BDAFL 2015

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$40 a game thats pretty rubbish, surely some players are receiving more generous payment. There is some fairly strong players in the league past AFL/NEAFL/VFL players. But what do people think about the standard of the league (Black Diamond Cup/Premier Division) i see the newcastle rugby league 1st grade is very strong along with the npl soccer, how does the bdafl rank up against all these and other leagues such as AFL Sydney, Riverina etc.

First and foremost there isn't the budget to pay.
No clubs have a sponsor that throws bulk $$$ at the club to start with. So the budget would be coaches and perhaps playing assistant coaches. After you pay the comp fees, trainers, equipment, awards there's normally nothing left. Thankfully the region has never run off player payments and it'd be better if it stayed that way.

A club would need crowds similar to the BDAFL grand final day every week and a good sponsorship to create revenue for decent player payments.

I would have though Killarney Vale would be in the strongest position with their previous associations with Mingara. Any poker machine haven is always cashed up to the max. Not likely Bryce Singleton went there for free so they may have at one stage had flexibility in their player/coach budget.

Re the standard. The best 30 players are of high standard but you can still be an average footy player and get a gig in first grade. Times are changing for the better the depth is improving but it's still not an aussie rules region. The ex AFL/VFL types you speak of play simply due to geography or they've come home.

The important thing is the numbers keep swelling. Aussies rules is getting stronger. The last 5 years have been significant. Within the next 5 rugby league within the hunter region will feel the affects. The ultimate would be to get a senior and womens club in Kurri or Cessnock.
 
First and foremost there isn't the budget to pay.
No clubs have a sponsor that throws bulk $$$ at the club to start with. So the budget would be coaches and perhaps playing assistant coaches. After you pay the comp fees, trainers, equipment, awards there's normally nothing left. Thankfully the region has never run off player payments and it'd be better if it stayed that way.

A club would need crowds similar to the BDAFL grand final day every week and a good sponsorship to create revenue for decent player payments.

I would have though Killarney Vale would be in the strongest position with their previous associations with Mingara. Any poker machine haven is always cashed up to the max. Not likely Bryce Singleton went there for free so they may have at one stage had flexibility in their player/coach budget.

Re the standard. The best 30 players are of high standard but you can still be an average footy player and get a gig in first grade. Times are changing for the better the depth is improving but it's still not an aussie rules region. The ex AFL/VFL types you speak of play simply due to geography or they've come home.

The important thing is the numbers keep swelling. Aussies rules is getting stronger. The last 5 years have been significant. Within the next 5 rugby league within the hunter region will feel the affects. The ultimate would be to get a senior and womens club in Kurri or Cessnock.

Mingara don't sponsor senior sport only juniors and have been that way since I've been at KV..
People would be surprised what the actual costs of senior football is for a season.. Clubs really rely on sponsorship, fees and fundraising to get through any given season...
 
There is no big enclosed ground (so entry fees can be charged) in Newcastle, at least 160 mtrs long, 130mtrs wide, to accomodate an AFL H &A game in Newcastle. (Showgrounds not big enough). Does cricket want to get the Big Bash in Newcastle -any serious Council discussions to build a large oval, suitable for cricket & the AFL (as per Mars Oval)? The Big Bash is expected to add new teams.
With a population in Newcastle/Hunter/Coast area c.600,000+, AFL should be pushing for a suitable oval (share with elite cricket).
Ballarat's new Mars oval (c.$15,000,000 spent on it -total capacity 11,000; includes 5,000 grandstand seats, & a grass hill), where Footscray will play two non-Vic. clubs each year, will make Footscray c.$300,000 net from each game.

A guess at what crowd would an AFL H&A game, perhaps with Melb. (home game) vs. GC playing, attract?

