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

[hansie]

Seems a position we’ve never seen or been in before
When do you just accept it for what it is and take learnings from it for next time? From all parties that is.

This. There needs to be significant dialogue between league and Doncaster to come up with some arrangement so this doesn’t happen again. For all the faff about then coming back they haven’t won a game yet so aren’t exactly chock full of mercs hunting an easy flag - more like a foundation member of the league trying to rebuild after hard times

 

[jenkoboi70]

On the Doncaster situation, why forfeit at all? Just play regardless with an automatic W given to the opposition, forfeiting restricts both clubs developing and isn’t good financially.

Doncaster & Bulleen wanted this
League knocked it back (a game for no ladder points)

 

[Bunk Moreland]

This. There needs to be significant dialogue between league and Doncaster to come up with some arrangement so this doesn’t happen again. For all the faff about then coming back they haven’t won a game yet so aren’t exactly chock full of mercs hunting an easy flag - more like a foundation member of the league trying to rebuild after hard times

Time for the dialogue was six months ago.

EFNL is run by some fairly dense people.

 

[hansie]

Time for the dialogue was six months ago.

EFNL is run by some fairly dense people.

Agree bunk - but clearly it didn’t cover this contingency so now they need to ensure it doesn’t occur agaib

 

[adock]

I'm told both Bulleen and the EFNL are filthy at Doncaster and solutions were put to them to fit a side in, but it would have meant dropping some good players who are either 3 or 4 pointers and replacing them with some much less talented players. Doncaster wasn't willing to drop any of their better players. Doncaster did tell the league they would then knowingly play injured players but it was on the EFNL if anything happened. Once the club said that and after many back and forths the forfeit happened.

My own feeling is both sides thought the other would blink first but they both stood their ground. Well i think Doncaster more thought the league would cave in.

This dialogue between the EFNL and Doncaster has also been going on for months, its not something new. Doncaster has also threatened to leave and go to the NFNL where they believe will suit them more in the long term.

Be interesting to see what happens this week seeing the league football ops has just started 6 weeks holiday also (not bagging the holiday, everyone is entitled to their annual leave) and whether a different person might find a solution.

 

[10571z]

I'm told both Bulleen and the EFNL are filthy at Doncaster and solutions were put to them to fit a side in, but it would have meant dropping some good players who are either 3 or 4 pointers and replacing them with some much less talented players. Doncaster wasn't willing to drop any of their better players. Doncaster did tell the league they would then knowingly play injured players but it was on the EFNL if anything happened. Once the club said that and after many back and forths the forfeit happened.

My own feeling is both sides thought the other would blink first but they both stood their ground. Well i think Doncaster more thought the league would cave in.

This dialogue between the EFNL and Doncaster has also been going on for months, its not something new. Doncaster has also threatened to leave and go to the NFNL where they believe will suit them more in the long term.

Be interesting to see what happens this week seeing the league football ops has just started 6 weeks holiday also (not bagging the holiday, everyone is entitled to their annual leave) and whether a different person might find a solution.

You’d seriously hope that isn’t true. EFNL would want to unleash some pretty major consequences if so.

 

[God Yeah]

If you transferred to another club, liked it and fit etc I’m not sure there’d be that strong of an urge to return to a club where you possible don’t know half the players.
Was always going to be a bit of an all or anything scenario re: guys returning.

Ivanhoe in the NFNL league are the perfect example of players returning to the club. Ex-juniors and seniors have been jumping out of trees to play for their old/former club.

They're now clear cut favs for Div 3 and would give most Div 2 a sides a run for their money.

Sound about right Champ or Chump ?

 

[Blacky burner]

You’d seriously hope that isn’t true. EFNL would want to unleash some pretty major consequences if so.

Load of

 

[Fatboy35]

I'm told both Bulleen and the EFNL are filthy at Doncaster and solutions were put to them to fit a side in, but it would have meant dropping some good players who are either 3 or 4 pointers and replacing them with some much less talented players. Doncaster wasn't willing to drop any of their better players. Doncaster did tell the league they would then knowingly play injured players but it was on the EFNL if anything happened. Once the club said that and after many back and forths the forfeit happened.

My own feeling is both sides thought the other would blink first but they both stood their ground. Well i think Doncaster more thought the league would cave in.

This dialogue between the EFNL and Doncaster has also been going on for months, its not something new. Doncaster has also threatened to leave and go to the NFNL where they believe will suit them more in the long term.

Be interesting to see what happens this week seeing the league football ops has just started 6 weeks holiday also (not bagging the holiday, everyone is entitled to their annual leave) and whether a different person might find a solution.

Regardless of which side you take, or even if your'e like me remain undecided, this situation is clearly messy. It appears there may be unresolved issues between Doncaster and the EFNL administration.

Maybe it relates to the EFNL not allowing Doncaster to drop to Division 4 in April 2025.

