HFL Division 1 (Central)

[cracka]

Yes, the make up of the HFL needs looking at but this needs to be done methodically and in good time so decision are made for the better of all clubs not just Mt Lofty.

Unfortunately this cannot happen. There is no way anything can be done for the better of all clubs, what's good for 1 club will not be good for another, there will always be at least 1 club (but probably more) unhappy with whatever is done. To just do something for the betterment of the league as a whole will mean some clubs are affected in the wrong way even to the point of extinction.

[the wonder elephant]

I agree with a lot of you post, but that last line ruined the whole thing. not to mention contradicting a lot of your post. If Echunga had chosen to apply for central div in 2011 I am sure the same problem would have come up, just with a different club.
Mt Lofty are in a very tough position, go down a div and risk losing all their juniors or fight to stay up. I think what they are doing is fine. Whether it works or not is yet to be decided but you cant blame them for trying. I just hope that if their requested is denied by the other clubs they swallow their medicine. if they are as strong as they think they are it will be a one season issue, which should make juniors issue minimal. So they lose a few players, they will come back when they come back up, if not they obviously didn't want to be there anyway.

On a slightly different note can someone explain how the voting works, could it be that the 10 central teams vote for it and the 9 country teams vote against it, does that mean it gets passed or does it need to be an overwhelming majority??

Not sure how the voting works mate but I for one would think not all central teams would be voting yes and I would think most if not all country teams would be voting no for the better of the comp ... cant see this getting over the line ... bring on Monday

[The Gimp]

Yes, the make up of the HFL needs looking at but this needs to be done methodically and in good time so decision are made for the better of all clubs not just Mt Lofty.

Unfortunately this cannot happen. There is no way anything can be done for the better of all clubs, what's good for 1 club will not be good for another, there will always be at least 1 club (but probably more) unhappy with whatever is done. To just do something for the betterment of the league as a whole will mean some clubs are affected in the wrong way even to the point of extinction.

To me, this is the root of all the problems in the HFL. When a change needs to happen to better the league as a whole, the decision should be made by the board, not the clubs for the exact reason you mentioned. Unfortunately the clubs only look at what is best for their own club in the present (and short term future) and not the long term future of the League. So if the clubs aren't looking at what is best for the League, then who is? The Board should be. The Board must have the power (and the balls) to make decisions for the betterment of the League. This power must be taken away from the clubs because they are only looking after their members (as they should).

I think we should be looking at the reason of why do Echunga want to leave div 2? Why don't Lofty want to go to div 2? And why did Birdwood not want to go back to div 2? This is where the problem lies because div 2 is currently a basket case in both seniors and juniors. The competitiveness of the seniors has improved over the last year or 2 but the inability of the Board to do something about Callington really hurt the senior competition. The juniors is still not working properly due to too many clubs not having enough teams.
If div 2 clubs can't field enough juniors, then increase the age groups for the grades? U18's, U15's and U12's - a three year age group for all grades - I don't understand the argument that div 2 has to be the same as div 1.
To compete in div 2 each club must have 2 of these 3 teams otherwise they can play C grade or find another comp or merge with a club that is struggling as well.
Once div 2 is in a healthier state, then the proposition of coming down from div 1 isn't "club ending" and we could have the possibility of set promotion/relegation every year without too much hassle.
But until div 2 is fixed, we're going to continue to have the "Echunga's" wanting to get out of it and the "Mt Lofty/Birdwood's" not wanting to go into it.

[RAMS]

Yes, the make up of the HFL needs looking at but this needs to be done methodically and in good time so decision are made for the better of all clubs not just Mt Lofty.

Unfortunately this cannot happen. There is no way anything can be done for the better of all clubs, what's good for 1 club will not be good for another, there will always be at least 1 club (but probably more) unhappy with whatever is done. To just do something for the betterment of the league as a whole will mean some clubs are affected in the wrong way even to the point of extinction.

To me, this is the root of all the problems in the HFL. When a change needs to happen to better the league as a whole, the decision should be made by the board, not the clubs for the exact reason you mentioned. Unfortunately the clubs only look at what is best for their own club in the present (and short term future) and not the long term future of the League. So if the clubs aren't looking at what is best for the League, then who is? The Board should be. The Board must have the power (and the balls) to make decisions for the betterment of the League. This power must be taken away from the clubs because they are only looking after their members (as they should).