Also, contact male RU has been on a long term decline in Sydney (Syd. Subbies decline 2012 7100 to 5600 in 2016; Shute Shield dropped 1 Grade; SJRU big decline also from u13's up; smaller decline in private secondary RU school comps).
Sydney contact RL, male snr. & jnr., has also been in a long term decline in regd. nos. (Grant & NRL urgently want to spend $100,000,000 on GR RL; L.Daley & NSWRL publicly speculating on making ALL jnr. regns. FREE to arrest the decline).

From 2012 -2017, in Newcastle/Hunter/Coast, approx.% how have snr. contact RU male regd. nos. tracked; and jnr. male contact RU regd nos.?
Ditto 2012- 2017, approx.% how have snr. & jnr. male contact RL nos. tracked?
(Exclude Touch/Tag non-contact nos.)

I wanted to link a recent July News item from the BDAFL website (link in BF thread "Women's Footy -NSW/ACT" on 16.7) quoting G.Burkinshaw, & how women's AF was greatly assisting the AF culture, Club vitality, & growth in your area. It now has a Comments Guideline Notice -it appears to have attracted abuse, & has been removed from the BDAFL website!
Opinions appreciated on HOW this phenomenal growth( 6 BDAFL women's teams in 2015, 15 in 2018) was achieved in an area which is BARREN for AF? ( It mentioned "Come & Try Days". Burkinshaw said the growth was generated from the CLUBS directly -NOT through the BDAFL HQ).

Did the AFLW get much publicity in Feb. to March 2017 in the Newcastle/Hunter/Coast area?
Is the AFLW a talking point amongst sporty females in your area?

Could lessons from the BDAFL men's & women's success be transferred to other barren AF areas (eg Wollongong area, Central West; Qld -excluding SE Qld. & Cairns)?
 
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Not stoked to hear that the top div will have company as early as next year. Maitland yeah ok, they've been building and should continue along that path. If Singo can keep their numbers up then they've always had a decent side but after that it starts to drop off.

Too soon. Gosford don't seem to be keen on it. Wyong don't have the cattle. BDAFL need to just slow down a bit on that. Next year is too soon unfortunately.

As for the equalisation policy. Unfortunately another failure. TA will be a powerhouse for the next 3 years at least if the current playing group keep turning up. City are starting to feel the pinch of the old guard hanging up the boots and will need reinforcements. Cardiff have recently benefited from some great footy players new to town. I heard a comment that Yensch wanted to play at City but was directed elsewhere. They could quite easily start off on a 3-5 year dominant period also. What then BDAFL? Open the door for City again when it's too late?

To think that new players may be prevented from joining their mates is just rubbish for a low level comp like the BDAFL. In Sydney, sure but the BDAFL is a long ways off that standard.

Really not happy to hear the decision about dropping 3rd grade as well.

But in saying all of that, at least they're having a go. You'll never please everyone but it needs to be ensured they don't damage the comp.
 
Congratulations to all the clubs playing on the weekend. Also congratulations to all the players and supporters of the league staying off bigfooty forums unlike other leagues. I can have it all to myself. Dear Diary

No surprises in the plate with the 2 valley sides playing off. Singo will be too strong unless serious injuries strike. No idea how deep their playing roster is but on this years form they qualify for premier division. Problem is, they'll get promoted and then go back to being a basket case. Hope this isn't so but they've never been able to sustain a strong playing group consistently. Just a shame they get to beat up on true ressies teams during their strong years and then crumble when they have to face off against the big boys.

Maitland on the other hand are continually building and improving as a club. Great to see. Next year will be a challenge but if they keep adding to their roster they'll get wins on the board in the top comp.

In reserves, who really cares. Cardiff and KV have got enough experienced bods that are still capable of running to take the field most weeks and make it to the end. Play 3 quarters then decide the winner via boat races and shots for goal. Am I right that this comp won't be running next year? From an outsiders point of view this is a mistake from the BDAFL, keep it running if you want participation numbers to keep swelling. Would be good to know why it would be scrapped.

