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

[Lowey33]

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.

There is..it’s called the outer east. But they’re rooted with the way they are structured. It’s been no good for the traditional mountain district clubs, having the likes of narre come in and lay waste to this league..but footy vic couldn’t give a rats!

 

[guest100]

Interesting to see Oakleigh recruiting some GWH players but not mentioning it on their Facebook page as they welcome them - just saying they have “VAFA and EFNL” experience

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Interesting to see Oakleigh recruiting some GWH players but not mentioning it on their Facebook page as they welcome them - just saying they have “VAFA and EFNL” experience

They followed the coach to GWH so they’ll follow him to Oakleigh.

Oakleigh need the numbers so it works for them.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The Bulls changing their name to the Sharks next year? The Bullsharks?

Injuries permitting they’re probably $1.60 for the flag

 

[Wild Thing]

The Bulls changing their name to the Sharks next year? The Bullsharks?

Injuries permitting they’re probably $1.60 for the flag

Besides Shane McDonald and Jackson Casey who have they picked up from Bonbeach? All their players a year older, Rowville young list with a little more experience will push them. Vermont will bounce back as will Balwyn. No certainties in football we all know that, but yeah short odds. I’d have at about $3

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Hear Knox Council have banned footy pre-season on their grounds until January due to the state of them. Is that the case?

 

[adock]

Hear Knox Council have banned footy pre-season on their grounds until January due to the state of them. Is that the case?

Im sure that's has been the case for a more than a decade. Thats why before Christmas clubs in Knox train at high school ovals.

 

[adock]

Another great signing for Kilsyth in Mooroolbark young gun Jayden Weichard. Kilsyth are doing a lot this off season and are probably close to favs now id say. No idea how they fit it in with a cap of 55K.

Surprisingly there seems to be a number of Mooroolbark boys shopping around this off season.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Well done to Kilsyth, that's a fantastic signing

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Looks like a few Doncaster players flying north for 2023... headed up to Queensland to play. B&F winner among them.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Would be more concerned about the pick ups from down the road Bunk. They are creating a formidable side.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Yep, looks like they’ve tapped an oil well at Donny East, Man City style.

I just asked a mate and he said Bell is in the top few players in the NFNL, a very big get.

 

[adogsfan5]

Looks like a few Doncaster players flying north for 2023... headed up to Queensland to play. B&F winner among them.

Strange. Off to the VFL or playing in the next tier?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Strange. Off to the VFL or playing in the next tier?

Just playing locally I think. A lot of Qld clubs recruit from Vic and are pretty good at it, setting up jobs, accommodation and all that. If players are after a lifestyle change it can be a good move.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Or perhaps they are just moving for employment opportunities & football is a secondary consideration.

 

[adock]

Looks like a few Doncaster players flying north for 2023... headed up to Queensland to play. B&F winner among them.

Yeah saw Kane Henden was off. From Surrey Park to a Doncaster b&f. Now off to QLD.

There was a little talk around finals time this year that he may have been returning to Surrey. But id imagine he is the player Surrey are hoping to get back every year.

 

[adock]

Or perhaps they are just moving for employment opportunities & football is a secondary consideration.

I dunno what he does for work but i cant imagine there is a lack of employment opportunities right now but yes i get your point its unlikely he is relocating for football reasons. Hes obviously relocating and wants to play football somewhere. I thought he'd be ok at Doncaster but him winning the B&F is a great effort.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Vermont people sooking on FB about Doncaster East recruiting is hilarious... think the club had actually convinced themselves they were somehow smarter than everybody else and that's how they won flags.

The goalposts have changed and they are not set up for it.

 

[Voice of the G]

Hear Knox Council have banned footy pre-season on their grounds until January due to the state of them. Is that the case?

Whitehorse council ban all football pre season training up to the end of March on their grounds even if cricket clubs allow if no cricket on there.Not easy but school grounds are used but hopefully the weather improves over the next week if pre season starts soon as some of the grounds are not even suitable for cricket at the moment.

 

[adogsfan5]

Vermont people sooking on FB about Doncaster East recruiting is hilarious... think the club had actually convinced themselves they were somehow smarter than everybody else and that's how they won flags.

The goalposts have changed and they are not set up for it.

Vermont haven’t had enough success lately? Lol

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Vermont people sooking on FB about Doncaster East recruiting is hilarious... think the club had actually convinced themselves they were somehow smarter than everybody else and that's how they won flags.

The goalposts have changed and they are not set up for it.

Think you will find the Beverley Hills junior program is superior to that of the forever esteemed. Getting them on both fronts.

Good luck to them.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Great get for Berwick with Jackson Drake returning to his junior club from The Basin.

 

[adock]

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.

A little smackdown from the League in response to the Donvale email circulated recently. The EFNL referenced the decisions were made based on the results of a survey circulated to all clubs which Donvale DID NOT complete or return.

 

[adock]

Vermont people sooking on FB about Doncaster East recruiting is hilarious... think the club had actually convinced themselves they were somehow smarter than everybody else and that's how they won flags.

The goalposts have changed and they are not set up for it.

Amazing Vermont supporters calling for the cap to be scrapped and the points cap to be reduced by 10 points. Gee, i wonder which club would benefit from that system...

 

[Bunk Moreland]

A little smackdown from the League in response to the Donvale email circulated recently. The EFNL referenced the decisions were made based on the results of a survey circulated to all clubs which Donvale DID NOT complete or return.

That's true, however the numbers they've published indicate that only 29 of the 48 clubs answered. On something so important, to only have 60% of clubs voting indicates there's a problem. It's fine to say "well you didn't do it" but it shows that for whatever reason, the way they're doing it isn't working.

It's the league's job to get the clubs' answers on this stuff. If they have to work harder to get them and engage them then so be it. The league execs should absolutely be on good and close terms with every club president and if they haven't got a response, then bloody chase them for it (within reason). Sending an email doesn't mean you've done your job. Get on the phone.

In any case, the time for the conversation was some time ago. Again, it's the clubs who have to wake up to the consequences of just waving through every new addition to the league. Guess what, it's now a massive comp (personally I think too big) and that means moving up is very, very hard.