Broadford will not be joining the RDFL next year.
Trentham, although I'd love to see them back, are probably in the right league.
Kyneton and Bacchus Marsh appear to be the more realistic candidates to join within the next couple of years.
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RDFL Thread 2008
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Broadford will not be joining the RDFL next year.
Trentham, although I'd love to see them back, are probably in the right league.
Kyneton and Bacchus Marsh appear to be the more realistic candidates to join within the next couple of years.
Where is this coming from? Surely not a realistic chance are they?
Strack was a star. Heard he was to be the latest of Heathcote's signings now that Luke Carroll has re-injured his knee.
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- #2,705
Speaking with the coach of Melton South - if they struggled this year they were going to apply to the RDFL. They cannot compete financially with the bigger clubs. The Ballarat league has dropped away by 20% this year so now they are not that bad. The Marsh just beat the reigning premiers Redan on the weekend. Plus they love playing the cross town rivials Darley.
- Banned
- #2,706
No laughing this is a real chance. Riddell were to worried about getting a 20 goal hiding in a practice match so they decided not to play. Imagine Rockbank tip toeing into Gisborne. And no clash with the jumpers - Gisborne would be perfect for the RDFL.
Not what i've heard Pickles - their committee are seriously considering their options especially due to the fact they can't field a 3rds team (under 17's) in the HDFL because they have under 16's as well. The RDFL would allow them to field a under 18's side and it is the current committees' league of choice.....
- Banned
- #2,709
Who? Moomba Park, Crazyburn, Jacana and Faulkner Park??
Perhaps their juniors should change leagues then.
It may happen, but its a few years off yet.
Gday just thought id throw up a team. apolgies to a few who i have out of position or missed out. Its a tough job because i havent seen a few play and going a bit on reputation i suppose and whos name you see in the best players.
B Bullen J Allen Walker
HB Climas Krul Johnson
C M welsh Young M Mcinerney
HF Laurie Petran M Allen
F Wheelhan James Thompson
R Jose Sims Beleville
Int P robertson g robertson meacham blade nankervis l mcinerney
was thinking just the hole riddell team!
B Podbury Karns whiteway
HB Dettmann Ng Bowen
C Robertson Choate Gibson
HF Cornish Salter Wright
F Collins Fowler Kearney
Foll Connelan wheatley Johnstone
Int christansen dowling Waters dawson else mclellan
only left burlak due to injury
and not sure on Johnno. hoping for the best so i named him anyway
Should be a good match
These are two stories I wrote last year:
Can the RDFL expand?
by Matt Nicholls
MEMO: To all football fans and clubs in the district.
Imagine this. A super country football league with two divisions involving teams from this area.
Take a minute to ponder rivalry matches of yesteryear such as Wallan versus Kilmore, Gisborne against Riddell or a more modern Sunbury Kangaroos v Sunbury Lions.
If you asked me whether it was possible at the start of this season, I probably would have said no.
Now, I’m not so sure.
It has been 10 years since the Riddell District Football League became a one-division competition, and there is serious thought being put towards recreating the super league it once was.
At this end of the geographical area, the local football supporters are licking their lips at the idea.
Similarly at the other end, towards Melton, Sunbury and Gisborne, the fans are desperate to resume old RDFL rivalries.
If you take various sides from the surrounding district - some current, some former, and some new – and put together a two division football league, it has the potential to become one of the strongest competitions in Victoria.
Powerhouse clubs such as Sunbury Lions, Gisborne, Melton South, Melton, Darley and Kyneton – all from superior competitions should be welcomed back with open arms.
Invite Wallan and Trentham back to the fore, get Bacchus Marsh aboard. That is already nine new clubs.
Take the current 10 sides and all of a sudden you have a lot of potential to build a powerful competition.
It is hard to believe that it was just over a decade ago when many of these “new” sides were actually competing in the RDFL.
The area that involves these 19 clubs includes some of the biggest growing populations in Victoria.
It means that there is a guarantee of junior footballers, therefore creating a strong flow on to the seniors.
SALARY CAP
Without a doubt there would be some clubs that would struggle with the two divisions.
