A Section Premier 2016

[Canada]

With the Brissel here.
Would be great fun. Work to live not live to work. Enjoy life. Attack life. Mix it up. Be the best you can be. Take every opportunity with open arms...

 

[Rooster 24]

I think its a credit to the VAFA for giving the opportunity for a lucky few to do this. As you said most of it is self funded so good luck to them. The VAFA makes enough money to spend a little on this + they already waste and rort the public enough on useless decisions for us to complain about

I doubt any local competition around the country would give such an opportunity

three weeks of drinking and making friends with the locals with a little bit of footy on the side...

Sorry for trying to enjoy life, obviously some glass half empty fellows on here

A credit to the VAFA? Please..... I doubt any local competition around the country would be dumb enough to persist with a concept that is so unpopular amongst with their affiliate clubs. And believe me it is not universally popular in the halls of power either.

I enjoy your musings Briss but not sure how close you are to the coalface at club land. Most clubs battle to pay the bills let alone the extravagant VAFA affiliation fees. And please don’t get me started on the absurd system of fines. For clubs to have to contribute, even in a small way, to a junket that is attainable by such a small number of people is just wrong.

Your own club president is leading a quorum of VAFA people about the unrealistic expectations from the VAFA on club officials and volunteers. I very much doubt he would support the VAFA wasting time and energy on such things when there are far greater priorities.

Anyway we will have to agree to disagree. Back to the footy. Canada quoted 8 –10 retirements at the pit. Is that about right or is it a bit of an exaggeration?

 

[Brissel]

A credit to the VAFA? Please..... I doubt any local competition around the country would be dumb enough to persist with a concept that is so unpopular amongst with their affiliate clubs. And believe me it is not universally popular in the halls of power either.

I enjoy your musings Briss but not sure how close you are to the coalface at club land. Most clubs battle to pay the bills let alone the extravagant VAFA affiliation fees. And please don’t get me started on the absurd system of fines. For clubs to have to contribute, even in a small way, to a junket that is attainable by such a small number of people is just wrong.

Your own club president is leading a quorum of VAFA people about the unrealistic expectations from the VAFA on club officials and volunteers. I very much doubt he would support the VAFA wasting time and energy on such things when there are far greater priorities.

Anyway we will have to agree to disagree. Back to the footy. Canada quoted 8 –10 retirements at the pit. Is that about right or is it a bit of an exaggeration?

Don't get me wrong, i think this is one of the worst run competitions out there starting from the president and board up top, and I agree about the clubs and volunteers and what not get the rough end of the stick

However i still think it would be a great privilege to be on the tour

Merrington done with Jones likely to follow as earlier noted. Havn't heard much else about about any 'regular' senior players calling it a day. Some clubs chasing some of the younger midfielders but not sure about any retirements as such.

The best time of the year approaches us being the spring carnival (geez that run by lanken rupee today was a stinker) so until we all go drink ourselves silly and lose our money there, I'm assuming some more minds will be made up on playing next year then

 

[Jascave]

I suppose the one question I have re the VAFA tour of Ireland and Britain, is that is all the time, money and preparation to send a VAFA representative team halfway around the world worth it?


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[Brissel]

I suppose the one question I have re the VAFA tour of Ireland and Britain, is that is all the time, money and preparation to send a VAFA representative team halfway around the world worth it?


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Probably not but still doesn't change what a great experience it would be for the players.

Granted the club i have a connection too is fortunate enough to not have the financial problems some of the lower ranked clubs have and therefore I can see the point of view from some that its a waste of money

anyway, lets move on

 

[Jascave]

My top 4:
Old Trinity (premiers)
St Kevins
Uni Blacks
Old Xaverians

Grand Final: Old Trinity v St Kevins


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[Jimmyjack]

My top 4:
Old Trinity (premiers)
St Kevins
Uni Blacks
Old Xaverians

Grand Final: Old Trinity v St Kevins


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No room for last year’s premiers Jase? I note that you have included just 1 of this years top 4. I think De La will be better again in 2016 and I can’t find any reason to suggest St Bernards will slide.

Expect SKOBs to be thereabouts but why so confident about Blacks and Xavs?

 

[Canada]

Xavs will be finalists.
Ressies and thirds in 2015 highlight their depth. Under 19's division one champions highlights the youth coming through.
What's missing is some top end talent. Dan Noonan coming back from Port Melbourne is a start. There will be half a dozen more. The Xavs machine is ready roll. Yet again.

 

[Canada]

Re Blacks, they will battle it out with Melbourne, Carey, Wesley and Blues for relegation.
It will be the tale of two halves next year. The have's and the have nots.
A mountainous divide.

 

[Rooster 24]

Xavs will be finalists.
Ressies and thirds in 2015 highlight their depth. Under 19's division one champions highlights the youth coming through.
What's missing is some top end talent. Dan Noonan coming back from Port Melbourne is a start. There will be half a dozen more. The Xavs machine is ready roll. Yet again.

Xavs depth was amazing this year but in the end it meant Sweet FA. The gap between seniors and 2s/19s has never been bigger. For some reason Xavs rarely play U19s in the seniors which means they always have the best kids available for the U19s comp.

