standard of play

[getstuckin]

i have been around the amatuer league as a player and coach for far to long,in my opinion the standard seems to be getting worse.i am currently playing div5 and it is terrible,i have been there a few yrs ago with another club and it was much better.i also no this with a few other div's from mates of mine that say thisas well.what can be done will sunday improve or has sat taken over!! hope not as i love my sunday soccer.

[Scuba]

i have been around the amatuer league as a player and coach for far to long,in my opinion the standard seems to be getting worse.i am currently playing div5 and it is terrible,i have been there a few yrs ago with another club and it was much better.i also no this with a few other div's from mates of mine that say thisas well.what can be done will sunday improve or has sat taken over!! hope not as i love my sunday soccer.

be interesting to see a dream team of saturday players take on a dream team of sunday players and see who comes out on top
might answer a few questions

[Knight7]

i have been around the amatuer league as a player and coach for far to long,in my opinion the standard seems to be getting worse.i am currently playing div5 and it is terrible,i have been there a few yrs ago with another club and it was much better.i also no this with a few other div's from mates of mine that say thisas well.what can be done will sunday improve or has sat taken over!! hope not as i love my sunday soccer.

be interesting to see a dream team of saturday players take on a dream team of sunday players and see who comes out on top
might answer a few questions

Could be a nightmare!

[nugget66]

I can only talk about 1st division sunday's but definatly think that the playing standard & standard of the competition is the best it's been for a long time. All we need to do now is to improve the refereeing standard

[robinfriday10]

disagree, nugget. 90s was stronger in my opinion. average age of the stronger sides is a lot higher now. most people spoken as to the best players in div 1 are 30+ mid 90's it would have been closer to 25-27. gardens,inter,vale,east nothing between these top sides then. now downs clearly in front at moment, gardens second most consistent few others jostling behind parafield.i think there was 13 divisions at one stage. and lots more refs.

[Furburger]

i have been around the amatuer league as a player and coach for far to long,in my opinion the standard seems to be getting worse.i am currently playing div5 and it is terrible,i have been there a few yrs ago with another club and it was much better.i also no this with a few other div's from mates of mine that say thisas well.what can be done will sunday improve or has sat taken over!! hope not as i love my sunday soccer.

If it is true that standard has dropped (especially in div 5), it could be due to the amount of "semi prfessional" teams that are around now in the FFSA comps? A few more than a few years ago.
This would definately have an effect on lower divisions.

Or could it be that the standard seems to have dropped because you have improved so much getstuckin?

[Optimus Prime]

Standard has decreased generally across the leagues over the last 5 years.. is not getting much better either... As mentioned, the better players are getting older and not many good young boys really coming through.

Standard in Div 5 will always be questionable!

[To Mati]

Sunday league in my opinion definitely of a higher standard, I think ive seen enough to mathematically come up with this conclusion... Those who disagree haven't been exposed to both.

Better teams of sun div 1 => top 2-3 Sat Div 1 teams
rest of sun div 1 teams > Average Sat Div 1 teams
Better teams of Sun div 2 => Sat lowest teams of div 1
Average sun div 2 team > Better div 2 sat teams
Least performing sun div 2 teams = average sat div 2 teams.


Anyone confused?

[Robbo]

disagree, nugget. 90s was stronger in my opinion. average age of the stronger sides is a lot higher now. most people spoken as to the best players in div 1 are 30+ mid 90's it would have been closer to 25-27. gardens,inter,vale,east nothing between these top sides then. now downs clearly in front at moment, gardens second most consistent few others jostling behind parafield.i think there was 13 divisions at one stage. and lots more refs.

I agree - The Federation abolished Reserves and brought in U23's, and there was a huge influx into Amateurs of many of the 24-28yo's.

You had NAB who were almost unbeatable with Genikas and Co. getting 250-300 per game, along with clubs like Vale, PHE, Gardens, Cove, Inter.. they were all extremely strong. Downs then were only average!

I recently watched a Saturday game with a few mates that play there, and Sunday Division 1 looks to have far more intensity... to me by a fair margin.

I dont think that is such a bad idea to have a Saturday select play a Sunday select.. I'd go see that for sure..

[Shaken Not Stirred]

I think it's a little hard to compare generations of leagues. It's like saying who was the better player, Best, Pele or Maradona. Everyone has there own opinion but they all played in different times and all can make a claim to the title.

In 2008, I think Sun Div 1 is probably at it strongest for the last 4 or 5 years. The teams are a lot more even and results are harder to pick. Sun Div 1 is a lot strong then Sat Div 1, for some reason Sat Div 1 has really dropped in standard, could have been the FFSA abolishing U23 and U19, who knows? People can argue that 2 or 3 teams in Sat Div 1 can match it with the best in Sun Div 1 but when you look at all the teams, Sun is far more competitive; and before anyone goes on about the cup and who is in and out, how many club really care about winning the cup, I know we treat it as a chance to look at a few reserves players and give those first team players with slight niggles a rest.