The main event. Shock horror TA have made it through again. Anyone with a close eye on City won't be surprised that they haven't won their way to the final dance. They unlike TA don't recruit "coaches" who happen to be very capable players to swerve past the equalisation policy. Well played TA. Honestly, Bishop just needs to spend 30mins with this new "coach" to reinforce what's worked for the past 5 years and the playing group will do it themselves. Heck the old fella is still on the ground for the season.

Hope City employ a few new "coaches" next season.

Kudos to Cardiff for refreshing and rebuilding with great success already. However why didn't the BDAFL place restrictions on the club with the most grand final appearances? Just down the road at Teralba you have a club with no premierships and a solitary reserve grade grand final appearance. Or over at Warners Bay that haven't progressed past semi finals for years. 3 solid recruits that in reality should have gone elsewhere if the policy is comprehensive. It stinks like the Feighan Oval of yesterday after a week of downpour. Would it be a different story if Cardiff had turned the tables on 2 or 3 of those grand finals they lost (heck, losing 5 straight is really pushing the boundaries of bad luck)?

I've given it time but the conclusion I've come to is THE POLICY STINKS BDAFL. You farked up. Short sighted and knee jerk. What are you going to if Maitland turn into a powerhouse? They attract another dozen players that reside in the area and you'll tell them they have to go to Muswellbrook or Singo? Or back into Newcastle? heck off. Those blokes are lost to the game period!

Meanwhile TA still retain their top gun roster and are still very capable of another 3 premierships. If that panned out you'd have a club that played in the last 9 premierships. For the sake of sticking it to BDAFL for the rubbish policy, I hope they do and win the division down comp undefeated due to the backlog of players from the killed off div3 comp. What then?

Not sure if City will be able challenge the policy and if the outcome will be positive but its clear that there is no side in any comp that is untouchable. Then for City and TA to lose their 3rd's side is blood boiling. I'm sure both clubs have got to this point by providing a great environment that ensures not only current players stay but attracts newcomers.

I'd love to hear their rationale. I hear that the NSWAFL don't support this policy and won't support the BDAFL if it continues down this path.

Also find it odd that a KV aligned BDAFL board member/president is presiding during this change. If KV were TA perhaps none of this would surface. Leave that thought with you all or perhaps just the crickets.

Final note. TA for the win. Experienced beyond Cardiff. If they turn up ready and focused they'll win by 5 goals. In the wet, could be a couple kicks in it.
 
Not stoked to hear that the top div will have company as early as next year. Maitland yeah ok, they've been building and should continue along that path. If Singo can keep their numbers up then they've always had a decent side but after that it starts to drop off.

Too soon. Gosford don't seem to be keen on it. Wyong don't have the cattle. BDAFL need to just slow down a bit on that. Next year is too soon unfortunately.

As for the equalisation policy. Unfortunately another failure. TA will be a powerhouse for the next 3 years at least if the current playing group keep turning up. City are starting to feel the pinch of the old guard hanging up the boots and will need reinforcements. Cardiff have recently benefited from some great footy players new to town. I heard a comment that Yensch wanted to play at City but was directed elsewhere. They could quite easily start off on a 3-5 year dominant period also. What then BDAFL? Open the door for City again when it's too late?

To think that new players may be prevented from joining their mates is just rubbish for a low level comp like the BDAFL. In Sydney, sure but the BDAFL is a long ways off that standard.

Really not happy to hear the decision about dropping 3rd grade as well.

But in saying all of that, at least they're having a go. You'll never please everyone but it needs to be ensured they don't damage the comp.


Agree maitland/singo good to go although will cop heavy losses to begin with however can cope eventually.
But wyong, gosford and lake mac have no hope honestly playing against the likes of cardiff/terrigal/city. They wont even get close against teams like warners bay and kv.

There isnt enough good players in the league they dont have the depth to show off an 11 team premier division, at one end of the scale you will have ex AFL/VFL/NEAFL players playing against blokes who have played 5 years in reserve grade training every now and then and cant kick a left boot drop punt.

