Southern Football League

[Swooper16]

Too hard to predict at this stage.

Looking at this seasons form guide Cove would be favourites but their record in finals is anything but impressive.
Morphies proven track record - probably have the most depth and the 2 latest additions to A grade seem to be settling in nicely.
Brighton gathering momentum - not sure if they have beaten anyone above them yet? Think that will change very shortly. Havent seen them recently but they seem to be lacking a key forward??
Valleys = on wins with Emus this year. Not sure if they have had all their guns on the park at once this year yet either....
Reynella havent shown anything thus far that they will be a serious contender in 08. if they can get a good win over a top 4 side before finals then they might gather momentum but its looking inreasingly unlikely.

[AFLflyer]

Too hard to predict at this stage.

Looking at this seasons form guide Cove would be favourites but their record in finals is anything but impressive.
Morphies proven track record - probably have the most depth and the 2 latest additions to A grade seem to be settling in nicely.
Brighton gathering momentum - not sure if they have beaten anyone above them yet? Think that will change very shortly. Havent seen them recently but they seem to be lacking a key forward??
Valleys = on wins with Emus this year. Not sure if they have had all their guns on the park at once this year yet either....
Reynella havent shown anything thus far that they will be a serious contender in 08. if they can get a good win over a top 4 side before finals then they might gather momentum but its looking inreasingly unlikely.

that is a fair assessmnet. Cove and MV the front runners with Brighton then valleys close behind, it will make for an interesting finals series. Lets hope SOMEONE knocks the emu's off their perch!

[Down the Hill]

Il say the wineys by a couple

Ill go Brighton by 48-60 points and also the flag!

I was away when we beat your mob Shoe Boy, but we must have done something to get you very excited about the Bombers. I must admit the boys have been super impressive over the last 9 weeks and not just relying on our top 6 or 7 players to get the job done. Actually have a few more injuries than this time last year but getting better coverage from younger guys who are into their 2nd or 3rd year of Senior Footy. More pressure for spots as well with our B grade having only lost one game.

We may not have a 6 goal a game forward Swooper but we are the only club who has 4 players on 30 or more goals and have conceded less points than any other club.

[sportsfan]

Should be a very interesting 4 weeks leading into finals, Cove have ports, fly's, bombers & emu's on the run home. Dunno how it will rub off on the guys. In a way it's good to be playing in games with finals like pressure, but on the other hand, they are quite bruising encounters. On another note.... Saw M Size being helped off the ground on saturday with what looked like a knee or ankle injury. I Didn't train last night but imagine he will be out for at least a couple if not more.

[efc]

if my memory serves me correctly, Reynella have played Brighton and Happy Valley once this year.

And beaten both of them . Not much more they can do than that against them. Write them off at your peril, it is a marathon not a sprint

[sportsfan]

Totally agree efc, the top 6 all play differently against each other, with the emu's being the exception in years past. But valley seem to play well against them, but brighton usually have it over valley. Lets hope this years finals live up to their potential.

[cyclops]

Yas are rite,valley do seem to play well against emus,just not in finals which is were it matters most.We have flogged them in the last cupla finals in which we have played.

[Young Gun36]

I'm with you cyclops, Valleys have no chance, just have a look at how close Aldinga came to beating them at their last encounter, I think Morphy's and Valley's in a final will prove just how crap valleys are at playing football and winning under pressure

[Courtney Fish]

Last I checked, Brighton is considered a Southern Suburb and quite entitled to be in a league called the Southern Football League. I know we bag the SFL admin at times but the league can boast the best Junior set up going around, at least for the clubs flush with juniors.

I know you are flushed with juniors and a few others are, but really the best junior set up is a bit rich. Letting some clubs have 3 sides in one grade and others struggle for numbers is a joke. Will the SFL be happy in a few years when the whole junior comp is between 5 or six clubs with multiple sides that whinge about travelling to 2 different grounds to play. I thought a good set up would have been all clubs have one side each and they all play at the one ground although the 18's would be hard when they start working, chase girls etc. There are 3 sides short in Saturdays 16's and 14's and 5 extra in these grades on Sundays. With the bottom team in each Sunday comp having 1 win between them, will these guys stay around being flogged each week while clubmates are winning.There are only so many kids in the southern area. Maybe some kind of cap on numbers would lead to an even comp. I am sure writing the programme for juniors would be a nightmare.

