From an Epping point of view, it is incredibly disappointing to find out that a club like Lane Cove (no issues with the Covies) are invited to the Ketwell luncheon, however, as a club, Epping were not.
This season there were 24 clubs that fielded 3 or more grades in regular competitions (not including Halligans Cup). Of those 24, only 6 clubs fulfilled their divisional responsibility and playing responsibility for the entire 2023 season. By this, I mean, they fielded the required number of games and did not forfeit a single fixture. These are the clubs that should have been rewarded and recognised as part of the Subbies luncheon.
The Subbies executive and the Subbies board have alot of work to do over the off season, because they need to fix the mess that the competition is right now. Sticking to strict and rigid rules regarding player numbers, teams and divisional status (or God-like status if you can make it to Kentwell) will drive more and more clubs out of business.
Division 1 does not stand alone in Subbies and it cannot. I have a copy of the Subbies book, "The Game for the Game Itself", somewhere and it is duly noted how the competition survives based on the strength of its numbers. Ostracising clubs and players is not the way to go.
I mean, seriously, the McLean Medal was awarded at the grand final and the player wasn't there. He was adjudged the most outstanding player in the division and it was a case of "here's the medal, club president, can you give it to him?"
