RDFL Thread 2007

[weekend warrior]

Dissappointed Matt Nicholls, woodend has not lost rick dowling he was out on the park last night. Lacy will play approx half of the season including finals and Luke Barker hardly had an impact at Woodend last year due to injuries. The hawks are in a lot better shape then you give them credit for.

 

[matt_nicholls]

Dissappointed Matt Nicholls, woodend has not lost rick dowling he was out on the park last night. Lacy will play approx half of the season including finals and Luke Barker hardly had an impact at Woodend last year due to injuries. The hawks are in a lot better shape then you give them credit for.

That's great for the Hawks. Hope they do well, one of my fave RDFL clubs. Someone should tell the committee that Lacy and Dowling are competing because the mail I got from two on the Woodend-Hesket board said that they would not be playing. I even got it from the horse's mouth about Rick, he must have changed his mind.

 

[Hawker28]

Matthew..... I would like you to do some research before posting silly, silly things? I rate some of your comments with the upmost respect! However you made a judgement call on Woodend to miss finals in 07!

Now in all fairness, Woodend have picked up some quality players, excusing the players already mentioned, but these other blokes will alone cover what has departed since 06!

You mention Daniel to win the Bowen! Fair comment, Yes! However how many blokes in the last 30 years in the RDFL have won Bowen medals and there side not played finals football? I would say there would be very few, in comparison to the last 30 years of AFL where only 4 players have won brownlows and there side not taken part in September!

I expect Daniel to be a leader and a top player in 2007 but a disturbed pre-season will be the factor to his sucess this year! A broken leg doing a back flip of a roof, gives you the impression playing football this year, is quiet clearly not high on his agenda! Far from fit and training minamal, i expect to see Sippy in round 3!

Now quiet clearly, right about now Riddel are laughing there heads off! How much has been talked about there practise matches and players that stood out, and new players recruited? Jack sh1t!!! They will go about there businesss and come out and play extremely good football and defeat Kilmore with ease!

Riddel have been the benchmark of this comp for the last 3 years!! I don't believe in the methodology that one bloke makes a team! Hence why they will be the leaders of the pack early in 2007!

Hawks top 5!

Sunbury Kangaroos
Riddel
Woodend
Diggers
Kilmore
Centrals
Romsey
Lancefield
Rockbank
Macedon

2 games seperating top spot a 7th........

Bring on 07

 

[matt_nicholls]

Matthew..... I would like you to do some research before posting silly, silly things? I rate some of your comments with the upmost respect! However you made a judgement call on Woodend to miss finals in 07!

Now in all fairness, Woodend have picked up some quality players, excusing the players already mentioned, but these other blokes will alone cover what has departed since 06!

You mention Daniel to win the Bowen! Fair comment, Yes! However how many blokes in the last 30 years in the RDFL have won Bowen medals and there side not played finals football? I would say there would be very few, in comparison to the last 30 years of AFL where only 4 players have won brownlows and there side not taken part in September!

I expect Daniel to be a leader and a top player in 2007 but a disturbed pre-season will be the factor to his sucess this year! A broken leg doing a back flip of a roof, gives you the impression playing football this year, is quiet clearly not high on his agenda! Far from fit and training minamal, i expect to see Sippy in round 3!

Now quiet clearly, right about now Riddel are laughing there heads off! How much has been talked about there practise matches and players that stood out, and new players recruited? Jack sh1t!!! They will go about there businesss and come out and play extremely good football and defeat Kilmore with ease!

Riddel have been the benchmark of this comp for the last 3 years!! I don't believe in the methodology that one bloke makes a team! Hence why they will be the leaders of the pack early in 2007!

Hawks top 5!

Sunbury Kangaroos
Riddel
Woodend
Diggers
Kilmore
Centrals
Romsey
Lancefield
Rockbank
Macendon

2 games seperating top spot a 7th........

Bring on 07

Last time I checked Hawker, I had Riddell on top of the ladder. You idiot! I personally went and watched two of their training sessions. Saw one Woodend-Hesekt session. You think I just make this up? Like I said, you can't fit six sides into the top five and I reluctantly chose the Hawks to miss out.

Also, putting Centrals above Romsey, that's a joke in itself.

