2025 Zone League 1

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Originally Posted by stopper2

Whoa yourself ha ha. Yeah you were just "making an observation" but to me you seem to want to make it into a major issue. Our Ressies have been competitive in most games and if we had won a few more of those tight games (we lost 5 by a solitary goal) instead of losing them we would be in contention for the Finals too just like our Conference team are.
The overall depth in the club is getting stronger year after year and only in our fourth season back I'm sure everyone is pretty happy with where the club is at so if your expectations are that our other grades should be pushing for major titles too, well I'm sorry that we have not achieved that standard for you this year mate ha ha.

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Well we know that one of those 5 was not your 6-0 loss in reserve grade to the Newcastle Suns. Followed up by your first grade winning the following fixture by the same scoreline.

You have built a great first grade team and credit where it is due. However Im not sure why you are having such a difficult time in admitting that your lower grades have been neglected. Until you fix this I dont think you will ever have a club culture as strong as somewhere like Suns or Kotara.

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Originally Posted by Builtwithlove18

Suns will not be sharing a ground with Croatia

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Of course we won?t be Mr T

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Originally Posted by Zonal Marking

Well we know that one of those 5 was not your 6-0 loss in reserve grade to the Newcastle Suns. Followed up by your first grade winning the following fixture by the same scoreline.

You have built a great first grade team and credit where it is due. However Im not sure why you are having such a difficult time in admitting that your lower grades have been neglected. Until you fix this I dont think you will ever have a club culture as strong as somewhere like Suns or Kotara.

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You do realise that Suns and Kotara have been around for years, this is only Croatia's fourth year back as a club yet you expect us to be as strong as them across 3 grades. Don't worry about our culture mate, in those 4 years we have built a strong winning mentality in 1st grade...everyone when they play against us lifts and want to beat us which makes us raise our standards even higher.
Lastly it's kind of funny that you mentioned the results against the Suns. Now wouldn't you think that because we accounted for the Suns so easily in 1st grade as did they on our Reserve grade team that possibly they have Reserve grade players that should be playing 1st grade Lol?
Ultimately a club lives and dies (regarding pro/rel) by it's 1st grade results so you can keep analysing why Croatia's lower grades aren't in your opinion as strong as they should be.

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Originally Posted by stopper2

You do realise that Suns and Kotara have been around for years, this is only Croatia's fourth year back as a club yet you expect us to be as strong as them across 3 grades. Don't worry about our culture mate, in those 4 years we have built a strong winning mentality in 1st grade...everyone when they play against us lifts and want to beat us which makes us raise our standards even higher.
Lastly it's kind of funny that you mentioned the results against the Suns. Now wouldn't you think that because we accounted for the Suns so easily in 1st grade as did they on our Reserve grade team that possibly they have Reserve grade players that should be playing 1st grade Lol?
Ultimately a club lives and dies (regarding pro/rel) by it's 1st grade results so you can keep analysing why Croatia's lower grades aren't in your opinion as strong as they should be.

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Well no because if Suns 1sts played their own ressies they probably win by 3 goals. However if Croatia 1sts played their own ressies you would put double figures past them.

At the end of the day you have done what you needed to do and that is get first grade up to standard for promotion. So congratulations on that. However really by the standards your firsts have set your lower grades should not only be playing finals football but be right in the hunt for premierships as well. From the outside looking in and going off results it just seems as though all focus has been on firsts and the rest of the club has been neglected. Therefore I think other clubs have a better culture especially amongst the playing group.

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Originally Posted by Zonal Marking

Well no because if Suns 1sts played their own ressies they probably win by 3 goals. However if Croatia 1sts played their own ressies you would put double figures past them.

At the end of the day you have done what you needed to do and that is get first grade up to standard for promotion. So congratulations on that. However really by the standards your firsts have set your lower grades should not only be playing finals football but be right in the hunt for premierships as well. From the outside looking in and going off results it just seems as though all focus has been on firsts and the rest of the club has been neglected. Therefore I think other clubs have a better culture especially amongst the playing group.

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Give it a spell mate, move on 🤦*♂️

Yawn

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Originally Posted by ForeverRed

Give it a spell mate, move on 🤦*♂️

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I was going to but this reply has now encouraged me to keep at it. Well done!

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Originally Posted by Zonal Marking

I was going to but this reply has now encouraged me to keep at it. Well done!

