Whale berry
Larry Dwyer (12)
Different game obviously but 0/35's and 0/45's soccer is huge in terms of numbers (and the majority of weekend emergency room visits)
Sydney Subbies 2015
- Thread starter boyo
- Start date
- Status
Our 4s are certainly happy to back up and reserve for 3s, they aren't walking away as soon as the FT whistle blows. They also go to club events, drink at the sponsor pub, pay their fees etc.
Just that their priorities are a little different from the rest of the club.
.
Whale berry
Larry Dwyer (12)
Our guys were the same, mostly long time players ex first grade (past their prime), but as a club administrator at the time, it papered over the cracks of a longer term problem.
Changing local area demographics, declining player numbers and just waiting for players to just walk in the gate.
Changing local area demographics, declining player numbers and just waiting for players to just walk in the gate.
Ozzie Bob
Charlie Fox (21)
I still think it comes down to grading of teams not clubs.
Current examples:
* Brothers: Their first grade side can clearly compete in 1st division which is great. But the rest of the club is having a tough season. Why couldn't they apply to have their first grade in the top 1st grade comp and the rest of their sides in the second division comp?
* Beecroft: They only got dropped won the grades due to a lack of numbers. Why do the poor 4th division teams have to suffer against 3 Beecroft teams who could probably play 2nd/3rd Div quite easily!
* All these clubs that have strong lower grades that are undefeated and the next grade up that hasn't won a game????
Current examples:
* Brothers: Their first grade side can clearly compete in 1st division which is great. But the rest of the club is having a tough season. Why couldn't they apply to have their first grade in the top 1st grade comp and the rest of their sides in the second division comp?
* Beecroft: They only got dropped won the grades due to a lack of numbers. Why do the poor 4th division teams have to suffer against 3 Beecroft teams who could probably play 2nd/3rd Div quite easily!
* All these clubs that have strong lower grades that are undefeated and the next grade up that hasn't won a game????
rugbyking2
Allen Oxlade (6)
There is nothing better than Suburban rugby with everyone playing for the sheer enjoyment of it. I live in the Eastern Suburbs and love seeing Sydney Irish down at Latham Oval on a Saturday. Sure the quality sometimes isn't there but in terms of atmosphere and love for the game nothing is better. They get Dropkick Murphy's playing and the Guinness flowing as every Irish ex-pat and backpacker in the area turns up to watch and play rugby, nothing better.
Similarly the Waverley Colts team don't have the greatest talent but I know a few people in the side who have only played league before, however have come together to play union, and don't they have great fun doing it.
These small things show why NSW Rugby can't let Subbies die. Not everyone is superstars and can play 2nd grade and train twice a week with a pre-season as well but just want to run around on a Saturday afternoon. Long may it reign
Similarly the Waverley Colts team don't have the greatest talent but I know a few people in the side who have only played league before, however have come together to play union, and don't they have great fun doing it.
These small things show why NSW Rugby can't let Subbies die. Not everyone is superstars and can play 2nd grade and train twice a week with a pre-season as well but just want to run around on a Saturday afternoon. Long may it reign
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Convicts didn't play their Sunday fixture at Blacktown so they forfeited 2 points across the grades. Subbies need to get 5th Division going again to help clubs like them and Merrylands.
Last game of the year for the Renegades this weekend, and we get to make the trip to Canterbury which, it must be said, is a shit drive through the inner west. Suppose most people feel the same about coming out our way, but at least we don't have quite the congestion of the older streets at the pointy end.
Not expecting much after Briars got over us in three grades on the weekend, and expecting even less as blokes have one eye on the ski fields, weekends away, and nothing really to play for. However, a few new guys showed up last week for an early look, and hopefully they get along so we can at least put in a good performance.
Expecting Canterbury's Third Grade to be quite hardened as they're playing for a finals spot, and will be stacking back as their 2nds aren't in the running any more.
