Quote Originally Posted by the-deviant View Post
Southy going down is certainly an interesting case being such a central location in the competition. A team like Cessnock or Thornton could attract local players to go back up, but with Southy unless they?re throwing the $$$ around I?ll be interested to see how they fare in ZL1 should they be the team to go down.
Similar thing happened with the drop from NPL to NL1. Lakes, Charlestown, Edgy, Valentine all nearby and lost most of their first grade to other clubs.
Basically starting from scratch. Not sure the background of players there now if likely to stay and fight in ZL1 next year, or move on. Regardless, I think winning ZL1 might be a tough ask.

Have the right idea with their PYL development. Competitive in youth comps against NPL and NL1 teams, and were hopefully working towards sustainability and having juniors come through to provide a base for some senior teams in years to come. Hard to foresee what happens, but think a few of their promising youth prospects may decide to move on to other clubs with that pathway to NPL/NL1.

It’s a tricky prospect dropping to ZL1, Especially with Warners Bay and Cardiff very established clubs in ZL1.

Obviously never good to see a team relegated, but it’s disappointing to see them actually working towards building the club up from the bottom in youth. Most clubs have youth to tick a box, but I feel like they have always done it well.

Anyway. Goodluck to them today! Crazy that the relegation battle comes down to the final round and there’s 5 points separating 3rd and 10th.
Really unfortunate for whoever finishes last.