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More fool you for continuing

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Originally Posted by ForeverRed

More fool you for continuing

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More fool you for getting involved in something that does not even concern you

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Originally Posted by ForeverRed

Give it a spell mate, move on ��*♂️

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It’s an interesting debate I enjoy hearing both perspectives… it will be a long time before the zone league sees a team like Dudley that consistently dominated across all grades though they have underachieved in new fm this year.

Croatia have assembled a power house team in firsts but for the first time in the season the pressure Is on them to go on and win the grand final. I still laugh that some thought they would struggle this season at the start

Anyone going to get on this weekend ? Looks like another wet one

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Originally Posted by Mr Beautiful 2.0

It’s an interesting debate I enjoy hearing both perspectives… it will be a long time before the zone league sees a team like Dudley that consistently dominated across all grades though they have underachieved in new fm this year.

Croatia have assembled a power house team in firsts but for the first time in the season the pressure Is on them to go on and win the grand final. I still laugh that some thought they would struggle this season at the start

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Not sure what you mean about the pressure is on to win the GF? The pressure is on to win every game in the battle to win the League and achieve promotion which let's be honest now with the Pro/Rel system fully implemented, that is now the primary goal not the GF.
Winning the GF no doubt still has some prestige but if a team wins the Premiership and gains promotion (take Kahibah now as an eg), if anything there is less pressure to take out the GF?

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Originally Posted by stopper2

Not sure what you mean about the pressure is on to win the GF? The pressure is on to win every game in the battle to win the League and achieve promotion which let's be honest now with the Pro/Rel system fully implemented, that is now the primary goal not the GF.
Winning the GF no doubt still has some prestige but if a team wins the Premiership and gains promotion (take Kahibah now as an eg), if anything there is less pressure to take out the GF?

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I say the pressure is on them because at the start of the year no one tipped them to win zl1 now people expect them to win the grand final and with expectations comes pressure. Grand final is the big day in zl1 not many people in the league care about minor premiership hence the big crowd.

As for the promotion element Croatia fc is the only team with any interest in being promoted I think if others were in the running they would deliberately throw the competition like Suns did last year. Awesome for Kahibah but the reality is they will either get relegated or become another Adamstown rosebuds and have disappointing seasons for the next decade in npl.

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Originally Posted by Mr Beautiful 2.0

It’s an interesting debate I enjoy hearing both perspectives… it will be a long time before the zone league sees a team like Dudley that consistently dominated across all grades though they have underachieved in new fm this year.

Croatia have assembled a power house team in firsts but for the first time in the season the pressure Is on them to go on and win the grand final. I still laugh that some thought they would struggle this season at the start

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I know of nobody who thought they would struggle. I do not think many thought they would dominate the way they have, but have never heard anyone say they would struggle.

Look at the predictions for the season in the early posts on this thread and everyone has them making the semis. Everyone.

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Originally Posted by ZLWB

I know of nobody who thought they would struggle. I do not think many thought they would dominate the way they have, but have never heard anyone say they would struggle.

Look at the predictions for the season in the early posts on this thread and everyone has them making the semis. Everyone.

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They need an influx of players to be competitive in League 1

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Originally Posted by Alton

They need an influx of players to be competitive in League 1

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First they have to get there and second I think they could be competitive now but would need a boost for reserves.

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Originally Posted by ZLWB

I know of nobody who thought they would struggle. I do not think many thought they would dominate the way they have, but have never heard anyone say they would struggle.

Look at the predictions for the season in the early posts on this thread and everyone has them making the semis. Everyone.

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I just checked first page of this year first prediction does not have them making semis, in future please don?t waste my valuable time with your complete novelty arguments.

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Originally Posted by Mr Beautiful 2.0

Awesome for Kahibah but the reality is they will either get relegated or become another Adamstown rosebuds and have disappointing seasons for the next decade in npl.

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Maybe you should change your name to Mr Negative. No reason why Kahibah can't emulate Belswans and stay up. They will be well coached and if they recruit well, they will do ok.

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Originally Posted by Mr Beautiful 2.0

It’s an interesting debate I enjoy hearing both perspectives… it will be a long time before the zone league sees a team like Dudley that consistently dominated across all grades though they have underachieved in new fm this year

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Jeez, that's harsh. Dudley have underachieved? They are in fourth place with a game to go and are a good chance of being in the play-offs. I' love to hear what you say about Southy's performance if fourth disappoints you.