Can’t see all any from their 2s and 19s who will have an immediate impact next season. Xavs will improve next year and probably play finals but it will be on the back of guns they bring in, not on 2s and 19s coming through. Aside from Noonan who else is on board?

 

[Canada]

There will be at least 6 unders players who were part of the flag who will play seniors next year. And will do very well. Agree it is who will be coming in that will make the biggest difference. Xavs have about 12 targets. Get 6 of them and it would be a good result. Keeping names under the hat for now as they are not the only club or league circling.
The depth won't make sweet FA if they improve top End A Grade talent, which is the drive.
There are 40 plus players in Ressies and unders etc that could play a roll in seniors if hit by injuries.
Look at a Carey. Lost 6-8 players and they bring in 6-8 spuds.
Xavs depth will be a key.

 

[Rooster 24]

There will be at least 6 unders players who were part of the flag who will play seniors next year. And will do very well. Agree it is who will be coming in that will make the biggest difference. Xavs have about 12 targets. Get 6 of them and it would be a good result. Keeping names under the hat for now as they are not the only club or league circling.
The depth won't make sweet FA if they improve top End A Grade talent, which is the drive.
There are 40 plus players in Ressies and unders etc that could play a roll in seniors if hit by injuries.
Look at a Carey. Lost 6-8 players and they bring in 6-8 spuds.
Xavs depth will be a key.

Will be happy to put this comment in the time capsule and re-visit next year, as it won’t happen. Xavs have never done that, not have they have ever needed to as they always find quality recruits from outside the club environment.

However the consequence is that potential senior players languish in the reserves (albeit very strong sides) for years. After a few years dominating against some often weak opposition they find it very difficult to step up and make an impact at senior level.

And how can you possibly compare Carey to Xavs? A small (by comparison) co-ed school with no football history and a handful of seasons in ‘A’ grade with no finals appearances against a club and school bursting with football history and success with more players at their disposal then they can manage!

 

[Canada]

The comparison was in regards to the importance of depth. Xavs depth will be important as long as they get the incoming talent from outside the club and the kids coming through from within.
You need a strong group that are not in your top dozen, but rather players 13-40. Xavs have this.
Carey have very little in players 13-40. Ressies were 0-18.
I was not comparing them in any other way.
You said Xavs having a strong Ressies and unders meant sweet FA. It won't next year when they have a top dozen as good as anyone else's. This year they didn't. When they do, their depth will be very important as when injuries hit, they won't drop away as they will have good players to bring in. Carey don't. Trinity didn't have to worry as they had as great run with injuries. But they also lack depth. As do many others. Xavs have outrageous depth. Players running around on the thirds that are better than what a Carey has to bring into the seniors when injuries hit.

 

[Rooster 24]

The comparison was in regards to the importance of depth. Xavs depth will be important as long as they get the incoming talent from outside the club and the kids coming through from within.
You need a strong group that are not in your top dozen, but rather players 13-40. Xavs have this.
Carey have very little in players 13-40. Ressies were 0-18.
I was not comparing them in any other way.
You said Xavs having a strong Ressies and unders meant sweet FA. It won't next year when they have a top dozen as good as anyone else's. This year they didn't. When they do, their depth will be very important as when injuries hit, they won't drop away as they will have good players to bring in. Carey don't. Trinity didn't have to worry as they had as great run with injuries. But they also lack depth. As do many others. Xavs have outrageous depth. Players running around on the thirds that are better than what a Carey has to bring into the seniors when injuries hit.

If Xavs top 12 is likely to be as good as anyone’s then we might as well hand over the silver are now!

I maintain that the success of the 2s and 19s this year will mean bugger all to how they will fare next year. They have always had great depth and it will be the amount of top end talent they bring in that will dictate how they go - the same as every other club.

 

[AM]

If Xavs top 12 is likely to be as good as anyone’s then we might as well hand over the silver are now!

I maintain that the success of the 2s and 19s this year will mean bugger all to how they will fare next year. They have always had great depth and it will be the amount of top end talent they bring in that will dictate how they go - the same as every other club.

Would you say that approach applied to Trinity, Rooster?

 

[Rooster 24]

Would you say that approach applied to Trinity, Rooster?

Trinity has never and is unlikely to ever have the depth of Xavs and have no choice but to take a different approach. Their success this year was built around an even spread of contributors and a core of very good players who have been together for a few years now. Hamilton, Steinhart, Tinney and a few others are now amongst the cream of the competition. They also have an adventurous game plan and are very well coached.

While Iezza missed most of the season they otherwise had an incredible run of good fortune. Aside from Rd 18 when they rested a few they used just 31 or 32 for the entire season. You won’ get that luxury too often and would be long odds to repeat that in 2016.

I actually got a sense that other teams had started to work them out by seasons end, remember they lost 3 of their last 5 games and would have lost the 2nd semi had St Bernards not been so wasteful in front of goal.

They were outstanding in the GF and could hardly have played any better but I honestly believe that if they are to win the flag they need 2 or 3 top liners to compliment what is a very good team. As this seems to be the place for making bold statements I would suggest that without an injection of top end talent they will be in danger of missing finals next year.

