2017 Zone League 1 thread

[Premy]

Unfortunately for players at Motown there is history here. Its like Groundhog day again. In 2010 they won everything in the old Zone League 1 and went to ZPL. They lost a number of players (followed Steve Eagleton to Toronto) and had a young side step up and were beaten by Cooks Hill in the ZPL final.

In 2012 after 3 games they lost all bar 2 players from the first grade team and were then getting beaten 7-0 plus each week (some games were 10 plus).

in 2017 they have lost all of the first grade from last year so would be reliant upon Reserve grade (who came last) and their young thirds. They only have the numbers because an all age side is stepping up.

Its easy to say step up - but have you guys forked out $400 plus to get your arse kicked every week.... its bloody demorilising and unnecessary if a more suitable team can be found.

I feel your pain I honestly do.

At Garden Suburb for 4 straight years we had the most consistent ZL1 squad and missed out on promotion by 1 point 3 years in a row. When we were asked to take promotion in 2015 with no disrespect to our players that year it was probably the weakest squad we've had over the last 5 years. This was a result of our success as we lost quite a few lads to clubs in higher divisions. The season came around and we fought hard and we're saved from relegation due to a struggling Barnsley side, 2016 came along and we strengthen in some areas and lost in others. Everyone knows how last year went for us and the pride I got from seeing our boys fight week in week out against teams we knew had a little bit more polish than us was great. We weren't far of the pace however at no stage did we feel we didn't belong there and at no stage did we consider asking to go back down.

I understand why Motown has asked for this request but that doesn't mean I agree with it.
All the best for the season ahead with whatever happens, I don't want to see any club struggle especially one that I have mates playing for. I will add one thing, maybe Motown need to dig a little deeper into why you have such a revolving door. Not a criticism just an observation.

[jaypee]

I hear what you are saying but to be fair to Gardo you never lost your entire first grade.

Revolving door is interesting - 2011 was Eagleton - Baille was at Toronto and he was best mates so Scott offered him a position (paid unlike Motown) so he took it and a number of the players (ask Bon about that)...

The young guys in 2012 chased money (they also had a coach who they were very close to who was suspended due to something on the central coast so they lost interest) The guys who picked up the slack were kids and the mojority of that 3rd grade squad still plays.

The last two seasons those young guys came back and the coach (who is no longer the coach) killed a lot of the club culture off - hence why most of the teams we played remember what they behaved like....

The coach is gone, the same players have gone chasing money or playing on the coast.

To be fair our all age guys could have just stayed at all age and then we drop to ZL2 - that would cause more headaches (3 draws to be fixed)

[Nou Camp]

I don't know why more teams don't want to step up challenge themselves and have a crack

[jaypee]

I don't know why more teams don't want to step up challenge themselves and have a crack

With our All age teams (we had 2 last year) the majority of players were over 35 - our team had 5 guys 40+ so I guess they wanted a challenge by not playing 035...

At that age commitments are very different (outside of football)

[Roundball Enthusiast]

With our All age teams (we had 2 last year) the majority of players were over 35 - our team had 5 guys 40+ so I guess they wanted a challenge by not playing 035...

At that age commitments are very different (outside of football)

I think he means more ZL1 teams stepping up to a 'free' ZPL spot.

So far.

Not Applying.
Garden Suburb
Cooks Hill
Raymond Terrace

Applied (unconfirmed, but I have word)
Warnersbay

Should apply
Stockton


Other teams probably lack some squad depth/consistency over the last few years to really step up and challenge ZPL and stay up. IMO.

[jaypee]

I think he means more ZL1 teams stepping up to a 'free' ZPL spot.

So far.

Not Applying.
Garden Suburb
Cooks Hill
Raymond Terrace

Applied (unconfirmed, but I have word)
Warnersbay

Should apply
Stockton


Other teams probably lack some squad depth/consistency over the last few years to really step up and challenge ZPL and stay up. IMO.

Yep - did think that afterwards.....I agree some should step up - even from 2 years ago when we won the premiership I rated Stocko and Warners from a depth viewpoint... Terrace were in ZL2 so can't comment and Gardo were ZPL.... I can understand Cookers reasons for not applying

[DonPablo]

The coach is gone, the same players have gone chasing money or playing on the coast.

So dat british c0ck and his bastard offspring are gone?

Chasing money you say?
And warners pay are applying to go up...

Coincidence?

[jaypee]

So dat british c0ck and his bastard offspring are gone

Chasing money you say?
And warners pay are applying to go up...

Coincidence?

Can confirm that this is the case regards to coach...

There have been 4 of his kids playing at the club... I dare say one or two may but they might not be playing zone league

[namwob99]

So dat british c0ck and his bastard offspring are gone?

Bahahahahaha

[WWMTD?]

[QUOTE=DonPablo;173799]So dat british c0ck and his bastard offspring are gone?

What about the 3rd grade coach, he was a complete bell end. 2 years ago it seemed like there was a huge culture problem there, top to bottom, every team had problems playing mori, that's why Noone in ZL1 is missing them. Maybe it's a good chance to clean house and start again culture wise, not let money grabbers and bad eggs back in. Going back to ZL3 might help that, no glory hunters going back there, only players who care about the club. Sounds like every time you guys get close to the sun, the ol wings melt off, thats too bad

[WWMTD?]

I think he means more ZL1 teams stepping up to a 'free' ZPL spot.

So far.