Rockbank, Trentham, Macedon, Melton Central and Lancefield would most likely struggle to stay afloat with potentially stronger neighbouring rivals.
Clubs such as Gisborne, Sunbury Lions and Melton South would obviously be very hard to beat.
Financially able to pay for classier players, it would mean a salary cap system would have to be introduced across the board to prevent clubs from “buying premierships”.
Unlike the AFL’s system to limit a club’s spending, there is a way to prevent clubs from importing talent – therefore encouraging sides to promote their junior programs.
To borrow a system implemented by the Central Murray Football League, it is possible to implement a strategy to even up the competition.
The league could make each club fill their side with a points tally totalling 40.
Using this simple points ranking system, clubs must not exceed the cap, or they will lose their four points and be fined $500.
This is how each player could be ranked:
This system is simply designed to promote the blooding of locally produced players and forcing clubs to focus time and money into their junior programs.
This will hopefully result in more of our locally produced youngsters playing in the TAC Cup and getting drafted to the AFL.
Obviously it still allows club’s to spend as much money as they like, but it doesn’t make it easy or viable for sides to “poach” players from neighbouring clubs in the competition.
There are some other points that need to be raised from this system though.
If this were to eventuate, the longest away trip for any club would be the Bacchus Marsh to Kilmore fixture, a journey that would take approximately 60 minutes.
If you look at other football leagues, particularly the Heathcote District Football League, there are a number of 80-100 minute trips for participating clubs.
LONG SHOT
The hardest challenge to get this idea off the ground is likely to be persuading clubs such as Sunbury Lions and Gisborne to join what is deemed to be a “weaker” competition. But it is possible.
There is also the issue of whether the current clubs would welcome back some sides into the RDFL.
Many clubs were annoyed when clubs such as Wallan and Gisborne left the competition when it was virtually on its knees and dying.
While this “super league” plan is a long shot, I recommend all clubs to consider the prospect.
Football etiquette prevents the RDFL from approaching clubs to join the competition, if clubs want to join they need to take the initiative and approach the RDFL.
Six years ago the Riddell District Football League was shot to pieces and many feared it would not survive.
Thanks to the excellent work of former general manager Neill Sharpe, the current RDFL board and many others, the league is now starting to thrive.
However, towns such as Romsey, Woodend and Kilmore are continually growing, and it’s not unforeseeable that they will soon outgrow the current competition.
Measures need to be put in place to protect the RDFL and ensure that it grows with the community amongst and surrounding it.
Football restructure needed
by Matt Nicholls
THERE was an overwhelming response to my article on the future of the Riddell District Football League published last week.
I received phone calls from a number of people, mostly those currently involved with the RDFL at some level, but a number from outside the competition.
I spoke to the Ballarat Football League CEO, two people from clubs within the Central Murray Football League, and representatives from AFL Victoria and the VCFL.
The article has created widespread interest across football circles throughout the state.
On popular internet website www.bigfooty.com there has been a number of interesting comments about the concept.
For those who missed the paper last week, the article was an opinion piece on how the RDFL could expand its wings to become a two-division competition.
I spoke about clubs such as Wallan, Gisborne, Sunbury, Darley, Bacchus Marsh and Kyneton joining the competition to make it one of the most powerful in Victoria.
While much of the feedback I received was positive, there was a fair share of backlash too.
Ballarat Football League CEO Rod Ward told me last week that if my concept took off, it would significantly hurt his competition, as the idea involved five BFL clubs returning to their former home in the Riddell District.
Mr Ward’s comments were fair, but football is now a cut-throat industry where every league is out for itself.
Darley, Melton, Sunbury and Melton South are all original RDFL clubs and all have their juniors in the Riddell District competition.
If not for the RDFL’s dramatic fall from power 10 years ago, it is unlikely the Ballarat Football League would have these sides competing.
FLOW ON EFFECT
Across Victoria, there are dozens of football leagues that need to be restructured.
If you are to change the RDFL, it will have significant implications on neighbouring leagues such as the Bendigo and Ballarat competitions.
To fix those competitions you need to add from neighbouring leagues which creates a huge flow-on effect.
