HFL Division 1 (Central)

[Yoda]

well boys, i hear that callington change rooms are the worst going around. good luck to the teams playing out there this week

[Rooster]

If this forum is a 'fair' reflection of players and supporters, then I think it's fair to say that the decision to use Birdwood is a dead set joke. No-one on here has said otherwise. I hope the game gets a good ammount of spectators for a good atmos, but there's a fair chance that some people will be a bit "ah, stuff it. That's too far".
TSO - you're right, the line must be drawn somewhere. If Lofty was too muddy, and Lobey's surface not up-to-scratch, why the hell should Birdwood's velodrome be acceptable as a finals venue?

whinge whinge whinge whinge whinge. honestly Lofty get over it.

as for visitors change rooms, have mt.lofty had a look at the tiny little cubicle they offer visiting teams recently?

[Justquietly]

Hey Rooster - complaints have come from everywhere about your velodrome, not just Lofty.
Teams that make the finals should be rewarded with at least a decent surface.
Of course you're pumped with it...sit at the bottom in most grades and get the A grade final on this 'rotation' system.

[dangermouse]

Forgive my ignorance but can anyone tell me why higher ranked teams in Hills League finals don't get a home final? I think it is only fair that Lofty have a bit of a whinge about playing at Birdwood, or any neutral ground, as they finished three games and 15 odd % better than Blackwood and the only advantage they get this week because of this is they get a door on their changerooms and Blackwood don't. Onkas as well deserve a home final. It is (or at least use to be) the case in A1 Amatuers that the higher ranked team play's home finals except the Grandy which is at Adelaide Oval. Does any other league follow this much more fair system?

[The Crumber]

well boys, i hear that callington change rooms are the worst going around. good luck to the teams playing out there this week

Yoda, I respect your opinion mate but I've experienced all changerooms in Country Div and some in Central. Cally's rooms would rate at around the halfway mark in Country. Showers work and rooms are clean, nothing there or not there which anyone would object to. Both teams this week will be grateful for the playing surface as a priority I reckon. Clean as a whistle, not dry or boggy. Big ground, good weather predicted, should be a good day!

[FlyingHigh]

DM, disagree with set home finals in country leagues, has to be shared around between the clubs.
Most country leagues seem to work on a rotation regardless of who is playing in the finals, so there are sometimes home finals and home GF's just through the luck of the draw. Doesn't seem to be a problem for most.
For example, Yorke Peninsula, with nine teams and a final five, have a simple rotation where, over time, you host Elim, Qual, No Final, 1st S, 2nd S, No Final, Prelim, GF, No Final.
Know this is slightly problematic with teams going up and down divisions, but shouldn't be too hard to overcome.
Have played on Birdwood, think some people are being a bit precious. It is supposed to be country footy after all.

[The Indian]

Great call flying high,. I'd give an arm or leg to be playing finals footy, no matter where the oval is. Hope we dont hear exuses come monday about Birdwood's oval being the reason teams lost. Both sides have to deal with. See you all up at windy Hill Sunday. Go Thunderers

[on the outside]

If this forum is a 'fair' reflection of players and supporters, then I think it's fair to say that the decision to use Birdwood is a dead set joke. No-one on here has said otherwise. I hope the game gets a good ammount of spectators for a good atmos, but there's a fair chance that some people will be a bit "ah, stuff it. That's too far".
TSO - you're right, the line must be drawn somewhere. If Lofty was too muddy, and Lobey's surface not up-to-scratch, why the hell should Birdwood's velodrome be acceptable as a finals venue?

whinge whinge whinge whinge whinge. honestly Lofty get over it.

as for visitors change rooms, have mt.lofty had a look at the tiny little cubicle they offer visiting teams recently?

at least the lofty changerooms have a door on them unlike your crappy rooms rooster. honestly what club cant design a proper changeroom with 2 doors and a set of showers and toilets for both clubs. worst ground, changerooms and furthest place to travel in the hills, the club hasnt won a game, someone explain how on earth this club hosts a final??? does not make sense. how is this an advantage to clubs who finish top of the ladder and make finals and get rewarded by getting to travel out to the shit town of birdwood to play on the worst ground and facilities in the comp! the hfl makes some strange decisions sometimes

[FlyingHigh]

And they'll get the extra money to help upgrade their facilities if finals are always played at only a handful of venues?