Not Applying.
Garden Suburb
Cooks Hill
Raymond Terrace

Applied (unconfirmed, but I have word)
Warnersbay

Should apply
Stockton


Other teams probably lack some squad depth/consistency over the last few years to really step up and challenge ZPL and stay up. IMO.

Isn't it spelt warner$ bay?

[Roundball Enthusiast]

Isn't it spelt warner$ bay?

Up to individuals, I prefer to stay out of speculation and stick to facts.

Less shit talking and cum sucking, the better IMO.

[jaypee]

So dat british c0ck and his bastard offspring are gone?

Chasing money you say?
And warners pay are applying to go up...

Coincidence?

[QUOTE=WWMTD?;173822]

So dat british c0ck and his bastard offspring are gone?

What about the 3rd grade coach, he was a complete bell end. 2 years ago it seemed like there was a huge culture problem there, top to bottom, every team had problems playing mori, that's why Noone in ZL1 is missing them. Maybe it's a good chance to clean house and start again culture wise, not let money grabbers and bad eggs back in. Going back to ZL3 might help that, no glory hunters going back there, only players who care about the club. Sounds like every time you guys get close to the sun, the ol wings melt off, thats too bad

3rd grade coach from 2 years ago left last year... He coaches reserves at Toronto....

House is cleaned out and majority of the players are long term Mori players...

[Wilso8948]

In my opinion Mori shoulda stayed up. I don't think it's right predicting what will happen week to week before you even start the comp. put in and have a go. Also there is no certainty you will come back and it be any easier. I feel as if the standard would be similar. As been said before if you have enough for 3 teams then stay. Or alternatively apply to drop to zl2.
Also have it unconfirmed that stocko won't be applying. We have some guys heading back to play NBN etc and may struggle for depth but see how we go! Hopefully we are still strong

[jaypee]

In my opinion Mori shoulda stayed up. I don't think it's right predicting what will happen week to week before you even start the comp. put in and have a go. Also there is no certainty you will come back and it be any easier. I feel as if the standard would be similar. As been said before if you have enough for 3 teams then stay. Or alternatively apply to drop to zl2.
Also have it unconfirmed that stocko won't be applying. We have some guys heading back to play NBN etc and may struggle for depth but see how we go! Hopefully we are still strong

Hey Wilso - you are entitled to your opinion but its a bit of a funny statement

Mori - should stay up - little difference in ZPL - ZL1 to bad if you lost some players
Stocko - lost some players so we won't apply even if comps are similar.....

We aren't thinking this is a cake walk, if you were at the club you'd understand why we reached the decision we did.... it wasn't a hey this is a good idea.... there was loads of discussion before we made the decision, however we made it early to give both the association and any teams wanting to go up a bit of time.... imagine if we made the decision in 4 weeks time...

[Wilso8948]

Hey Wilso - you are entitled to your opinion but its a bit of a funny statement

Mori - should stay up - little difference in ZPL - ZL1 to bad if you lost some players
Stocko - lost some players so we won't apply even if comps are similar.....

We aren't thinking this is a cake walk, if you were at the club you'd understand why we reached the decision we did.... it wasn't a hey this is a good idea.... there was loads of discussion before we made the decision, however we made it early to give both the association and any teams wanting to go up a bit of time.... imagine if we made the decision in 4 weeks time...

If you think it's similar quality then why drop down?

[WWMTD?]

Hey Wilso - you are entitled to your opinion but its a bit of a funny statement

Mori - should stay up - little difference in ZPL - ZL1 to bad if you lost some players
Stocko - lost some players so we won't apply even if comps are similar.....

We aren't thinking this is a cake walk, if you were at the club you'd understand why we reached the decision we did.... it wasn't a hey this is a good idea.... there was loads of discussion before we made the decision, however we made it early to give both the association and any teams wanting to go up a bit of time.... imagine if we made the decision in 4 weeks time...

Yeah best make the call now and see if a ZL2 squad could get 3 teams and make a clean swap. Stranger things have happened, cooks hill jumped from ZL3 to ZL1 3 years ago at short notice cause we could muster an extra team after a hole opened up.

[jaypee]

So dat british c0ck and his bastard offspring are gone?

Chasing money you say?
And warners pay are applying to go up...

Coincidence?

If you think it's similar quality then why drop down?

I don't think they are the same... I said it's not a cake walk ... I can tell you that there is a massive jump from ZL1 to ZPL especially now with the fact that if you are over 23 and can't make NBN/NEWFM it's the place you go...

[Frodo]

Anyone complaining about Motown putting in the request needs to think about both sides of the coin. I would rather them be proactive than sit back and not deal with a problem that has arisen for them.

If they stay up and get spanked each week because they have lost the spine of their 1st grade, every man and their dog will be telling them they should have dropped down and given someone else a chance who is ready. I know this because it happened in 2011 to them.


Obviously the club since then has tried to build a winning culture and bring through talented young players and move through the divisions. They achieved that but unfortunately instead of a few of the talented players leaving every year and trying to replace them. A lot of these boys have decided to leave together as they are mates, not realising the knock-down affect it has on the club when they all go at once.

I know there are definitely a hand-full of great 1st graders staying at the club and a few other guys contemplating a return to the club, so it's not all doom and gloom. I hope they manage to nick a couple more quality players and whatever division they are in, rebuild again and learn from the experience. Just with more slip'n slides and less angry banter.

[Frodo]

Also, there is a solid difference between ZPL and ZL1 quality. Lower grades are definitely higher as well. So anyone saying 'what's the point in dropping down' will be rudely shocked if they do get promoted.