Sydney Subbies 2025

[Pfitzy]

 

[Here To Do]

Has the rule around the away club changing strips when there is a clash changed? Just tried watching some of the Forrest Irish game and Green & White plays Green & White.
The grand final last year was Blue on Blue with Mountains and Waverly.
In this day of Ladies Day jerseys etc you’d think clubs would have a spare set for these games.

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It's hard enough getting the correct Four'N Twenty matchballs on the field most weeks - every time we have played UNSW it has been gold v gold and a nightmare to call.

Realistically, "away" jerseys would be ideal but are probably above our paygrades in Subbies.

 

[The Ghost of Bernie]

Lane Cove Rugby had a reversible Paladin jersey with the home strip being the traditional white jersey with blue/yellow V and the away strip being a blue jersey with white/yellow V.

 

[EddieJones1985]

0/3 tough going here

Uni lucky to get away with that one. Pats look strong with a great young side.

Appeared to be a few out from Briars, if they get their troops back could be a tough round two for uni.

Great work from Irish with a grinding win, could be the smokey of Div 2

 

[Pfitzy]

Lane Cove Rugby had a reversible Paladin jersey with the home strip being the traditional white jersey with blue/yellow V and the away strip being a blue jersey with white/yellow V.

We looked at these - slightly more expensive than a standard jersey of the same material. Cheaper than 2 jerseys of course.

The samples we saw found it only really works if the jerseys are the same pattern both sides like the above.

 

[footy_footy]

Uni lucky to get away with that one. Pats look strong with a great young side.

Appeared to be a few out from Briars, if they get their troops back could be a tough round two for uni.

Great work from Irish with a grinding win, could be the smokey of Div 2

Not sure UNSW were lucky winning by 27 points… game was fairly even until the final 20 minutes.

Will be interesting to see how the results shape up in the first five rounds. It’s a long season in Div 2 with 15 rounds compared to the interrupted years since covid. Great to see Irish get some wins to open their account.

 

[Fletch]

Thinking about taking our cameraman on the road with us.

If the clubs below record their games please let me know.

***What's the vantage points like at these grounds? ... also access to them and shade for our man

26 April - Kierle Park (Manly)

3 May - Rothwell Park (Burraneer)

24 May - Lyne Park (Sydney)

14 June - HV Evatt Park (Georges RIver)

19 July - Forshaw Rugby Park, Sylvania Waters (North Cronulla) - assume this is fine but access to spot Stan uses?

Cheers!

 

[Here To Do]

Thinking about taking our cameraman on the road with us.

If the clubs below record their games please let me know.

***What's the vantage points like at these grounds? ... also access to them and shade for our man

3 May - Rothwell Park (Burraneer)

Cheers!

I can help you with Rothwell (I'm the commentator for the club) - assuming you're with Burraneer for Colts against Briars, we'll be on NSW Rugby TV in any case so you may not need your own camera (but completely understand if you'd want to bring your own for coaching).

We have a pavilion with a raised viewing area but it is set about 30m from the sideline, just about inline with 50m. This is a game we filmed that wasn't streamed:

If you have any other questions I'm happy to help via PMs or in thread too.

 

[Pfitzy]

Rothwell is good as mentioned above and Forshaw.

The rest are pretty much flat grounds

 

[Fletch]

I can help you with Rothwell (I'm the commentator for the club) - assuming you're with Burraneer for Colts against Briars, we'll be on NSW Rugby TV in any case so you may not need your own camera (but completely understand if you'd want to bring your own for coaching).

We have a pavilion with a raised viewing area but it is set about 30m from the sideline, just about inline with 50m. This is a game we filmed that wasn't streamed:

If you have any other questions I'm happy to help via PMs or in thread too.

I'm with Penrith div6 when they play Burraneer in Meldrum Cup

Might be a silly question, but will this be a 3.15 kick off still or are you suggesting we will playing at a different timeslot?

 

[Here To Do]

I'm with Penrith div6 when they play Burraneer in Meldrum Cup

Might be a silly question, but will this be a 3.15 kick off still or are you suggesting we will playing at a different timeslot?

I think you may have your lines crossed somewhere - Penrith v Burra Meldrum is showing on rugby.net.au as being at A R Hurst, Sylvania on May 3rd (Round 3).

Souths are playing at Rothwell v Briars same day at 3pm (alas, I'll be away) in the women's Chikarovski Cup.

I know we had some late changes to the draw in the week or two prior to kick off so maybe check for updates.

 

[Fletch]

I think you may have your lines crossed somewhere - Penrith v Burra Meldrum is showing on rugby.net.au as being at A R Hurst, Sylvania on May 3rd (Round 3).

Souths are playing at Rothwell v Briars same day at 3pm (alas, I'll be away) in the women's Chikarovski Cup.

I know we had some late changes to the draw in the week or two prior to kick off so maybe check for updates.

I’ll advise subbies of the issue- our draw came out April 7 and that’s what it had -just went back and checked

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Too long between drinks my friends, Div 3 Week 1 predictions are ready to roll, 6 team comp, 3 games against each opponent, certainly makes for very interesting planning by coaches, teams could be meeting 5 times if they go the major minor finals structure! In any case:

Clark Cup (1st Grade):

Hornsby @ Beecroft: What an interesting start to the year, last year's Div 2 Beecroft hosting last year's winners of Div 4 Hornsby at Headen. Beecroft traditionally very strong in Div 3 but battled for troops last year, whilst Hornsby will be riding the significant momentum of last year's dominance. Do you back the tumbling Croft to right the ship at home? I'm split on this one, but I'll give them the benefit on the doubt. Beecroft by 5. Give me Hornsby in 2s and Beecroft in Colts.

