GFNL Discussion 2026

[The Rhys Factor]

You are dreaming.

Newcomb who finished second last add 3 quality GFL players and are already going past most BFL teams.

To think Torquay would get withing 5 goals of Marys is laughable.

It’s taken a while but Newcomb show that it can be done. Got a few extra payer points here and there but nothing massive that was a game changer. It can be done. But it takes time. They were a basket case 10 years ago. 200+ point losses. But look at them now. Full credit to them.

 

[mobility]

You are dreaming.

Newcomb who finished second last add 3 quality GFL players and are already going past most BFL teams.

To think Torquay would get withing 5 goals of Marys is laughable.

Quite a few Torquay players in the GFL, including a couple at Mary's. Could definitely be a finals side after a year or two settling into the GFL.

 

[logan wilson]

does anyone have the link or words behind paywall mark neeld relegation thoughts

 

[ringo1]

does anyone have the link or words behind paywall mark neeld relegation thoughts

Says he supports promotion /relegation...of course he does from his South Barwon Ivory tower! A tower that actively pursues 14/15 year olds that become 1 or 2 point players by the time they reach senior level. Perhaps he needs a stint at a bottom club for an injection of reality?

 

[johnnymossop]

Says he supports promotion /relegation...of course he does from his South Barwon Ivory tower! A tower that actively pursues 14/15 year olds that become 1 or 2 point players by the time they reach senior level. Perhaps he needs a stint at a bottom club for an injection of reality?

Time for Geelong to wake up. Look at the metro comps and VAFA. Get it done. While I'm at it, fix some of the grounds and facilities.

 

[logan wilson]

Says he supports promotion /relegation...of course he does from his South Barwon Ivory tower! A tower that actively pursues 14/15 year olds that become 1 or 2 point players by the time they reach senior level. Perhaps he needs a stint at a bottom club for an injection of reality?

hes already done that ruined melbourne LOL

 

[Who are ya]

Time for Geelong to wake up. Look at the metro comps and VAFA. Get it done. While I'm at it, fix some of the grounds and facilities.

The league gets a few things wrong, but we’ve got some of the best facilities and surfaces in the state. Which is also a council problem not a league problem. Would be interested to hear what grounds and facilities you think aren’t up to scratch?

 

[johnnymossop]

The league gets a few things wrong, but we’ve got some of the best facilities and surfaces in the state. Which is also a council problem not a league problem. Would be interested to hear what grounds and facilities you think aren’t up to scratch?

Bell Park oval is hopelessly tilted. St Marys is like a school ground. Yes surfaces are good.

 

[Who are ya]

Haha yeah St Mary’s is tiny but there’s not a lot they can do about that. You seen Belmont Lions oval? 2 half decent kicks and you can go from a kick out at full back to kicking a goal!

 

[PluggerMode]

I’m no fan of St Mary’s mate but they had 20 1 point players in there side yesterday and played at 25 points. They could be given 30 points to play with and they’d still be better than everyone. On the flip side, the bottom clubs could be given 60 points and it wouldn’t make any difference as they just can’t recruit.

Unless clubs can fix their junior sections and start producing quality home grown players nothing will change

For Clubs to fix their juniors programs, AFL Barwon need to step in and stop clubs from 'Recruiting' half a team from one club. How can clubs create an elite junior program when all their time and energy is spent trying to retain their players as they are being promised the world and playing Div 1 footy.

AFL Barwon if they were serious would Cap the amount of teams 1 club can have per age group and spread the talent around. They would also cap how many juniors from 1 age group can transfer to another club per year.

The current model is the rich clubs keep getting richer while the lower clubs are left with what ever is left.

AFL Barwon is broken.

 

[The Rhys Factor]

For Clubs to fix their juniors programs, AFL Barwon need to step in and stop clubs from 'Recruiting' half a team from one club. How can clubs create an elite junior program when all their time and energy is spent trying to retain their players as they are being promised the world and playing Div 1 footy.

AFL Barwon if they were serious would Cap the amount of teams 1 club can have per age group and spread the talent around. They would also cap how many juniors from 1 age group can transfer to another club per year.

The current model is the rich clubs keep getting richer while the lower clubs are left with what ever is left.

AFL Barwon is broken.

You are spot on. There are certain GFL clubs that recruit juniors saying if they play there they will get a look at Falcons but not at their current club. Falcons actually tell players the same thing and are complicit in this. Hence why same clubs are strong in seniors because they get all the elite juniors who become one pointers.
Not a fan of capping junior teams as such. I see your point though. We do want as many kids Playing footy as we can. But the model certainly needs to be better. The strong will stay strong and the weak weak if it doesn’t change.

 

[Trent from Pannoo Road]

Cant cap junior teams, but you can cap clearances between clubs, limit to 1 per age group and thats a simple fix

 

[Grimmett]

Cant cap junior teams, but you can cap clearances between clubs, limit to 1 per age group and thats a simple fix

Ballarat league caps teams and numbers within clubs. Still has issues with perennially strong and weak clubs.

 

[The Rhys Factor]

Cant cap junior teams, but you can cap clearances between clubs, limit to 1 per age group and thats a simple fix

Not sure that works. What if kids move suburbs and it’s more than one. Kids want to play with mates. Really hard to restrict kids playing where they want.

 

[Who are ya]

I’ve said before but if afl vic want to have a points system in place for senior footy, then it should be implemented in junior footy as well.

You could easily base it off the postcode of where player resides. As an example if you live in the 3216 postcode then you’ve got 4 clubs in that postcode that you’d be eligible to play juniors for as a 1 point player. Those clubs are South Barwon, Belmont, Grovedale and Geelong Ammo’s. If you decide you want to play at St Joeys for example then you’re automatically a 3 point player when you start your senior career.