Last game of the year for the Renegades this weekend, and we get to make the trip to Canterbury which, it must be said, is a shit drive through the inner west. Suppose most people feel the same about coming out our way, but at least we don't have quite the congestion of the older streets at the pointy end.
Not expecting much after Briars got over us in three grades on the weekend, and expecting even less as blokes have one eye on the ski fields, weekends away, and nothing really to play for. However, a few new guys showed up last week for an early look, and hopefully they get along so we can at least put in a good performance.
Expecting Canterbury's Third Grade to be quite hardened as they're playing for a finals spot, and will be stacking back as their 2nds aren't in the running any more.
Whale berry
Larry Dwyer (12)
Are you pulling the boots on?
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Hey let's look at the 4th Div finals while we're here! Only teams with a shot will be examined.
FIRST GRADE
61 Beecroft (+488)
50 Canterbury (+133)
50 Sydney Harlequins (+76)
39 Sydney Irish (+133)
36 Blacktown (+17)
Beecroft had one blip against Canterbury this year, and we were in front with 10 to a few weeks back, but let it slip when their fitness and execution proved the difference. Its theirs to lose at this point.
Harlequins and Canterbury are both on 50 points, with Canterbury holding a significant for/against due to the 'Quins losing heavily to Beecroft earlier in the year. Canterbury are reasonably likely to win at home this weekend (against us), and heavily, so that they'll likely finish 2nd with Quins in 3rd and Irish in 4th. Blacktown are at home against Beecroft this weekend, so unlikely to improve their position.
FINALS WEEK 1: Beecroft v Canterbury, Harlequins v Irish
Likely GF: Beecroft v Harlequins
SECOND GRADE
59 Beecroft (+447)
51 Merrylands (+159)
42 Sydney Irish (+97)
42 Briars (+116)
Top 2 are decided, while no-one else is close enough to shift these 4 out of finals contention.
The big games this weekend are Irish at home to Merrylands, and Briars at home to Convicts. I'm tipping Briars to move into 3rd, even though their win last week was narrow - Briars' First Grade are out of the running so their 2nds, while gaining little from 3rd place rather than 4th, would rather play Merrylands than Beecroft I reckon.
FINALS WEEK 1: Beecroft v Merrylands, Briars v Irish
Likely GF: Beecroft v Merrylands
THIRD GRADE
56 Blacktown (+234)
53 Beecroft (+281)
51 Briars (+138)
40 Canterbury (+118)
39 Harlequins (+114)
Blacktown v Beecroft is the pivotal match this round - it will determine if the Warriors can cling to first or whether Beecroft will take the Minor Premiership in all three grades, having lost only 4 games to this point out of 39.
If Blacktown win, Briars might even jump into 2nd if they can get up over Mac Uni well enough.
Someone I know at Harlequins asked nicely if I'd stack our Thirds this weekend so they can climb over Canterbury, but I don't see it happening regardless of what we do - they'll be keen to make the finals so I expect a few of their 2nd Grade starters to be out there.
FINALS WEEK 1: Beecroft v Blacktown, Briars v Canterbury
Likely GF: Beecroft v Blacktown
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
2368 Beecroft
No point listing anyone else. Next back is Canterbury on 1760.
EDIT: At this stage I'm picking Beecroft to win all 3 premierships, club championship, and Club Of The Year.
FIRST GRADE
61 Beecroft (+488)
50 Canterbury (+133)
50 Sydney Harlequins (+76)
39 Sydney Irish (+133)
36 Blacktown (+17)
Beecroft had one blip against Canterbury this year, and we were in front with 10 to a few weeks back, but let it slip when their fitness and execution proved the difference. Its theirs to lose at this point.
Harlequins and Canterbury are both on 50 points, with Canterbury holding a significant for/against due to the 'Quins losing heavily to Beecroft earlier in the year. Canterbury are reasonably likely to win at home this weekend (against us), and heavily, so that they'll likely finish 2nd with Quins in 3rd and Irish in 4th. Blacktown are at home against Beecroft this weekend, so unlikely to improve their position.