I think we should be looking at the reason of why do Echunga want to leave div 2? Why don't Lofty want to go to div 2? And why did Birdwood not want to go back to div 2? This is where the problem lies because div 2 is currently a basket case in both seniors and juniors. The competitiveness of the seniors has improved over the last year or 2 but the inability of the Board to do something about Callington really hurt the senior competition. The juniors is still not working properly due to too many clubs not having enough teams.
If div 2 clubs can't field enough juniors, then increase the age groups for the grades? U18's, U15's and U12's - a three year age group for all grades - I don't understand the argument that div 2 has to be the same as div 1.
To compete in div 2 each club must have 2 of these 3 teams otherwise they can play C grade or find another comp or merge with a club that is struggling as well.
Once div 2 is in a healthier state, then the proposition of coming down from div 1 isn't "club ending" and we could have the possibility of set promotion/relegation every year without too much hassle.
But until div 2 is fixed, we're going to continue to have the "Echunga's" wanting to get out of it and the "Mt Lofty/Birdwood's" not wanting to go into it.

Some very good points and I tend to agree, Country Division must be fixed otherwise this issue is going to continue every time a club wants to be promoted. Can't see how you can have different age groups for each division, doing this will cause other problems and will never allow a promotion/relegation system to work.

[Champ]

Echunga hve been raising concerns regarding the country division for two years; this has falled on deaf ears and seemingly they felt nothing had changed. Echunga's move to Central is seemingly 100% due to the same reasons Lofty don't want to go to Country.

Remove all clubs names and quite simply tonight's vote is to commence shaping competition like the SFL.

Also heard a whisper that Sedan are being turfed to C'Grade as they have not filled their quota of having two under age colts teams which was an agreement they were required to meet within 3 years of entering the HFL.
Will anyone fight tooth and nail and debate to support Sedan? Should they be relegated to C'Grade and Gumeracha stay up? Will the league simply overlook Sedan's relegation to avoid a 7 team country division - this would mean three clubs gone in 24 months so if that's not writing on the wall then I'm baffled.

Personally I think that the HFL should adopt the SAAFL promo/relegation and GET ON WITH IT. This way if you finish premiers you go up and if you finish bottom you go down; done! If the club who finished prmiers electes not to go up then the runner up gets the offer, if neither take it then the relgated club gets a free pass. The fairest and most equitable way to do things IMO.

[Armytank]

Echunga hve been raising concerns regarding the country division for two years; this has falled on deaf ears and seemingly they felt nothing had changed. Echunga's move to Central is seemingly 100% due to the same reasons Lofty don't want to go to Country.

Remove all clubs names and quite simply tonight's vote is to commence shaping competition like the SFL.

Also heard a whisper that Sedan are being turfed to C'Grade as they have not filled their quota of having two under age colts teams which was an agreement they were required to meet within 3 years of entering the HFL.
Will anyone fight tooth and nail and debate to support Sedan? Should they be relegated to C'Grade and Gumeracha stay up? Will the league simply overlook Sedan's relegation to avoid a 7 team country division - this would mean three clubs gone in 24 months so if that's not writing on the wall then I'm baffled.

Personally I think that the HFL should adopt the SAAFL promo/relegation and GET ON WITH IT. This way if you finish premiers you go up and if you finish bottom you go down; done! If the club who finished prmiers electes not to go up then the runner up gets the offer, if neither take it then the relgated club gets a free pass. The fairest and most equitable way to do things IMO.

Exactly right, across the whole post.

Promotion and relegation can only improve the standard of the Country div.

[Afterthesiren]

Mt Lofty's facebook page recently states "under no circumstances are we going to be dictated to". Well it's not really dictating when there are a set of rules to abide by which were agreed upon by all clubs including themselves. They also state they may not get a clear answer at tonight's meeting regarding possible relegation and may have to wait until December's AGM. Really, I thought it was pretty clear cut and simple. The clubs vote tonight and the answer is there in black & white. Sounds like Mt Lofty will try and drag this through the mud as long as they can if they don't get their way.

