Season 2020

[Knightsmulti]

As everyone is aware Football nationally has been suspended until May 31st at the earliest
I know SAASL are working hard to plan around a possible commencement and how that could look.
I know one potential option is still to play and 18 game season - personally I can't see that happening
1) Strong Chance that the restrictions won't be lifted by May
2) That would involve us either going well into October and big issue with grounds - given first games would be late June at earliest or playing midweek games which will be almost impossible

Another option is to play friendlies only - obviously if restrictions aren't lifted until later etc or carnivals but personally can't see many players buying into that

Another option is
1) Have a season where everyone plays each other once - generally 9 games
2) Then Top 4 'finals' to determine Winner and Runner Up
3) Same bottom 4 to determine relegation
4) I would say given the format one up and one down only
5) Finals format makes it a bit fairer e.g. if you start badly you can go on a run (if it was 18 games you could easily catch up) but with 9 games you can still make final

Playing games without points or promotion/relegation is pointless in my opinion

Thoughts

[chunky-monkey]

Could also look at playing mid week games, so 2 games a week to get all 18 games in and not have to play too late into the year. Start mid June could play 18 games (no cup) by early October.

[Knightsmulti]

Could also look at playing mid week games, so 2 games a week to get all 18 games in and not have to play too late into the year. Start mid June could play 18 games (no cup) by early October.

Yeah not bad, but couple of issues with that

1) Teams like Port Pirie or Murray Bridge bit hard if not impossible
2) Ground availability - especially for those who share with Federation Teams
3) Wives, Girlfriends and Wives, hi honey I'm out again on Wednesday for a game, then training Friday, then playing Sunday hmmmm - I'm tipping the divorce rate will already increase without help

So I personally think there are too many logistics involved in sticking to 18 games

[Der kaiser]

I like the idea of playing 9 league games and playing everyone once. However I think there should be no promotion or relegation under such a circumstance - H & A is the only fair way to determine these things.

The 9 game league season would purely be for the purpose of giving players and Clubs the opportunity to compete for a year and turn over the bar and keep players engaged, ready for 2021. You could still award titles if you like, albeit with an asterisk around the shortened season. I'd also play the Cup still, giving you a 12 week season with some mid-week games.

For example - Week 1: cup round 1, Week 2 to week 10: League games 1-9, week 11 & 12: cup semi and final. Mid-week games for cup rounds 2-5.

[Knightsmulti]

I like the idea of playing 9 league games and playing everyone once. However I think there should be no promotion or relegation under such a circumstance - H & A is the only fair way to determine these things.

The 9 game league season would purely be for the purpose of giving players and Clubs the opportunity to compete for a year and turn over the bar and keep players engaged, ready for 2021. You could still award titles if you like, albeit with an asterisk around the shortened season. I'd also play the Cup still, giving you a 12 week season with some mid-week games.

For example - Week 1: cup round 1, Week 2 to week 10: League games 1-9, week 11 & 12: cup semi and final. Mid-week games for cup rounds 2-5.

I think you would lose up to 50% if the league was played without promotion and relegation bit like dancing with your sister

If everyone knows the rules and agrees then it can be done, however I think there will be a range of ideas and we won't have a consensus and as such no season for 2020 unfortunately

[Bomber]

Hypothetical - start in June - play over 20 weeks, 18 rounds with 2 weeks for catch ups - abandon the cup comp for one season. You could finish in late October.

[redfred]

18 rounds , no cup, no catch up weekends, (if catch ups required due to potential promotion/relegation/league champs etc play midweek. Plenty of grounds with lighting these days ,negotiate with clubs to allow midweek)

If clubs share with cricket clubs they should inform SAASL and they play home games early in season and away at end. Finish middle of October.Clubs that utilise /share FFSA would be fine as FFSA competitions will also run until at least October.

The season will just finish later this year.

[Knightsmulti]

18 rounds , no cup, no catch up weekends, (if catch ups required due to potential promotion/relegation/league champs etc play midweek. Plenty of grounds with lighting these days ,negotiate with clubs to allow midweek)

If clubs share with cricket clubs they should inform SAASL and they play home games early in season and away at end. Finish middle of October.Clubs that utilise /share FFSA would be fine as FFSA competitions will also run until at least October.

The season will just finish later this year.

