All Divisions General NFNL Discussion Thread

[Thenorthernfootyshow]

TNFS UPDATE
Today I sat down again with the new NFNL CEO, Daniel Kelly.
What came out of the meeting? Open, honest and constructive conversation.
We spoke about:
• How TNFS and the NFNL media teams can complement each other moving forward
• The discussion around Preston City Oval
• And getting to know the man himself – who Daniel Kelly is and what he stands for...
What I can report back is this — Daniel is an open book and an absolute pleasure to talk footy with. He’s approachable, transparent, and clearly passionate about the league.
So much so, I’ve invited him to join me for a recorded Q&A session — “Coffee with Daz” (yes… we’re running with it

). That will be happening in the coming weeks and he’s keen to jump on.
Regarding Preston City Oval (PCO)
The league has registered its interest in hosting finals there and will await the council to complete their evaluation process and there is no intent to play home and away games at PCO in 2026.
Understandably Daniel is still getting his feet under the table.
Now over to you

If you’ve got a relevant question you’d like raised in my next meeting with Daniel or my coffee Q&A session, drop it below or PM me. I’ll take them to him and report back to you all.
That’s how we keep things transparent.
That’s how we grow the game.
– Daz

 

[Broomsticks]

Perhaps you could ask him when can we expect a match report for the most recent Div 1 Grand Final.

 

[Thenorthernfootyshow]

Perhaps you could ask him when can we expect a match report for the most recent Div 1 Grand Final.

I will ask if there was one. I would guess that with the departure of the Media Manager after the Grand Final and the departure of the CEO it may have been not completed. Perhaps the next media manager when appointed (currently interviewing) if they have the knowledge they may do one. I will ask though.

 

[Denny Crane]

Why are clearances from IT in the 1970s.

Could, with a decent investment in a stand, Latrobe can be useable or viable finals venue (and possibly other games, teams with rebuilding, preseason etc) with smart business plan it would make money, what do clubs spend at Bundoora Uni ground....?

Removal of salary cap, if he thinks it works walk out on him, we all know points is the only thing that does not fit in a paper bag.

Possibility of a Fri Night U19s for Clubs that can do it and think it's a better option than having their 19s play many KMs away from the senior club on a Sat (draining resources) even if for a trial season.

Why are finances always missing from online Annual Report.

Are there any discussion or thoughts on two up two down. I know many will hate that but sometimes best team ready to go up stumble at GF....I think this should be at least discussed with Clubs and will add to the season and latter games.

Can we move Tribunal away from Tuesday nights or move to Zoom? Players miss training to appear, and this can cost selection etc. Time to modernise it or make it Mon and Wed only.

Is there any expansion? Are they looking at other teams to try and even up Div 3?

With no 'Record' has anyone considered an online version? I know we have an app with scores etc but this can be worked with an online Record that promotes Clubs activities, has articles like it used to and promotes sponsors.

Why are women playing on Sundays? When a Club is playing away their ground is free, why not use that? Why not look at multiple games on that day, for example:

Heidelberg v Monty Men at Warringal means Para Rd free. Have both Mont ladies play there.....or ask others to play there as well (say LP v Greensy)

This gets crowds knowing there is games and frees up people from ruining Sunday night.

All just top of my head thoughts, not hanging my hat on em but if he comes in and its same old same old then will the league improve?

 

[Denny Crane]

As he is mentioned in this article what are is plans or are these comments just token? As we know, in the past NFNL have not been overly fussed on volunteers.....fining them for small admin mistakes was fun.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/local-sport-volunteers-face-crisis-and-need-more-support/news-story/25152b91b004c313f49083e501e1920e

Local sport volunteers face crisis and need more support​

From serving Thursday night meals to building playing squads, the workload on local sport volunteers is surging. Now, the exhausted few keeping Victoria’s clubs alive are running on empty.

The most crucial teammates in community sport don’t even take the field.
But right now, Victoria’s volunteers are under more pressure than ever.

Many local sporting clubs across Victoria are feeling the pinch when it comes to finding people to fill various non-paid roles to help people of all ages take to the playing arena every week.

In 2024, a survey by AusPlay found 89 per cent of people involved with community sport gave up their time for nothing. Only 11 per cent received some form of compensation.

