D3 Division 3 2026

[localfootylegend23]

Should there be only five teams left in D3, or perhaps more or less, should HQ consider propping those into D2 and having a Final 6, (or 7 or 8) ?

Just thinking.

Too late now anyway.

Heard doncaster have been buzzing around BHN's corpse trying to grab more of them.

 

[SeaSide]

Agree but lets be honest money from beers aren't going to save these clubs.



Doncaster have signed bulk ashwood/BHN/swinburne uni/Forest hill and nuna players. They aren't going to win a lot however getting back on the park is a win in itself.

Just shows that they are a switched on bunch.

 

[Egg Boy]

Heard doncaster have been buzzing around BHN's corpse trying to grab more of them.

Not any left to steal from what I've been told.

 

[JS#35]

Your mob getting a side up eggy? Without that mad monday effort they would have done alright this year.

 

[Egg Boy]

Your mob getting a side up eggy? Without that mad monday effort they would have done alright this year.

Yes, we’ll probably be getting a side up.

 

[Old Mates Mate]

Looks like alot of the Box Hill boys have already registered transfers within the VAFA, mainly DIV 2-3 by the looks. No indication of the whereabouts of big fish Williams...
Can't imagine he stays in the VAFA unless he plans on playing FF, Ruck and CHB for Box Hill

Yes, we’ll probably be getting a side up.

 

[God Yeah]

Have BHN had a line officially struck through them?

 

[andoman21]

I have a few Max. These are just of the top of my head and realise I am probably opening myself up to ridicule but in the absence of any others I will throw up these for consideration/discussion. I have been howled down previously for raising some of these but that’s ok. The VAFA are reluctant to change anything but here goes:

• Shorter seasons. 15 rounds will do. See below as to how this achieved. Will reduce the burden on volunteers, officials, players, grounds etc.
• 8 team divisions. Everyone plays each other once – home and away. More equitable results as it seems we have 1 or 2 teams in each grade every year who get routinely flogged every week.
• Like other leagues adopt a ‘one up one down’. I know I’m on the minority here but have never liked losers of a grand final being promoted. The ‘reward’ for the disappointment of a losing a GF more often than not is weekly floggings and a quick return from whence they came. My club a classic case in point. Lost a B grade GF by 100 points then endure a winless A grade season the following year. A few exceptions but rarely do runners up make any sort of impact in the higher grade.
• Cap number of teams per club. 3 x Thirds maximum. U19s in good shape so reluctant to touch that but some my argue for maximum 2 x U19s. I respect the counter argument which is valid but based on current tracking we are heading for a 4-grade senior competition in 10 years. Are people happy with that? We are losing clubs left right and centre, and not just district clubs. If serious about supporting clubs in the lower grades we need to try something.
• Abolish interleague, particularly those costly interstate junkets. Nobody really cares and the money saved should be invested back into supporting member clubs or reducing affiliation fees. If you must, do it every 4 years.
• Broaden the responsible service of alcohol. While not the saviour that many believe it would be, surely it is time to expand the current restrictive policy. FWIW I was until recently against serving grog in the VAFA but have now changed my tune as the social and financial benefits to clubs in the current environment outweigh what I once considered an important point of difference. Not open slather like some comps but maybe open the bar at ¼ time in seniors. We are already doing it to some degree but are confining those who want to imbibe to the clubrooms/social club. Onus on clubs to make it work and if it turns pear shaped then we risk having it changed back.
• If feedback from the lower division clubs is that travel is an impediment and might influence a move out of the VAFA then consider the re-introduction of divisions based on geography. Personally I prefer equitable results over convenience but if enough clubs want this then it should be considered.
• Controversial and hard to describe in a few lines but maybe some clearer guidelines around what constitutes amateur status. It is very ambiguous and open to interpretation – eg jobs (player/partners/family) VFL payments, ‘prizes’ and ‘awards’ etc. Doubt a proper deep dive has ever been done on a player or club.

Jimmy, re the limiting the numbers of thirds teams is this based on the idea that these players will go and play elsewhere? Do you really think that will happen in any meaningful way?

 

[Jimmyjack]

Jimmy, re the limiting the numbers of thirds teams is this based on the idea that these players will go and play elsewhere? Do you really think that will happen in any meaningful way?

Maybe, maybe not. I get the counter argument, which has merit but with so many clubs exiting the VAFA or otherwise in real peril I think we have reached a point where we should try something. Mr P provided a good example of bulk Old Scotch players moving to Richmond when they decided to go with just one Thirds teams a few years back so there is a precedent.

 

[ButchersDog]

Looks like alot of the Box Hill boys have already registered transfers within the VAFA, mainly DIV 2-3 by the looks. No indication of the whereabouts of big fish Williams...
Can't imagine he stays in the VAFA unless he plans on playing FF, Ruck and CHB for Box Hill

Doncaster

 

[Egg Boy]

Just when you think the VAFA can’t shit on Divisonal teams any more … they drop their pants and diarrhoea in the face of struggling club.