[Olympic (Vista) Bhoy]

disagree, nugget. 90s was stronger in my opinion. average age of the stronger sides is a lot higher now. most people spoken as to the best players in div 1 are 30+ mid 90's it would have been closer to 25-27. gardens,inter,vale,east nothing between these top sides then. now downs clearly in front at moment, gardens second most consistent few others jostling behind parafield.i think there was 13 divisions at one stage. and lots more refs.

This may be controversial but I believe the Vista side that won Div 7 and 6 in1993 and 1994 would match the current Div 2 side. Maybe I'm biased as I played in those sides. Although, if the current Vista youngsters can stay together for another 2 seasons I'll gladly retract what I've just said. The 93 and 94 sides were not a "young" team and experience galvanised us as a team.

The point about the league being stronger in the 90s is valid. We made the cup semi final as a 6th divsion team! There is no way that would happen now.

[Ronnie#10]

Ive played in the amatuers since 1998 & had played in numerous divisions from Div 4 to Div 2 and a few games here & there in Vista & Gully's C sides. I think the standard in the higher divisions in saturday & sunday comps have got better from what it was when I started but obviously someone playing alot longer than me might have a different opinon on this?

[nugget66]

I agree it very hard to compare era's but i've been with the Gardens for the last 12 yrs & i honestly believe that the 1st division sunday competition is very very strong with ALOT of quality players at the moment have a look at the top 5 an then think how many players that you've missed out naming. I think that any team on there day in 1st division can perform, look at the results so far who would've thought Florina would beat the Downs at home then Westies unlucky to draw with Florina away! I think that there will be alot more of this second half of the season when suspenssions, injury & the fight to avoid religation comes into play! By the way robinfriday what's wrong with players over thirty remember 2002 to old to slow to good!

[robinfriday10]

and you guys were! but overall early nineties most teams were loaded with mid twenty players who were good solid players. and a lot of these boys are still going now. aitken is still one of the better players and hes nearing 40. reebvesy is still one of the better 36-37 lots of examples.even you nugget not that i know who you are but i'm sure i played against you were probably better when younger than whatever age over 30 you are.. and your comment of 2002 too old and too slow, that was 5 years ago are you slower??? i know i am!

[Mr Football]

Sunday league in my opinion definitely of a higher standard, I think ive seen enough to mathematically come up with this conclusion... Those who disagree haven't been exposed to both.

Better teams of sun div 1 => top 2-3 Sat Div 1 teams
rest of sun div 1 teams > Average Sat Div 1 teams
Better teams of Sun div 2 => Sat lowest teams of div 1
Average sun div 2 team > Better div 2 sat teams
Least performing sun div 2 teams = average sat div 2 teams.


Anyone confused?

Yes :?

[BULLDOG]

disagree, nugget. 90s was stronger in my opinion. average age of the stronger sides is a lot higher now. most people spoken as to the best players in div 1 are 30+ mid 90's it would have been closer to 25-27. gardens,inter,vale,east nothing between these top sides then. now downs clearly in front at moment, gardens second most consistent few others jostling behind parafield.i think there was 13 divisions at one stage. and lots more refs.

This may be controversial but I believe the Vista side that won Div 7 and 6 in1993 and 1994 would match the current Div 2 side. Maybe I'm biased as I played in those sides. Although, if the current Vista youngsters can stay together for another 2 seasons I'll gladly retract what I've just said. The 93 and 94 sides were not a "young" team and experience galvanised us as a team.

The point about the league being stronger in the 90s is valid. We made the cup semi final as a 6th divsion team! There is no way that would happen now.

i'd had to disagree mate, Div 6-7 were no way near the standard of div 2 is today, though the side back then had some great players the depth wasn't there.
with all the young lads at the club who'll be arround for many years to come i believe the squad is much stronger at present.
i'd say next season will see the retirement of afew senior(aged)players and it will be the younger players that are expected to step into those roles.
how things are being set up at the club with the young lads getting to test the waters will serve the club well in the next few seasons.

[Olympic (Vista) Bhoy]

disagree, nugget. 90s was stronger in my opinion. average age of the stronger sides is a lot higher now. most people spoken as to the best players in div 1 are 30+ mid 90's it would have been closer to 25-27. gardens,inter,vale,east nothing between these top sides then. now downs clearly in front at moment, gardens second most consistent few others jostling behind parafield.i think there was 13 divisions at one stage. and lots more refs.

This may be controversial but I believe the Vista side that won Div 7 and 6 in1993 and 1994 would match the current Div 2 side. Maybe I'm biased as I played in those sides. Although, if the current Vista youngsters can stay together for another 2 seasons I'll gladly retract what I've just said. The 93 and 94 sides were not a "young" team and experience galvanised us as a team.

The point about the league being stronger in the 90s is valid. We made the cup semi final as a 6th divsion team! There is no way that would happen now.

i'd had to disagree mate, Div 6-7 were no way near the standard of div 2 is today, though the side back then had some great players the depth wasn't there.
with all the young lads at the club who'll be arround for many years to come i believe the squad is much stronger at present.
i'd say next season will see the retirement of afew senior(aged)players and it will be the younger players that are expected to step into those roles.
how things are being set up at the club with the young lads getting to test the waters will serve the club well in the next few seasons.

