just out of interest, how do the other Division 4 clubs feel about Epping? I’ve heard there was a bit of animosity at the beginning of the season but haven’t heard any other rumblings, but noticed that they were challenged about having a fourth grade when asking for a Halligans next week online?
Some would say they were hard done by and Subbies need to be drawn and quartered
But do these people represent "other Division 4 clubs"?
Or any club at all? Hmmmm....
As a Div 4 club, we knew it would be a tough year. Sydney Harbour are always good. Redfield are always good. Savers are always good. Merrylands were largely unknown but their 2021 was a solid outing so had potential.
With one eye on the Div 2 results from recent years, we knew Epping might not have set the world on fire, but the quality of the Division is higher than Div 4, even if the First Grade teams might occasionally look comparable between the two; depth is the key and that is something most Div 4 clubs do NOT have. Particularly as the injuries pile up.
We were prepared for tough games against Epping as they'd have far more players than us to call on. Getting them and Savers twice with our history of inconsistent selection would be even tougher e.g. a couple of our RAAF guys were on mission in Round 2 and are on mission again.
Ultimately, it is what it is, and we didn't put away games that could have seen us finals bound with 2 rounds to go. We'll take those lesons and look to build next year.