NFNL Div 1 2025

[roosterslife]

With Heidelberg being so far better than the second best team. Does it eevtually make it hard for other teams to attract players or keep players?
At the moment is a runners up they are playing for.

 

[NFL INSIDER]

With Heidelberg being so far better than the second best team. Does it eevtually make it hard for other teams to attract players or keep players?
At the moment is a runners up they are playing for.

As has been mentioned previously, the standard has definitely dropped in Division 1, this can definitely be attributed to the dominance of Heidelberg.
Teams don’t want to spend the money they once did and players are looking at other options.

 

[barrelsomers]

As has been mentioned previously, the standard has definitely dropped in Division 1, this can definitely be attributed to the dominance of Heidelberg.
Teams don’t want to spend the money they once did and players are looking at other options.

Bit hard for other clubs to attract talent when the other clubs have effectively been playing for 2nd for the last half a decade

 

[the little kahuna]

The coach is moving on?

not a clue whether the coach is on the move but i'm hearing if he isn't - a group of players will be

 

[Champ or Chump]

With Heidelberg being so far better than the second best team. Does it eevtually make it hard for other teams to attract players or keep players?
At the moment is a runners up they are playing for.

It's an interesting conundrum facing the competition right now.

On one hand, you just have to admire the way the Bergs have built such a strong and successful organisation - on and off field - over the years to be in the position they have worked hard for. As such, I'm not sure it would be right to penalise them for doing it so well.

On the other hand - you legitimately have the other clubs suggesting they start the season with very, very limited chance of winning it. I would imagine that if you don't have youth coming through and building towards something in years to come (and were a middle of the road side), then retaining/recruiting quality players becomes increasingly more difficult. And that is not good for first division.

Two things that could happen:

- Maybe any team that wins two flags in a row in Division 1 (Seniors) starts to play with less points - this happens in some other competitions I believe.

- VFL listed players - need to play more games to qualify for finals. 3 is simply not enough.

Not sure what else you could do or should do just because they have done it so well. But the NFNL First Division clubs will lose players to other clubs/leagues if you feel you are a top 5 team with zero chance of being competitive.

 

[just ask!!!]

not a clue whether the coach is on the move but i'm hearing if he isn't - a group of players will be

Gone

 

[Champ or Chump]

not a clue whether the coach is on the move but i'm hearing if he isn't - a group of players will be

I have not been told that, but can confirm the coach is moving on and plans are advanced for a new coach.

 

[NorthernBastard]

This was posted online Aug 12, so it's been in the works for a while

 

[kickthething]

It's an interesting conundrum facing the competition right now.

On one hand, you just have to admire the way the Bergs have built such a strong and successful organisation - on and off field - over the years to be in the position they have worked hard for. As such, I'm not sure it would be right to penalise them for doing it so well.

On the other hand - you legitimately have the other clubs suggesting they start the season with very, very limited chance of winning it. I would imagine that if you don't have youth coming through and building towards something in years to come (and were a middle of the road side), then retaining/recruiting quality players becomes increasingly more difficult. And that is not good for first division.

Two things that could happen:

- Maybe any team that wins two flags in a row in Division 1 (Seniors) starts to play with less points - this happens in some other competitions I believe.

- VFL listed players - need to play more games to qualify for finals. 3 is simply not enough.

Not sure what else you could do or should do just because they have done it so well. But the NFNL First Division clubs will lose players to other clubs/leagues if you feel you are a top 5 team with zero chance of being competitive.

left field…. remember 10 year’s ago why ten the AFL placed a trade ban on the swans…the quote from city hall was “you can’t have them all” even though the swans had not broken any rule s…. maybe a ban on transfers into the Bergs for two seasons would be a radical way to go.

 

[barrelsomers]

This was posted online Aug 12, so it's been in the works for a while

Best of luck to them. They took some big steps forward this season.

 

[Denny Crane]

Two things that could happen:

- Maybe any team that wins two flags in a row in Division 1 (Seniors) starts to play with less points - this happens in some other competitions I believe.

- VFL listed players - need to play more games to qualify for finals. 3 is simply not enough.

Point 1 - Heidelberg never played on max points. Here is their season

Rd1 – 39/46
Rd2 – 36/26
Rd3 – 37/46
Rd4 – 40/36
Rd5 – 35/46
Rd7 – 37/46
Rd8 – 38/46
Rd9 – 43/46
Rd10 – 39/46
Rd11 – 42/46
Rd12 – 40/46
Rd13 – 34/46
Rd14 – 32/46
Rd15 – 34/46
Rd16 – 43/46
Rd17 – 36/46
Rd18 – 40/46
Final 40/46

Where do we reduce them to, 36? 10 less than the competition. Clearly if they keep most of their players on points for next year let's look at the last team that played with those with more than 1 point - (Keys 3-2, Sier 3-2, Bunker 3-2, Ferranoto 6-5, Signorello 3-2, Herbert 5-4, Andrew 2-1) so that's 7 less points for Rd1 of 2026 which means they start on 33, when they played on 32 once this year.

I think how we reduce points needs to be reviewed. You don't play a few games and the next year its down one. If you sign at a new Club on points every 20 games a point comes off, if that happens in Round 16 so be it. Every 20 games, a point is removed until on 1. This removes the VFL players coming in, playing a few games and reducing points whilst still really playing VFL.

Point 2 - Agree, I think most around simply agree this must happen.

All VFL players signed to a Club must play at minimum 6 games. Other than juniors. Junior players need to play the 3 as per normal and have to be senior games.

