Bear's Gridiron in Australia Forums

I'll have a go too then. My post is very different again

8 GAME SEASON - I am not stoked, definately looking forward to a 10-12 game season but you can only do what is possible. We do not have a definite ground at the moment, a small board, one of the smallest number bases of any SA sport (seriously, HOCKEY just got a stadium refurbishment and cost us our stadium - WTF??).

I understand some of the veterans prefer a shorter season, no offence meant to anyone, but once the veterans retire from the field and get chaired off, there needs to be enough kids dedicated and prepared to pay to play or its all over. I dont think training for 3-4 months and only being able to play for 8 games (if you dont make the finals) is worth your $300-$400 (+ more if you buy anything that is your own) for being on the bench.

More games gives us more chance to blood and evaluate new players, expose them to game scenarios and situations, rest starters and develop the clubs for the long term. After a year or two of coughing up considerable money for non existant game time many players fade into the mist, waiting for the next bunch of rookies to follow in their steps in the years following.

GASA BOARD - I am sick of hearing people whinge and complain, seriously, if you have so much time to talk sh!t then get out and help in some small way to take the pressure off the board. The board was elected UNOPPOSED again this year and we are losing Sedge after this year so people are going to have to pull their fingers out to keep the league going. Business minded people at that, who work for the best of the league and not for self gain. I feel sorry for the next person that tries to help and is slayed by a bunch of people who are too lazy to help, yet spend hours complaining, take some responsibility. Everyone needs to start thinking big and planning accordingly before we are obsolete and have to travel interstate to play.

CHIEFS - I havent heard much either way about the numbers so I'm assuming the Cheifs boys arent in dire straits when it comes to players. However the key will be to see how much the loss of Learey to Snow College (UT) will affect the ground game. He was a beast. Also it will be interesting to see the development of QB Rusby and seeing if he can get the ball downfield more as opposed to the conservative screen offense that occured in patch of last year. He showed good development throughout the State training and trip from all accounts and there will be numerous other Chiefs who return from this experience as better players. The D has been very solid and features some good players in the secondary particularly.

RAZORBACKS - Channo Yun is ridiculous. He makes the team exponentially better just by being on the field due to the amount of attention that you need to give him and the effort required to tackle the slippery one. Welbourne and the recievers will be ready to go again trying to exploit, someone is going to have to pay closer attention to JB this year at WR after he ran riot last year averaging almost 100 yards a game! Defense will be solid but unspectacular, they know their role, complete it and put the O back on the field.

EAGLES - The second year under a coach should help balance the team, they have a good mix of valuable veterans and raw skills at this point with players at different points in between. Natural skills arent enough to win a title without a strucutre and game plan that works, so a second year with the same strucutre may benefit them. I hear they have some retirements from last year so it will be interesting to see how that impacts the team. Also, will anyone work out how to catch QB Wyten this year? Probably not... and on that, will the motion offense return again?

OILERS - I am looking forward to seeing these boys take steps forward, also sending players to the state team and showing some real talent at training and then following through on the field. Big Rob will be letting that cannon fly to anyone deep so people better be ready. Same hard nosed D as usual with all reports that Bennett moves to a LB position to prepare for the Aussie assault on the World Cup where he will no doubt be a starter for Australia again (Captain last trip!). Numbers will be an issue quite possibly, but I hope not, I'd like to see the boys in blue play a year when they arent gassed from playing a game with 15 players.

SPARTANS - Have some key pieces and some guys that were good at state, most notably Ottens, if a few of the boys were more committed/had more money there would have been more of them there. Will be interesting to see how many juniors from this season step up to the big boys as well, they looked good throughout most of the season but it's a big adjustment from 7 men to 11 on the field. It will also be interesting to see who is QB this year, whether Novice continues or if there is someone new in the wings. Similarly, the Wishbone O will be interesting to see, will it be back, will it be the same? Who plays at WR if the Spartans air it out? Cant wait to see.