I think coaches/clubs have to do more and get out and recruit in the off season, you see Cardiff's new coach did exactly this and landed 3 gun recruits and brought in a few other solid players. Also took a more professional approach and strict training policy approach well done to him seems to be a great coup for the club and they will only continue to get stronger and attract more players with their new ground/facilities.

My thoughts are they will start paying $$$ players soon, also if warners bay can get a big enough club house to host functions they may be on the right track aswell although am not sure.

11 teams means one team will have a bye every week this isnt great and id rather see an 8 team tight competition than an 11 team where the top half is vsing the top half and bottom half vs bottom half.

Getting rid of 3rd grade seems crazy dont know what brought them to this conclusion its a great grade for fun, old blokes, young blokes, new players, social players or people with work commitments. also boosts participation rates.
 
No qualms with Maitland heading up. Same goes for Singo but the rest, nah. When the phrase "recruit players" is used in this comp it will rarely yield much. Quality players aren't just floating about from club to club every year and not in the numbers needed for clubs like Wyong and Gosford. Lake Macquarie really need to figure out a system that will work and ensure their coaching is top shelf.

The comment made re they will start paying players soon. You referring to Cardiff specifically? I think it's unlikely. Cardiff will be getting a new ground (and hopefully it's a cracker) and use of club house but this aint no leagues club. There is really no opportunity to generate income from this location. So I can't see their financial position improving enough to have player payment budget.

Same goes for Warners Bay. Haven't seen the plans for the new clubhouse but highly doubt there will be anything in there that will allow income generation.

This league will benefit from player numbers increasing but until you see a club with a very generous sponsorship base or one that is prepared to develop a clubhouse that can generate income outside of footy games and functions then there will be no player payments being made that are significant enough to recruit gun players.

For what its worth next year should be 8 teams with the additions Maitland and Singo. Leave reserves for the time, hopefully they stay for good. Plate teams keep plugging away as well.

On the weekend results
TA do it again. Unless City come back and grab a couple more premierships before 2020, TA can claim team of the decade honours.
Well done to Maitland winning their first flag and it didn't take them that long really. Nice work.
Cardiff in the 3rds gives the cheese and beetroots something to claim this year.

Cardiff have taken the biggest leap forward this year and with the relocation around the corner they seem poised for greatness again.

I'll keep one eye opened during the off season for confirmation on plans for 2018. Hopefully City can get them to see sense over their BS equalisation policy.
 
agree 8 teams would be perfect, and keep the other 2 grades

anybody know how many players and who have played NEAFL/swans reserves from BDAFL even if only 1 game or other equal level e.g. WAFL,TFL,VFL
 
Off the top of my head, no doubt I've missed people
NEAFL- D.Lloyd(KV),R.White(KV),M.Mumford(KV),S.Reed(KV),R.Barrett(KV),M.Skuse(TA),J.Webster (TA),J.Lewis(TA),B.Erikson(NB),M.Spinks(WB),J.Hardman(WB),K.Flemming(TA),J.Dawes(NC),J.Polglase(TA),J.Avis(NC)
WAFL- A.Monk(G)
 
Interesting developments in the growing BDAFL. AFL wants to spend more net funds there on GR/relocate more staff there/introduce cost efficiencies/promote & exploit the power of the AFL "brand" -but possibly wants to have "control", by having 3 or 4 board members it approves on the 7 person board.
Some locals might resist, if it means more control from Sydney. There is no evidence stated, however, that board members will be living outside Newcastle/Hunter district. In GR comps. in NSW & QLD, AFL generally has control -& has generally been doing a good job.

www.2gofm.com.au/news/central-coast/a-diamond-s-best-friend
 
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Interesting developments in the growing BDAFL. AFL wants to spend more net funds there on GR/relocate more staff there/introduce cost efficiencies/promote & exploit the power of the AFL "brand" -but possibly wants to have "control", by having 3 or 4 board members it approves on the 7 person board.
Some locals might resist, if it means more control from Sydney. There is no evidence stated, however, that board members will be living outside Newcastle/Hunter district. In GR comps. in NSW & QLD, AFL generally has control -& has generally been doing a good job.

www.2gofm.com.au/news/central-coast/a-diamond-s-best-friend





Predictions for 2018, any reports on new recruits or young players making the move to seniors.
 