 

[woody07]

That's great for the Hawks. Hope they do well, one of my fave RDFL clubs. Someone should tell the committee that Lacy and Dowling are competing because the mail I got from two on the Woodend-Hesket board said that they would not be playing. I even got it from the horse's mouth about Rick, he must have changed his mind.

Enjoyed reading your article regarding your predictions for the coming year and i'd have to say i think you've done a reasonable job.Based on your report it sounds like the standard of competition will be similar to last year, perhaps even a little better. On that point there were a couple of interesting selections that i'd love for you to explain.1. Kilmore lose a few key players and pick up a few players but will still feature in Sept. action despite missing out last year. And lets face it they were a little bit of the pack last year. 2. Romsey lose key several players (two of which are Bowen medalists i think)and pick up several key players but will end up second despite finishing 5th last year.
The last one is the most curious of the three selections 3.Woodend miss a Grand final birth by a couple of goals or minutes and lose two or three key players but pick a couple of reasonable players but will now miss out on the finals. Granted their avenue to goal has decreased, but surely with injection of a few midfield/forwards they will find goals in other positions? They may slide one or two positions, but miss out on the finals-i'm not so sure. It is great to see efforts made in lifting the profile of an improving league Matt. For that you should be congratulated. Too often do we get too much info concerning the B.F.L -a league that has not improved in the last ten years in my opinion-despite what B.F.L players keep telling us.

 

[matt_nicholls]

Enjoyed reading your article regarding your predictions for the coming year and i'd have to say i think you've done a reasonable job.Based on your report it sounds like the standard of competition will be similar to last year, perhaps even a little better. On that point there were a couple of interesting selections that i'd love for you to explain.1. Kilmore lose a few key players and pick up a few players but will still feature in Sept. action despite missing out last year. And lets face it they were a little bit of the pack last year. 2. Romsey lose key several players (two of which are Bowen medalists i think)and pick up several key players but will end up second despite finishing 5th last year.
The last one is the most curious of the three selections 3.Woodend miss a Grand final birth by a couple of goals or minutes and lose two or three key players but pick a couple of reasonable players but will now miss out on the finals. Granted their avenue to goal has decreased, but surely with injection of a few midfield/forwards they will find goals in other positions? They may slide one or two positions, but miss out on the finals-i'm not so sure. It is great to see efforts made in lifting the profile of an improving league Matt. For that you should be congratulated. Too often do we get too much info concerning the B.F.L -a league that has not improved in the last ten years in my opinion-despite what B.F.L players keep telling us.

Cheers mate. Some constructive criticism, that's what we need. My belief about Kilmore is that they lose JR and Barton, but are a young side that will continually improve. Haven't recruited big names from the local area but have recruited well. Romsey will be coached a little better this year, which is not a criticism of Fitzy either. They have a ruckman this season, Burlak will be better and Luke Edwards is a class on-baller. Like I said about the Hawks, they are stiff to be discounted. They could even win the flag this year, it would be stupid to write them off. Gidds will have them raring for Saturday and they will win a lot of games. Just think they lack a little bit of height and firepower up forward.

Also, Hawker if you are going to use AFL stats to back up your argument, you better get them right. I didn't check the last 30 brownlow winners because I only needed to get to 20 to find five winners that hadn't featured in September that year.

They are:
Shane Crawford, Hawthorn, 1999
Paul Kelly, Sydney, 1995
Tony Liberatore, Footscray, 1990
Gerard Healy, Sydney, 1988
Tony Lockett, St Kilda, 1987

 

[Hawker28]

Last time I checked Hawker, I had Riddell on top of the ladder. You idiot! I personally went and watched two of their training sessions. Saw one Woodend-Hesekt session. You think I just make this up? Like I said, you can't fit six sides into the top five and I reluctantly chose the Hawks to miss out.

Also, putting Centrals above Romsey, that's a joke in itself.

Loosing Meldrum, Carrols and Stracks to a line up, does nothin but hurt a side which struggled last year at times! Now in all fairness Matt, you report a 2 training sessions! Come on, where not making judgements on training sessions! I agreed with you and said Riddell, would be the leaders in 07, but however Romsey are far from them this year!

As far as Romsey are concerned, Melton struggled in game plan, players and direction on and off the field! This year alone they have had a good pre-season, and i would say look to be the tallest side in the comp! Most of the players they have picked are ex Ammo! C+ grades, now im not here to judge your work! But you can't ignore a fact sitting right in front of you that Woodend last year perhaps could have been in the GF last year! They were roughly what, 27 points up or even more going into that last term at Macedon?

