Sydney Subbies 2024

[Pfitzy]

Other Divs for GF day:

Div 3:
Irish 3 (Clark, Farrant, Joy Johnson)
Knox 2 (Farrant, Nicholson)
LCOIRFC 1 (Nicholson)
Sydney Harbour 1 (Clark)

Div 4 for GF:
Hornsby 2 (McLean, Joy Johnson)
Raptors 2 (McLean, Grose)
Canterbury 1 (Grose)

Div 5 Meldrum: Blacktown v North Cronulla
Div 5 Jeffrey: Burraneer v Manly Savers

 

[subbies specialist]

when do the subbies board notify Lindfield they are going to div2?

Must be a forest supporter ?

 

[Bismarck12345]

Good luck to Briars in the final. Should be a good hit out and the intensity of the grand final should prepare their stars for international duty in the coming weeks.

 

[crushermoran]

I went out to Wills Ground yesterday. I am not sure why Div 4 gets a goat track while the top divisions are looked after.

Raptors came from 26-12 down to beat Renegades 28-26. Renegades looked good but are a really unfit team. It was not a terrific level with two big teams with not much plans. Raptors are a big side in 2nds but I think teams like Knox and Irish would rip them apart in a higher division. 1st Grade was a good match and the score not a reflection of Renegades effort. The level was quite good and it is a step up from Division 6, Raptors have a lot of quality. Renegades ran out of gas at the end, with the final two tries down to a lack of fitness as Raptors finished quite comfortable.

 

[Pfitzy]

Renegades looked good but are a really unfit team. It was not a terrific level with two big teams with not much plans.

Had a few guys in their 40s out there and our bench is fairly reflective of where we are right now - a volume of guys who could fill in First Grade at a pinch but as you say, aren't in great condition.

Not sure what sort of game plans you're expecting for 2nd Grade in 4th Division besides "truck it up and find space"

 

[Prodigy]

Good luck to Briars in the final. Should be a good hit out and the intensity of the grand final should prepare their stars for international duty in the coming weeks.

Or rather, congratulations to Sam Tuitopou, a young bloke who could still be playing colts and has been a standout for Briars. Maybe we should praise Briars for taking a chance with a kid and helping him achieve a dream

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Div 3 Finals:

Clark Cup (1st Grade): Sydney Harbour at Merrylands: I still think these games should be played at neutral grounds, especially given the disparity in how Merrylands travels vs how they play at home. With that being said.. I picked against the Oysters last week and they made me look like a fool. Two clashing styles here, if Merrylands can hold their discipline I think they can do it, going to be some sore bodies driving back east after this one. Merrylands by 10.

Farrant Cup (2nd Grade): Knox at Merrylands: Another home game for Merrylands, couldn't have worked out better for them. This Knox outfit in 2s looks like rag tag bunch that changes drastically every week, and I expect all the cavalry to show out for Merrylands at home. Similar story the first grade, different styles, but I think the same result. Merrylands vs Irish in both grade Grand Finals. Merrylands by 10.

Nicholson Cup (Colts): LCOI vs Sydney Harbour (Easts): Battle for the right to lose to Knox next week? LCOI got worked around in the major semi 47-0 whilst Easts edged it against Valley 13-12. I'll give Bernie the benefit of the doubt and back his boys this week, as we can't ever root for the Shute experiment in Subbies. LCOI by 3.

Yours in the pointy end,
PFE

Genuinely, make me stop doing these, I've barely gotten one right in the finals.

Sydney Harbour continues to prove the doubters wrong and they're into another grand final despite being outsiders these last two weeks. Done it the hard way from third, good for them, slick outfit who defend hard. Should be a great contest next week in the GF vs Irish.

The fairytale of Knox 2s continues, edging Merrylands in a tight one that went down to the wire. Don't like their chances against Irish next week but you never know...