It is my opinion that the VCFL and AFL Victoria need to sit down with a big whiteboard, forget history for a minute, and fix a fast growing problem in football.
Almost every football competition in the state has geographical problems.
Some competitions are played in a close proximity, but there is a real difference in standard between the top and bottom sides in those leagues.
In around an hour, I sat down with a map and list of football leagues and ladders and came up with this possible league reformation, using clubs from the Riddell District, Bendigo, Ballarat, Central Highlands, Maryborough-Castlemaine, Heathcote District and Kyabram District football leagues.
There were 77 clubs in those seven competitions, and taking into account that Strathfieldsaye (near Bendigo) is likely to have a senior club up and running next year, this is how my restructured format worked out.
LEAGUE 1 – Riddell District Football League
Div 1: Gisborne, Kyneton, Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury Lions, Melton, Darley, Melton South, Riddell, and Woodend-Hesket.
Div 2: Kilmore, Wallan, Romsey, Lancefield, Sunbury Kangaroos, Diggers Rest, Macedon, Rockbank, Trentham, and Melton Central.
LEAGUE 2 – Bendigo Football League
Div 1:Golden Square, Sandhurst, South Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, Harcourt, Elmore, Colbinabbin, Mount Pleasant, and Castlemaine.
LEAGUE 3 – Ballarat Football League
Div 1: Ballarat, East Point, LakeWendouree, Redan, Sebastopol, Maryborough, NorthCity, Daylesford, Hepburn, and Learmonth.
LEAGUE 4 – Heathcote District Football League
Div 1: Broadford, Heathcote, Avenel, North Bendigo, White Hills, Yea, Nagambie, Rushworth, Huntly, and Strathfieldsaye (new club to be formed next year).
LEAGUE 5 – Kyabram District Football League
Div 1: Ardmona, Girgarre, Lancaster, Merrigum, Murchison, Stanhope, Tallygaroopna, Undera, VioletTown.
LEAGUE 6 – Central Highlands Football League (merged with MCDFL)
Div 1: Waubra, Avoca, Ballan, Dunnstown, Bungaree, Buninyong, Campbell’s Creek, Carisbrook, Maryborough Rovers, and Talbot.
Div 2:RoyalPark, Newstead, Dunolly, Gordon, Beaufort, Creswick, Clunes, Springbank, Newlyn, and Maldon.
Obviously VCFL and AFL Victoria experts would be better placed to make judgements on such radical changes to the above football leagues, but it certainly is something that should be considered.
No doubt the football sidelines will be swarming with discussion about this issue on Saturday as this topic continues to grow legs.
__________________________________________
These caused plenty of controversy, especially from the Ballarat FL manager, who was afraid of losing his clubs
Can the RDFL expand?
by Matt Nicholls
MEMO: To all football fans and clubs in the district.
Imagine this. A super country football league with two divisions involving teams from this area.
Take a minute to ponder rivalry matches of yesteryear such as Wallan versus Kilmore, Gisborne against Riddell or a more modern Sunbury Kangaroos v Sunbury Lions.
If you asked me whether it was possible at the start of this season, I probably would have said no.
Now, I’m not so sure.
It has been 10 years since the Riddell District Football League became a one-division competition, and there is serious thought being put towards recreating the super league it once was.
At this end of the geographical area, the local football supporters are licking their lips at the idea.
Similarly at the other end, towards Melton, Sunbury and Gisborne, the fans are desperate to resume old RDFL rivalries.
If you take various sides from the surrounding district - some current, some former, and some new – and put together a two division football league, it has the potential to become one of the strongest competitions in Victoria.
Powerhouse clubs such as Sunbury Lions, Gisborne, Melton South, Melton, Darley and Kyneton – all from superior competitions should be welcomed back with open arms.
Invite Wallan and Trentham back to the fore, get Bacchus Marsh aboard. That is already nine new clubs.
Take the current 10 sides and all of a sudden you have a lot of potential to build a powerful competition.
It is hard to believe that it was just over a decade ago when many of these “new” sides were actually competing in the RDFL.
