All Divisions General NFNL Discussion Thread

[red_ranga]

very concerning for Lalor and the future and to think they where 3 points from Dvi 1 in 2015 to where the club is now the fall has been catastrophic. Not sure how they pick themselves or if they can. I'm sure they are trying but the area is very much an old ethnic demographic now and new resistants don't seem to care much about football. Through Thomastown are much the some and have seemed steady enough in div 2. Epping are very up and down. Don't know maybe three teams in the area is to much.

Yhea I think your right with the demographic maybe a junior club like mill park or lalor stars can have a pathway to seniors with them

 

[coolKat]

Yhea I think your right with the demographic maybe a junior club like mill park or lalor stars can have a pathway to seniors with them

This was explored with Mill Park when Ben was in charge. A detailed 5 year plan was submitted and Mill Park ultimately rejected the plan.

 

[EBERT THE KING]

Theres simply no growth in Lalor as a suburb/demographic.

Young families are moving to Laurimar, Doreen, Mernda, Wollert for better properties at better prices. Its very difficult to tap into a junior base when there are no families there.

I honestly think its time to draw a line in the sand, and look to make a call on these clubs. If there is any truth at all about Ivanhoe and/or Parade looking to join, then these avenues should be pursued.

Donnybrook and Wollert are a matter of time. Donnybrook are fielding a junior side this year.

Its simple for the league, you go where the opportunity is.

 

[red_ranga]

This was explored with Mill Park when Ben was in charge. A detailed 5 year plan was submitted and Mill Park ultimately rejected the plan.

Are mill park aligned with anyone?

 

[Max Leader]

Theres simply no growth in Lalor as a suburb/demographic.

Young families are moving to Laurimar, Doreen, Mernda, Wollert for better properties at better prices. Its very difficult to tap into a junior base when there are no families there.

I honestly think its time to draw a line in the sand, and look to make a call on these clubs. If there is any truth at all about Ivanhoe and/or Parade looking to join, then these avenues should be pursued.

Donnybrook and Wollert are a matter of time. Donnybrook are fielding a junior side this year.

Its simple for the league, you go where the opportunity is.

Ivanhoe are on a good thing at the moment and will not move.

 

[10571z]

Are mill park aligned with anyone?

Watsonia I believe

 

[10571z]

Theres simply no growth in Lalor as a suburb/demographic.

Young families are moving to Laurimar, Doreen, Mernda, Wollert for better properties at better prices. Its very difficult to tap into a junior base when there are no families there.

I honestly think its time to draw a line in the sand, and look to make a call on these clubs. If there is any truth at all about Ivanhoe and/or Parade looking to join, then these avenues should be pursued.

Donnybrook and Wollert are a matter of time. Donnybrook are fielding a junior side this year.

Its simple for the league, you go where the opportunity is.

I don’t understand how a club 5 mins from lalor, Keon Park are linked with Heidelberg West and not Lalor.

Tbh the demographics of those areas are changing with younger families now moving into the area as the previous generation age. Reservoir is certiantly changing

 

[EBERT THE KING]

I don’t understand how a club 5 mins from lalor, Keon Park are linked with Heidelberg West and not Lalor.

Tbh the demographics of those areas are changing with younger families now moving into the area as the previous generation age. Reservoir is certiantly changing

Median property prices in Reservoir are 200k more than Doreen/Mernda. Its a no brainer.

Families are moving further out.

 

[Mappa]

Are mill park aligned with anyone?

A quick look at the junior scores today and there are no Mill Park teams in U17, U16, U15, or U13, so not many pushing through from the junior ranks unfortunately for them.

 

[10571z]

Median property prices in Reservoir are 200k more than Doreen/Mernda. Its a no brainer.

Families are moving further out.

? Median prices in Montmorency are 400k more… plenty of families there.

Junior football is really struggling and so are a lot of senior clubs. Due to Covid there has never been a worse time to be a struggling club.

 

[Rusted nuts]

I don’t understand how a club 5 mins from lalor, Keon Park are linked with Heidelberg West and not Lalor.

Tbh the demographics of those areas are changing with younger families now moving into the area as the previous generation age. Reservoir is certiantly changing

Lalor and reservoir have junior clubs?

 

[10571z]

Lalor and reservoir have junior clubs?

