TOPIC:

Find it hard to fathem why Wanneroo would go from D2 last season with both their teams scrapping into the finals in to C4. When there are side eg Uni in D1 that have not only made finals but won numerous gfs over the last few years. Can’t see any plus there for the boys at the Showgrounds seeing as though looking over the last few years they haven’t made finals. Anyway good luck to them.

Are Kelmscott even fielding a team this season? Coolbellup?

Kinga12 wrote: Are Kelmscott even fielding a team this season? Coolbellup?

Didn't see Kelmscott in any of the fixtures, while Coolbellup were in C4.

The whole lower grade system is a joke. Wanneroo in c4, Kingsley and mt Lawley in d1 - all of these clubs are just filling spots in much harder grades. There is no equality and the waafl is to blame for poor fixturing that will result in highly uneven competitions which is unfair to all involved. Why would guys want to rock up each week knowing full well they are totally out of their depth in that grade. The waafl should scrap the lower grade reserves comp and revert back to a true promotion/relegation system that promotes an even playing field. The placement of lower grade teams should not depend on what grade their top side is in. The waafl will lose a lot of older or fringe players who still want to be a part of a their club but don’t want to get jumped every week in an uneven competition.

Maybe put together a set of fixtures and see what you come up with Blunder?

It’s impossible to do with clubs pulling out and joining each year.

Typically the clubs involved are called and spoken to about what is happening and they get to say yes or no to going to that league.

Does anyone know who are in C4 and E3?
I visited the WAAFL website after they had pulled these grades down (busy at work for once unfortunately).

Clubs pay the WAAFL to organise fixtures Viper and whilst I don't doubt at all that it is a nightmare of a task, I have no intention of putting together new fixtures. My point is this. The graded system ensures a level playing field in a given grade which works well from A grade through C grade. However when it comes to lower grade sides, this equalisation is forgotten and sides are placed in comps that are driven either by the comp their league side plays in, or just to fill holes to ensure BYEs are limited. This is a poor method and does not ensure a balanced and competitive competition. We frequently see massive blowouts in games in these lower grades and huge differences between the best and worst. This comes at a cost of players losing interest and reduced numbers. There must be a better way where lower grade sides are placed into comps through promotion and relegation where they will be competitive. If you are not up to it, you drop down a grade. If you smash it, you go up just like it the higher grades.

Blunder wrote: The whole lower grade system is a joke. Wanneroo in c4, Kingsley and mt Lawley in d1 - all of these clubs are just filling spots in much harder grades. There is no equality and the waafl is to blame for poor fixturing that will result in highly uneven competitions which is unfair to all involved. Why would guys want to rock up each week knowing full well they are totally out of their depth in that grade. The waafl should scrap the lower grade reserves comp and revert back to a true promotion/relegation system that promotes an even playing field. The placement of lower grade teams should not depend on what grade their top side is in. The waafl will lose a lot of older or fringe players who still want to be a part of a their club but don’t want to get jumped every week in an uneven competition.

It is a hard one as all of the clubs from C grade that had 3rd's & 4th's (ie were in D grade) have now lost their 4th's so clubs like ours (Kingsley) are shunted in with the A grade clubs. We may be able to be competitive with a few (Mt Lawley, Wembley, Whitfords) but it is gonna be bloody tough going. Considering we didn't even make the top 4 in D2 last year, it is a bit harsh to come up against the powerhouse A grade clubs like Uni, TA's, NB etc. Not sure if going back to the old system would help though, as it would create a fixturing nightmare (ie our 3rd's & 4th's would often play at different grounds). A few years ago us & Hammersley-Carine were put in E2/E3 due to lack of D2 clubs - not sure if they considered doing that again.

I agree with a lot of what you say Blunder. It would make sense to retain the A-C4 and reserves as is. Could high grade 3rds ( A & B ) and the single team clubs like Roleystone and East Freo provide an even competition? Would it be possible to work around an idea of thirds from A & B and single team clubs forming a grade or 2. The weaker remainding thirds going in a thirds comp with C1 & C2 thirds. Then a promotion/relegation system with C3 & C4 thirds, and any fourths teams. If that makes sense

if you all have such a problem with D grade and it's equalisation why dont you just drop your 4ths and have a team in 3rds and put them in E grade