonsdale & Hackham would work, as stated in good previous post it would immediately make the clubs competitive (across the board). One less club is no issue surely as you have more than enough teams(& not enough to split into two divisions). Hackham has a good ovel and complex - Lonsdale has a resonable A grade and poor facilities. They are not that far away from each other & for the benefit of competition and seeing two proud clubs continue I hope they are looking at their options with purpose!!! Go the Rams tommorrow & I look forward to catching up with all the old Marion Helmets!!!!! GO THE SAINTS!!!!!!!!!

[Courtney Fish]

If the bottom teams merge every year there wouldn't be much of a comp left. Were you calling for a Aldinga Hawks merge the last few years. Or you just think a bye would be good. Haven't the Lions played finals the last few years. A lot can happen in a year as a few teams are showing this year.

[brother noompsy 11]

Pretty convincing win for Port last Saturday --- makes eight in a row for them.
What happened to your blokes Mattee ? Down 13 to 4 at three-quarter time in a pretty vital match. Was this your worst game for the year, or were Port that good ?

Extremely disappointing game for flaggies BTP- the first quarter I thought we did OK, holding Ports to 2.4 or so with a strong breeze, then got smashed in the second quarter, where Porties kicked 5 goals into the breeze. 8.8 to 1.1 at half time, game over.

Porties played pretty well, but Flaggies played poorly in the second, bombing with the breeze to the loose Porties players.. Late goals in the last 1/4 nothing but consolation as the sting had well and truly gone by then. Tough when an ex flaggy player burns you too! (Mannion 7 goals). Umpiring was substandard but didnt effect the outcome. Good fun bagging umpire "McLaren"....

Probably the poorest I have seen our blokes play this year- maybe they were sore after the Morphies game? Who knows, but they must bounce back this week.

Umpiring was substandard but didnt effect the outcome. Best thing about the day was the Stones Green Ginger Wine, which is saying something.

Observer was that some of Porties best footy for a while?

i think that it wasnt the best footy from porties n 2 say that flaggies were sore from the week b4 was yeah anyway ....porties played good but dont think theyve played to there potentional lot of young blood,hard to develop young mentality to senior mentality in a few games of footy.

[brother noompsy 11]

well done smishy shHHHHHH lishshshshshp

[lion heart]

Settle down boys im not going to take it to heart but it's a bit early to be calling for merger talks for the lions i think. One bad year in the seniors (after 3 consecutive finals) does not condemn us to merging and we are working on our junior programme.

Hard work is being put in with the sub juniors and we field full teams in 2/3's and 4/5's and results have been very good. We field a 6/7's team which is not full meaning we borrow players each week and we are quite hopeful of u14's next year. Progress is being made but it was always going to be a gradual process in rebuilding our juniors. Hopefully Lions can field a full deck of teams in the next 3/4 years as these juniors flow into the higher grades.

A club is not all about facilities its about the people within the club and we enjoy ourselves socially and are true mates off the ground.The school closing could mean possible fencing off of the oval and a grant for changerooms etc. We are unsure what will happen but we are certainly exploring our options and waiting for answers.

It is time for everyone (including myself) to put in the hard yards and grow the club into something special that we know it can be. Past premiership players and life members of both O Sullivan Beach and Lonsdale - Mawson need a place to relive their past glories and hopefully celebrate future successes.

The lions are going to need some strong leadership and a lot of hard work from its members over the next few years to make something happen. It time to put up or be shut down.....Sitting on our hands will almost definately mean the death of our club and i for one dont want to let our past or future die.