NOW to sometime later in the year (maybe) - Talk about anything

[Voice of the G]

The BHRDCA has had a mixture of both. To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if it is cancelled. Too much rain yesterday and looking at the radar, plenty more on the way for today and showers predicted for Saturday. Turf is cancelled already. Not surprising as there would have been very little pitch preparation possible this week.

Walker Park the home of the Mitcham Football/Cricket clubs in great condition and ready for cricket.Perhaps even why Cliff is evening sending out the message,Walker Park is the MCG of the East.lol.Being serious a cricket lover and all these days washed out does hurt.

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

Walker Park the home of the Mitcham Football/Cricket clubs in great condition and ready for cricket.Perhaps even why Cliff is evening sending out the message,Walker Park is the MCG of the East.lol.Being serious a cricket lover and all these days washed out does hurt.

Not good enough GMac, the BHRDCA has cancelled cricket for tomorrow.
No play for the MCG.

 

[localfootyguru]

Yeah found it a bit strange that The Basin right next door to Boronia was able to field 2 U19s teams but Boronia couldn’t field a team. Maybe The Basin just has a really well run junior club.

The Basin has a fantastic junior set up that is extremely well run. Great numbers and culture as seen by the growth in the club and the many families involved. The club won 5 junior premierships this year which is some achievement. The club as a whole is in an excellent position on and off field with mens and womens footy and netball all doing well.

 

[magpies2013]

The Basin has a fantastic junior set up that is extremely well run. Great numbers and culture as seen by the growth in the club and the many families involved. The club won 5 junior premierships this year which is some achievement. The club as a whole is in an excellent position on and off field with mens and womens footy and netball all doing well.

Well done to The Basin it helps to have sustained success with a well run junior club and good numbers in the 19s. I think Wantirna Sth and Blackburn also had 2 teams. It’s probably the number 1 issue for not only the Efnl but across all of Victoria the drop off in numbers at U19 level. I think all up this year there was 14 clubs in the Efnl that couldn’t put a U19s team on the field. It is a concern for the future of local footy if the numbers are not coming through.

 

[Bowlers Name]

The majority of grounds have been unplayable even in the fine conditions.

This weekend is off, even grounds that have been playable last 4 weeks are unplayable now.

My understanding is that even on the Saturday afternoon just gone the majority of 1st XI grounds would have actually been playable had it not been called off. The exceptions mostly being grounds which don't really have a winter tenant, and some of the Valley clubs would've been a bit dicey too. It's syntho park cricket, the ground doesn't need to be in MCG condition, it just needs to be safe.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Interesting an email being circulated among all D1, D2 and D3 clubs at the moment - kickstarted by one club but with support from others - very unhappy with the decision to not have promotion next season.

Argument that it’s been a hell of a job recovering from COVID and now is not the time to be removing the carrot of promotion. And why are D1 - D3 clubs being punished just so Premier can be returned to 10 clubs.

 

[localfootyguru]

Well done to former East Burwood player Wayne Cripps in being appointed as VFL Coach at the GWS Giants. Good man and will do a terrific job in his new role. Always like to see people who didn’t play at the highest level succeed in footy as they can be just as good/ even better than those who had played at the elite level.

Cripps Joins GIANTS

Wayne Cripps has joined the GIANTS.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

 

[localfootyguru]

Interesting an email being circulated among all D1, D2 and D3 clubs at the moment - kickstarted by one club but with support from others - very unhappy with the decision to not have promotion next season.

Argument that it’s been a hell of a job recovering from COVID and now is not the time to be removing the carrot of promotion. And why are D1 - D3 clubs being punished just so Premier can be returned to 10 clubs.

Yes I have also seen the email but to be honest the clubs voted for the arrangements that are in place and it was done some time ago. I don’t see why you would be changing it now.

Some clubs are in trouble/ vulnerable and promotion isn’t really the ‘golden goose’ to ensure success and future viability. Clubs need to get their structures in place both on and off field so they can continue to operate and provide a valuable service to the community.

Unfortunately many clubs are still focusing on traditional models and haven’t yet accepted they need to change to meet changes in society and participation in sport. Some of these clubs will possibly be the ones that don’t exist in future years.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Yes I have also seen the email but to be honest the clubs voted for the arrangements that are in place and it was done some time ago. I don’t see why you would be changing it now.

Some clubs are in trouble/ vulnerable and promotion isn’t really the ‘golden goose’ to ensure success and future viability. Clubs need to get their structures in place both on and off field so they can continue to operate and provide a valuable service to the community.