 

[localfootylegend23]

Doncaster

Xfer not up.

Just when you think the VAFA can’t shit on Divisonal teams any more … they drop their pants and diarrhoea in the face of struggling club.

What do you mean?

 

[hansie]

Xfer not up.



What do you mean?

Just a hunch but think vafa may not be on board with BHN playing 3s..:

 

[localfootylegend23]

Just a hunch but think vafa may not be on board with BHN playing 3s..:

Well it could be that or they fold.

Tough times around the divisions i've heard, lots of teams numbers are shaky.

 

[andoman21]

Maybe, maybe not. I get the counter argument, which has merit but with so many clubs exiting the VAFA or otherwise in real peril I think we have reached a point where we should try something. Mr P provided a good example of bulk Old Scotch players moving to Richmond when they decided to go with just one Thirds teams a few years back so there is a precedent.

I note that beauy have three under 19's teams this year so the multiple teams are not limited to the big private schools.

 

[God Yeah]

I note that beauy have three under 19's teams this year so the multiple teams are not limited to the big private schools.

Not surprised, they keep telling the world they have the biggest junior club in Australia!

 

[friendofafriendsmate]

Does clubbies even have a dedicated page on both the VAFA website and Big Footy Fourm?

 

[God Yeah]

Does clubbies even have a dedicated page on both the VAFA website and Big Footy Fourm?

No - But with the amount of clubs in the Clubbies/Thirds it may soon.

 

[Jimmyjack]

I note that beauy have three under 19's teams this year so the multiple teams are not limited to the big private schools.

Beaumaris always run with multiple 19s. Willy & Fitzroy generally do also. Not sure how they are currently placed but believe GE and Oakleigh have in the past when numbers have availed themselves. Werribbee Districts certainly did before they left for greener pastures and possibly Hampton Rovers and Ormond have at some point. Multiple teams certainly not confined to the Old Boys teams. Some of the aforementioned have also had more than one Thirds team. Nothing wrong with that but personally I think a club with 5 x Thirds teams is taking the P155.

 

[hansie]

Back to D3 and the BHN business surely the vafa had some line of sight on numbers etc and that this was a possibility? Particularly once a ton of clearances out (mainly up Elgar and down Doncaster rd slightly) came flooding through? Or have they just sat on their hands and making a club stay to maintain what shred of integrity d3 still has?!?

 

[andoman21]

Beaumaris always run with multiple 19s. Willy & Fitzroy generally do also. Not sure how they are currently placed but believe GE and Oakleigh have in the past when numbers have availed themselves. Werribbee Districts certainly did before they left for greener pastures and possibly Hampton Rovers and Ormond have at some point. Multiple teams certainly not confined to the Old Boys teams. Some of the aforementioned have also had more than one Thirds team. Nothing wrong with that but personally I think a club with 5 x Thirds teams is taking the P155.

ok but that club seem to bear the brunt of criticism on here when 3 under 19s (most of those you referred to had 2 not three) when other clubs don't have one? I am still trying to get my head sound the argument that limiting the xavs teams will help struggling clubs?

 

[Jimmyjack]

ok but that club seem to bear the brunt of criticism on here when 3 under 19s (most of those you referred to had 2 not three) when other clubs don't have one? I am still trying to get my head sound the argument that limiting the xavs teams will help struggling clubs?

It’s not really an argument, rather some discussion points in response to a thread about the shrinking senior divisional structure and clubs leaving the VAFA or going into recess. I understand the point you are making and only throw up the Thirds ‘cap’ up as an option to equalise and assist battling clubs. I have enormous respect for OX. Great club and completely understand why people want to play there. FWIW I think the U19s is in good enough shape that it should be left alone. The senior arm however seems to be losing clubs at an alarming rate and perhaps some innovative solutions should be considered.

 

[andoman21]

It’s not really an argument, rather some discussion points in response to a thread about the shrinking senior divisional structure and clubs leaving the VAFA or going into recess. I understand the point you are making and only throw up the Thirds ‘cap’ up as an option to equalise and assist battling clubs. I have enormous respect for OX. Great club and completely understand why people want to play there. FWIW I think the U19s is in good enough shape that it should be left alone. The senior arm however seems to be losing clubs at an alarming rate and perhaps some innovative solutions should be considered.

yes i agree it is alarming and concerning..i jsut think limiting teams in clubs will see a lot less young people playing footy which is not a good outcome.

 

[Don Woody]

localfootylegend23 will you be providing weekly updates on BHN season like you did Eley Park?

 

[localfootylegend23]

localfootylegend23 will you be providing weekly updates on BHN season like you did Eley Park?

Congrats on your first post!