FINALS WEEK 1: Beecroft v Canterbury, Harlequins v Irish
Likely GF: Beecroft v Harlequins
SECOND GRADE
59 Beecroft (+447)
51 Merrylands (+159)
42 Sydney Irish (+97)
42 Briars (+116)
Top 2 are decided, while no-one else is close enough to shift these 4 out of finals contention.
The big games this weekend are Irish at home to Merrylands, and Briars at home to Convicts. I'm tipping Briars to move into 3rd, even though their win last week was narrow - Briars' First Grade are out of the running so their 2nds, while gaining little from 3rd place rather than 4th, would rather play Merrylands than Beecroft I reckon.
FINALS WEEK 1: Beecroft v Merrylands, Briars v Irish
Likely GF: Beecroft v Merrylands
THIRD GRADE
56 Blacktown (+234)
53 Beecroft (+281)
51 Briars (+138)
40 Canterbury (+118)
39 Harlequins (+114)
Blacktown v Beecroft is the pivotal match this round - it will determine if the Warriors can cling to first or whether Beecroft will take the Minor Premiership in all three grades, having lost only 4 games to this point out of 39.
If Blacktown win, Briars might even jump into 2nd if they can get up over Mac Uni well enough.
Someone I know at Harlequins asked nicely if I'd stack our Thirds this weekend so they can climb over Canterbury, but I don't see it happening regardless of what we do - they'll be keen to make the finals so I expect a few of their 2nd Grade starters to be out there.
FINALS WEEK 1: Beecroft v Blacktown, Briars v Canterbury
Likely GF: Beecroft v Blacktown
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
2368 Beecroft
No point listing anyone else. Next back is Canterbury on 1760.
EDIT: At this stage I'm picking Beecroft to win all 3 premierships, club championship, and Club Of The Year.
Whale berry
Larry Dwyer (12)
PFitzy I think your other finals predictions may be out of whack.
Isn't 1 v 2 and 3 v 4 in week 1?
Isn't 1 v 2 and 3 v 4 in week 1?
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Whale berry
Larry Dwyer (12)
It is the Berries 50th Anniversary day with a lot of old boys going to the game, will keep a lookout for you.
Whale berry
Larry Dwyer (12)
You are right they must have conned someone big time.
Rugby Central
Charlie Fox (21)
I'm not sure if it's due to conning or evidence of the law of unintended consequences.
Beecroft were having their "hats" handed to them on a weekly basis and were forced to forfiet 4's and 5's nearly every week. I beleive they even forfeited a 3's game at one point. (happy to be corrected).
Historically speaking, accross Subbies, when a club goes down numbers are usually an issue. On this basis dropping them to Div 4 seemed not untoward. Obviously with Hornsby heading north at the same time and a belief in a better year lower down, numbers surged.
Now whether Subbies should have seen it coming is neither here nor there. Although on past form they could have been sent video evidence of rising numbers - and still missed it.
My gut feeling is Beecroft put forward a possible (maybe even probable) expectation that numbers weren't going to materialise and Subbies accepted their case.
.......or someone in Thornleigh can suck a football through a garden hose and this was accepted as good enough for the powers that be
Reckon Subbies will definitely be regretting the decision to allow Beecroft to drop as far as they did.
They have now made a rod for their back with clubs that are struggling and choose to drop down 2-3 divs to 'rebuild', as opposed to dropping one and just surviving.
Can't help wondering if our situation at Kings would be better if we did that a few years ago, and chalked up a few more wins with less teams in a smaller pool.
.
They have now made a rod for their back with clubs that are struggling and choose to drop down 2-3 divs to 'rebuild', as opposed to dropping one and just surviving.
Can't help wondering if our situation at Kings would be better if we did that a few years ago, and chalked up a few more wins with less teams in a smaller pool.
.
- Status