Unfortunately many clubs are still focusing on traditional models and haven’t yet accepted they need to change to meet changes in society and participation in sport. Some of these clubs will possibly be the ones that don’t exist in future years.

There are definitely big advantages to being in a higher division in terms of attracting numbers and retaining players. So I hear them from that point of view.

But you’re right about it being voted in long ago. As I’ve said many times, this is a consequence of relentless expansion and taking clubs from other comps. At what point when Noble Park, Balwyn, Heidelberg (who were voted in but blocked by AFLV), South Belgrave, Park Orchards, Berwick, Beaconsfield, Oakleigh, Glen Waverley were all voted in did these clubs stand up en masse and say “hang on, this might not be great for our club”.

The other point raised was it’s all about getting to 5x10 but for that you need 50 clubs anyway. As it sits it’d be a miracle for there to be 48 clubs next year, let alone getting to 50.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

To be fair to Park Orchards and Glen Waverley, they were already in the catchment area - the others were cases of pushing the catchment area outwards.

I am sure that some clubs would have felt like saying something but obviously didn't or didn't do it very loudly.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Initial vote for Berwick to EFL was a No - main reason can’t have them in Division 2.
A few months later it’s a Yes - difference Berwick go to Premier.

So clubs that voted for Berwick to come in but only in Premier are now stomping their feet as they themselves can’t get into Premier? Somewhat Strange.

Haven’t seen the email but would love to know which club created & circulated it.

 

[Voice of the G]

Initial vote for Berwick to EFL was a No - main reason can’t have them in Division 2.
A few months later it’s a Yes - difference Berwick go to Premier.

So clubs that voted for Berwick to come in but only in Premier are now stomping their feet as they themselves can’t get into Premier? Somewhat Strange.

Haven’t seen the email but would love to know which club created & circulated it.

2 stories to this one and I can think of 2 D2 clubs that might have sent out this email.There are clubs out there that have put in the hard work especially off season to win a premiership and perhaps earn promotion.The other side is if the premiers are promoted and the EFNL stick with the top 4 grades being 10 team grades which I like 3 teams from Premier,D1 and D2 will be relegated.Bob interested in your thoughts about Doncaster as 3 teams relegated might effect your club and Cliff perhaps a premiership at EB and no promotion might effect yours.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

It’s a lot harder to retain players when you’re not in the top division (or have a realistic shot of getting there soon). You’re not allowed to pay as much money for starters and your really talented players who try VFL get taken away because VFL clubs insist they have to play in higher divisions.

Where this is hard is with the league so big, it’s getting very hard for clubs to get there and give their players hope. Of course it’s not the reality - most D1 (even D2) clubs in the EFL would easily compete with top tier clubs in other leagues, but that label of the “top division” goes a long way.

It’s a reality clubs have to deal with and with everything else going on re retaining players, it’s another big issue.

EFNL 48 clubs
SFNL 36
NFNL 28
EDFL 29
WRFL 25

I think with the season length we have most people argue 10 clubs to a division is ideal, those numbers say that there’s 16/17 divisions across the city, yet maybe the balance is off if one league has five. Interesting that the two leagues south of the Yarra have more clubs than the three leagues in the north / west.

Anyway, rambling, point is perhaps the EFL is now simply too big which is what causes these issues and frustration among clubs. Maybe there’s an argument that there should be three leagues across the EFNL / SFNL area.

This I would say is something clubs should have been more awake to when admitting new clubs, Bobby’s point above about Berwick is very interesting and valid.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

BTW - letter was sent by Donvale with strong support from Coldstream. Not really any secret as they sent it to all clubs for discussion.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

There are gentle rumblings about a number of the divisional clubs looking to get out of the VAFA, a number of them coming from the south.

This could pave the way for a Bayside league (from Port Colts to Frankston), the SFNL (south eastern) and the EFNL in the city's south and east.

An unlikely scenario perhaps, but it would solve your numbers issue by league.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

G - Doncaster have a bit of recruiting work to do if they wish to survive with two heading down in 2023. Wait & see what transpires in the off season.

The decision has been made and known for sometime, so I’m not sure of the value in whining about it. Clubs made certain recent decisions & now here are the consequences.

 

[Voice of the G]

It’s a lot harder to retain players when you’re not in the top division (or have a realistic shot of getting there soon). You’re not allowed to pay as much money for starters and your really talented players who try VFL get taken away because VFL clubs insist they have to play in higher divisions.

