Originally Posted by
Lofty
Giving clubs an option was a mistake. There will be a third grade, but it's going to be a mess. And I think that it will be that much of a nuisance that the following year clubs will get the shits with it and not do it and then players will be lost.
Clubs needed to be helped out and those with numbers low could have assistance in getting players across. There should be a minimum requirement of registered players. I can't see how clubs can get through a season with anything less than 45 at the start as an absolute minimum.
The sweet spot is a 10-team comp across the board. I'm sure if you told clubs they'd need to drop down to ZL3 that they would ensure they get the required numbers signed. sand maybe dropping to ZL3 is the reset some clubs might need to build a bit of club morale with getting more wins on the board.
It's no secret that the clubs who focus on a stronger third grade team that they tend to have better results across the board. It's difficult to build a strong squad over time with only two grades and this will be proven now if this new third grade can stick around. Clubs with a third grade will be stronger and the divide in clubs will be bigger.