But while there are the unsung heroes of clubs across the state, the job is often being left to too few.

Lachy Young, co-president of the Thomson Football Netball Club in the Geelong region, estimated his club’s volunteer numbers had fallen by 25 per cent in the last three years.

The Tigers serve about 200 meals to their junior and senior players on a Thursday night alone, a common routine across many local football and netball clubs.

And on the field, the club has four under-14 teams heading into the 2026 season.

Young said he feared for some clubs.

“I do believe there will be some clubs that will fall over completely in the next couple of years (without an adequate number of volunteers),” he said.

“I’ve got to work hard so we’re not one of them. We just need as much support as possible.”

But trying to put clubs in a strong position off the field isn’t just the focus either.

Volunteers – largely those on committees – spend hours in the off-seasons after their own full-time jobs have been completed to put the right people in position to succeed on the field.

While it’s not just about the wins and losses, a lot of work – which many community sport participants probably don’t realise – goes into ensuring a game can just get underway.

Albert Park Soccer Club recently found itself needing to withdraw its men teams from Football Victoria’s State League competitions because time simply run out.

“As a volunteer-run, community-based club, the committee simply does not have the manpower required at this time to recruit a senior manager, a reserves manager, and two competitive squads capable of sustaining a successful State League campaign,” a club statement said earlier this month.

“Proceeding without the right structures and personnel in place would not be in the best interests of the club, the players, or the competition.

“We are devastated that we have had to reach this point. However, we believe this is the most responsible decision for the long-term health of Albert Park Soccer Club.

“Our intention is to use this period to regroup, rebuild our foundations, and put the right people and structures in place.”

While the established clubs – some with a rich history – fight their own battle, the challenge is even greater for those in their infancy.

The Surf Coast Suns, who are set to enter their first senior football and netball teams into the Bellarine league this year, have been building from the ground up in one of Victoria’s fastest growing areas.

Its president Jay Williams said the club relied upon a handful of parents to run its close to 20 junior footy teams.

However, he had about 20 key volunteers, including committee and sub-committee members, in operational roles to ensure the entire club ran smoothly.

“There’s plenty of people putting their hands up for each team, parents of the kids in the team just to do something on a Saturday,” Williams said.

“But in terms of your broader jobs, committee members, stuff that needs to happen behind the scenes, it is harder to get those.

“It’s probably the same few to do those sorts of jobs, year after year. That’s the only challenge I would say, finding the people that want to do those things.”

However, he said as the senior and reserves program was being built from the ground up, it had a lot more to do off the field than an established outfit.

“There’s been a lot more to do than just the day to day, building the senior program from scratch, effectively new lists and new people and new jobs to do,“ he said.

“It’s been massively time consuming.”

Merrifield Panthers, a club based in Melbourne’s north, is entering its third year in Essendon District Football League.

Player numbers have surged meaning the Panthers will field seven sides this year, an increase of 120 per cent.

President Paul Higginson and his wife, Sharlene, play a key role in keeping the doors open often going above what their roles are listed as.

“More teams means more work,” Higginson said.

“I’ve always said I’ve got an extra 160 kids I have to take care of and then we’ve got a senior men’s Thirds team as well.

“You do it because you love it. But there’s a lot of extra hours. Whether it’s doing the admin tasks or sorting out playing jumpers for the new season, there is always something to do.”

At Victorian Amateur Football Association club, La Trobe University, current president Andrew Sutherland believes they’ve struck the right balance.

Sutherland is currently serving his fifth year in the role at a club where players aren’t paid and often are welcomed from the university community in Bundoora.

There are members of the club community who are the rusted on Eagles and they now help keep the club moving forward.

“In the past, it was a smaller committee and we relied on too few people,” he said.

“They get burnt out, then they walk away. We’ve made a decision to empower everyone on the committee.

“And we’ve got a mix of more senior members of the club and younger ones. We want to find roles which suits people’s strengths and their interests.

“It’s really important to empower everyone because it makes the club function better.”

The officials who are leading the leagues where many of these clubs are based know the pressure is growing.

Daniel Kelly, who recently started as CEO of the Northern Football Netball League, acknowledges the challenges.