Where this is hard is with the league so big, it’s getting very hard for clubs to get there and give their players hope. Of course it’s not the reality - most D1 (even D2) clubs in the EFL would easily compete with top tier clubs in other leagues, but that label of the “top division” goes a long way.

It’s a reality clubs have to deal with and with everything else going on re retaining players, it’s another big issue.

EFNL 48 clubs
SFNL 36
NFNL 28
EDFL 29
WRFL 25

I think with the season length we have most people argue 10 clubs to a division is ideal, those numbers say that there’s 16/17 divisions across the city, yet maybe the balance is off if one league has five. Interesting that the two leagues south of the Yarra have more clubs than the three leagues in the north / west.

Anyway, rambling, point is perhaps the EFL is now simply too big which is what causes these issues and frustration among clubs. Maybe there’s an argument that there should be three leagues across the EFNL / SFNL area.

This I would say is something clubs should have been more awake to when admitting new clubs, Bobby’s point above about Berwick is very interesting and valid.

Excellent post and I agree with you,my thoughts are on the clubs in the bottom part of the ladders in those grades this season and what their thoughts are on bottom 3 being relegated if the premier is promoted.

 

[adock]

BTW - letter was sent by Donvale with strong support from Coldstream. Not really any secret as they sent it to all clubs for discussion.

Just to be clear Coldstream had no part in the initial letter but the club has supported it after receiving it, at the same time every other club did.

I'm not sure what all the fuss is to be honest. Its been known for a long time and although i personally don't agree the way clubs were promoted without winning premierships, i do support getting it back to 10 team divisions so the draw is even again. I'd always go for 9 team (2 byes) or 10 team divisions rather than 8 or 11 or 12.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Excellent post and I agree with you,my thoughts are on the clubs in the bottom part of the ladders in those grades this season and what their thoughts are on bottom 3 being relegated if the premier is promoted.

I think the argument has been that promoting a club and relegating three above it makes it too big a leap for the club going up, hence you’re better to just relegate two and not have promotion.

The reality I would say is this isn’t the case as recent history would show that promoted clubs don’t struggle when going up a division. Plenty of them are playing finals. Thinking of Donc East, East Burwood, South Belgrave, Coldstream.

So yep, the reality is one promotion and three relegations might have been a better approach so that clubs still get a shot at promotion. But it’s probably too late now.

 

[adogsfan5]

Interesting an email being circulated among all D1, D2 and D3 clubs at the moment - kickstarted by one club but with support from others - very unhappy with the decision to not have promotion next season.

Argument that it’s been a hell of a job recovering from COVID and now is not the time to be removing the carrot of promotion. And why are D1 - D3 clubs being punished just so Premier can be returned to 10 clubs.

Negative - harder to maybe attract new players / retaining players.

Positive - potential to win back to back flags if you retain your list/and or add to it.

 

[adogsfan5]

G - Doncaster have a bit of recruiting work to do if they wish to survive with two heading down in 2023. Wait & see what transpires in the off season.

The decision has been made and known for sometime, so I’m not sure of the value in whining about it. Clubs made certain recent decisions & now here are the consequences.

Slow start on the recruiting front? Lost anyone?
I saw one recruit from Beaconsfield.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Slow start on the recruiting front? Lost anyone?
I saw one recruit from Beaconsfield.

Really not sure, removed from the process these days by choice. Was more a comment that they need to be pretty active if they want to remain in Premier.

I do believe 19s are coming along which is good.

 

[adock]

Marc Hardy named as Bayswater coach. Has to be good news for them, he would still have a heap of contacts id imagine.

Also some bright spark at Glen Waverley has realised they might need a senior coach for 2023 and decided to post an advertisement. Just a lazy 8 weeks after they parted ways with Gatehouse.

 

[Lowey33]

Two more VFL big names at Donc East with more to come apparently. Who’s paying the bills down there? Certainly been a big few years of recruiting

The likes of poor old Vermont can’t keep up. Lucky they have that amazing junior system to help them…

Luke Tynan signed there too. He’s a star, and I hope he gives the premier div a good shake. Ripper dude, will make a good coach one day, maybe bit more cattle, but he will relish being a player again!

 

[nick2397]

Marc Hardy named as Bayswater coach. Has to be good news for them, he would still have a heap of contacts id imagine.

Also some bright spark at Glen Waverley has realised they might need a senior coach for 2023 and decided to post an advertisement. Just a lazy 8 weeks after they parted ways with Gatehouse.

Glen Waverley leaving it late there to advertise for a head job position, pre-season is supposed to start in November for most clubs!

Hopefully, they can find someone soon or it'll be a big blow for them.