SAASL sent out a survey yesterday seeing if clubs can use pitches after September etc so we will see, massive logistical exercise to still complete 18 rounds, which of course is everyone's first preference

Hopefully they have a Plan A - if the restrictions are lifted by May 31st and Plan B if they are a bit later (which I think will happen)

Either way I hope we play for points, relegation and promotion etc

[N5 1BH]

Being a football family and all in these extraordinary times, the ffsa should generously donate their plastic pitches and other facilities for use for clubs that will lose their grounds to cricket & athletics. Can fit a good number of games per day on plastic.

[Der kaiser]

I agree that a full 18 game league season should be the objective...but I don't think that's realistic for several reasons:
- we are unlikely to be able to kick a ball in large enough groups to train (let alone play) before June 1 (at best) based on NRL plans for NSW community sport - which are the most advanced
- 2 weeks minimum for some kind of football conditioning means a mid-late June start is probably the best we could hope for
- the NPL, SL1 and SL2 leagues will take priority over all amateur comps and will require grounds to complete their seasons with multiple fixtures per week
- most amateur clubs share facilities which has two impacts:
- can't play past mid-late September as Cricket season requires pitch prep
- can't necessarily have multi-sports OR teams at one facility on same day/times due to continued limits on large gatherings for some time to come
For example - if you have 2 pitches and run them concurrently, that's immediately 6 referees, 2 coaches , 4 volunteers + 4 teams of 15 = 72 people at the ground at the same time.

Anyway, taking all this into consideration and the increased spacing you will need between games and matches at the same facilities etc. I think 18 game season is almost certainly ruled out, which probably leaves some kind of 9 game season the best we could hope for....I'd be planning for that.

[Knightsmulti]

I agree that a full 18 game league season should be the objective...but I don't think that's realistic for several reasons:
- we are unlikely to be able to kick a ball in large enough groups to train (let alone play) before June 1 (at best) based on NRL plans for NSW community sport - which are the most advanced
- 2 weeks minimum for some kind of football conditioning means a mid-late June start is probably the best we could hope for
- the NPL, SL1 and SL2 leagues will take priority over all amateur comps and will require grounds to complete their seasons with multiple fixtures per week
- most amateur clubs share facilities which has two impacts:
- can't play past mid-late September as Cricket season requires pitch prep
- can't necessarily have multi-sports OR teams at one facility on same day/times due to continued limits on large gatherings for some time to come
For example - if you have 2 pitches and run them concurrently, that's immediately 6 referees, 2 coaches , 4 volunteers + 4 teams of 15 = 72 people at the ground at the same time.

Anyway, taking all this into consideration and the increased spacing you will need between games and matches at the same facilities etc. I think 18 game season is almost certainly ruled out, which probably leaves some kind of 9 game season the best we could hope for....I'd be planning for that.

Yes, agree 100% thus my original post, would be good to get some consensus

1) 9 'normal games'
2) Finals to make it fair
3) Points
4) Relegation and Promotion

[Bomber]

9 games, may as well not bother at all. Player does a hammy and misses half a season or more.

Forget cricket requirements - you can use alternative pitches if and when needed. A season of flexible arrangements surely wont be scoffed at.

[Knightsmulti]

9 games, may as well not bother at all. Player does a hammy and misses half a season or more.

Forget cricket requirements - you can use alternative pitches if and when needed. A season of flexible arrangements surely wont be scoffed at.

Summer comps generally 7 games - great fun

9 games plus finals

so if your good 11 games (or bad depending on relegation)

It's unprecedented times, and it's a back up Plan

More players play cricket than would do a hammy so going to lose players either way

[Bomber]

9 games, may as well not bother at all. Player does a hammy and misses half a season or more.

Forget cricket requirements - you can use alternative pitches if and when needed. A season of flexible arrangements surely wont be scoffed at.

Summer comps generally 7 games - great fun

9 games plus finals

so if your good 11 games (or bad depending on relegation)

It's unprecedented times, and it's a back up Plan

More players play cricket than would do a hammy so going to lose players either way

So you're ok with a "hit and giggle" season? You may turn out to be on the money with what may happen, i just don't think it gives it much credibility. You could make finals on the back of 3 wins and a couple draws in theory - possible get relegated similarly under such a proposal.
I think your model could give way to a one off "cup/shield" type scenario like a summer comp, but I wouldn't be handing out premiership medals for it

[Knightsmulti]

9 games, may as well not bother at all. Player does a hammy and misses half a season or more.