The area that involves these 19 clubs includes some of the biggest growing populations in Victoria.
It means that there is a guarantee of junior footballers, therefore creating a strong flow on to the seniors.
SALARY CAP
Without a doubt there would be some clubs that would struggle with the two divisions.
Rockbank, Trentham, Macedon, Melton Central and Lancefield would most likely struggle to stay afloat with potentially stronger neighbouring rivals.
Clubs such as Gisborne, Sunbury Lions and Melton South would obviously be very hard to beat.
Financially able to pay for classier players, it would mean a salary cap system would have to be introduced across the board to prevent clubs from “buying premierships”.
Unlike the AFL’s system to limit a club’s spending, there is a way to prevent clubs from importing talent – therefore encouraging sides to promote their junior programs.
To borrow a system implemented by the Central Murray Football League, it is possible to implement a strategy to even up the competition.
The league could make each club fill their side with a points tally totalling 40.
Using this simple points ranking system, clubs must not exceed the cap, or they will lose their four points and be fined $500.
This is how each player could be ranked:
This system is simply designed to promote the blooding of locally produced players and forcing clubs to focus time and money into their junior programs.
This will hopefully result in more of our locally produced youngsters playing in the TAC Cup and getting drafted to the AFL.
Obviously it still allows club’s to spend as much money as they like, but it doesn’t make it easy or viable for sides to “poach” players from neighbouring clubs in the competition.
There are some other points that need to be raised from this system though.
- Playing coaches are rated on the league from which they are recruited.
- An RDFL player wishing to return to a new RDFL club from another league is a 5 point player, less one point for each season spent in the other league after leaving the RDFL.
- Clubs will initially rate their players and forward these to the league where each player’s rating will be verified before being circulated to all clubs.
- Players returning to their original RDFL club after at least one season away return at their rating prior to departure.
- There is no points cap in the Under 18s and reserves competition.
If this were to eventuate, the longest away trip for any club would be the Bacchus Marsh to Kilmore fixture, a journey that would take approximately 60 minutes.
If you look at other football leagues, particularly the Heathcote District Football League, there are a number of 80-100 minute trips for participating clubs.
LONG SHOT
The hardest challenge to get this idea off the ground is likely to be persuading clubs such as Sunbury Lions and Gisborne to join what is deemed to be a “weaker” competition. But it is possible.
There is also the issue of whether the current clubs would welcome back some sides into the RDFL.
Many clubs were annoyed when clubs such as Wallan and Gisborne left the competition when it was virtually on its knees and dying.
While this “super league” plan is a long shot, I recommend all clubs to consider the prospect.
Football etiquette prevents the RDFL from approaching clubs to join the competition, if clubs want to join they need to take the initiative and approach the RDFL.
Six years ago the Riddell District Football League was shot to pieces and many feared it would not survive.
Thanks to the excellent work of former general manager Neill Sharpe, the current RDFL board and many others, the league is now starting to thrive.
However, towns such as Romsey, Woodend and Kilmore are continually growing, and it’s not unforeseeable that they will soon outgrow the current competition.
Measures need to be put in place to protect the RDFL and ensure that it grows with the community amongst and surrounding it.
Football restructure needed
by Matt Nicholls
THERE was an overwhelming response to my article on the future of the Riddell District Football League published last week.
I received phone calls from a number of people, mostly those currently involved with the RDFL at some level, but a number from outside the competition.
I spoke to the Ballarat Football League CEO, two people from clubs within the Central Murray Football League, and representatives from AFL Victoria and the VCFL.
The article has created widespread interest across football circles throughout the state.
On popular internet website www.bigfooty.com there has been a number of interesting comments about the concept.
For those who missed the paper last week, the article was an opinion piece on how the RDFL could expand its wings to become a two-division competition.
I spoke about clubs such as Wallan, Gisborne, Sunbury, Darley, Bacchus Marsh and Kyneton joining the competition to make it one of the most powerful in Victoria.
While much of the feedback I received was positive, there was a fair share of backlash too.
Ballarat Football League CEO Rod Ward told me last week that if my concept took off, it would significantly hurt his competition, as the idea involved five BFL clubs returning to their former home in the Riddell District.