I can hear Scribe coming in off the long run......

 

[flat footy]

Xavs are likely to land 2 ex afl players. Neither went to the school but have mates within the club. Plus perhaps a VFL player. Wesley, St Bernard's and Blues are to lose 8-10 regular senior players to retirement. One new coach and one already coaching. Shouldn't be too Harf to work out.

Canada, Collegs to lose 4 good regs from the 15 season.

Name your 8 -10!!

 

[Canada]

Canada, Collegs to lose 4 good regs from the 15 season.

Name your 8 -10!!

Will be closer to 10 than 4. Yes we all know the guys who hugged it off the ground after the amazing purple haze victory in round 18, but my spies tell me many more to follow. As I know two quite well who have not yet told the powers to be of their intentions, I think it's best I keep this under my hat for a little longer. Worrying times from what I hear.

 

[Canada]

Trinity has never and is unlikely to ever have the depth of Xavs and have no choice but to take a different approach. Their success this year was built around an even spread of contributors and a core of very good players who have been together for a few years now. Hamilton, Steinhart, Tinney and a few others are now amongst the cream of the competition. They also have an adventurous game plan and are very well coached.

While Iezza missed most of the season they otherwise had an incredible run of good fortune. Aside from Rd 18 when they rested a few they used just 31 or 32 for the entire season. You won’ get that luxury too often and would be long odds to repeat that in 2016.

I actually got a sense that other teams had started to work them out by seasons end, remember they lost 3 of their last 5 games and would have lost the 2nd semi had St Bernards not been so wasteful in front of goal.

They were outstanding in the GF and could hardly have played any better but I honestly believe that if they are to win the flag they need 2 or 3 top liners to compliment what is a very good team. As this seems to be the place for making bold statements I would suggest that without an injection of top end talent they will be in danger of missing finals next year.

I can hear Scribe coming in off the long run......

Scribe will not be happy.
But I agree, a couple more needed as its unlikey they will have such a settled line up next year. They were very fortuitous Iezzi withstanding.

 

[flat footy]

Will be closer to 10 than 4. Yes we all know the guys who hugged it off the ground after the amazing purple haze victory in round 18, but my spies tell me many more to follow. As I know two quite well who have not yet told the powers to be of their intentions, I think it's best I keep this under my hat for a little longer. Worrying times from what I hear.

Im closer than you and you couldnt be more WRONG!

 

[Canada]

Im closer than you and you couldnt be more WRONG!

Good luck. I fear you may be left a little flat come Feb/March.
Disturbing times ahead I fear.

 

[flat footy]

Good luck. I fear you may be left a little flat come Feb/March.
Disturbing times ahead I fear.

To the contrary.......watch this space, keep tuned in.

 

[Penski]

Good luck. I fear you may be left a little flat come Feb/March.
Disturbing times ahead I fear.

Who else from Blacks after Lacey, Willingham and O'Rourke? They are big names on their own that are gone, but a few more i hear as well. Blacks in the drop zone next season. Not sure how JaseCave put them in top 4.

 

[Scribe]

Scribe will not be happy.
But I agree, a couple more needed as its unlikey they will have such a settled line up next year. They were very fortuitous Iezzi withstanding.

Not unhappy with this opinion at all. OTs 2014 was on track for finals until 6 pretty important guys went overseas, and they lost 6 in a row to finish with a whimper. All those players, and most of their core, played 15-18 regular season games in 2015. So you're right, a very settled line up with minimal need to dip into depth.

The difference now, SHOULD be that there's a more competitive group learning the caper at Premier Reserve level than was the case in the past decade. Most of those guys are first year out of u19s, with quite a few talented boys to join them.

Huge upside (as I have said before). I firmly believe you get greater improvement out of homegrown kids getting bigger, stronger and hopefully better as a group at top VAFA level footy than you do by injecting/recruiting older players who are coming down from a higher standard. They are more likely to be easing off in form/fitness/motivation already.

Anyhow, hopefully next years' list will bat deeper, and this be able to cover for the greater incidence of injuries which the law of averages suggest would be likely to occur at Marles Fields next season.

 

[AM]

Not unhappy with this opinion at all. OTs 2014 was on track for finals until 6 pretty important guys went overseas, and they lost 6 in a row to finish with a whimper. All those players, and most of their core, played 15-18 regular season games in 2015. So you're right, a very settled line up with minimal need to dip into depth.

The difference now, SHOULD be that there's a more competitive group learning the caper at Premier Reserve level than was the case in the past decade. Most of those guys are first year out of u19s, with quite a few talented boys to join them.

Huge upside (as I have said before). I firmly believe you get greater improvement out of homegrown kids getting bigger, stronger and hopefully better as a group at top VAFA level footy than you do by injecting/recruiting older players who are coming down from a higher standard. They are more likely to be easing off in form/fitness/motivation already.

Anyhow, hopefully next years' list will bat deeper, and this be able to cover for the greater incidence of injuries which the law of averages suggest would be likely to occur at Marles Fields next season.

Agree wholeheartedly with the bolded. And emphatically disagree with the comment by Canada Trinity were "fortuitous".