“I’m conscious of the fact that anything we ask, we’re sending that out to a volunteer that is trying to squeeze it in outside of their day job and family life,” he said.

“All they want to do is bring people together and have fun, particularly at the junior level, and people to be the best they can be.”

 

[10571z]

Spoke with someone in club land and they were complaining about the uniform cost, after digging a bit deeper…

Have a look at the price differences the NFNL is charging clubs vs the EFNL with Belgravia Apparel.

Licensing fees.

NFNL PRICES



EFNL - https://www.efnl.org.au/_files/ugd/f3b417_17d36eaf6f91457a86425085a3b26814.pdf


Same supplier, same jumper.. $30 extra

SOCKS
NFNL $20
EFNL $15

SHORTS
NFNL $35
EFNL $30


So you can kit out a player with a reversible short sleeve, 2 pairs of short and a pair of socks
NFNL - $190
EFNL - $145

$55 more each player...
Times that by 100 listed players for seniors, reserves and 19's and clubs are coughing up 5.5k more.

Not sure what the league fees are per comp so maybe that makes up the difference.

 

[10571z]

Why are clearances from IT in the 1970s.

Could, with a decent investment in a stand, Latrobe can be useable or viable finals venue (and possibly other games, teams with rebuilding, preseason etc) with smart business plan it would make money, what do clubs spend at Bundoora Uni ground....?

Removal of salary cap, if he thinks it works walk out on him, we all know points is the only thing that does not fit in a paper bag.

Possibility of a Fri Night U19s for Clubs that can do it and think it's a better option than having their 19s play many KMs away from the senior club on a Sat (draining resources) even if for a trial season.

Why are finances always missing from online Annual Report.

Are there any discussion or thoughts on two up two down. I know many will hate that but sometimes best team ready to go up stumble at GF....I think this should be at least discussed with Clubs and will add to the season and latter games.

Can we move Tribunal away from Tuesday nights or move to Zoom? Players miss training to appear, and this can cost selection etc. Time to modernise it or make it Mon and Wed only.

Is there any expansion? Are they looking at other teams to try and even up Div 3?

With no 'Record' has anyone considered an online version? I know we have an app with scores etc but this can be worked with an online Record that promotes Clubs activities, has articles like it used to and promotes sponsors.

Why are women playing on Sundays? When a Club is playing away their ground is free, why not use that? Why not look at multiple games on that day, for example:

Heidelberg v Monty Men at Warringal means Para Rd free. Have both Mont ladies play there.....or ask others to play there as well (say LP v Greensy)

This gets crowds knowing there is games and frees up people from ruining Sunday night.

All just top of my head thoughts, not hanging my hat on em but if he comes in and its same old same old then will the league improve?

I can answer one, Women aren’t playing Saturdays due to umpire shortages. At this stage they aren’t even filling the games for the men let alone adding 3 divisions of women’s football.

 

[Thenorthernfootyshow]

Why are clearances from IT in the 1970s.

Could, with a decent investment in a stand, Latrobe can be useable or viable finals venue (and possibly other games, teams with rebuilding, preseason etc) with smart business plan it would make money, what do clubs spend at Bundoora Uni ground....?

Removal of salary cap, if he thinks it works walk out on him, we all know points is the only thing that does not fit in a paper bag.

Possibility of a Fri Night U19s for Clubs that can do it and think it's a better option than having their 19s play many KMs away from the senior club on a Sat (draining resources) even if for a trial season.

Why are finances always missing from online Annual Report.

Are there any discussion or thoughts on two up two down. I know many will hate that but sometimes best team ready to go up stumble at GF....I think this should be at least discussed with Clubs and will add to the season and latter games.

Can we move Tribunal away from Tuesday nights or move to Zoom? Players miss training to appear, and this can cost selection etc. Time to modernise it or make it Mon and Wed only.

Is there any expansion? Are they looking at other teams to try and even up Div 3?

With no 'Record' has anyone considered an online version? I know we have an app with scores etc but this can be worked with an online Record that promotes Clubs activities, has articles like it used to and promotes sponsors.

Why are women playing on Sundays? When a Club is playing away their ground is free, why not use that? Why not look at multiple games on that day, for example:

Heidelberg v Monty Men at Warringal means Para Rd free. Have both Mont ladies play there.....or ask others to play there as well (say LP v Greensy)

This gets crowds knowing there is games and frees up people from ruining Sunday night.