Lalor doesn’t

 

[Wastin time]

The junior situation is a huge issue across the board atm.
U15s = 14 sides
U16s = 14 sides
U17s = 13 sides
Now some sides still have under 20 registered in age groups..
Eg: a growth area like Mernda , which only a couple years back had well over 300+ registered kids , now don’t field an U16s or U17s.
Kids are leaving , or since Covid , not returning to football.
U19s footy will be just about wiped out over next few years.
Perhaps adjustments may help ,
Eg U19s Friday nights (school footy Saturday mornings is hurting this age group too)
U17s 12pm Sunday’s not 3pm
*Not sure of a solution

 

[red_ranga]

The junior situation is a huge issue across the board atm.
U15s = 14 sides
U16s = 14 sides
U17s = 13 sides
Now some sides still have under 20 registered in age groups..
Eg: a growth area like Mernda , which only a couple years back had well over 300+ registered kids , now don’t field an U16s or U17s.
Kids are leaving , or since Covid , not returning to football.
U19s footy will be just about wiped out over next few years.
Perhaps adjustments may help ,
Eg U19s Friday nights (school footy Saturday mornings is hurting this age group too)
U17s 12pm Sunday’s not 3pm
*Not sure of a solution

Bring back the Lou hall trophy 3 divisions 13s 15s 17s all play at the same ground no woke grading never hurt us in the early days

 

[10571z]

The junior situation is a huge issue across the board atm.
U15s = 14 sides
U16s = 14 sides
U17s = 13 sides
Now some sides still have under 20 registered in age groups..
Eg: a growth area like Mernda , which only a couple years back had well over 300+ registered kids , now don’t field an U16s or U17s.
Kids are leaving , or since Covid , not returning to football.
U19s footy will be just about wiped out over next few years.
Perhaps adjustments may help ,
Eg U19s Friday nights (school footy Saturday mornings is hurting this age group too)
U17s 12pm Sunday’s not 3pm
*Not sure of a solution

I believe 19s football should be scrapped same as in the AFL. I honestly don’t see why it’s required. The kids are old enough to play open age football. It’s not a danger like it was back in the 70s and 80s where young guys would be targeted.

Many kids are already playing seniors at the stage if good enough. Reserves football would go from basically social football and fill ins to actual development with the clubs up and coming youth running around.

Kids would finish their junior football and go to a club which might suit their next stage of development

Instead of clubs like West Preston and Eltham having 2 teams those excess kids would find a club that suits their level.

Sure some may quit but guess what, they wouldn’t be up to it regardless.

15s,16s,18s juniors then open age football.

 

[Champ or Chump]

Ivanhoe are on a good thing at the moment and will not move.

I don't know Max ..... if there was a compelling reason, supported by sponsors, members and players with a sizeable incentive from the NFNL ...... I'm sure they'd have a respectful look at it

Chump

 

[Champ or Chump]

I believe 19s football should be scrapped same as in the AFL. I honestly don’t see why it’s required. The kids are old enough to play open age football. It’s not a danger like it was back in the 70s and 80s where young guys would be targeted.

Many kids are already playing seniors at the stage if good enough. Reserves football would go from basically social football and fill ins to actual development with the clubs up and coming youth running around.

Kids would finish their junior football and go to a club which might suit their next stage of development

Instead of clubs like West Preston and Eltham having 2 teams those excess kids would find a club that suits their level.

Sure some may quit but guess what, they wouldn’t be up to it regardless.

15s,16s,18s juniors then open age football.

Tend to agree 10571z ............

• let junior football take them all the way to u18's whilst school (and school footy in some cases) is in play.
• then have Reserves and Seniors for open age (18+)

A couple of other points:
- Private school footy used to be mid-week, now weekends causing significant issues for local junior footy. AFL Vic need to address with schools and find a way to go back to mid-week footy if possible.

- Potentially limit the number of teams a club can have? This is a tough one as kids want to play with mates and hard work to build a strong system should not be hindered, but in the VAFA power clubs like Xavier have 4 x under 19's (mens) these days. Once upon a time they could only have two and the other kids found other local clubs to play with.

- Points system for clubs working with junior clubs has become a farce with several MOU's signed across multiple senior clubs to one junior club. Even clubs that have a juniors program are signing MOU's with other junior clubs so they don't get caught out on points in later years for their senior club. It's a joke. If you want senior clubs to invest and support in a junior program, then reward or incentivise them correctly to do it and close the loopholes that senior clubs are exploiting right now.