Have you watched a Riddell in a pre-season game this year?

Im not the idiot that said the side that missed out on the granny last year by less than 6 points was going to miss finals, and have the side that just made finals finish 2nd?

 

[Hawker28]

Cheers mate. Some constructive criticism, that's what we need. My belief about Kilmore is that they lose JR and Barton, but are a young side that will continually improve. Haven't recruited big names from the local area but have recruited well. Romsey will be coached a little better this year, which is not a criticism of Fitzy either. They have a ruckman this season, Burlak will be better and Luke Edwards is a class on-baller. Like I said about the Hawks, they are stiff to be discounted. They could even win the flag this year, it would be stupid to write them off. Gidds will have them raring for Saturday and they will win a lot of games. Just think they lack a little bit of height and firepower up forward.

Also, Hawker if you are going to use AFL stats to back up your argument, you better get them right. I didn't check the last 30 brownlow winners because I only needed to get to 20 to find five winners that hadn't featured in September that year.

They are:
Shane Crawford, Hawthorn, 1999
Paul Kelly, Sydney, 1995
Tony Liberatore, Footscray, 1990
Gerard Healy, Sydney, 1988
Tony Lockett, St Kilda, 1987

Just testing, how good you can be at times, when you do your research!!!

 

[joeblow2]

Hawker disagrees with Pickles, Pickles thinks he's an idiot. Meanwhile Woody makes some good points as well. FOOTY'S BACK!!!!! And we're all happy about it. We're all sticking our necks out on what is really an unknown situation. Different blokes will combine well to increase their teams output (or decrease, depending on how they gel). I believe that the team that will set the benchmark, particularly early on, is Diggers. They have had little change to their best 22 and we know they combine well as a TEAM. That is the key word: 'TEAM'.

Bottom line is that in 19 weeks we will have the answers and it will be interesting to go back and see how opinions vary over the course of what is shaping as a great season.

 

[matt_nicholls]

Loosing Meldrum, Carrols and Stracks to a line up, does nothin but hurt a side which struggled last year at times! Now in all fairness Matt, you report a 2 training sessions! Come on, where not making judgements on training sessions! I agreed with you and said Riddell, would be the leaders in 07, but however Romsey are far from them this year!

As far as Romsey are concerned, Melton struggled in game plan, players and direction on and off the field! This year alone they have had a good pre-season, and i would say look to be the tallest side in the comp! Most of the players they have picked are ex Ammo! C+ grades, now im here to judge you ro your work! But you can't ignore a fact sitting right in front of you that Woodend last year perhaps could have been in the GF last year! They were roughly what, 27 points up or even more going into that last term at Macedon?

Have you watched a Riddell in a pre-season game this year?

Im not the idiot that said the side that missed out on the granny last year by less than 6 points was going to miss finals, and have the side that just made finals finish 2nd?

I actually saw Riddell for a couple of quarters against Whittlesea. As observers of the game, we have to use last year's form as an indicator, but it means very little in the make up of this year. If the Hawks had Barker, Lacy and Dowling play every game this season I probably would have had them second on the ladder. But as far as I know they do not, and that was my reason. It's my job to have an opinion and comment on the game and how I see it. Not everyone will agree but very few can argue that you can't take any games for granted this season (except against Rockbank).

 

[billylid]

Last time I checked Hawker, I had Riddell on top of the ladder. You idiot! I personally went and watched two of their training sessions. Saw one Woodend-Hesekt session. You think I just make this up? Like I said, you can't fit six sides into the top five and I reluctantly chose the Hawks to miss out.

Also, putting Centrals above Romsey, that's a joke in itself.

My opinion maybe very clinche but anyone of 4-5 teams can share the top 2 . those teams i talk about are the likes of Riddell , Romsey , woodend ,kangaroos and of course Diggers.

My reasoning

Riddell - Year in year out are the benchmark of the competition 07 will be no different and come September always seem to lift and show there class

Romsey - Have lost 3-4 guns , but have defaintly covered them through a few players returning plus a fair bit of recruiting . Could be the sleeping giant if they can get there best team on the park and last years result should provide a fire in the belly to see them go well in 07

Kangaroos - Remarkable improvement in 06 and the combination of experiencing finals football and as well as recruiting should see a obvious natural improvement on last year . Will defaintly be thereabout come september.