All just top of my head thoughts, not hanging my hat on em but if he comes in and its same old same old then will the league improve?

i can answer a few for you that I am aware of and will ask the rest for you when with him next.

Friday night games are at the request of the clubs (as they were last year). Example Bundoora had a lot of them and they requested them and the approval from the other sides. Not all have lights that are good enough and or want to play friday nights. I will follow it up with Dan though, however that is what happened last year for sure.
-------
Greensborough will have a record (Hard Copy) in 2026. I will raise it to see if it is a NFNL agenda in the future however I would say from my discussions last year with the NFNL it is expensive and not all clubs want it, want to be charged for it or have the time to contribute to it. Greensborough will be a good test this year to see what the uptake is. They are producing themselves which is a great initiative and funded by sponsors for home games. TNFS looked at producing a electronic copy but it would take a lot of time (around 20 hours per week) and as a volunteer service not viable. For the league I will ask but i will suggest very time hungry project and would be higher priorities requested by the clubs.....but Ill ask.
---------
Salary Caps arent run by the NFNL (I wouldn't walk out on him either). It is a AFL Vic program. I don't foresee it ever changing. Whilst we may all believe some exceed it removing it will cause more damage than good. From my view on it most clubs cant afford to exceed it as clubs are running tight. Walk the tightrope if they choose but if ever caught (yes there would need to be substantial evidence) the penalty will be dire. Since the inception of TNFS it has been the biggest talking point along with the points system. Both governed by AFL VIC not the local leagues. Salary Caps and Points are here for a long long time and improvements have been made already on the points system this year and my understanding is more to come from AFL VIC in 2027.....bit ill ask.
---------
All ask on the other items I can not answer for you also...
Clubs have a meeting with the league coming up soon and they will be able to ask their questions there also.
Daz.

 

[Denny Crane]

i can answer a few for you that I am aware of and will ask the rest for you when with him next.

Friday night games are at the request of the clubs (as they were last year). Example Bundoora had a lot of them and they requested them and the approval from the other sides. Not all have lights that are good enough and or want to play friday nights. I will follow it up with Dan though, however that is what happened last year for sure.
-------
Greensborough will have a record (Hard Copy) in 2026. I will raise it to see if it is a NFNL agenda in the future however I would say from my discussions last year with the NFNL it is expensive and not all clubs want it, want to be charged for it or have the time to contribute to it. Greensborough will be a good test this year to see what the uptake is. They are producing themselves which is a great initiative and funded by sponsors for home games. TNFS looked at producing a electronic copy but it would take a lot of time (around 20 hours per week) and as a volunteer service not viable. For the league I will ask but i will suggest very time hungry project and would be higher priorities requested by the clubs.....but Ill ask.
---------
Salary Caps arent run by the NFNL (I wouldn't walk out on him either). It is a AFL Vic program. I don't foresee it ever changing. Whilst we may all believe some exceed it removing it will cause more damage than good. From my view on it most clubs cant afford to exceed it as clubs are running tight. Walk the tightrope if they choose but if ever caught (yes there would need to be substantial evidence) the penalty will be dire. Since the inception of TNFS it has been the biggest talking point along with the points system. Both governed by AFL VIC not the local leagues. Salary Caps and Points are here for a long long time and improvements have been made already on the points system this year and my understanding is more to come from AFL VIC in 2027.....bit ill ask.
---------
All ask on the other items I can not answer for you also...
Clubs have a meeting with the league coming up soon and they will be able to ask their questions there also.
Daz.

re Fri night games. Not what I asked. I asked more if consideration or thinking outside the square....to actually have a competition for 19s for clubs that HAVE lights and WANT to try it. All I hear is clubs sick of their 19s in say Whittlesea at 9am whilst the rest of the club is playing in Heidelberg, stretching everything from support to supporters. A standalone competition on a Fri could be tried if clubs are willing and able, if clubs don't have proper lights then having a competition started will help clubs and NFNL push councils to improve as it effects participation if the comp proves successful. Or clubs in mean time can play at RMIT etc, has been done before.