While I don't know all the details, the EFNL needs to take responsibility (not blame) for resolving the situation and ensuring Doncaster returns to the field this week. Another week off could be damaging for the club’s future.

 

[10571z]

Regardless of which side you take, or even if your'e like me remain undecided, this situation is clearly messy. It appears there may be unresolved issues between Doncaster and the EFNL administration.

Maybe it relates to the EFNL not allowing Doncaster to drop to Division 4 in April 2025.

While I don't know all the details, the EFNL needs to take responsibility (not blame) for resolving the situation and ensuring Doncaster returns to the field this week. Another week off could be damaging for the club’s future.

The silence is deafening by the EFNL is such an unprecedented situation.

Surely a statement should be made.

If it happens again how long will these players hang around?

 

[outside_off]

The silence is deafening by the EFNL is such an unprecedented situation.

Surely a statement should be made.

If it happens again how long will these players hang around?

The silence is not deafening. A deliberate, calm, and well-considered response /course of action is preferable. EFNL and Doncaster will work through this rather than the bigfooty kangaroo court. Its been an almighty effort to come back from recess already, something easy to forget.

 

[adock]

Regardless of which side you take, or even if your'e like me remain undecided, this situation is clearly messy. It appears there may be unresolved issues between Doncaster and the EFNL administration.

Agree there is ongoing tension between Doncaster and the EFNL and from some at Doncaster, its irreparable, they want out of the league.

I don't think its about taking sides but we were all talking about this months ago.

The EFNL are 100% firm that Doncaster was told there would be no points relief and a number of Div 4 clubs were also given that assurance.

But there were red flags early once Doncaster began their recruiting rampage, everyone could see that was not going to fit in with points and again Div 4 clubs contacted the league to ask what was happening, but were told that Doncaster would be getting no points relief.

But even after that Doncaster continued to recruit and offer good coin to players who wouldn't help with their points. They have to take some responsibility for the position they are in. If all of us saw it, surely they could.

I just think sometimes clubs have accept more responsibility than always blaming everyone else. Even last year it was the coaches fault, the captains fault, the players fault then the leagues fault. They had barely been fielding a 2s side for years, that didn't happen over night.

But for what its worth i think they should have given points relief, not to established 3 or 4 pointers, but you could easily have made a lot of players who had only played majority reserves football in weaker divisions 1 pointers instead of 2 pointers from the very start.

I honestly cant believe what happened on the weekend, i cant comprehend there wasn't a solution available.

 

[jenkoboi70]

Agree there is ongoing tension between Doncaster and the EFNL and from some at Doncaster, its irreparable, they want out of the league.

I don't think its about taking sides but we were all talking about this months ago.

The EFNL are 100% firm that Doncaster was told there would be no points relief and a number of Div 4 clubs were also given that assurance.

But there were red flags early once Doncaster began their recruiting rampage, everyone could see that was not going to fit in with points and again Div 4 clubs contacted the league to ask what was happening, but were told that Doncaster would be getting no points relief.

But even after that Doncaster continued to recruit and offer good coin to players who wouldn't help with their points. They have to take some responsibility for the position they are in. If all of us saw it, surely they could.

I just think sometimes clubs have accept more responsibility than always blaming everyone else. Even last year it was the coaches fault, the captains fault, the players fault then the leagues fault. They had barely been fielding a 2s side for years, that didn't happen over night.

But for what its worth i think they should have given points relief, not to established 3 or 4 pointers, but you could easily have made a lot of players who had only played majority reserves football in weaker divisions 1 pointers instead of 2 pointers from the very start.

I honestly cant believe what happened on the weekend, i cant comprehend there wasn't a solution available.

No offence dude but alot of this is absolute crap. They don’t want out of the league, the league doesn’t want them out and there was no recruiting rampage. Need to get your facts straight asap. Oakleigh districts I know for a fact were going through similar issues over the summer.

If no points relief could be given and no extra points given, they may as well have told Doncaster to not come out of recess as it’s physically impossible to come back if you don’t have 19s, juniors or enough one pointers returning. You can’t put a gun to a one pointers head and make him return. Some relief would have been provided but it’s clearly not enough. The not enough part should have been dealt with after the new year with AFL Victoria also overseeing it.

 

[jenkoboi70]

I honestly cant believe what happened on the weekend, i cant comprehend there wasn't a solution available.

Two options were provided. Play at over points cap for no ladder points which both clubs were happy with or play with 3 on bench at points cap. Both were denied by league.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Two options were provided. Play at over points cap for no ladder points which both clubs were happy with or play with 3 on bench at points cap. Both were denied by league.

I have no idea why the league would deny this in particular.

 

[guest100]

If they move leagues they’d have the same points problem- unless the new league gave them points relief.