Forget cricket requirements - you can use alternative pitches if and when needed. A season of flexible arrangements surely wont be scoffed at.

Summer comps generally 7 games - great fun

9 games plus finals

so if your good 11 games (or bad depending on relegation)

It's unprecedented times, and it's a back up Plan

More players play cricket than would do a hammy so going to lose players either way

So you're ok with a "hit and giggle" season? You may turn out to be on the money with what may happen, i just don't think it gives it much credibility. You could make finals on the back of 3 wins and a couple draws in theory - possible get relegated similarly under such a proposal.
I think your model could give way to a one off "cup/shield" type scenario like a summer comp, but I wouldn't be handing out premiership medals for it

If we can't do an 18 game season, what would you do? Your right you could make finals with 3 wins and win, in the same way you could start badly and win the league - I'd say 1 up and 1 down is fair

If you say a hit and giggle comp, most won't bother needs to be worth something - if you don't play for points or promotion etc most won't play in 2020 - at least this is an option - what would you suggest?

[Der kaiser]

9 games, may as well not bother at all. Player does a hammy and misses half a season or more.

Forget cricket requirements - you can use alternative pitches if and when needed. A season of flexible arrangements surely wont be scoffed at.

Summer comps generally 7 games - great fun

9 games plus finals

so if your good 11 games (or bad depending on relegation)


I dont think its accurate to suggest people wouldn't play if there is no promotion/relegation. I think they are desperate to get out of the house and be active as well as socialise. A 9 game season that awards a title but doesn't promote/relegate probably strikes a balance between keeping players engaged, fit, connected to clubs for 2021 and is still somewhat meaningful as there is a title at the end of it.

Geez at this point I'd settle for weekly kick arounds!

It's unprecedented times, and it's a back up Plan

More players play cricket than would do a hammy so going to lose players either way

So you're ok with a "hit and giggle" season? You may turn out to be on the money with what may happen, i just don't think it gives it much credibility. You could make finals on the back of 3 wins and a couple draws in theory - possible get relegated similarly under such a proposal.
I think your model could give way to a one off "cup/shield" type scenario like a summer comp, but I wouldn't be handing out premiership medals for it[/quote]


If we can't do an 18 game season, what would you do? Your right you could make finals with 3 wins and win, in the same way you could start badly and win the league - I'd say 1 up and 1 down is fair

If you say a hit and giggle comp, most won't bother needs to be worth something - if you don't play for points or promotion etc most won't play in 2020 - at least this is an option - what would you suggest?[/quote]

[Der kaiser]

I dont think its accurate to suggest people wouldn't play if there is no promotion/relegation. I think they are desperate to get out of the house and be active as well as socialise. A 9 game season that awards a title but doesn't promote/relegate probably strikes a balance between keeping players engaged, fit, connected to clubs for 2021 and is still somewhat meaningful as there is a title at the end of it.

Geez at this point I'd settle for weekly kick arounds!

[edenhazard]

Why settle for 9 or 18 matches as the only binary options? If an 18 game season is not possible, then why not take a leaf out of Scotlands book, with a split after each team has played each other once. Top 5 play each other again (reverse not being able to drop below fifth), bottom 5 play each other again (not being able to rise higher than 6th). Each match post-split can be the reverse fixture of the first, so Team A plays Team B both home and away if they are on the same side of the split.

A 13 game season is better than a 9 game season, and would give more credence to any titles/promotion/relegation as you'll have played your rivals twice.

[Der kaiser]

Not a bad suggestion but I reckon you will be pushing it for time - you will need at least 2 weeks for some kind of preseason/conditioning putting you back at 15-16 weeks total duration for pitches and the like and I think Sept 20- 30 will be a hard deadline for pitches.

[Knightsmulti]

Why settle for 9 or 18 matches as the only binary options? If an 18 game season is not possible, then why not take a leaf out of Scotlands book, with a split after each team has played each other once. Top 5 play each other again (reverse not being able to drop below fifth), bottom 5 play each other again (not being able to rise higher than 6th). Each match post-split can be the reverse fixture of the first, so Team A plays Team B both home and away if they are on the same side of the split.