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Originally Posted by Alton

They need an influx of players to be competitive in League 1

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They will be in the top half with that team. They have a quality striker that will get them goals. That alone gets you past teams.
The top teams in that league have the mix right between young talent and older heads. Croatia have great experienced players whether they try and get a few young legs eg early 20?s or go down the experience path that will be interesting.
It will be interesting to see which team is relegated and how they adjust to ZL1.
I think Croatia will adjust and have a more ?successful? year going up than the team that comes down to ZL1

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Originally Posted by The Hacker

They will be in the top half with that team. They have a quality striker that will get them goals. That alone gets you past teams.
The top teams in that league have the mix right between young talent and older heads. Croatia have great experienced players whether they try and get a few young legs eg early 20?s or go down the experience path that will be interesting.
It will be interesting to see which team is relegated and how they adjust to ZL1.
I think Croatia will adjust and have a more ?successful? year going up than the team that comes down to ZL1

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That is the most positive thing you have ever said about Croatia since they have come back

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Originally Posted by Mr Beautiful 2.0

I just checked first page of this year first prediction does not have them making semis, in future please don?t waste my valuable time with your complete novelty arguments.

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That post had them finishing 6th, which is hardly ?struggling?, and look how people jumped all over them for it.
This from the bloke who claimed the Suns had poached talent from Azzurri.

I look forward to Croatia advancing to NL1 so I no longer have to endure your drivel.

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Originally Posted by Builtwithlove18

That is the most positive thing you have ever said about Croatia since they have come back

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I think they are good for the comp cause they make it better comp being strong. My only argument is own that you pay players and some like Maj last year and Cowburn this year are on big money ?compared to every player in THIS comp?
I don?t even care that they do pay. Someone has to spend the most and if you can why not but just own it.
I heard a rumour they are looking to make Speers Point facility their home next year. That?s an expensive excercise if true. Playing on that every second week would give you a decent advantage

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Originally Posted by The Hacker

I think they are good for the comp cause they make it better comp being strong. My only argument is own that you pay players and some like Maj last year and Cowburn this year are on big money ?compared to every player in THIS comp?
I don?t even care that they do pay. Someone has to spend the most and if you can why not but just own it.
I heard a rumour they are looking to make Speers Point facility their home next year. That?s an expensive excercise if true. Playing on that every second week would give you a decent advantage

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I heard a rumour they moving to Lydon Oval.

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Originally Posted by The Hacker

I think they are good for the comp cause they make it better comp being strong. My only argument is own that you pay players and some like Maj last year and Cowburn this year are on big money ?compared to every player in THIS comp?
I don?t even care that they do pay. Someone has to spend the most and if you can why not but just own it.
I heard a rumour they are looking to make Speers Point facility their home next year. That?s an expensive excercise if true. Playing on that every second week would give you a decent advantage

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How do you know what money maj or Cowburn are on

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Originally Posted by straightred88

I heard a rumour they moving to Lydon Oval.

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They would love the salt air out there

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Originally Posted by Builtwithlove18

How do you know what money maj or Cowburn are on

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Do you think players at Croatia don?t talk to other players. I reckon if you asked players from each club they would all give you the same numbers
Again if the numbers are correct good on Croatia for being able to pay it

Regarding paying players - it’s a constant theme on here.

If your club is in a financially sustainable position to offer decent money to players playing 3rd tier competition, good on you/them for being in that position. Go nuts, put together a good team and shoot for promotion if that suits your club’s ambitions.

If you spend big, come up short and struggle financially in years to come, then the spending becomes irresponsible, and I don’t think they’ll find much sympathy in the community. Probably be met with much amusement.


Same thing in NPL, NL1 etc.

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Originally Posted by Bremsstrahlung

Regarding paying players - it?s a constant theme on here.

If your club is in a financially sustainable position to offer decent money to players playing 3rd tier competition, good on you/them for being in that position. Go nuts, put together a good team and shoot for promotion if that suits your club?s ambitions.

If you spend big, come up short and struggle financially in years to come, then the spending becomes irresponsible, and I don?t think they?ll find much sympathy in the community. Probably be met with much amusement.


Same thing in NPL, NL1 etc.

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Well said

Tonight
Olympic 4-1 Stockton

Round 19

Stockton 2-1 Azzurri
Cardiff 3-2 Mayfield
Croatia 4-1 Swansea
Uni 3-1 Warners Bay
Westlakes 0-5 Suns
Kotara 3-1 Olympic

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Originally Posted by Zone Insider

Tonight
Olympic 4-1 Stockton

Round 19

Stockton 2-1 Azzurri
Cardiff 3-2 Mayfield
Croatia 4-1 Swansea
Uni 3-1 Warners Bay
Westlakes 0-5 Suns
Kotara 3-1 Olympic

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Rain is forecast again for this weekend. Reckon we get any matches played?