Any experienced players who can’t get a run in their clubs top grade Gosford looking for players. Training being run by two former juniors with a wealth of AFL experience. Adam Lyons NT AFL Josh Barty SAFL , WAFL, ACTAFL
If interested contact the club training Tuesday Thursday Adcock Park.
 

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Predictions, TA to be there again and likely premiers. Cardiff did very well last year and one would anticipate they'll continue on that form. In some respects were unlucky not to have been premiers.

Not sure about City, they could drop away as the older heads finish up and Wests start to siphon off a few players. BDAFL did f$%k over City while TA were able to be a little more strategic and continue on their merry way. Nelson Bay seem to have weakened. Warners Bay may leap frog but I'm predicting more of the same really.

It would appear Wyong are in for a long year especially when faced with a TA match up or a journey up the F3 to Cardiff. Lake Mac smells like an absolute disaster from a very far outsider point of view. BDAFL's premature move to increase teams in the top comp is a shithouse move. Trigger happy that really surprises me given the sound knowledge the board members have of the league. Hopefully they know a whole lot more than I do but I sense a few 250+ beltings throughout the season.

Equally rubbish decision to scrap 3rds. On the sunny side, it may help club volunteer resources.

Finally, it's a very dynamic period of footy in the region in comparison to decades past. Probably a good thing..
 
Agree Terrigal looking good again this year,and Cardiff should be around the mark (pending player points system effects) may get the win!.City will go ok have to wait on all their ins and outs to come through.

Nelsons have lost a few key players so will come back to the pack slightly,Warners seem to have lost a couple/gained a couple so treading water and the Bombers have a few heading to Sydney to see where they are at, balanced out with some younger guys natural improvement.

On practice match form (it can be misleading) the 'rest' coming up to the top flight will struggle but should compete with each other and have periods where they match the likes of Killarney and Warners etc.

Maitland should of been good to go but have lost a huge chunk to retirement (when you win this is what happens-ask Batto) and injuries (unfortunate) and probably a couple that don't wish to play 1's.
Singleton have got some ins but we have seen previously that in top flight they usually fly the coop unfortunately (maybe different now others have been pushed up).

Wyong's best are the same blokes that were there 7 years ago,and are all older now so their depth will be an issue (as well as ageing legs) a couple still in their prime age bracket will go ok.

Gosford apparently made Wyong look good in praccy,again have a couple of 1's quality players and a couple of older blokes but drop off pretty quickly,may get a couple looking for a game once Terrigal work out who's in/out but probably not top end talent.

Lake Mac are an unknown,they want to step up to avoid young guns going elsewhere (commendable) but not sure they will keep them if scoreboard gets out of control! Would have been very competitive in the 2's this year and got some momentum-hope they put in some good showings.

Agree that I am not sure 11 is the magic number in the top flight,but I am pleased to see more then 6 clubs running around in the top grade!! The days of playing the same side 5 or even 6 times are hopefully gone!

Cheers
 
yes reading about Maitlands outs really changes it for them. Apart from Singo the rest are deadset battlers and really shouldn't be promoted. If there's only 4 teams that are capable of being in the top division then thats the way it should be...thankfully not the case but not that far removed.

Interesting to hear your thoughts on Wyong Noodles, don't know that much about them but when I noticed a few of their OUTS they seemed like they'll have holes.