Salary cap, I agree, it is here to stay however we all know it does SFA other than make more work for volunteers with contracts and management. I think NFNL can look at a better system helping them (volunteers) no I do not have the answer to help but maybe when club presidents get together, they could come up with something. As the CEO highlighted in the article, they need to do everything to help volunteers.

Agree record is a low drag issue, many miss it, interesting from Greensy, like the idea of Clubs thinking outside the normal and trying new things.

 

[Denny Crane]

I can answer one, Women aren’t playing Saturdays due to umpire shortages. At this stage they aren’t even filling the games for the men let alone adding 3 divisions of women’s football.

Cool lets keep in on Sundays.

 

[NorthernBastard]

I can answer one, Women aren’t playing Saturdays due to umpire shortages. At this stage they aren’t even filling the games for the men let alone adding 3 divisions of women’s football.

Also many club volunteers/staff working with both mens and women's teams.

Having one game at Waringal and one at Para Rd (as was suggested) stretches the limited rescources clubs have. You could end up with 19's 1 venue, women's another, and res/seniors at a 3rd venue.

 

[hfchfc]

Spoke with someone in club land and they were complaining about the uniform cost, after digging a bit deeper…

Have a look at the price differences the NFNL is charging clubs vs the EFNL with Belgravia Apparel.

Licensing fees.

NFNL PRICES

View attachment 2534162

EFNL - https://www.efnl.org.au/_files/ugd/f3b417_17d36eaf6f91457a86425085a3b26814.pdf
View attachment 2534163

Same supplier, same jumper.. $30 extra

SOCKS
NFNL $20
EFNL $15

SHORTS
NFNL $35
EFNL $30


So you can kit out a player with a reversible short sleeve, 2 pairs of short and a pair of socks
NFNL - $190
EFNL - $145

$55 more each player...
Times that by 100 listed players for seniors, reserves and 19's and clubs are coughing up 5.5k more.

Not sure what the league fees are per comp so maybe that makes up the difference.

If I was to write a list of 10,000 things to do, comparing the prices that leagues charge clubs for merchandise would not be on it!!!

 

[10571z]

If I was to write a list of 10,000 things to do, comparing the prices that leagues charge clubs for merchandise would not be on it!!!

I mean it took all of 90 seconds and we are on a forum discussing the league.

I find it quite interesting to see the massive disparity in pricing. As I said NFNL clubs are spending 5.5k more to dress 3 sides based on 100 players.

 

[TigerTime123]

As he is mentioned in this article what are is plans or are these comments just token? As we know, in the past NFNL have not been overly fussed on volunteers.....fining them for small admin mistakes was fun.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/local-sport-volunteers-face-crisis-and-need-more-support/news-story/25152b91b004c313f49083e501e1920e

Local sport volunteers face crisis and need more support​

From serving Thursday night meals to building playing squads, the workload on local sport volunteers is surging. Now, the exhausted few keeping Victoria’s clubs alive are running on empty.

The most crucial teammates in community sport don’t even take the field.
But right now, Victoria’s volunteers are under more pressure than ever.

Many local sporting clubs across Victoria are feeling the pinch when it comes to finding people to fill various non-paid roles to help people of all ages take to the playing arena every week.

In 2024, a survey by AusPlay found 89 per cent of people involved with community sport gave up their time for nothing. Only 11 per cent received some form of compensation.

But while there are the unsung heroes of clubs across the state, the job is often being left to too few.

Lachy Young, co-president of the Thomson Football Netball Club in the Geelong region, estimated his club’s volunteer numbers had fallen by 25 per cent in the last three years.

The Tigers serve about 200 meals to their junior and senior players on a Thursday night alone, a common routine across many local football and netball clubs.

And on the field, the club has four under-14 teams heading into the 2026 season.

Young said he feared for some clubs.

“I do believe there will be some clubs that will fall over completely in the next couple of years (without an adequate number of volunteers),” he said.

“I’ve got to work hard so we’re not one of them. We just need as much support as possible.”

But trying to put clubs in a strong position off the field isn’t just the focus either.

Volunteers – largely those on committees – spend hours in the off-seasons after their own full-time jobs have been completed to put the right people in position to succeed on the field.