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Originally Posted by Zonal Marking

Rain is forecast again for this weekend. Reckon we get any matches played?

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Only if some are relocated to Speersy although Northern have only recently decided to use it for the top 2 grades.

Nelson Bay are always a chance

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Originally Posted by Bremsstrahlung

Regarding paying players - it’s a constant theme on here.

If your club is in a financially sustainable position to offer decent money to players playing 3rd tier competition, good on you/them for being in that position. Go nuts, put together a good team and shoot for promotion if that suits your club’s ambitions.

If you spend big, come up short and struggle financially in years to come, then the spending becomes irresponsible, and I don’t think they’ll find much sympathy in the community. Probably be met with much amusement.


Same thing in NPL, NL1 etc.

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It’s actually illegal to pay players at this level and creates an unfair advantage to teams that break the rules…Suns have done this for years and are known bullies in this competition with it. I must admit I find it funny since Croatia have taken it to another level and since doing so have humbled Suns completely. As I have said earlier a once social comp is turning into a 20k minimum buy in to be competitive.

Would you say good for you to clubs that could pay off refs as well?

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Originally Posted by Mr Beautiful 2.0

It?s actually illegal to pay players at this level and creates an unfair advantage to teams that break the rules?Suns have done this for years and are known bullies in this competition with it. I must admit I find it funny since Croatia have taken it to another level and since doing so have humbled Suns completely. As I have said earlier a once social comp is turning into a 20k minimum buy in to be competitive.

Would you say good for you to clubs that could pay off refs as well?

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:blah: :yawn:

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Originally Posted by Mr Beautiful 2.0

It?s actually illegal to pay players at this level and creates an unfair advantage to teams that break the rules?Suns have done this for years and are known bullies in this competition with it. I must admit I find it funny since Croatia have taken it to another level and since doing so have humbled Suns completely. As I have said earlier a once social comp is turning into a 20k minimum buy in to be competitive.

Would you say good for you to clubs that could pay off refs as well?

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You're stuck in the past. With connecting the pyramids it was always naturally going to become more professional, competitive, and whether you like it or not, financially driven. I'd genuinely like it if you could find it in the rules and regulations where it states it is illegal.

If you're passionate about social competitions there's 50+ all age and over 35 comps in Newcastle you can go and support.

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Originally Posted by Mr Beautiful 2.0

It’s actually illegal to pay players at this level and creates an unfair advantage to teams that break the rules…Suns have done this for years and are known bullies in this competition with it. I must admit I find it funny since Croatia have taken it to another level and since doing so have humbled Suns completely. As I have said earlier a once social comp is turning into a 20k minimum buy in to be competitive.

Would you say good for you to clubs that could pay off refs as well?

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Illegal?
I assume you mean under competition rules. If yes, would you point us to the specific rule? I am not aware of any statute that does (or could) prohibit paying athletes.

To be clear, I am not disputing this, just interested in what the rule is and why

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Originally Posted by ZLWB

Illegal?
I assume you mean under competition rules. If yes, would you point us to the specific rule? I am not aware of any statute that does (or could) prohibit paying athletes.

To be clear, I am not disputing this, just interested in what the rule is and why

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Unless a player is on a professional contract then you cannot be paid legally.

Also at this time Northern do not allow professional contracts in NPL or Northern League One.

I did hear that they will be changing the rules for NPL only.

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Originally Posted by straightred88

Unless a player is on a professional contract then you cannot be paid legally.

Also at this time Northern do not allow professional contracts in NPL or Northern League One.

I did hear that they will be changing the rules for NPL only.

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You are correct and I have mentioned this before

BarTV match of the round

Stockton V Azzurri

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Originally Posted by straightred88

BarTV match of the round

Stockton V Azzurri

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Match of the round has become a joke. Next thing you know they will cover an all age K game.

The Croatia vs Suns game at the start of the year had people talking, what a game. But since then has Croatia or the Suns been on? What about Cardiff, they are decent, where are they?

The podcast could be really good. People are interested in seeing teams on with CT and Wilso. If it's just the host giving results then it's as boring as batsh#t, no detail and little about anything. Anyone can read results.

Why hasn't Croatia, Suns or Cardiff been on the podcast?