Kinglake returning to VYMDFL in 2008?

[lombopocketwatch]

Hear on the grapevine that Kinglake are considering returning to VYMDFL in 2008. The club is becoming less and less competitive against the metro clubs in the DVFL / NFL. Getting flogged each week. As a result difficult to attract and retain players.

[Wayde Petersen]

I've heard that, but I would reckon that would be unlikely considering that when they were in the YVMDFL the last time, they had Panton Hill there with them, which was at least a local rivalry for Kinglake (they both used to have a good rivalry together, and it would be a shame if they were to end that by going back to the YVMDFL).

But now that Panton Hill has gone to the NFL, and that even if they were to consider going back there, they potentially face having to go to Yea, Alexandra & Thornton/Eildon next season, and considering that they would have a few blokes who live and work in Melbourne, and they would be less likely to travel that far, and potentially face losing those players so despite the fact that they are struggling in the NFL, I would be very surprised if that came about.

And another thing, Kinglake would have to form a Netball Club as well if they went back, and where would they find the players for that ?, and even if they did, where would they play ?.

Also, they would have to change their uniform, because it clashes with Yarra Junction.

And anyway, Kinglake (and Heidelberg West, and a few other clubs), wouldn't be in this mess if the NFL bit the bullet and got themselves a Division Three, (which I hope happens if Reservoir & Fawkner reform) and if they were in a lower grade, they would be in better shape (and still be playing against Panton Hill, etc.).

We'll wait and see what transpires, but I would reckon that Kinglake would still be in the NFL in 2008.

[localfootyguru]

Wayde,

Interesting comments regarding Kinglake and if I were a betting man i wouldn't discount their return to Yarra Valley footy in the near future (maybe not in 2008 though). The club has had discussions with the YVMDFL executive regarding a potential return to the league and they are quite keen from my understanding - a move from the NFL would be a good thing for them as I don't believe their situation is suited to a metropolitan league and this has probably been supported by their lack of on field success.

Kinglake Cricket club play in the Yarra Valley competition so there should not be too many problems in their football club returning their either. I personally think they would be far better suited to the division 2 competition in this league rather than the somewhat fledging and struggling NFL.

[Wayde Petersen]

Wayde,

Interesting comments regarding Kinglake and if I were a betting man i wouldn't discount their return to Yarra Valley footy in the near future (maybe not in 2008 though). The club has had discussions with the YVMDFL executive regarding a potential return to the league and they are quite keen from my understanding - a move from the NFL would be a good thing for them as I don't believe their situation is suited to a metropolitan league and this has probably been supported by their lack of on field success.

Kinglake Cricket club play in the Yarra Valley competition so there should not be too many problems in their football club returning their either. I personally think they would be far better suited to the division 2 competition in this league rather than the somewhat fledging and struggling NFL.

Maybe a step down in competition for them could be a good thing for Kinglake, but I don't see how jumping ship now, when the NFL is still in a rebuilding stage would be beneficial for Kinglake and their old rivals in Whittlesea & Panton Hill, who would miss out on playing against the Lakers, thus ending their rivalry.

Anyway, I hope that whatever they do, Kinglake has some success, because most clubs when they go into recess (which they've done twice) rarely come back, and they have beaten the odds twice, and so I have a bit of sympathy for them (and also they are one of few clubs that wear Green & Gold like Murchison).

I've always found it a bit odd that Kinglake are in the Yarra Valley League when the Diamond Valley is closer geographically to Kinglake (Whittlesea, Panton Hill, St Andrews, Mernda, etc.), but I think that this had more to do with the rule in the DVCA that states that all clubs must field junior sides, than the merits of the YVCA, but then again I could be wrong.

Anyway, the YVMDFL has proven to be a pretty interesting league with a few clubs coming and going.

[Moin Khan]

Kinglake have had success in the YVMDFL (92 2nd Div Premiers), but have hardly won a game over the past few seasons in the NFL, so I would imagine that they would be pretty keen to get back to where they have been successful. Not too sure that getting pumped by Whittlesea every year would mean that they would just stay for the local rivalry. There has been plenty of times over the years that they have been apart.

Moin would be keen on the Lakers' returning as he was once a Laker, many moons ago and keeps an eye on their progress.

[localfootyguru]

Kinglake have had success in the YVMDFL (92 2nd Div Premiers), but have hardly won a game over the past few seasons in the NFL, so I would imagine that they would be pretty keen to get back to where they have been successful. Not too sure that getting pumped by Whittlesea every year would mean that they would just stay for the local rivalry. There has been plenty of times over the years that they have been apart.

Moin would be keen on the Lakers' returning as he was once a Laker, many moons ago and keeps an eye on their progress.

Great to hear some news from you Moin, please keep posting as I always enjoy reading your news about the league.