"All the way out to Birdwood"? Central Div teams only have to travel half way across the hills, not fully north or south like the Country teams.

And no, I've never had an affiliation with Birdwood, apart from trying to get a kick against them.

[alice the camel]

at least the lofty changerooms have a door on them unlike your crappy rooms rooster. honestly what club cant design a proper changeroom with 2 doors and a set of showers and toilets for both clubs. worst ground, changerooms and furthest place to travel in the hills, the club hasnt won a game, someone explain how on earth this club hosts a final??? does not make sense. how is this an advantage to clubs who finish top of the ladder and make finals and get rewarded by getting to travel out to the s***t town of birdwood to play on the worst ground and facilities in the comp! the hfl makes some strange decisions sometimes[/quote]

Hope you're not from Lofty, I/B or Bridgey, Einstein, what with the magnificent conditions visiting teams have had to endure there for years!

[Jailbird]

I thought you guys would have worked it out by now. The HFL only gives clubs that have good parking available matches because it is the only time they get direct gate takings. If they give it to the smaller grounds then they will lose out on the extras that dont come like wives, girlfriends etc., that usually wouldn't attend. If only players go then they miss out on $6 by maybe a couple of hundred extras.
They may seem dumb but they are working it to their advantage.

I am pretty sure that there is a 'roster' between the clubs that usually means at least one final at each club over two years approx, dependent on condition of the oval. IB and Shanty are the only exception where they work in conjunction with other clubs so that they provide food and bar products and take a share of around 90% of the till. (to pay for hire, electricity etc)

Doesn't matter what the oval and facilities are like, if you don't play you can't win! Stop whinging about the HFL's decision, you aren't going to change it, no matter how good your club is.

Alaska - FYI, Mt Ronnie is coming up a treat, still I don't expect a final this year.

[GetTheSherrin]

dont agree with home finals to the higher ranked sides but do think the finals should go to the best ovals in the league. if they want to share it around, then share the takings. surely birdwood couldve received the takings from a uris final. it is a bit stupid expecting a side im the finals to be addressed by their coach without even a door to keep it secret..

[Cougar]

And they'll get the extra money to help upgrade their facilities if finals are always played at only a handful of venues?

"All the way out to Birdwood"? Central Div teams only have to travel half way across the hills, not fully north or south like the Country teams.

And no, I've never had an affiliation with Birdwood, apart from trying to get a kick against them.

Agreed! Some of these precious Central Div Supporters don't know anything about traveling for a game of Footy. Try going from Kersbrook to Milang before having a cry. Waikerie and Renmark play each other at least 3 times a year. And agreed with previous post on the shape of Birdwood Oval, it's HILLS Football, get over it! I've played on a velodrome, run up hills at Mt.Lofty, Gumeracha, Blackwood and Ironbank, as well as swim at Bridgewater. If anyone wants to whinge about a Club's facilities or Oval, it would be to anyone who played on the Old Kersbrook Oval, as that was as bad as it got. To those that are having a cry about Birdwood's Oval, as the Great Chopper would say, 'Harden the F**k Up!'

[Justquietly]

It's FINALS, Cougar!
If it was for a good oval, there wouldn't be complaints about travelling, or if it were a minor round.
Teams that finish high/in the finals in general SHOULD be rewarded with one of the better surfaces.
It's not about hardening up!

[Cougar]

It's FINALS, Cougar!
If it was for a good oval, there wouldn't be complaints about travelling, or if it were a minor round.
Teams that finish high/in the finals in general SHOULD be rewarded with one of the better surfaces.
It's not about hardening up!

Agreed if the Surface is Crap i.e. No grass or just a Mud Heap but with our recent weather I wouldn't imagine so. If the Oval is in good nick (regardless of shape) and there are 4 posts at either end, then I would suggest get use to the uniqueness of Hills Ovals, or go join Amateur League.