For Merrylands, that's one of the colossal bed sh*ts to end a season. Just missed minor premiers in both 1s and 2s, then both grades lost consecutively, even with a home final, to crash out of the comp. They looked classy in both grades mid-year, not entirely sure what caused the end of season collapse. They were a great addition to division 3 though and will reflect on a promising but ultimately frustrating season.

For LCOI, on to the GF against an undefeated Knox who they lost handily to last week. Good on them for showing Easts the door. Stranger things have happened, going to need to have one hell of a g up pregame to come out firing.

Either way, I'm excited, see you at TG Milner.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

First Club in Subbies to finish with negative Club Championship points and 2 teams in a GF - something seriously wrong here.

From an outside perspective... that is pretty gross.

 

[CrashBandicoot]

From an outside perspective... that is pretty gross.

It’s only gross from an outsiders perspective if clubs wanted an easy 50-0 win across every grade rather than a contest.
Every grade and game has been close in the season indicating that’s it’s the right level.

 

[Eastcoast]

Huge day out at Boronia on the weekend! Clubhouse open and looking the goods. Ground in great shape (apart from a slightly soggy pitch). Looking forward to getting into finals this weekend!

Waverley looking strong from 5's to 2s.
A little GF preview last week between HH and Mosman in Barbour. Both very talented squads go back at it again this week!
Forest pip Drummoyne in 2's. Interesting to see Lindfield drop out of the lower grades whilst playing a weaker squad in 1's. I wonder if that hurt depth or if it was just a strong Colleagues outfit finishing the year fast.
Cant wait to get to Drummoyne for the semis - Its great having both finals at the one venue to get the atmosphere of all the clubs.

 

[Eastcoast]

Waverley 5 (all except Barbour)
Colleagues 5 (all except Kentwell)
Hunters Hill 5 (all except Whiddon)
Blueys 4 (missing Burke and Barbour)
Drummoyne 2 (Barbour and Whiddon)
Mosman 2 (Barour and Judd)
Forest 1 (Burke)
Lindfield 1 (Kentwell)

Thanks @Pfitzy - Went to look at the club representation. Looking forward to seeing all clubs pack out Drummoyne. Parking might be at a premium though.

 

[Strewthcobber]

First Club in Subbies to finish with negative Club Championship points and 2 teams in a GF - something seriously wrong here.

For those following from afar....what's gone on here?

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

It’s only gross from an outsiders perspective if clubs wanted an easy 50-0 win across every grade rather than a contest.
Every grade and game has been close in the season indicating that’s it’s the right level.

Are you suggesting a team capable of making the GF in Second Grade wouldn't be able to be at least competitive one grade higher?

 

[CrashBandicoot]

Are you suggesting a team capable of making the GF in Second Grade wouldn't be able to be at least competitive one grade higher?

Given the level of Barraclough this year, the 4th placed 2nd grade side may not have been as competitive.
Why not just be supportive that a club struggling for numbers to start the year has had a little bit of success that will keep it around for a few more years at least?

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Given the level of Barraclough this year, the 4th placed 2nd grade side may not have been as competitive.
Why not just be supportive that a club struggling for numbers to start the year has had a little bit of success that will keep it around for a few more years at least?

Understood, and admittedly probably came across a bit negative there.

Agree with you above, but also understand the gripes of sides in the lower grades who have been knocked out of contention as a result of the experiment, however. As far as a precedent is concerned, what stops a Forest or someone next season saying no thanks to Kentwell and just contesting the Bourke and down?

We've seen a bunch of clubs have rough years, get demoted down a division or two and then rebuild from there, in my head that's a more practical approach, but I don't have knowledge on the inner workings of the club or what the player pool was looking like before the season started etc. I'm also cognisent of the fact there wasn't exactly a queue of clubs lined up to fill that spot in Division 2. In any case, makes for yet another interesting offseason for the board in terms of forming divisions for 2025.