Yes the overall standard of the teams in Div 2 is better than Div 6/7 back then and so it should be. My point is during those days on any given day a div 5 or div 4 team could beat a Div 1 side (remeber we lost the semi 2-1 in extra time against a Div 1 side). That wouldn't happen today - div 1 and 2 are streets ahead of the rest of the league and the lower divsion terams would have no chance of an "upset".

[BULLDOG]

i guess back then the leagues were flooded with teams due to the fact that saturday wasn't so popular, not even sure there was a saturday league, which meant in the lower div's there was a large amount of shite bobbing around.
wasn't it phw we played in the semi's?

[Olympic (Vista) Bhoy]

i guess back then the leagues were flooded with teams due to the fact that saturday wasn't so popular, not even sure there was a saturday league, which meant in the lower div's there was a large amount of shite bobbing around.
wasn't it phw we played in the semi's?

I thought it was a Southern Team - Noarlunga?

Memories.................. I'm getting old, I can't even remember what I did 5 minutes ago, and they've got me running the Branch! Hee hee, now what was I tlaking about?

[Ronnie#10]

I think the lower divisions now it is normally 1 or 2 teams vying for the title. Correct me if im wrong but theres normally 2 teams are 1 or 2 points behind eachother who romp it in with the rest of the league 3 or 4 games behind?
I definetly think the top 2 divs on sundays are streets ahead of the rest. I know theres a few decent teams in the sat leagues aswell though.

[No left foot]

I think the lower divisions now it is normally 1 or 2 teams vying for the title. Correct me if im wrong but theres normally 2 teams are 1 or 2 points behind eachother who romp it in with the rest of the league 3 or 4 games behind?
I definetly think the top 2 divs on sundays are streets ahead of the rest. I know theres a few decent teams in the sat leagues aswell though.

I've definitely noticed a fall in standard over the last few years. When I used to play th elagues were competitive down to Dive 4 or even 5. Now it's only Div1, the rest aren't that great.

[dj_no.1]

i guess back then the leagues were flooded with teams due to the fact that saturday wasn't so popular, not even sure there was a saturday league, which meant in the lower div's there was a large amount of shite bobbing around.
wasn't it phw we played in the semi's?

i agree, while the saturday divisions are getting a bit stronger this has slightly drained the sunday divisions, although sunday div 1 is still quality soccer with any side possible of winning on the day ( which shows how well downs are doing ) , cant really comment on the standard in lower sunday divs

[Rob Lozza]

The standard in the amatuers has definitely dropped. Conversely, I believe the Fed standard has improved.

[Rexie]

i guess back then the leagues were flooded with teams due to the fact that saturday wasn't so popular, not even sure there was a saturday league, which meant in the lower div's there was a large amount of shite bobbing around.
wasn't it phw we played in the semi's?

i agree, while the saturday divisions are getting a bit stronger this has slightly drained the sunday divisions, although sunday div 1 is still quality soccer with any side possible of winning on the day ( which shows how well downs are doing ) , cant really comment on the standard in lower sunday divs

What the hell is that supose to mean!!!!!!!!!

[Ronnie#10]

I think the lower divisions now it is normally 1 or 2 teams vying for the title. Correct me if im wrong but theres normally 2 teams are 1 or 2 points behind eachother who romp it in with the rest of the league 3 or 4 games behind?
I definetly think the top 2 divs on sundays are streets ahead of the rest. I know theres a few decent teams in the sat leagues aswell though.

I've definitely noticed a fall in standard over the last few years. When I used to play th elagues were competitive down to Dive 4 or even 5. Now it's only Div1, the rest aren't that great.

Fair enough then I thought someone who has played longer than me might've noticed a difference. I think Div 1 & Div 2 sides are quite competitive. Not 2 sure about the saturday teams though cos haven't seen any games.

[Anonymous]

The standard in the amatuers has definitely dropped. Conversely, I believe the Fed standard has improved.

most fed games are like watching the 23's 10 yrs ago. apart from a handful of super league clubs, standard in feds definitely hasnt got better. thats why they are trying to reintroduce reserve

[KOP END]

i have been playing for 15 seasons in either div 1 or 2 and i would have to say that the era of the 90's was the strongest. The vale, para east, gardens , inter, were all very strong. Just look back through the year books and see how tight it was, and it was quality. Also sunday would smash the sat league

[Ronnie#10]

I remember looking through the yearbooks when i first started playing amatuers and noticed that Inter dominated for a bit. I think the sunday league is better than saturday but there is some decent teams in the saturday leagues nowadays.

[pires7]

Having played in divisions 4 and 5 a few years ago and the teams i played for trained once a week for about an hour so its not suprising that the standard was poor.
Most good players that i went to school with quit soccer so they could work on weekends! a few have come back 3 years later but they aren't the players they used to be.