[Young Gun36]

Last I checked, Brighton is considered a Southern Suburb and quite entitled to be in a league called the Southern Football League. I know we bag the SFL admin at times but the league can boast the best Junior set up going around, at least for the clubs flush with juniors.

I know you are flushed with juniors and a few others are, but really the best junior set up is a bit rich. Letting some clubs have 3 sides in one grade and others struggle for numbers is a joke. Will the SFL be happy in a few years when the whole junior comp is between 5 or six clubs with multiple sides that whinge about travelling to 2 different grounds to play. I thought a good set up would have been all clubs have one side each and they all play at the one ground although the 18's would be hard when they start working, chase girls etc. There are 3 sides short in Saturdays 16's and 14's and 5 extra in these grades on Sundays. With the bottom team in each Sunday comp having 1 win between them, will these guys stay around being flogged each week while clubmates are winning.There are only so many kids in the southern area. Maybe some kind of cap on numbers would lead to an even comp. I am sure writing the programme for juniors would be a nightmare.

I like the way you think CF, I want to see all kids enjoy football no matter what ability they have, we are at the grass roots and we need to support all future players

[vics01]

CF, I suppose you get out of life what you put in the clubs that are flush with juniors seem to be the clubs that put huge amounts of time in to developing and nurturing their juniors. What do you propose setting a limit of 30 per grade then telling any kid over that to go to another club? A case of sorry Jonny you can't play at Brighton you have to go to marion or morphies. You cant play at cove you have to goto to Lonsdale. I am sure many parents would not be pleased about having that choice made for them. Also on the point of the so called second sides being flogged if this happens in a club, what do you think the so called successful clubs would do if forced to select 30 kids. They would pick the best 30 and send the rest away to other struggloing clubs where they would get flogged in another jumper or worse lost to football because they wanted to play with mates at a successful club.

[Specky McGee]

No doubt that Cove and Morphett Vale deserve equal favourtism at this point. Cove people may think they deserve outright favourtism but finals footy is played on grounds alot bigger than Cobra Park and I reckon their structure may not work as well. Happy Valley have been a sleeper no doubt. They don't kick the big scores but keep getting the job done. Brighton's true test comes in the next 4 weeks with the return of our "draw from hell", Reynella, Morphett Vale, Cove and finish off with Happy Valley. We'll then see how accurate Shoe Boy's assessment is.

Not much gets said about Tony Francis on this forum but he is a quality coach and bloke who places a strong emphasis on speed and fitness and being prepared to take a risk with a kid. We often joke about the Bombers being the "chardonnay set" but most of the senior lads work in blue collar jobs with a work ethic that transfers onto the footy field. The chardonnay and lattes are the domain of the supporters like me and Hot Dogs.

How untrue DTH as long as I have been around Flagies are the chardonnay set. As for draw from hell I beleive it to be great run into the finals. As for Tony you get what you pay for? is it true he is about 20k per year.

So if Flaggies are the Chardonnay set, Shoe Boy, what are Noarlunga known as?

I'd suggest the Woodstocks, because that would be just about the best drop you guys have down there in Feralville!!

[shoe boy]

CF, I suppose you get out of life what you put in the clubs that are flush with juniors seem to be the clubs that put huge amounts of time in to developing and nurturing their juniors. What do you propose setting a limit of 30 per grade then telling any kid over that to go to another club? A case of sorry Jonny you can't play at Brighton you have to go to marion or morphies. You cant play at cove you have to goto to Lonsdale. I am sure many parents would not be pleased about having that choice made for them. Also on the point of the so called second sides being flogged if this happens in a club, what do you think the so called successful clubs would do if forced to select 30 kids. They would pick the best 30 and send the rest away to other struggloing clubs where they would get flogged in another jumper or worse lost to football because they wanted to play with mates at a successful club.

Could not of said it better VIC

[the wonder elephant]

hey shoe boy lookout 4 a couple of new faces on the track tonight both looking 4 a kick in the 2s both are also ex morphys juniors 1 of the a good 6ft 6 ruckman does jack smedley still coach the 2s down there mate ?