[Armytank]

So Mt Lofty won't be dictated to hey? Not even by the majority of clubs in the HFL.

Pure arrogance

[Look Good In Leather]

Mt Lofty's facebook page recently states "under no circumstances are we going to be dictated to". Well it's not really dictating when there are a set of rules to abide by which were agreed upon by all clubs including themselves. They also state they may not get a clear answer at tonight's meeting regarding possible relegation and may have to wait until December's AGM. Really, I thought it was pretty clear cut and simple. The clubs vote tonight and the answer is there in black & white. Sounds like Mt Lofty will try and drag this through the mud as long as they can if they don't get their way.

They are fighting for survival, would you just roll over if everything you have worked for as a club was at risk?

[cracka]

If the HFL were to adopt automatic promotion/relegation then they would have to remove the rule that central div clubs have to have S/C & J/C teams.

[Armytank]

That is not true at all.

Take Kersbrook, win the flag one year, can't field a 17's team the next year, no promotion. Bottom in central get a reprieve that year. Pretty simple.

[cracka]

That is not true at all.

Take Kersbrook, win the flag one year, can't field a 17's team the next year, no promotion. Bottom in central get a reprieve that year. Pretty simple.

Your point actually backs up what I said. You cant have AUTOMATIC promotion unless you remove the rule that central div has to field all teams.

[cracka]

Echunga hve been raising concerns regarding the country division for two years; this has falled on deaf ears and seemingly they felt nothing had changed. Echunga's move to Central is seemingly 100% due to the same reasons Lofty don't want to go to Country.

Remove all clubs names and quite simply tonight's vote is to commence shaping competition like the SFL.

Also heard a whisper that Sedan are being turfed to C'Grade as they have not filled their quota of having two under age colts teams which was an agreement they were required to meet within 3 years of entering the HFL.
Will anyone fight tooth and nail and debate to support Sedan? Should they be relegated to C'Grade and Gumeracha stay up? Will the league simply overlook Sedan's relegation to avoid a 7 team country division - this would mean three clubs gone in 24 months so if that's not writing on the wall then I'm baffled.

Personally I think that the HFL should adopt the SAAFL promo/relegation and GET ON WITH IT. This way if you finish premiers you go up and if you finish bottom you go down; done! If the club who finished prmiers electes not to go up then the runner up gets the offer, if neither take it then the relgated club gets a free pass. The fairest and most equitable way to do things IMO.

I think that's what we have now.

[Armytank]

BUT YET, HERE WE ARE......

[Afterthesiren]

Mt Lofty's facebook page recently states "under no circumstances are we going to be dictated to". Well it's not really dictating when there are a set of rules to abide by which were agreed upon by all clubs including themselves. They also state they may not get a clear answer at tonight's meeting regarding possible relegation and may have to wait until December's AGM. Really, I thought it was pretty clear cut and simple. The clubs vote tonight and the answer is there in black & white. Sounds like Mt Lofty will try and drag this through the mud as long as they can if they don't get their way.

They are fighting for survival, would you just roll over if everything you have worked for as a club was at risk?

Worked for? Mt Lofty are facing relegation due to bad management when they decided to pay out ridiculous amounts of money to players to obtain 3 premierships not so long ago. The fallout from that almost forced them to shut their doors. And we are all supposed to feel sorry for them, give me a break. Ironbank went down and came back up complying with the rules of that time. The Devils need to swallow their pride and do the same.

[Dutchy]

[rock]

It's all to late for that crap I think. Mt Lofty officially relegated at tonight's SGM I'm told.
Their bid for amendment changes so they could remain in Central was defeated 14 - 6.
Next topic please

[Dutchy]

Move Mt Lofty discussion to the SFL board?

[Afterthesiren]

Quite interesting viewing though. I like how they bang on about developing local talent and still mention their 3 A grade premierships which was purchased by imports and mercaneries that almost forced the club to close it's doors. It's amazing they all keep a straight face in the video. Enjoy Country Div you Mountain Goats.

[Afterthesiren]

Move Mt Lofty discussion to the SFL board?

Too late Dutchy, nominations had to be in by Oct 31st. Maybe 2015.