Hills @ Lane Cove Old Ignations: I think this will be a tough test for the joint merger though reports from resident shill Bernie have been very positive. LCOI will be fired up at their spiritual home ground of Tantallon, but I have a feeling this Hills outfit is here to take names this year. Prove me wrong LCOI, prove me wrong... Hills by 10. Give me LCOI in both 2nd grade and Colts though... there's something for you Bern!

Knox @ Old Barker: The Battle of the Pacific Highway with no love lost between these sides dating back to their schoolboy days. Knox has had the rub of the green over Barker over the last few years but these red men love a chance to belt some of their former foes. Reports out of Knox are strong numbers across both grades, but we've seen similar reports from Old Barker, particularly in Colts. Another tough one as we figure out across the divisions where the truth really lies. I'll take Knox by 7. I think Knox manages a clean sweep across the day, though very slim margins in each game.

Yours in we're so bloody back baby,
PFE2

3/3 in first grade, did not expect Beecroft to win by that margin, encouragingly they got a 2s on the paddock also, who also walked away with a win + a draw in Colts makes for a very successful first day out for the Crofties. I'm sure Hornsby will be better for the experience as the season goes on though.

Hills looked great against LCOI after a tight tussle in the first half, some cracking long range tries scored. Looked like a great day out at Tantallon though. Hills will contend this year for sure (though with 6 teams... everyone contends lol)

Knox pretty clinical against Barker from all accounts before the benches cleared, they should be strong this year. No 2s for Barker at home vs their old rivals, their womens program is growing from strength to strength its a shame they can't convert any of that momentum on the mens side. Very worrying signs. Knox Colts did a demo job on BOBS Colts after their strong preseason results, might be another walkover of a Colts comp in Div 3 this year.

VERY early days but looks like Beecroft, Hills and Knox as the 3 heavyweights, though another week of results will give some further clarity... we just have to wait two weeks for it!

 

[Crashy]

Div 2 need some clubs with numbers and a decent setup pushing up from Div 3.
Think the covd rebuild may take 5 - 6 years.

 

[Pfitzy]

Div 2 need some clubs with numbers and a decent setup pushing up from Div 3.
Think the covd rebuild may take 5 - 6 years.

At least - a club who has Colts already could conceivably get there in about that time.

Need to keep recruiting Colts, retain talent through to late 20s, then assume players are going to rotate up and then down Grades.

I'm nearly at 3 teams solid for the year but retention is the issue.

Meanwhile: local U19 and U20 league teams have to turn players away. They go play league at other clubs.

 

[Here To Do]

Div 2 need some clubs with numbers and a decent setup pushing up from Div 3.
Think the covd rebuild may take 5 - 6 years.

I personally don't see 16+ Subbies clubs fielding 3+ grades and Colts. When some clubs can field 6 or more grades in Div One with the chance of getting a run in Kentwell, the players have already voted with their feet.

 

[Pfitzy]

When some clubs can field 6 or more grades in Div One with the chance of getting a run in Kentwell, the players have already voted with their feet.

Most of those 6 grades aren't doing it for Kentwell tho.

 

[Here To Do]

Most of those 6 grades aren't doing it for Kentwell tho.

Obviously not but the blokes in 2nds are, pushing 3rds down to 4ths etc etc

We have no Colts in some divisions but then clubs can field a 2nd Colts or for district clubs 5ths and 6ths in Subbies lower divisions.

What I'm alluding to is "player hoarding" at the haves which removes player pools from other clubs. There's nothing wrong with it and no one should be blamed given there's no salary cap or contracts or whatever, but at a lot of clubs the numbers are still there - just not at others.

That's what I think is most detrimental - if this was a contracted sport, players would be more likely to "spread out" but many choose to stay at clubs where there isn't a need for more bodies.

Again, nothing wrong with it but it has a knock on effect down the line

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

I personally don't see 16+ Subbies clubs fielding 3+ grades and Colts. When some clubs can field 6 or more grades in Div One with the chance of getting a run in Kentwell, the players have already voted with their feet.

I fully agree, I think Subbies are going rings d to drop the desired 8 team Div 1 down to 7 to bolster Div 2 moving forward.
Good early signs from Irish but they are being bolstered by other clubs and they’ve had similar numbers over the past few years. Fingers crossed they keep developing like LCIggies.
Though pending what happens with Forrest colts the signs arent good

 

[Here To Do]

I fully agree, I think Subbies are going rings d to drop the desired 8 team Div 1 down to 7 to bolster Div 2 moving forward.
Good early signs from Irish but they are being bolstered by other clubs and they’ve had similar numbers over the past few years. Fingers crossed they keep developing like LCIggies.
Though pending what happens with Forrest colts the signs arent good

I think the best compromise has been reached for Div Two - Irish were the next team up given their rise over the past few years. Same happened with Harlequins in 2022(?).

However, the flip side is the player hoarding I alluded to before, except that this time it's in 4th Grade for Waves' 6th XV and for Burraneer in Colts. It's good because it gets clubs and players more games but means that players are staying at clubs with excess players.

Maybe Subbies needs to look at a rego cap or something, say 30 players per grade and 50 per Colts - that does run the risk of isolating and excluding players though so certainly not a perfect solution (or maybe not good at all).