[spanner]

CF, I suppose you get out of life what you put in the clubs that are flush with juniors seem to be the clubs that put huge amounts of time in to developing and nurturing their juniors. What do you propose setting a limit of 30 per grade then telling any kid over that to go to another club? A case of sorry Jonny you can't play at Brighton you have to go to marion or morphies. You cant play at cove you have to goto to Lonsdale. I am sure many parents would not be pleased about having that choice made for them. Also on the point of the so called second sides being flogged if this happens in a club, what do you think the so called successful clubs would do if forced to select 30 kids. They would pick the best 30 and send the rest away to other struggloing clubs where they would get flogged in another jumper or worse lost to football because they wanted to play with mates at a successful club.

Could not of said it better VIC

Well said you will lose more kids who can not play with mates and who can not play for the club they support.

[shoe boy]

hey shoe boy lookout 4 a couple of new faces on the track tonight both looking 4 a kick in the 2s both are also ex morphys juniors 1 of the a good 6ft 6 ruckman does jack smedley still coach the 2s down there mate ?

Yes Jack is still coaching the 2's,Great lad and a pleasure to have him and family at the Shoe. These boy's training tonight,are they more of the GUN family. HOW MANY IS THERE (all great lads and very hard at it??)

[the wonder elephant]

hey shoe boy lookout 4 a couple of new faces on the track tonight both looking 4 a kick in the 2s both are also ex morphys juniors 1 of the a good 6ft 6 ruckman does jack smedley still coach the 2s down there mate ?

Yes Jack is still coaching the 2's,Great lad and a pleasure to have him and family at the Shoe. These boy's training tonight,are they more of the GUN family. HOW MANY IS THERE (all great lads and very hard at it??)

nah mate not the gunns there are heaps of them tho these 2 i know through work and were quite handy juniors in there day both around 20 now and havnt played 4 a few years 1 a ruckman the other a tall wingman type player ....tell jack the wonder elephant says hello will ya mate

[UpTheShoes]

Shoes boy, has Dan Gunn come back yet? The fella can kick a mean left foot 50 metre goal

[shoe boy]

Shoes boy, has Dan Gunn come back yet? The fella can kick a mean left foot 50 metre goal

No Dan not playing but gets around the club and helps Jack. Also a great lad

[Down the Hill]

Last I checked, Brighton is considered a Southern Suburb and quite entitled to be in a league called the Southern Football League. I know we bag the SFL admin at times but the league can boast the best Junior set up going around, at least for the clubs flush with juniors.

I know you are flushed with juniors and a few others are, but really the best junior set up is a bit rich. Letting some clubs have 3 sides in one grade and others struggle for numbers is a joke. Will the SFL be happy in a few years when the whole junior comp is between 5 or six clubs with multiple sides that whinge about travelling to 2 different grounds to play. I thought a good set up would have been all clubs have one side each and they all play at the one ground although the 18's would be hard when they start working, chase girls etc. There are 3 sides short in Saturdays 16's and 14's and 5 extra in these grades on Sundays. With the bottom team in each Sunday comp having 1 win between them, will these guys stay around being flogged each week while clubmates are winning.There are only so many kids in the southern area. Maybe some kind of cap on numbers would lead to an even comp. I am sure writing the programme for juniors would be a nightmare.

Point taken CF but Vics01 and Shoe Boy are also correct. With SANFL not having the profile these days, you ask some of these kids who they support outsdie the AFL and they will say Brighton, Morphett Vale etc. Whether they get a game or not, they will still follow their club and will not be interested in playing elsewhere. So as a club we have to do our best to give them a game and that is why we strive for the extra teams rather than lose the kid to hanging around the streets and becoming a nuisance to society. Your comments about the Sunday juniors is wrong, Other than MV in the Under 14's and the dominance of Brighton in the Under 16, most of these games have been very competitive. Have a close look at the ladders and percentage to see just how even many of the teams are. I would say 80% of these lads would not play elsewhere in the SFL if these clubs were not allowed the option of extra teams.

The reality is that the demographic of the South has changed alot in the last 15 years and several clubs have lost schools and kids from their areas. Should the people from some of the clubs struggling with attracting players consider joining forces and forming a new club at Woodcroft for example. This is a massive suburb these days with a big school in Woodcroft Coll. with all the kids playing at Reynella or MV. If there was a Woodcroft FC then maybe the next generation may be keen to play for them and even out the distribution of juniors.

Shoe Boy, I'll gladly have a Woodstock with you next time our teams meet.