Johnny Drama
Sydney Middleton (9)
In a poor game at Drummoyne Oval Drummoyne beat Petersham 30-27.
Seriously I understand your point that people play for the love of the game but I disagree that it is just to have a run with friends.
Subbies is for everyone. People who want to compete, people who want to talk dumb stuff, people who are lonely. People who are athletes.
Whoever you are, there's a place for you in Subbies.
Otherwise,
Why do people train twice a week a second opposed to just showing up like I n park cricket?
Why is the hallogans cup a joke as opposed to a 40 strong comp?
It's because some people want to compete, they are born that way.
Other people just want to tell their mates in a pub they coathangered Matt Giteu or some wallaby and put him in hospital.
Others, just want a weekend run and there's nothing wrong with either.
But don't tell me it's just and only just for fun
Back in the day Balmain would pay their players between 5 and 6 figure amounts to play in division one and put their body on the line.
These are people who needed to play to feed their families or pay rent in the Balmain area which is among the highest in Sydney.
But all that was taken away from a dumb decision by the powers that be because smaller, badly ran clubs had a whinge because they can't or weren't willing to cough up hard cash.
It's like the two brothers where one slammed clam and drunk vodka throughout their twenties whereas the other brother did a law degree over five years and worked up to 9 hours a day to get ahead, then the first brother whining that his finances aren't like his brother in his 40s and life's unfair!
In that metaphor, Balmain is the brother with the law degree.
Five years ago Balmain had star power, crowds in the thousands would come watch. Merchandise was sold, they would regularly make the paper and put subbies on the back pages of the mainstream media. The game had never been so healthy.
Nevilles from other clubs could boast to their children that they sidestepped Sebastian Chabal or knocked Ryan across out.
But that was all taken away to appease clubs who had no clue!
ANd you wantvto to talk about fun?
It's no fun getting belted every week for no cash, so players who just want to play for fun will race to the bottom and they will trigger to fill the A grades.
It's simple. Why can't we have paid first graders (If clubs wish) and fill the lower grades with the speds who just want to have fun and everyone in between?
Imagine, in my vision for the game, walking your dog at the local park and seeing half the wallabies squad line up for Balmain take on Epping with Japanese representatives.
Or Petersham with Ex state of origin players go up against say, Beecroft, who have nabbed an ex NFL star!
You trying to tell me this will reduce interest? No, numbers will be up and the game will never be so healthy.
Best way to support the decline of rugby in Australia - have a majority of clubs fold because they don't have the cash to pay players to play for them/piss off the loyal players who mightn't be "good enough" to get paid.
I for one, would much rather our guys come up against players who actually want to play for the love of the game, rather than money. Not saying guys who get paid don't love the game, but there's a difference.
My old man grew up in Epping years ago and apparently now on one side of the train line it's the Korean community and on the other side predominantly Chinese. Where are all these Japanese rugby players you are talking about?
Yes but even so, teams that can't dish out big bucks still have a place just Lower down the ladder. Divisions 3,4 and 5 wouldn't be paid.
Does everyone here understand that without money there is virtually no chance if any new clubs joining the scene?
We are now confined to the bubble that our forefathers left us because we are no longer willing to spend cash to distribute the game at subbies level.
There is an argument that players numbers are down so it's of no concern club expansion but it absolutely is.
Without payments numbers dwindle. Clubs dwindle. Clubs justify the dwindle because no players.
It's a broke circle through no investement.
I called for a rebrand of Epping earlier but in further thought what I'd really like to see is they play a new team from the area, Epping dragons.if Rams don't want the Japanese market the a new team will.
But new clubs don't emerge anymore since the cash got barred up.
Why am I the only one The sees this?
Haven't you heard the old adage. To make money you need to spend money?
@Birchgrove Bes If these Muppets don't get your vision for Epping, stop wasting your breath on them.
My club would welcome an influx of Japanese players and corporate investment. We aren't far from Epping. and we have eyes on making some big moves up the divisional ladder..
Willing to chat about your vision, Birchgrove...
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You've made your point repeatedly, no-one seems to agree at all with respect to subbies, paying players and the mystical Japanese market.
So move on.
As a moderator, I am invoking Rule 10 of our forum rules. Move. On.
Thank you.
Yeah right.
On another note,
This Balmain v Knox match I'm watching is among the best I've seen for a while.
A few of these Balmain players have big futures in the game, or league if they switch.
Given the time - are you talking 3rd grade?