We have 5 x open age teams at the moment, but no under 19's and face the same issues as those in the NFNL in recruiting players and providing umpires (in the lower grades). Lots to work through if we want to keep our game strong.

Chump

 

[10571z]

Tend to agree 10571z ............

• let junior football take them all the way to u18's whilst school (and school footy in some cases) is in play.
• then have Reserves and Seniors for open age (18+)

A couple of other points:
- Private school footy used to be mid-week, now weekends causing significant issues for local junior footy. AFL Vic need to address with schools and find a way to go back to mid-week footy if possible.

- Potentially limit the number of teams a club can have? This is a tough one as kids want to play with mates and hard work to build a strong system should not be hindered, but in the VAFA power clubs like Xavier have 4 x under 19's (mens) these days. Once upon a time they could only have two and the other kids found other local clubs to play with.

- Points system for clubs working with junior clubs has become a farce with several MOU's signed across multiple senior clubs to one junior club. Even clubs that have a juniors program are signing MOU's with other junior clubs so they don't get caught out on points in later years for their senior club. It's a joke. If you want senior clubs to invest and support in a junior program, then reward or incentivise them correctly to do it and close the loopholes that senior clubs are exploiting right now.

We have 5 x open age teams at the moment, but no under 19's and face the same issues as those in the NFNL in recruiting players and providing umpires (in the lower grades). Lots to work through if we want to keep our game strong.

Chump

Limiting teams I agree with.

Even in the NFNL we have 2 sides with 2 under 19s while many clubs are struggling to field them. If these kids want a game they can find one and move as a group to another division or club.

Not to mention the umpire shortage why introduce more sides?

 

[Mappa]

...and face the same issues as those in the NFNL in recruiting players.

Chump

Geez Chump. If your current list is the result of having difficulties recruiting players, I'd hate to see the Hoers if you didn't have issues recruiting players. You could jump straight to B grade

 

[Champ or Chump]

Geez Chump. If your current list is the result of having difficulties recruiting players, I'd hate to see the Hoers if you didn't have issues recruiting players. You could jump straight to B grade

One game Mappa, it was only round 1.

Keep the lid on

Chump.

 

[Wastin time]

U19s - Kilmore vs Watsonia @watsonia Friday night...
Hopefully it catches on..

 

[Denny Crane]

U19s - Kilmore vs Watsonia @watsonia Friday night...
Hopefully it catches on..

Catches on? Friday night U19s have been going for years, its just clubs have to organise and both agree. Cannot have too much organisation at the moment as fixture is still in grading. Once the yearly one is out you will see a few games a week I am sure.

 

[Denny Crane]

23rd Man.....

I think I can understand the theory behind the concept. Give a young kid a smell of senior footy that may one day get a few more games and even be a regular....I think, not in the NFNL, its a chance for Clubs to manipulate the system.

Should Northcote Park be able to use a 23rd man without a U19 program and especially use a TAC player? Even more especially when he is from Wallan, played all his junior games at Wallen and its his first game ever at the Club or any associated Clubs??

Don't think that's what the 23rd man concept was about.

 

[10571z]

23rd Man.....

I think I can understand the theory behind the concept. Give a young kid a smell of senior footy that may one day get a few more games and even be a regular....I think, not in the NFNL, its a chance for Clubs to manipulate the system.

Should Northcote Park be able to use a 23rd man without a U19 program and especially use a TAC player? Even more especially when he is from Wallan, played all his junior games at Wallen and its his first game ever at the Club or any associated Clubs??

Don't think that's what the 23rd man concept was about.

Im not sure of the circumstances of that situation but introducing a kid to the NFNL is still a positive.

Let’s be honest this isn’t a common trend.

Why did Wallan clear him? Why is he not playing seniors there if that good?

 

[Denny Crane]

Im not sure of the circumstances of that situation but introducing a kid to the NFNL is still a positive.

Let’s be honest this isn’t a common trend.

Why did Wallan clear him? Why is he not playing seniors there if that good?

Agree with the idea of introducing a player, no issues with players playing but is that what the 23rd man rule was for. I am surprised if it is a common trend, if this happens a lot then the 23rd man rule is a joke.

I think its a loophole to be honest and reading the herald dun article the coach thinks he helped win the game....when finals and relegation is on the line should it be manipulated like that?