The Courier |
IF YOU’RE involved in the Central Highlands Football League, you’ve probably discussed its set-up at some stage during the past couple of years.
Since the arrival of former Lexton Plains clubs – Carngham-Linton, Illabarook, Rokewood-Corindhap and Skipton – there’s been plenty of talk about how the 18-team competition should be structured.
But it has gained serious velocity during the past week, ignited by the comments made by former Grasshoppers coach Jason Hutchins in The Courier on Monday.
Hutchins called for a restructure following his senior team’s embarrassing 187-point defeat at the hands of reigning premiers Daylesford, where it failed to kick a goal.
His comments weren’t a direct result of one heavy beating, but they followed a couple of years of tough results.
And it’s not just Rokewood-Corindhap that is struggling, with little hope of lifting a premiership cup anytime soon.
Statistics from the past two seasons have revealed that very few teams from the top half of the competition have been beaten by those in the bottom.
Teams in the bottom nine had only six wins over those in the top nine during 2011 and that number dropped to five last season.
Dividing the competition into two divisions – with a promotion/relegation system – has been bandied around as a popular method of improving competitiveness throughout the league.
More than 360 people have voted in The Courier’s online poll, with 87 per cent in favour of a split.
But, as league secretary Diane Ryan said in her media statement during the week, it’s not all about the senior football team.
Consideration for all decisions must be given to a club’s entire membership, including the netball arm.
Not for one minute should this discussion – in the media or wherever else – be seen as negative.
Discussion is healthy, and most, if not all people want to ensure an exciting path forward for the clubs, players and fans of this powerful competition.
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