Mr Ward’s comments were fair, but football is now a cut-throat industry where every league is out for itself.
Darley, Melton, Sunbury and Melton South are all original RDFL clubs and all have their juniors in the Riddell District competition.
If not for the RDFL’s dramatic fall from power 10 years ago, it is unlikely the Ballarat Football League would have these sides competing.
FLOW ON EFFECT
Across Victoria, there are dozens of football leagues that need to be restructured.
If you are to change the RDFL, it will have significant implications on neighbouring leagues such as the Bendigo and Ballarat competitions.
To fix those competitions you need to add from neighbouring leagues which creates a huge flow-on effect.
It is my opinion that the VCFL and AFL Victoria need to sit down with a big whiteboard, forget history for a minute, and fix a fast growing problem in football.
Almost every football competition in the state has geographical problems.
Some competitions are played in a close proximity, but there is a real difference in standard between the top and bottom sides in those leagues.
In around an hour, I sat down with a map and list of football leagues and ladders and came up with this possible league reformation, using clubs from the Riddell District, Bendigo, Ballarat, Central Highlands, Maryborough-Castlemaine, Heathcote District and Kyabram District football leagues.
There were 77 clubs in those seven competitions, and taking into account that Strathfieldsaye (near Bendigo) is likely to have a senior club up and running next year, this is how my restructured format worked out.
LEAGUE 1 – Riddell District Football League
Div 1: Gisborne, Kyneton, Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury Lions, Melton, Darley, Melton South, Riddell, and Woodend-Hesket.
Div 2: Kilmore, Wallan, Romsey, Lancefield, Sunbury Kangaroos, Diggers Rest, Macedon, Rockbank, Trentham, and Melton Central.
LEAGUE 2 – Bendigo Football League
Div 1:Golden Square, Sandhurst, South Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, Harcourt, Elmore, Colbinabbin, Mount Pleasant, and Castlemaine.
LEAGUE 3 – Ballarat Football League
Div 1: Ballarat, East Point, LakeWendouree, Redan, Sebastopol, Maryborough, NorthCity, Daylesford, Hepburn, and Learmonth.
LEAGUE 4 – Heathcote District Football League
Div 1: Broadford, Heathcote, Avenel, North Bendigo, White Hills, Yea, Nagambie, Rushworth, Huntly, and Strathfieldsaye (new club to be formed next year).
LEAGUE 5 – Kyabram District Football League
Div 1: Ardmona, Girgarre, Lancaster, Merrigum, Murchison, Stanhope, Tallygaroopna, Undera, VioletTown.
LEAGUE 6 – Central Highlands Football League (merged with MCDFL)
Div 1: Waubra, Avoca, Ballan, Dunnstown, Bungaree, Buninyong, Campbell’s Creek, Carisbrook, Maryborough Rovers, and Talbot.
Div 2:RoyalPark, Newstead, Dunolly, Gordon, Beaufort, Creswick, Clunes, Springbank, Newlyn, and Maldon.
Obviously VCFL and AFL Victoria experts would be better placed to make judgements on such radical changes to the above football leagues, but it certainly is something that should be considered.
No doubt the football sidelines will be swarming with discussion about this issue on Saturday as this topic continues to grow legs.
__________________________________________
These caused plenty of controversy, especially from the Ballarat FL manager, who was afraid of losing his clubs
Why wouldnt they have a big round the table discussion with all presidents including the 4 you speak of, and address their futures and respective directions. (sunbury,Melton,Gisborne,Melton South)
Couple of things to watch closely before the end of the year that would be interesting for this leagues future could be:
Just food for thought really.
Couple of things to watch closely before the end of the year that would be interesting for this leagues future could be:
- The appointment of the Lions coach after Libba for '09'
- Whether Kyneton win a game this year, and as silly as it may seem they will be watching very closely on how their former Mr Young fairs at the end of the year?
- Gisborne will play monkey see monkey do i think, just watch the other cattle roll back in first before commiting to anything.
