Once again the round of matches in the Hume league went as expected with the ex Coreen clubs struggling to be competitive against the established Hume clubs.

The draw again has come under the microscope with many clubs remaining frustrated with its content. The biggest disappointment has been the lack of contests between the top sides in the league.

There is no doubt the make up of the draw in a fifteen team competition was always going to be hard and almost impossible to keep every club happy, a tough job for any man.

Three draft draws were presented to the league to vote on, a good variety for clubs to look at. However it was the ingredients of the draws that need to be revisited in future to ensure the top sides play each other more often.

Without doubt, not enough feedback and thought from both clubs and league officials went into the draw. Perhaps too much consideration was given to the new clubs “smooth transition” and not at the top.

It is disappointing that the supporters of the league and individual clubs are not going to see the top teams play as often as they should in potential blockbuster encounters.

While supporters of all clubs love to win, they above all love a contest that brings bigger crowds from sides in combat to the game, most importantly creating larger gate receipts and revenue at canteens etc.

Popular opinion and a fair amount of common sense would suggest that all of the top five teams from last year play each other the following year at both home and away as a pre requisite.

What a shame that last years grand finalist Culcairn and Osborne don’t play each other twice. What a shame last years preliminary finalist Jindera and Osborne only play once.

I bet Osborne would like to have a home gate against Culcairn and the associated revenue that it provides. Likewise I bet Culcairn would like a home match against Jindera.

Or Jindera - how they would love a home game against Osborne, what a large crowd they would get. I reckon Holbrook would love a home match against Culcairn (its nearest neighbor), instead of a road trip to Coleambally (its furthest trip).

The top three teams from last year Culcairn, Osborne and Jindera are yet to play each other and will only play each other the once prior to finals.

Yet Lockhart who have not played finals in the last few years have been given a nightmare draw playing all of the above twice and making a finals appearance very hard indeed.

The other concern is the topic of percentage with teams like Lockhart having far less “percentage winning” games that other finals contenders.

Percentage could well decide several positions in the top six and more importantly could well decide the fate of contenders looking for the important top two positions.

This year the top two sides will be the only teams afforded a double chance. Teams one and two will have the first week of the finals off, while the other four teams will play cut throat finals.

That raises another point about the side that finishes third not getting a double chance? Many would consider a team finishing third in a fifteen team competition unlucky not to have a double chance?

The league does look to be set for a cracking finals series with the question on most peoples mind being who premiership favorite is and who will be in the mix.

Not for quite some time has a district league had so many contenders fighting for the flag. Normally there are one or two standouts, but this year the Hume league has as many as four with genuine chances.

Currently the ladder sees Culcairn unbeaten and on top of the ladder, with three teams Osborne, Jindera and Holbrook all level with only the one loss. Howlong, Lockhart and Walla follow close behind.

It is a shame that it won’t be until rounds 11 through to 16 that the really big matches unfold, with the top four teams finally getting to clash.