Diggers - A very young team in 06 and being that one year older will hold them in good stead. A very close unit and they often say a very good team will always beat a team of champions. Also maybe a little baised when i say this but the best coached team in the RDFL.

Woodend- showed in the 1st half of last years semi that they are a very good side and with the obvious talk of there recruits for 07 will defiantly be up there again this year. Will defiantly be play finals football

Predictions

1. Riddell
2. Romsey
3. Diggers
4. Kangaroos
5. Woodend

 

[Hawker28]

I actually saw Riddell for a couple of quarters against Whittlesea. As observers of the game, we have to use last year's form as an indicator, but it means very little in the make up of this year. If the Hawks had Barker, Lacy and Dowling play every game this season I probably would have had them second on the ladder. But as far as I know they do not, and that was my reason. It's my job to have an opinion and comment on the game and how I see it. Not everyone will agree but very few can argue that you can't take any games for granted this season (except against Rockbank).

Agree... You have to make assumptions on last years form, taking into consideration gainings to a side..... Now you look at which clubs have gone big over summer with improving areas perhaps lacking to get them there in 06!

Sunbury
Melton
Kilmore
Riddell- Just replacing James
Woodend
Lancefield

I haven't said Diggers simply becuase they have only picked up one player of good quality from all understanding and hearings..... With Arnel departing, you have to say thats a least 30 odd or even more goals less to Diggers fire power! Do you agree? Now personnaly i don't think they have covered that, unless some one takes a step up?

But i just think that its to hard to replce 2 Bowen medalists overnight, and expect them to achieve more than last year! Thats simply going on the same rule as you (we have to use last year's form as an indicator)!

I don't know enough about the ex players returning at Romsey to comment to much, but if they were they're when Romsey got done to Ridell in 05, i can't see much light at the end of the tunnel for them!

 

[Hawker28]

Bill perhaps you could enlighten some of us as to Diggers pick ups?

 

[billylid]

Bill perhaps you could enlighten some of us as to Diggers pick ups?

3 - Straight of the bat

Jeff Hertitage - missed all last year through injury , fully fit this year and will make a major impact in Diggers Midfield

Joshua Bull (x Sunbury Lion) - Midfielder who will provide a chop out for the Fab Four (Sims , Ruane, Lefty and Walshe) and just provides another option for rotation which these days is very important

Marc Wilkinson (x Macedon, doutta Stars ruckman) - orginally a diggers player in the shane geddes day who went on to play for Macedon and Doutta Stars will be a very handy back up for Jose as well as free up Marchewka to play as a tall forward.


(Finally) someone who i see as a new recruit this year (bevan Green) missed 8-10 games early last year with a serious neck injury and although came back into the 1's late in the year didnt have the same impact (be it confidence) that he had the year b4 when he was CHB in the 05 Team of the year.

I personally think you will just see an improvement by the whole 22 players week in week out and thats where diggers will show that they are a very good and discplined side that do the team things before the individual things.

 

[Hawker28]

3 - Straight of the bat

Jeff Hertitage - missed all last year through injury , fully fit this year and will make a major impact in Diggers Midfield

Joshua Bull (x Sunbury Lion) - Midfielder who will provide a chop out for the Fab Four (Sims , Ruane, Lefty and Walshe) and just provides another option for rotation which these days is very important

Marc Wilkinson (x Macedon, doutta Stars ruckman) - orginally a diggers player in the shane geddes day who went on to play for Macedon and Doutta Stars will be a very handy back up for Jose as well as free up Marchewka to play as a tall forward.


(Finally) someone who i see as a new recruit this year (bevan Green) missed 8-10 games early last year with a serious neck injury and although came back into the 1's late in the year didnt have the same impact (be it confidence) that he had the year b4 when he was CHB in the 05 Team of the year.

I personally think you will just see an improvement by the whole 22 players week in week out and thats where diggers will show that they are a very good and discplined side that do the team things before the individual things.

Marc was the one i was referring to! I have heard and seen a bit of him in the past! Matt Harrison and Ryan Billinghurst have both been fair pick ups, where do you see these two gentlemen in 2007!

