TOPIC:

Whilst we all welcome the success of a team that is able to progress so quickly from C1 to A Grade in three seasons it demonstrates the inadequacy of the exisiting promotion and relegation system, which should probably give a little more thought to the structure that needs to be in place before a club can hope to succeed in A Grade (Stirling, Maddington,& Hamersley Carine)in past years.

Kelmscott have little depth apart from their senior team and will get belted every week next year in the lower grades, unless a serious restructure occurs in the off season. Hopefully I'm wrong but I'd be interested in whether others are of the same view.

A Reserves 1 & 17 with a percentage of 32%
Colts 4 & 14 with a percentage of 59%
E3 7 & 11 with a percentage of 43%

What do you propose?

1 team relegation/promotion?

That's a tough one I think it works well because almost 100% of the time first place with either second or third go through which are the teams which do deserve promotion and generally have strong ressies and colts. Kelmscott Is a difficult one though because all their other teams are shite and will be even worse in a grade. I think something fishy is going on $$$.

A bit jealous big roo ????

Not jealous mate just stating an opinion which is what this site is all about. I think the league team will be competitive in A grade but the others will struggle big time. All the best for this weekend and for next season!

They will get stung again and get demoted for the $$$

Question for those in the know....how strong are A grade reserve teams? What grade are the better A reserves teams the equivalent of?

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that Kelmscott are a one team club which cannot have sustained success in A Grade without a good structural base. Develop the structural base first and then when you have it try your luck in A Grade.

If they get one or two injuries they will be stuffed. If any of their star players leave for greener pastures they will be non competitive next year. The better option would have been for Scarborough to be promoted, as the next best side in the competition. They have strong sides in Reserves 12/6, 3rd's 15/3, 4th's 16/3 and colts 13/3.

Unless teams like Kelmscott are prepared to join up with other clubs in the area like (Maddo, Thornlie, Gosnells etc) as a prerequisite for joining the A Grade competition, they will never hold players or be able to develop.

What hope is there for an A Grade side that probably won't be able to win a game in Reserves or Colts all year and is competing against incredibly strong existing A Grade sides with 6 quality sides.

I kind of agree with you Big Al but havent seen a lot of A grade in a while hence my question about A reserves. My 2 cents worth is you'd need at least good cattle for 2 sides with a good local junior club link to keep colts coming through consistently to feed the club. Back in the 90's we came close to reaching A grade at Basso. Always did wonder how the club would go or possibly suffer due to lack of real depth in the 2's. we probably had 25-28 guys to realistically pick from. Never did get to find out unfortunately

Big Al
What is sustained success? Aren't Uni shooting for 3rd A grade premiership in 4 years this season. And before them didn't North Beach win 10 of 12. So it is an elite group that has had sustained A grade success. Are you suggesting A grade success should be judged by maintaining A grade status? If so I think that is where all the problems stem from. Too many clubs planning and playing to avoid relegation rather than have a go at winning the flag.

Sure 4 seniors and 2 colts will allow you to maintain A grade status but your league will give you the success every club should be after - a premiership. It was good to see Kalamunda make the finals this season and it would be very silly of success starved A grade clubs to underestimate Kelmscott next year. It is all about the league team!