Something like that would stop clubs poaching from other clubs just so that they can get that kid to play enough junior games to be classed as a home grown player.

 

[Trent from Pannoo Road]

Not sure that works. What if kids move suburbs and it’s more than one. Kids want to play with mates. Really hard to restrict kids playing where they want.

How often does that happen? Its more often they are at a struggling club and a strong club gets in their ear, they probably go to school at joeys and its far easier

 

[AFL Barwon follower]

How often does that happen? Its more often they are at a struggling club and a strong club gets in their ear, they probably go to school at joeys and its far easier

My nephew was at one of those struggling clubs and he wasn't poached but went to one of the so called stronger clubs to play with his mates. my brother in law told me unbelievable the difference with how the junior structure is set up, how great the coaches are and pathways for not only those that want to better themselves but also for kids who want to just have fun and play in a lower grade. if teams were capped he wouldn't take his son back to old club he would just find the next best run club and go there so his son cn redeveloped but all enjoy himself in a great environment. clubs who are lower need to also look at some of these stronger clubs and see the hard work that has gone into getting them to where they are now and start looking at what they can do different..

 

[The Rhys Factor]

I’ve said before but if afl vic want to have a points system in place for senior footy, then it should be implemented in junior footy as well.

You could easily base it off the postcode of where player resides. As an example if you live in the 3216 postcode then you’ve got 4 clubs in that postcode that you’d be eligible to play juniors for as a 1 point player. Those clubs are South Barwon, Belmont, Grovedale and Geelong Ammo’s. If you decide you want to play at St Joeys for example then you’re automatically a 3 point player when you start your senior career.

Something like that would stop clubs poaching from other clubs just so that they can get that kid to play enough junior games to be classed as a home grown player.

Not a bad idea. I was thinking something along the lines of you have to play where you live. But this is simpler. You know it will never happen though. Good ideas don’t.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

You could easily base it off the postcode of where player resides. As an example if you live in the 3216 postcode then you’ve got 4 clubs in that postcode that you’d be eligible to play juniors for as a 1 point player. Those clubs are South Barwon, Belmont, Grovedale and Geelong Ammo’s.

Regardless of the sport you can't do that.
Young kids will often grow up playing with their mates, and that can change with school.

I know myself I was a 3216 kid but once high school started I switched from being a Sth Barwon junior (great-grandad was a founder of Barwon FC) to playing with my mates at St.Josephs FC. In 3220. You start telling kids they can't play sport for a certain club based on postcode and you'll lose them from the sport all together, and that's not just footy. That'd apply to all sports.

And there'd be plenty like me every single year. My cousin's kids live in Highton but his friends play soccer at Surf Coast so that's where he plays as well.

Which then plays into the 2nd part of your statement about points allocation, clubs won't take in or invest coaching in kids who will become 3 pointers upon senior footy. They'd have to be exceptional talents to justify it.

IMV there's no solution to the talent disparity among junior sport that can be fixed by regulation.

 

[The Rhys Factor]

Regardless of the sport you can't do that.
Young kids will often grow up playing with their mates, and that can change with school.

I know myself I was a 3216 kid but once high school started I switched from being a Sth Barwon junior (great-grandad was a founder of Barwon FC) to playing with my mates at St.Josephs FC. In 3220. You start telling kids they can't play sport for a certain club based on postcode and you'll lose them from the sport all together, and that's not just footy. That'd apply to all sports.

And there'd be plenty like me every single year. My cousin's kids live in Highton but his friends play soccer at Surf Coast so that's where he plays as well.

Which then plays into the 2nd part of your statement about points allocation, clubs won't take in or invest coaching in kids who will become 3 pointers upon senior footy. They'd have to be exceptional talents to justify it.

IMV there's no solution to the talent disparity among junior sport that can be fixed by regulation.

Can’t argue with much of what you said there either. Good points. It’s a bloody tough situation that may have no good solution

 

[logan wilson]

Cant cap junior teams, but you can cap clearances between clubs, limit to 1 per age group and thats a simple fix

they need to looking at clubs like marys joeys etc they have 5+ teams in one age group.. another reason why these big clubs are succesful

 

[Who are ya]

Regardless of the sport you can't do that.
Young kids will often grow up playing with their mates, and that can change with school.

I know myself I was a 3216 kid but once high school started I switched from being a Sth Barwon junior (great-grandad was a founder of Barwon FC) to playing with my mates at St.Josephs FC. In 3220. You start telling kids they can't play sport for a certain club based on postcode and you'll lose them from the sport all together, and that's not just footy. That'd apply to all sports.

And there'd be plenty like me every single year. My cousin's kids live in Highton but his friends play soccer at Surf Coast so that's where he plays as well.

Which then plays into the 2nd part of your statement about points allocation, clubs won't take in or invest coaching in kids who will become 3 pointers upon senior footy. They'd have to be exceptional talents to justify it.

IMV there's no solution to the talent disparity among junior sport that can be fixed by regulation.

I’m not necessarily saying you can’t play for a certain club if you don’t live in that postcode, but implementing a points system would make it a lot harder for clubs to poach talented kids from other clubs. Something we all know happens all the time.

I said 3 points in my comment yesterday but having thought more about it, I’d actually raise it to 5 points if it’s a kid changing clubs within the same league. We all know the clubs that poach or attempt to poach and I’d guarantee these clubs aren’t just so lucky to have all these gun kids living in the suburb the clubs based in compared to other clubs around the region

 

[Who are ya]

Great win by Grovedale today

 

[SuperSteele22]

With the obvious exception of North Shore it's looking like a pretty healthy competition this year