[lakers]

As a laker myself I can tell you guys that we will be voting on whether to move back to the Yarra Valley sometime within the next 2 weeks. The Yarra Valley committee have been very professional and supportive during our chats with them and this is in direct contrast with the NFL who, even though in a rebuilding phase, are uncommunicative and dismissive of struggling teams. We need to be competitive again and while it would be harder for some of our metropoliton players to travel, most of our players live in Kinglake anyway. (one of our problems in the NFL is we struggle to attract players from metro areas). As for rivalries, I think that Yea would be a club close enough and with historical connections for a rivalry to be established. Also we may be geographically closer to some areas of the Diamond Valley but we certainly don't have the same demographics. Clubs like Whittlesea have much more people to draw from and consistently spend more than $ 70,000 on players in a year. We just can't compete with that. Personally I hope we do move back to the Yarra Valley as I have played cricket against blokes who seem down to earth and are just happy to compete for the love of the game. I would assume this would be replicated in football aswell.

[bourkey_jp]

@ lakers - is there any chance if you guys return to the YVMDFL in 2008 that you will field an under 18s side, as it may leave clubs having there unders playing somewhere different from there 1s and 2s

[lakers]

Historically raising juniors has always something we have struggled to do but we would endeavour to as the benefits would be enormous.

[Wayde Petersen]

As a laker myself I can tell you guys that we will be voting on whether to move back to the Yarra Valley sometime within the next 2 weeks. The Yarra Valley committee have been very professional and supportive during our chats with them and this is in direct contrast with the NFL who, even though in a rebuilding phase, are uncommunicative and dismissive of struggling teams. We need to be competitive again and while it would be harder for some of our metropoliton players to travel, most of our players live in Kinglake anyway. (one of our problems in the NFL is we struggle to attract players from metro areas). As for rivalries, I think that Yea would be a club close enough and with historical connections for a rivalry to be established. Also we may be geographically closer to some areas of the Diamond Valley but we certainly don't have the same demographics. Clubs like Whittlesea have much more people to draw from and consistently spend more than $ 70,000 on players in a year. We just can't compete with that. Personally I hope we do move back to the Yarra Valley as I have played cricket against blokes who seem down to earth and are just happy to compete for the love of the game. I would assume this would be replicated in football aswell.

Well that's good that you're being positive about the future up there, and about the NFL's attitude, we'll they've always been dismissive of most of the Division Two clubs, because in their eyes, it's only the Heidelberg's of this world that matter:thumbsd:.

And you're right, it's all about the coin :thumbsd:, because back in the day, Kinglake (at home at least) were competitive against the likes of Whittlesea & Mernda because the demographics were similar, but now with the spread of suburbia, they have the upper hand, and you can't compete with what they've got (the same goes for Panton Hill as well), go in that regard I can see why you want to leave.

I hope that all goes well for you because the amount of whinging that goes on about Kinglake in the NFL forum shows that at least in the YVMDFL you'll at least be wanted.

But seriously, I think that if you do go, try your best to get a Netball Club going, (even if it's only one team amoungst the players wifes & girlfriends, and they play at the old tennis courts, or the Primary School or even the Basketball court), because having a Netball Club does add to the general family country atmosphere around the clubs, so if you were going to go to the YVMDFL, that should be one of your top priorities, because it gets the whole community involved (after being at Murchison where we have four Netball Teams, after being involved with a metropolitan club that has none, you do notice the difference in atmosphere).

Yea are a good bunch of blokes (they've always been good hosts to us at Murchison), and you should have no trouble getting along with them, and that goes for all of the other clubs as well.

As far as the thirds go, most country leagues allow to play 16 a side (I'm not sure if they do that in the YVMDFL, but they do that in our league), and they're usually pretty liberal when it comes to permit players.

Anyway, I'll read on with interest, and I hope that all goes well for the Green & Gold for season 2008:D.

[Inside Goss]

Are the rumours true that Coldsteam are joining the YVMD next season also?

[bourkey_jp]

First i've heard about Coldstream, can anyone shed some light??

[Valley Spy]

I trained there a couple of times last pre-season and I'd say very unlikely that they'd be coming across. Financially they'd be better for moving but on field they still think they r a chance of moving up a division in EFL. More likely is Silvan moving to EFL. Not happy about the points system.

[Party pooper]

http://www.leadernews.com.au/article/2007/10/02/23196_yvmdfl_story.html

[Wayde Petersen]

Well there you have it, Kinglake has gone, and I hope that they hang on to their playing list from 07 and have success in getting a Netball Club established, (and it's good to see, that this will be one of the top priorities for the club in 2008).

I think that the move was a good one because Division Three in the NFL, was probably not going to happen and instead of waiting around for the NFL to do something, Kinglake's been proactive in securing their future by going to a league that should be a good fit for them culturally.

Now, the YVMDFL's got a 10 team comp. in both divisions with probably 18 rounds and no byes, which is by far the best way to go.

So, anyway I'm sure that the NFL wouldn't put much of a fight to keep you, and so at least you can look towards 2008 with some confidence, and a possible chance to play in finals.

[bourkey_jp]

it may not be the best for the under 18 comp next year, as kinglake will probly not have an unders, what happens then, seniors play at a different ground than there unders

[drago from ussr]

the 18s will probably just get a bye .... in the central goulburn league where thornton yea and alex competed dookie never fielded an unders so a bye was given for that week