While it’s not just about the wins and losses, a lot of work – which many community sport participants probably don’t realise – goes into ensuring a game can just get underway.

Albert Park Soccer Club recently found itself needing to withdraw its men teams from Football Victoria’s State League competitions because time simply run out.

“As a volunteer-run, community-based club, the committee simply does not have the manpower required at this time to recruit a senior manager, a reserves manager, and two competitive squads capable of sustaining a successful State League campaign,” a club statement said earlier this month.

“Proceeding without the right structures and personnel in place would not be in the best interests of the club, the players, or the competition.

“We are devastated that we have had to reach this point. However, we believe this is the most responsible decision for the long-term health of Albert Park Soccer Club.

“Our intention is to use this period to regroup, rebuild our foundations, and put the right people and structures in place.”

While the established clubs – some with a rich history – fight their own battle, the challenge is even greater for those in their infancy.

The Surf Coast Suns, who are set to enter their first senior football and netball teams into the Bellarine league this year, have been building from the ground up in one of Victoria’s fastest growing areas.

Its president Jay Williams said the club relied upon a handful of parents to run its close to 20 junior footy teams.

However, he had about 20 key volunteers, including committee and sub-committee members, in operational roles to ensure the entire club ran smoothly.

“There’s plenty of people putting their hands up for each team, parents of the kids in the team just to do something on a Saturday,” Williams said.

“But in terms of your broader jobs, committee members, stuff that needs to happen behind the scenes, it is harder to get those.

“It’s probably the same few to do those sorts of jobs, year after year. That’s the only challenge I would say, finding the people that want to do those things.”

However, he said as the senior and reserves program was being built from the ground up, it had a lot more to do off the field than an established outfit.

“There’s been a lot more to do than just the day to day, building the senior program from scratch, effectively new lists and new people and new jobs to do,“ he said.

“It’s been massively time consuming.”

Merrifield Panthers, a club based in Melbourne’s north, is entering its third year in Essendon District Football League.

Player numbers have surged meaning the Panthers will field seven sides this year, an increase of 120 per cent.

President Paul Higginson and his wife, Sharlene, play a key role in keeping the doors open often going above what their roles are listed as.

“More teams means more work,” Higginson said.

“I’ve always said I’ve got an extra 160 kids I have to take care of and then we’ve got a senior men’s Thirds team as well.

“You do it because you love it. But there’s a lot of extra hours. Whether it’s doing the admin tasks or sorting out playing jumpers for the new season, there is always something to do.”

At Victorian Amateur Football Association club, La Trobe University, current president Andrew Sutherland believes they’ve struck the right balance.

Sutherland is currently serving his fifth year in the role at a club where players aren’t paid and often are welcomed from the university community in Bundoora.

There are members of the club community who are the rusted on Eagles and they now help keep the club moving forward.

“In the past, it was a smaller committee and we relied on too few people,” he said.

“They get burnt out, then they walk away. We’ve made a decision to empower everyone on the committee.

“And we’ve got a mix of more senior members of the club and younger ones. We want to find roles which suits people’s strengths and their interests.

“It’s really important to empower everyone because it makes the club function better.”

The officials who are leading the leagues where many of these clubs are based know the pressure is growing.

Daniel Kelly, who recently started as CEO of the Northern Football Netball League, acknowledges the challenges.

“I’m conscious of the fact that anything we ask, we’re sending that out to a volunteer that is trying to squeeze it in outside of their day job and family life,” he said.

“All they want to do is bring people together and have fun, particularly at the junior level, and people to be the best they can be.”

There were a couple of posts on this topic earlier this year. Some clubs, NFL & EFL, have had to appoint committees made up entirely of Dads & Mums of senior players as there were no alternatives to do the roles. A few clubs' committees are 100% mums and dads of senior players as nobody else was willing to do the jobs.
Guaranteed there will be fall out with sponsors and players as we get into the season as you can't have the Football Director or President's son or daughter perceived to be getting games or more money because of their mum & dad.
No surprise that the top clubs don't have this issue........
Very sad as the last resort for clubs has had to happen.

 

[baggersforflaggers]

19s fixtures out..
No reservoir , northcote park and stars so clearly the kids just aren’t there as they pushed hard…
I know most people from Kilmore probably aren’t posting but for them to lose 19s is weird…
Won flag last year!