 

[adock]

No offence dude but alot of this is absolute crap. They don’t want out of the league, the league doesn’t want them out and there was no recruiting rampage. Need to get your facts straight asap. Oakleigh districts I know for a fact were going through similar issues over the summer.

If no points relief could be given and no extra points given, they may as well have told Doncaster to not come out of recess as it’s physically impossible to come back if you don’t have 19s, juniors or enough one pointers returning. You can’t put a gun to a one pointers head and make him return. Some relief would have been provided but it’s clearly not enough. The not enough part should have been dealt with after the new year with AFL Victoria also overseeing it.

At no stage did i suggest that the EFNL want Doncaster out of the league, but 100% a high ranking person from within your football club has been telling people BEFORE this weekend that they are exploring other leagues (NFNL).

At no stage did i suggest holding a gun and making 1 pointers return. You recruited 70 players didn't you? You offered good money to players who should never get paid but you were starting from scratch. I'm not sure why you are so upset at the term 'recruiting rampage' to be honest, you were very happy to spruik your recruits and how many players you had at training etc. But you must have known as the recruits kept rolling, that you had no points to play them?

Get through this year and you will have a huge points relief next year, if they all hang around. Im not saying its all Doncasters fault but take some responsibility for your part in this mess.

 

[jenkoboi70]

I have no idea why the league would deny this in particular.

Technically gotta pick 22 on sheet.
think issue stemmed from playing players in first few games and they got more injured. The fourth guy on bench would have been an injured player again. So they probably knocked back due to duty of care ???

 

[10571z]

Technically gotta pick 22 on sheet.
think issue stemmed from playing players in first few games and they got more injured. The fourth guy on bench would have been an injured player again. So they probably knocked back due to duty of care ???

How exactly can the league stop a guy with a torn hamstring sit on the bench?

 

[guest100]

A game I was at on the weekend - a player went off injured at about the 5 min mark injured and didn’t come back on. Should the fans have been called off due to the duty of care to the other 21 fit guys?

 

[jenkoboi70]

At no stage did i suggest that the EFNL want Doncaster out of the league, but 100% a high ranking person from within your football club has been telling people BEFORE this weekend that they are exploring other leagues (NFNL).

At no stage did i suggest holding a gun and making 1 pointers return. You recruited 70 players didn't you? You offered good money to players who should never get paid but you were starting from scratch. I'm not sure why you are so upset at the term 'recruiting rampage' to be honest, you were very happy to spruik your recruits and how many players you had at training etc. But you must have known as the recruits kept rolling, that you had no points to play them?

Get through this year and you will have a huge points relief next year, if they all hang around. Im not saying its all Doncasters fault but take some responsibility for your part in this mess.

I’m not at Doncaster
I have been closer at Oakleigh districts who have been facing the same problem due to exodus post Pearso leaving
Regarding the conversations had between league and club land, from what I’ve been told, and Oakleigh in same position, is offers to help were there, but come close to season, not much was offered. All talk and then minimal action. Both clubs should have sat down with afl Victoria at the point of coaching announcements and actually worked out what can be done. Not recruited willy nilly with no process from league. Of course leage are going to be happy with new recruits in, push comes to shove and they are weak as usual.

 

[jenkoboi70]

How exactly can the league stop a guy with a torn hamstring sit on the bench?

Youd imagine an injury list was already provided to league when they said they were screwed for the week. Maybe played their cards too early

 

[adock]

Two options were provided. Play at over points cap for no ladder points which both clubs were happy with or play with 3 on bench at points cap. Both were denied by league.

The Bulleen Templestowe statement reads a little different to what you are suggesting.

"They (Doncaster) obviously have their reasons why (to forfeit) and, after many conversations with the EFNL and BTFC Executive, they have decided to stick with that decision.

We'd also like to thank the EFNL for their hard work in working closely with both clubs to find an equitable solution throughout this process."

 

[jenkoboi70]

At no stage did i suggest holding a gun and making 1 pointers return. You recruited 70 players didn't you? You offered good money to players who should never get paid but you were starting from scratch. I'm not sure why you are so upset at the term 'recruiting rampage' to be honest, you were very happy to spruik your recruits and how many players you had at training etc. But you must have known as the recruits kept rolling, that you had no points to play them?

Out of curiosity and for Oakleigh too, if no one pointers returning for both clubs or minimal, let us know what your strategy would have been? How are you remaining under the points cap if no relief?

 

[jenkoboi70]

The Bulleen Templestowe statement reads a little different to what you are suggesting.

"They (Doncaster) obviously have their reasons why (to forfeit) and, after many conversations with the EFNL and BTFC Executive, they have decided to stick with that decision.

We'd also like to thank the EFNL for their hard work in working closely with both clubs to find an equitable solution throughout this process."

At the end of the day it’s still Doncasters forfeit isn’t it
Why would they blame the league