 

[10571z]

Point 1 - Heidelberg never played on max points. Here is their season

Rd1 – 39/46
Rd2 – 36/26
Rd3 – 37/46
Rd4 – 40/36
Rd5 – 35/46
Rd7 – 37/46
Rd8 – 38/46
Rd9 – 43/46
Rd10 – 39/46
Rd11 – 42/46
Rd12 – 40/46
Rd13 – 34/46
Rd14 – 32/46
Rd15 – 34/46
Rd16 – 43/46
Rd17 – 36/46
Rd18 – 40/46
Final 40/46

Where do we reduce them to, 36? 10 less than the competition. Clearly if they keep most of their players on points for next year let's look at the last team that played with those with more than 1 point - (Keys 3-2, Sier 3-2, Bunker 3-2, Ferranoto 6-5, Signorello 3-2, Herbert 5-4, Andrew 2-1) so that's 7 less points for Rd1 of 2026 which means they start on 33, when they played on 32 once this year.

I think how we reduce points needs to be reviewed. You don't play a few games and the next year its down one. If you sign at a new Club on points every 20 games a point comes off, if that happens in Round 16 so be it. Every 20 games, a point is removed until on 1. This removes the VFL players coming in, playing a few games and reducing points whilst still really playing VFL.

Point 2 - Agree, I think most around simply agree this must happen.

All VFL players signed to a Club must play at minimum 6 games. Other than juniors. Junior players need to play the 3 as per normal and have to be senior games.

The VFL needs a complete overhaul. If you play more VFL than Local games your don’t qualify… easy.

 

[NorthernBastard]

The VFL needs a complete overhaul. If you play more VFL than Local games your don’t qualify… easy.

I agree - only thing you need is for all leagues to implement same restrictions, otherwise the NFNL may get weaker as VFL listed players move to other leagues

 

[10571z]

I agree - only thing you need is for all leagues to implement same restrictions, otherwise the NFNL may get weaker as VFL listed players move to other leagues

Who cares? Sounds like best case scenario for mine.

 

[Champ or Chump]

I agree - only thing you need is for all leagues to implement same restrictions, otherwise the NFNL may get weaker as VFL listed players move to other leagues

That is something to consider Northern - absolutely. That said, the VAFA have a 6 or7 game min for finals qualification and they don't lose any/many to other clubs because of it.

I think the balance of IF they were a club junior could play a role in equalizing that by having a lower amount of games required if that player has come up through the juniors and then is trying out for a higher level of football.

I would have loved to have played three games up the bush (qualified for finals) and then if my 'main' club missed out I could go and play there. It's like those players have two bites of the cherry, so to speak.

Maybe IF they come back for finals they must play on higher points
or
all VFL listed players are automatically 3 or 4 points when returning to a club when not at their VFL club no matter how long they have been with a club?

 

[Broomsticks]

With respect to previous comments I think statistics would show the league as a whole was more even when there was no points system or salary cap. Plus the standard was 10 times better when it was open slather. The tustles between Heidelberg, Montmorency and Bundoora in the late 2000s and early 2010s were legendary. Then you had sides like Northcote Park and North Heidelberg who could beat anyone on their day. It's all well and good throwing these ideas out there but ultimately they need to be ratified by the board and that alone is a process in itself. There was a time when club delegates held the balance of power. But my main question is why should the reigning premier be punished? And do we want a competition with no VFL players? Because if you change the qualification criteria to 6 games then that rules out the majority except the fringe players, which ultimately compromises the standard of football.

 

[EBERT THE KING]

Haven't been out to Epping just yet for the finals series but can anyone confirm if the surface is as bad underfoot as it looks on camera?

 

[barrelsomers]

Haven't been out to Epping just yet for the finals series but can anyone confirm if the surface is as bad underfoot as it looks on camera?

Little bit soft under foot but otherwise fine. Visually looks worse than it actually is.

 

[Swoopingtime]

If the rumours are true, Bundoora FC is heading in the right direction for season 2026. IMHO Grant King is by far one of the best footy brains in the game, and recruitment master. Heidelberg was lucky enough to have him build a solid foundation when he built an under 19 squad from NOTHING. Heading to the Bulls as a footy director. If true, all the very best Kingy.
BULLS ON THE RISE IN 2026.

 

[FootyNuff123]

If the rumours are true, Bundoora FC is heading in the right direction for season 2026. IMHO Grant King is by far one of the best footy brains in the game, and recruitment master. Heidelberg was lucky enough to have him build a solid foundation when he built an under 19 squad from NOTHING. Heading to the Bulls as a footy director. If true, all the very best Kingy.
BULLS ON THE RISE IN 2026.

They have good people in the right places and I think will be back up the ladder in no time. Results this year proved they are not far off it and they have done a great job turning it around after looking to be in all sorts.

 

[lovelocalfooty11]

Harvey Hooper finishing up at Port Melbourne. Back to Mont full time?

 

[Big Unit 30]

Harvey Hooper finishing up at Port Melbourne. Back to Mont full time?

I watched one game at Northport this year and although not a speedster, he definitely is still a very good player.

 

[martogota]

Jackson Davies hurt ankle first quarter. Not good at all.

 

[Thunder1]

Well done to Hurstbridge, are they any chance to beat the Heidelberg juggernaut

 

[baggersforflaggers]

First time I’ve seen Naylor play live.. jeez he’s a good footballer.. how old is he? Heard Kilmore’s throwing heaps of cash to get him back home.. with the weather forecast for next week.. could we see the biggest upset since David beat Goliath?