As for the idea of keeping the club around for longer, that's fantastic news given the current landscape of the game, but in what format would they be looking at competing next year? Back in Division 3 where they can compete in all grades or again in a division higher without contesting the top grade?

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Where are all the colleagues doubters, who though they where going to get relegated from CC points

 

[TheBigArvo]

Understood, and admittedly probably came across a bit negative there.

Agree with you above, but also understand the gripes of sides in the lower grades who have been knocked out of contention as a result of the experiment, however. As far as a precedent is concerned, what stops a Forest or someone next season saying no thanks to Kentwell and just contesting the Bourke and down?

We've seen a bunch of clubs have rough years, get demoted down a division or two and then rebuild from there, in my head that's a more practical approach, but I don't have knowledge on the inner workings of the club or what the player pool was looking like before the season started etc. I'm also cognisent of the fact there wasn't exactly a queue of clubs lined up to fill that spot in Division 2. In any case, makes for yet another interesting offseason for the board in terms of forming divisions for 2025.

As for the idea of keeping the club around for longer, that's fantastic news given the current landscape of the game, but in what format would they be looking at competing next year? Back in Division 3 where they can compete in all grades or again in a division higher without contesting the top grade?

We have also seen a lot of clubs disappear completely or end up in Div 6. I guess the question is would a club that can field 4 out of the 5 Grades but no 1st Grade be better than one that can only field a 1st and 2nd Grade?

Was it the best idea? Probably not, but at least it was Subbies trying something outside of the box. Trying to keep comps viable. But you can see from the dribble on here there’s not much hope for Subbies. As soon as you think outside the box your torn down

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

We have also seen a lot of clubs disappear completely or end up in Div 6. I guess the question is would a club that can field 4 out of the 5 Grades but no 1st Grade be better than one that can only field a 1st and 2nd Grade?

Was it the best idea? Probably not, but at least it was Subbies trying something outside of the box. Trying to keep comps viable. But you can see from the dribble on here there’s not much hope for Subbies. As soon as you think outside the box your torn down

Also fair points, just presenting an alternative view - i.e. that of a team who's season is now over as a result of playing another clubs best team.

Seems now more than ever it's exceedingly difficult to group clubs into likeminded divisions when having to consider number of grades, ability of grades, presence or absence of colts etc.

Might be time for a wholesale shake up.. no idea what that looks like though.

 

[footy_footy]

One club (because of their own shortcomings) has been allowed to play their 1st XV against every other clubs 2nd XV (which flows on to the 3rd and 4th Grade competitions). Of course this is going to cause issues, particularly when clubs who have "done the right thing" are the ones who lose out to the club who needed additional support at the start of the year. Let's not forget this decision was made the week before the competition was started and Subbies were left with no real alternative because they were informed of Epping's issues too late.

There is merit to both sides of the argument but in any event I don't think Epping will be in Division 2 next year even if they take home two premierships.

 

[Prodigy]

I will

Also fair points, just presenting an alternative view - i.e. that of a team who's season is now over as a result of playing another clubs best team.

Seems now more than ever it's exceedingly difficult to group clubs into likeminded divisions when having to consider number of grades, ability of grades, presence or absence of colts etc.

Might be time for a wholesale shake up.. no idea what that looks like though.

I will tell you what it did do, it has kept the club alive. At a time when rugby is struggling, we are all doing the best we can.
All the Division 2 clubs agreed to this situation, it might be hard to swallow now but it is what it is.
We are not taking for granted the position we are in, nor lording it over anyone. If you’d told me five weeks ago, we’d be contesting grand finals, I’d have told you that there’s no way.
Despite the allegations on here, we aren’t pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes. We’ve worked hard to put ourselves into a position to save the club, at the same time, clubs around us are also struggling, see Eastwood, Beecroft, Mac Uni, St Ives.
Funny, it would be okay if we lost, but not okay if we win. Look at it this way, Epping might be the last remaining hope for rugby in the Epping/Eastwood/Ryde/Carlingford/Dundas area.