Ryan previsouly Strathmore i think? Matt former Sunbury and Rupo player?

How do these fair compared to Wilko and Bully?

 

[Rodriguez]

I actually saw Riddell for a couple of quarters against Whittlesea. As observers of the game, we have to use last year's form as an indicator, but it means very little in the make up of this year. If the Hawks had Barker, Lacy and Dowling play every game this season I probably would have had them second on the ladder. But as far as I know they do not, and that was my reason. It's my job to have an opinion and comment on the game and how I see it. Not everyone will agree but very few can argue that you can't take any games for granted this season (except against Rockbank).

Only one of those blokes played against Diggers in the prelim last year and one didnt play finals at all. I would have thought Jimmy Forrest and Darko, will be handy up forward! Rick has not hung the boots up yet and may well play before years end.

 

[billylid]

Marc was the one i was referring to! I have heard and seen a bit of him in the past! Matt Harrison and Ryan Billinghurst have both been fair pick ups, where do you see these two gentlemen in 2007!

Ryan previsouly Strathmore i think? Matt former Sunbury and Rupo player?

How do these fair compared to Wilko and Bully?

Ryan has very good foot skills and if his body can hold up with definatly add value to the senior squad and create competition which is healthy.

Matt is a very althelic player who Id imagine will play across Half Forward and thus with his height and althelicism may create a very match up for most convential Half Backs . From all accounts has also the ability to play in the Ruck.

I think its safe to say all 4 guys are likely to play Senior football thoughtout the year no doubt about that but this week id imagine Marc and Josh will be in were as the other two guys will be in teh mix for the 18th - 25th picked player.
But i do have to say im no good judge of good footballers.....

 

[Ballsy]

I think its quite funny how we all talk about new recruits this year but not a lot said about the kids coming up from under 18s. Romsey 12 , Riddell 14, Woodend 12 , Macedon 8 (and all the others) have alot of them coming out and should add leg speed and depth to each senior side. The good side of the league is it is starting to get quality players and kids coming through to make it a stonger league for all concerned. Bring the season on there will be suprises and disappointments for every side. RDFL football is the WINNER!!!

 

[weekend warrior]

spoke to a close friend from Macedon today and was informed that macedon are so low on numbers they may not be able to field a reserves side for the first few rounds. If this is the case i expect the senior side to cop a couple of absolute beltings in the first half of the season.

 

[Blueboy16]

Hey billy all pumped for the Orange shirt on the massive clarke oval come Saturday? My sources are quietly confident of a Kangaroos win on the weekend. Had the chance to train on the ground last week and should give them the advantage.
Any news on Uma?

 

[discoduck]

some editing done there by the mods - probably fair enough.

but on the subject, what's the rdfl like for girl supporters - single, of course. no names, phone numbers - just a generalisation. is there a netball comp that plays too?

a good answer here might have me heading out kilmore way in a hurry.

 

[blues12]

some editing done there by the mods - probably fair enough.

but on the subject, what's the rdfl like for girl supporters - single, of course. no names, phone numbers - just a generalisation. is there a netball comp that plays too?

a good answer here might have me heading out kilmore way in a hurry.

some clubs have girls on the boundary that are lounder than the blokes and get right into the footy.
All clubs have netball and some not bad sorts running around, riddell would be close to the best looking sides IMO
As for single thats your job to find out.

 

[blues12]

Hey billy all pumped for the Orange shirt on the massive clarke oval come Saturday? My sources are quietly confident of a Kangaroos win on the weekend. Had the chance to train on the ground last week and should give them the advantage.
Any news on Uma?

The shirts are not orange anymore BB, fluro yellow

 

[discoduck]

some clubs have girls on the boundary that are lounder than the blokes and get right into the footy.
All clubs have netball and some not bad sorts running around, riddell would be close to the best looking sides IMO
As for single thats your job to find out.

how far is riddell from kilmore? should i play there instead?

 

[Hawker28]

Hey billy all pumped for the Orange shirt on the massive clarke oval come Saturday? My sources are quietly confident of a Kangaroos win on the weekend. Had the chance to train on the ground last week and should give them the advantage.
Any news on Uma?

blueboy16 if u were still at diggers would u be tipping the kangaroos?
my sources tell me that diggers are looking the goods