A 13 game season is better than a 9 game season, and would give more credence to any titles/promotion/relegation as you'll have played your rivals twice.

Yes, like this idea

[Bomber]

what would you suggest?

Already made a suggestion, look at earlier posts.

Not trying to belittle other ideas by the way, just think if the competition is to have credibility, it has to be played on merits of a proper season, ie home and away.

If it's shortened to anything less, I can see that the half season with top half/bottom half splitting suggestion as feasible, but it would only amount to 5 games less than a full season anyway (virtually one month)

Would be keen to hear more views from players themselves on this but sadly not many seem to post on this forum any more.

[Knightsmulti]

what would you suggest?

Already made a suggestion, look at earlier posts.

Not trying to belittle other ideas by the way, just think if the competition is to have credibility, it has to be played on merits of a proper season, ie home and away.

If it's shortened to anything less, I can see that the half season with top half/bottom half splitting suggestion as feasible, but it would only amount to 5 games less than a full season anyway (virtually one month)

Would be keen to hear more views from players themselves on this but sadly not many seem to post on this forum any more.

Yes I meant if the initial plan to complete an 18 game season wasn't possible

It's looking more promising for a May 31st return, so I'm hoping that 18 games is possible -

[Bomber]

what would you suggest?

Already made a suggestion, look at earlier posts.

Not trying to belittle other ideas by the way, just think if the competition is to have credibility, it has to be played on merits of a proper season, ie home and away.

If it's shortened to anything less, I can see that the half season with top half/bottom half splitting suggestion as feasible, but it would only amount to 5 games less than a full season anyway (virtually one month)

Would be keen to hear more views from players themselves on this but sadly not many seem to post on this forum any more.

Yes I meant if the initial plan to complete an 18 game season wasn't possible

It's looking more promising for a May 31st return, so I'm hoping that 18 games is possible -

My money would be on some time in June, but after last week's efforts on the nags, I wouldn't be following my tips for a while at least

[brushmancity]

I heard today that the Vale are playing Gardens on 31st May. Can anybody confirm?

[Black Panther]

Yes, you heard it.

[Knightsmulti]

Yes, you heard it.

I see what you did there

[bored]

Being a football family and all in these extraordinary times, the ffsa should generously donate their plastic pitches and other facilities for use for clubs that will lose their grounds to cricket & athletics. Can fit a good number of games per day on plastic.

Does the raise the question around SAASL infrastructure?

Loads of money in the bank, but wouldn't it be great if there was a complex North Of Adelaide where 2-4 games could be played per night to catch up games etc.

[N5 1BH]

Being a football family and all in these extraordinary times, the ffsa should generously donate their plastic pitches and other facilities for use for clubs that will lose their grounds to cricket & athletics. Can fit a good number of games per day on plastic.

Does the raise the question around SAASL infrastructure?

Loads of money in the bank, but wouldn't it be great if there was a complex North Of Adelaide where 2-4 games could be played per night to catch up games etc.

Never saw the point in them being based out in west lakes, do they still have those pitches out there ?

[Hugego21]

Would it be worth just starting the season from where it would have been.

Say we start back on June 14 round 8

Lose the cup competition and that gives us 3 rounds prior to league season end.

If we add on the next two weeks for semi and cup final

We could include 2 more league rounds

Effectively start June 14th (assuming that’s the restart date) with round 3 and make rounds 1 and 2 forfeit - just the luck of the draw of first two rounds who doesn’t play who’s leagues were drafted prior to stopping.

Then we can have a serious competition with promotion and relegation.

Any adhoc competition brings with it a lack of interest from all parties and opens itself up to cheating unless the league puts in place harsh penalties ie loss of points for season 2021 and heavy fines for those that do.

[Bomber]

Being a football family and all in these extraordinary times, the ffsa should generously donate their plastic pitches and other facilities for use for clubs that will lose their grounds to cricket & athletics. Can fit a good number of games per day on plastic.

Does the raise the question around SAASL infrastructure?

Loads of money in the bank, but wouldn't it be great if there was a complex North Of Adelaide where 2-4 games could be played per night to catch up games etc.

Never saw the point in them being based out in west lakes, do they still have those pitches out there ?

It's Grange, and yes. But Grange Cricket club may have a say in it as far as main pitch goes anyway.