 

[Bagsy 82]

19s fixtures out..
No reservoir , northcote park and stars so clearly the kids just aren’t there as they pushed hard…
I know most people from Kilmore probably aren’t posting but for them to lose 19s is weird…
Won flag last year!

Great effort by Kinglake to get 19’s up, appointed a coach who had connections with some Whittlesea boys from their 17’s last year that he could get to come and play under him and now they’ve got a team on the park despite Kinglake not having under 17’s last year. Well worth investing in a 19’s coach who has players who will follow him if you can find one.

 

[10571z]

Interesting statement the Darebin Falcons put up. League will love that..

 

[Clarky98]

Interesting statement the Darebin Falcons put up. League will love that..

In the nicest way possible i'm not sure Darebin should be rubbing the league up the wrong way after the league lets them field trans players in the womens comp...

 

[Manang Rover]

Interesting statement the Darebin Falcons put up. League will love that..

Wants the guts of it? Worth reading?

 

[baggersforflaggers]

Guts of it - they support stars and wider community regarding racism and that nfnl are corrupt bunch of white males and the tribunal is hopeless and they are enforcing systemic racism by finding the offender not guilty. Should get a nice slap on the wrist!

 

[Mappa]

It's that time of the year again where the practice matches kick off, and along with it the traditional "...they were missing 6-8 of their best players". I don't think I ever seen a report where XYZ team has had "close to their best side"

According to TNFS, Eltham were missing 10-12 of their best players.

Perhaps it's time to create a ladder of who is missing the most players from their warm ups .

 

[10571z]

It's that time of the year again where the practice matches kick off, and along with it the traditional "...they were missing 6-8 of their best players". I don't think I ever seen a report where XYZ team has had "close to their best side"

According to TNFS, Eltham were missing 10-12 of their best players.

Perhaps it's time to create a ladder of who is missing the most players from their warm ups .

I take virtually zero notice of practice matches because yes a lot of players are missing and it’s borderline impossible to get a meaningful gauge.

 

[tasmanlvr]

It's that time of the year again where the practice matches kick off, and along with it the traditional "...they were missing 6-8 of their best players". I don't think I ever seen a report where XYZ team has had "close to their best side"

According to TNFS, Eltham were missing 10-12 of their best players.

Perhaps it's time to create a ladder of who is missing the most players from their warm ups .

Tbf I did mention in the same piece that it was also borderline impossible to gauge practice matches

 

[Kangaman4lyf]

Hearing the women’s competition across all 3 divisions is in turmoil. NFNL should have explored 4 divisions to create greater equality. Easiest time to win a women’s flag right now is buying one considering clubs can bring in whoever they want with no player points policy in place - raid your neighbours, raid your opposition, bring in ex afl/vfl listed players - as many as you want. There’s nothing stopping this. Watch the women that will be lost this year with such unregulated competition laws.

Dont let the NFNL fool you though - they will brag about how great it is that so many teams are in the competition (fighting over the same players and stealing from one another).

 

[Rusted nuts]

Hearing the women’s competition across all 3 divisions is in turmoil. NFNL should have explored 4 divisions to create greater equality. Easiest time to win a women’s flag right now is buying one considering clubs can bring in whoever they want with no player points policy in place - raid your neighbours, raid your opposition, bring in ex afl/vfl listed players - as many as you want. There’s nothing stopping this. Watch the women that will be lost this year with such unregulated competition laws.

Dont let the NFNL fool you though - they will brag about how great it is that so many teams are in the competition (fighting over the same players and stealing from one another).

League has zero awareness of the challenges in women’s football. I have watched my club battle for years just to field a team. Without juniors or an affiliation 70% of girls are just having a kick for social reasons and or giving it a go for the first time. We have 5 women over the age of 40 playing purely to fill numbers yet are expected to compete against teams with junior programs and girls who are 18 years of age.

I like the idea of more divisions less teams to reduce the gap between strong and developing teams. Forget promotion and relegation in traditional terms. There should be markers in place to grade teams in each divisions. Retirements, age of players, junior alignment, amount of players or teams registered, Experience of playing group etc.