Leave all the activity in the lower divisions (yes should have left thirds)

The game is still growing well, these changes wont decimate the comp as a whole but some of the clubs could take steps backwards. Tread carefully BDAFL
 
Any senior experienced players who can’t get a run in their clubs 1st grade and are running around in BD Plate teams, Gosford looking for players to transfer by 30th of June. This is a chance to use your experience to support an upcoming group of younger players. We aim to play finals.
Contact Club President Gavin Cornish or Coach Josh Barty
 
I heard today that Black Diamond will no longer be affiliated with AFLNSW/ACT and are going out on there own.

Anyone know anything about this?

AFLNSWACT starting their own league and will try and get the clubs to stick with them and not BD.

How will this effect those that continue to play in the BD league?
 
Well well well, wouldn't have tipped City to be holding the cup in 2018. Well done Blues!
TA still a powerhouse as proven by their ressies team going through unblemished. City and TA are really flexing their muscle over this past decade. Footy cycles in this area turn slow (unless your Wests circa 1999/01).

Cardiff would have put this season down as a fail. Solid form through the year but not getting to the big dance to avenge last years loss would be hard to swallow especially with the addition of an ex morningsider. The sight of Ryno back in first grade wasn't a huge shock but was it necessary? I would have put money on Cardiff taking ressies out if bets were placed at the mid way point.

What did everyone make of the 2018 season (yeah all 4 of you that read this thread)? Lake Mac was in fact a move made too soon. Yet again the club takes steps backwards evident by the folding of their ressies.

Maitland just darn unlucky with their 2018 outs including several retirements from previous Cardiff first graders. Really compounded with the season ending injuries they suffered. They should come good but not sure about finals for 2019.

Warners Bay and KV close again and Nelson Bay outs proved too costly. Singo's list is pretty handy, they've proven worthy of running with the big boys. Wyong the same. Not tipping any of these sides to take the cup next year.

The plate comp still holds a wide range of teams. First year for Wests, not so great but see a few ex City players already over there. Would be darn hard to leave No.1 to head over to Waratah or wherever they play.

Not a lot of diversity come grand final day. City and TA taking 5 out of the 6 team places. 2 premierships to City and 1 to TA.....equalisation policy hahahaha.
 
You left out Gosford sexualninja,
Good young list better for the experience , rumor has it they are targeting some former talented juniors plus senior players at other clubs to rejoin.
 
Ah yes, congrats to the Tigers who seem to be building but more importantly weren't disgraced. The ressies seemed ok and fielded a social club team so the numbers at tigerland must be solid.

Hopefully you keep everyone and then add to the list.
 
News I have heard is that Cardiff have lost Yensch ? Has he gone back to the O&M anybody know why? He will be a big loss for them.
Rymer from Nelson Bay also gone to Broadbeach good to see he is testing himself at a higher level in the QAFL.
Killarney Vale have picked up a few with NEAFL experience, others from Victoria will look to be on the up.
Any other information add.
 
Hi there- how come the black diamond afl website doesnt have clearances past the 5 of feb when all other leagues publish them up to date? hard to find out whos going where not much being published on the website
 
Hi there- how come the black diamond afl website doesnt have clearances past the 5 of feb when all other leagues publish them up to date? hard to find out whos going where not much being published on the website
:)
Well someones watching - they were updated last nite- thanks black diamond afl :)
 
Player clearneces on the website have once again come to a halt!

Any news from around the traps leading into the season?

Cardiff apparently a lot closer than expected to the east coast eagles in a trial game on the weekend would have to send a message to the rest of the Comp. new coaches, more new recruits, new oval, seems to be the perfect storm for them. Is the player point system still in this year? Will be a headache for them.

Have heard Warner’s bay have had a tumultuous preseason, though apparently got within 3 goals of city in a trial?

Maitland picking up a player with vfl and neafl experience is a huge plus for the league, talent not just gravitating to one of the big 3!

Lake Mac dropping out of the top grade was bound to happen. Good luck to them
 

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