Subbies 2021

[Pfitzy]

Good plan - definitely playing into October is off the cards with pretty much everyone who has a cricket oval on their ground(s).

If finals goes from 3 weeks down to 2, then clubs will want 2 weeks of competition to try and push into top 4 while getting their combinations back on the field, and at least 2 weeks training to get back into the swing.

So we'd probably need to be back training with full contact no later than 16th August - tho our blokes would be happy with 1 training sesh

The question is which 2 weeks of the regular competition would be scheduled

 

[BJT]

Good plan - definitely playing into October is off the cards with pretty much everyone who has a cricket oval on their ground(s).

If finals goes from 3 weeks down to 2, then clubs will want 2 weeks of competition to try and push into top 4 while getting their combinations back on the field, and at least 2 weeks training to get back into the swing.

So we'd probably need to be back training with full contact no later than 16th August - tho our blokes would be happy with 1 training sesh

The question is which 2 weeks of the regular competition would be scheduled

I would say minimum of 3 weeks of competition before finals is necessary to make is worthwhile, otherwise you might as well just go straight to finals based on the current standings. Good luck getting players to turn up for 2 games if their team is already out of it, you'll just end up with guys playing playing multiple games and a mountain of injuries.

 

[Pfitzy]

I would say minimum of 3 weeks of competition before finals is necessary to make is worthwhile, otherwise you might as well just go straight to finals based on the current standings.

There are still a few top 4 spots to decide.

And don't underestimate the need for blokes to get back on the pitch even for a couple of weeks after lockdown - rugby and beer!

 

[Sanka]

My suggestion would be a 3 week competition, quarter finals, semi's and final, That way everyone has something to play for and your current standing still comes into play.

Week 1: 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5

Week 2: 1v8 winner plays 4v5 winner, 2v7 winner plays 3v6 winner

Week 3: Grand final.

 

[Pfitzy]

^^^ That's actually quite an interesting take - knockout footy - every game counts!

Wonder how we'd handle Open Selection in that case tho

 

[Prodigy]

My suggestion would be a 3 week competition, quarter finals, semi's and final, That way everyone has something to play for and your current standing still comes into play.

Week 1: 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5

Week 2: 1v8 winner plays 4v5 winner, 2v7 winner plays 3v6 winner

Week 3: Grand final.

Funnily enough have suggested this on the Subbies Facebook group in great detail.

 

[Ozzie Bob]

If lockdown is continued for another 4 weeks surely that will mean finishing the season is impossible?

I feel for everyone involved. Having been stuck in the various lockdowns in London over the last 18 months and not being able to get back to Oz to see family it's been a tough time, but not having subbies running makes it worse!

 

[Pfitzy]

If lockdown is continued for another 4 weeks surely that will mean finishing the season is impossible?

Or the nearest thing to it. I feel for the guys particularly in Colts who might not get another crack at age footy.

 

[Teh Other Dave]

Spare a thought for the front rowers when Mad Monday hits in 2023

 

[Pfitzy]

Spare a thought for the front rowers when Mad Monday hits in 2023

Or those around them.

 

[The Year Of]

Did I miss something?? I whole heap of post disappeared.

Someone must have been naughty like the old days of the subbies forum

 

[Pfitzy]

Did I miss something?? I whole heap of post disappeared.

Someone must have been naughty like the old days of the subbies forum

Nah they got binned during the upgrade. Everything since early August kaput.

 

[WoodyWoodsman]

You heard it here first…. But sources will not be leaked.
Subbies are planning for 2022 to be a 10 club Division 1, maintaining 7 current clubs, 2 from Division 2 and 1 from Division 3. Clubs will be required to have 4 grades and colts. 5th grade optional. Division 2 remains 8, with the high possibility that A certain dislodged SS club in there. Clubs will be told what division they are in, no choices. It’s this division or nothing.

 

[Prodigy]

You heard it here first…. But sources will not be leaked.
Subbies are planning for 2022 to be a 10 club Division 1, maintaining 7 current clubs, 2 from Division 2 and 1 from Division 3. Clubs will be required to have 4 grades and colts. 5th grade optional. Division 2 remains 8, with the high possibility that A certain dislodged SS club in there. Clubs will be told what division they are in, no choices. It’s this division or nothing.

I wonder if anyone will be able to confirm this. It’s a bold move if Subbies go this way.

 

[Pfitzy]

I don't know if it is possible to make that kind of call this early.

Attrition from 2 COVID-interrupted seasons could be significant for a lot of clubs; people who haven't been able to travel for a couple of years, with vaccination potentially opening up new doors.

But for a moment, let's entertain the possibility 2 clubs could go up from 2nd Division - Hunters Hill and St Pats being the obvious candidates. We need to cascade what that looks like for other divisions.

You're now left with 6 clubs in Div 2 - well except Old Barker are unlikely to stay, so now you're down to 5. Let's also assume the SS club going into Div 2 is Penrith - the same Penrith who struggled to put out 2 teams this year. Having them field 4 Grades + Colts in 2nd Div seems like a stretch ... but OK we're back to 6 clubs in Div 2.

Where are the other 2 clubs coming from to make 8? Iggies and Beecroft? Count out everyone else in Div 3, but even then I'm not sure either club wants this.

If it happened, Div 3 is down to 6 clubs, and HAC and Blacktown are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. So does Div 3 just disappear for 2021? Div 4 might benefit in terms of numbers, of course...

Seems like a mountain to climb, to me.

 

[BJT]

Might be handy for an evenly competitive Division 2 comp, but can't see the logic otherwise.

 

[Pfitzy]

Having thought about it: if we got Blacktown and HAC into Div 4 that would cut my travel times quite significantly

 

[WoodyWoodsman]

On the rumour mill, it has been suggested to me that a University involved in Subbies rugby is none too happy with its current standing and has made an approach to a very local club about a merger. The merger would see the university sides amalgamated into the other club and a rebranding of sort.
The university is keen to work with the current structure of the other club and provide assistance with sponsorship and grounds.
This could be huge.

 

[Prodigy]

Might be handy for an evenly competitive Division 2 comp, but can't see the logic otherwise.

Surely with the success that Hunters Hill had this year, there must be thoughts that they would go well in Division 1. There is strength throughout their grades and big player numbers.
St Pat's might be a little more concerning, they are very good in the top two grades and colts, but might need some reinfrocements in the lower two grades.

My concern is always going to be, after two seasons cut in half, are any clubs going to be able to field the numbers that they have had in the past two years.

 

[Prodigy]

On the rumour mill, it has been suggested to me that a University involved in Subbies rugby is none too happy with its current standing and has made an approach to a very local club about a merger. The merger would see the university sides amalgamated into the other club and a rebranding of sort.
The university is keen to work with the current structure of the other club and provide assistance with sponsorship and grounds.
This could be huge.

So the universities involved in Subbies are:
UNSW
Macquarie Uni
WSU Hawkesbury
unless Notre Dame making a comback?

UNSW are geographically on their own;
Mac Uni - what Epping, Beecroft, St Ives???
WSU Hawkesbury and Hawkesbury Valley - I don't think so.