- Melton South would be aware of the strength of the juniors and development put back into the league after hosting the 18's interleague, and associating themselves with our comp, just to differ away form the Bloods for their own advantage
- The main thing they all will watch is just how Riddell conduct themselves for the rest of the year, being a dominant force on field is an awesome asset and have no doubt this will continue, but these other 4 clubs utilise their administration off field a little more effectively, and this will be the main factor. The marketing and sales skills of these other clubs has been their light at the end of the tunnel so to speak, so they would have some concerns over just what effects it could have budget wise and profit.
- Last but not least, that if rumours of high profiled ex AFL stars and quality country footballers continue to flock to our league, the benefits could be endless for individual clubs and the RDFL itself.
Just food for thought really.
catters078
Norm Smith Medallist
if this is true and the ex-romsey star is playing for the cote...theyll be flag favourites...if not already
Was beginning to wonder if you were still alive catters.....but glad to hear that you have a pulse since you went AWOL.....
catters078
Norm Smith Medallist
ill be back next week...with petrol hitting $1.65 its hard getting from dandeong to heathcote for training now
29-little-CHAMP
Team Captain
Good Matt ...
When it went into 1 division back in 1985.... (( the leauge was very strong)) couple of clubs near the bottom .... wanted the the 2 divisions back
club like diggers stayed in division 1 from 1985 till 1989 , they then played in 4 GF in a row 2nd division ....... winning the last in 1993( two's also played in a few GF's as well ) .... hence the move up to division 1 ... (look at the results of that period 1994-1996 ) of diggers <<< from a club very strong in division 2
lancefield won 2 in a row never moved up ... then the leauge moved back to the one division
I think imo Sydem-hillside ,, the marsh would be good options
Division 1)
Sunbury lions
Gisbourne
Melton bloods
Melton South
Darley
Kyneton
Crazyburn
Keilor ======= big if's
Kelior Park==== big if's
Taylor's lake=== big if's
Longest trip Keilor too Kyneton about 60 min's up the calder.
When it went into 1 division back in 1985.... (( the leauge was very strong)) couple of clubs near the bottom .... wanted the the 2 divisions back
club like diggers stayed in division 1 from 1985 till 1989 , they then played in 4 GF in a row 2nd division ....... winning the last in 1993( two's also played in a few GF's as well ) .... hence the move up to division 1 ... (look at the results of that period 1994-1996 ) of diggers <<< from a club very strong in division 2
lancefield won 2 in a row never moved up ... then the leauge moved back to the one division
I think imo Sydem-hillside ,, the marsh would be good options
Division 1)
Sunbury lions
Gisbourne
Melton bloods
Melton South
Darley
Kyneton
Crazyburn
Keilor ======= big if's
Kelior Park==== big if's
Taylor's lake=== big if's
Longest trip Keilor too Kyneton about 60 min's up the calder.
Sacrificial Lamb
Senior List
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Sacrificial Lamb
Senior List
why not . good chance to get some more (cheap)flags
- Banned
- #2,721
MansBestFriend
Draftee
tips for the weekend gang? matchups etc?
ronald mcdonald
Rookie
Big round this weekend with all games a chance to go either ways including riddells? Tips woodend by 20 . Class will prevail altough will be tested and their captain out is a loss wallan by 10points altough this game will sort out what both teams want to do come finals time macedon to beat romsey at home play there ground well and have the quickest side whcih will run thr redbacks off their feet and mighty rams in an upset to beat centrals. rockbak have not been that bad and have a much improved side.centrals have been competitive but never get results. rockbank to go out and play their own game and win the ball without worrying about the opposition like riddell last week. win by 3 goals. intersting to speak to a riddell superstar saying that he does not know what is happening with the east west game and thinks it will be not going ahead as officials clubs coaches and players have not been told anything. will be a let down for the comp. anyway good luck to all clubs as every week now is important for finals structure
ThatsHANDY
Cancelled
- Banned
- #2,725
I mean the following week
Geez there has been quite a number of posts on here about the Wallan netballers. What's all the fuss?? Sounds like I need to check them out for myself. Are they good players or good to look at?
Matt sounds like you need to do a storey on these girls
- Status