[Yoda]

crumber, ok fair call mate. maybe a bit harsh but the size and the old seats in the away rooms make it even smaller, oval great no problems with that. as for blackwood they really need a kick in the a** for those little dog box change rooms. bring on the finalsboys cant wait to watch some good footy in both divs, good luck to all

[Rooster]

And they'll get the extra money to help upgrade their facilities if finals are always played at only a handful of venues?

"All the way out to Birdwood"? Central Div teams only have to travel half way across the hills, not fully north or south like the Country teams.

And no, I've never had an affiliation with Birdwood, apart from trying to get a kick against them.

Agreed! Some of these precious Central Div Supporters don't know anything about traveling for a game of Footy. Try going from Kersbrook to Milang before having a cry. Waikerie and Renmark play each other at least 3 times a year. And agreed with previous post on the shape of Birdwood Oval, it's HILLS Football, get over it! I've played on a velodrome, run up hills at Mt.Lofty, Gumeracha, Blackwood and Ironbank, as well as swim at Bridgewater. If anyone wants to whinge about a Club's facilities or Oval, it would be to anyone who played on the Old Kersbrook Oval, as that was as bad as it got. To those that are having a cry about Birdwood's Oval, as the Great Chopper would say, 'Harden the F**k Up!'

well said cougar... its nice that a birdwood and kersbrook supporter can find something to agree on! and the surface is in fine nick, no pot holes, covered in grass, no mud.
just deal with the situation lofty, win your game (or lose) and move on.

[dangermouse]

Just to clarify, I personally couldn't give a rats arse where Lofty play this week, be it at Birdwood, Bridgewater or Bute. I was just wondering why it is that the second and fourth placed teams enjoy no advantage whatsoever over their third and fifth placed opponent when they meet in the finals. If there is some sort of reward built in for the higher ranked team (like a greater percent of the gate revenue etc) then I obviously stand corrected and would like to hear it. I only mentioned the Lofty v Blackwood game as an example as lofty finished with a much better record than Blackwood yet enjoy no finals advantage over them except the changeroom door. Home finals in A1 Amatuers always had an awesome atmosphere when I played in em. Just an opinion.

[Cougar]

Just to clarify, I personally couldn't give a rats arse where Lofty play this week, be it at Birdwood, Bridgewater or Bute. I was just wondering why it is that the second and fourth placed teams enjoy no advantage whatsoever over their third and fifth placed opponent when they meet in the finals. If there is some sort of reward built in for the higher ranked team (like a greater percent of the gate revenue etc) then I obviously stand corrected and would like to hear it. I only mentioned the Lofty v Blackwood game as an example as lofty finished with a much better record than Blackwood yet enjoy no finals advantage over them except the changeroom door. Home finals in A1 Amatuers always had an awesome atmosphere when I played in em. Just an opinion.

Been part of the Hills Football League Constitution for a long while now, that the 'A' grade Finals are played at neutral venues. Am aware that the Amatuers and other Country Leagues have different Finals Philosophies with all having their pros and cons. The Hills League will hand out the Minor Finals to all HFL Clubs providing the SURFACE is up to scratch, but will only hand out GFs to those Ovals that are in good nick, and provide plenty of parking for the biggest game of the year.

[Tanka]

Can we please change the topic..... I have never heard so many people who have the opportunity to play finals football complain about the surface or conditions of the changerooms!!!! FFS grow up and get out and enjoy the fact that you can play in a finals series and possibly move on to play in a GF!! Hope you never have to play in MUD in the finals or what about HAIL..... would that put you off too!!! It is going to be a great day weather wise for a game of finals footy anywhere. Get over it!!

As for tips..... If GTS and JQ and their mates are OK after such a long days drive to the Velodrome and are able to cope with the third world changerooms for the required 45mins that they need to get ready, I think Lofty should account for the Woods by about 6 goals.

In the other final at the wonderful Windy Hill with the large expanse of their opposition changerooms I think it will be too close to call with confidence, but I will go with the Bankers to win by 2 over an underachieving Onkas.