RESERVES

Unfortunately, unlike the A Grade, the B Grade competition it seems was never closely recorded in the pre-war years. It appears that the Reserves competition, which initially began as a junior football, was a stop-start thing that was never really organised until modern times. Perhaps the fixtures that were made in the early days were simply invitational games - practice for those who did not get a game in the clubs' first teams competing in the A Grade - much as it is today.

Whatever the set up was, at many times South's seconds were quite invincible. Though there is little account of the early premiership contests, matches that were recorded here and there imply young South players winning games by huge margins. Indeed it was some of these South B Graders who formed entirely new A Grade clubs such as the Rovers and the Gawler Colts in later years.

The early South B Grades collected many premierships evidently, so the Reserves tradition at South is much longer than first appears. It would be a realistic assumption that there may arguably be as many as five flags not officially recorded in addition to the ones we do know of. The years listed in the B Grade Seasons Record are most probably not the only years that there was a B Grade.

Seconds football in modern times has become both a place for the more recreational particpants and seasoned campaigners in their twilight - not so serious about their football - to keep fit, as well as a testing ground for young players aspiring to make the first side. However, reserves footy arguably has more physicality and gamesmanship than the A Grade, as the ball is not delivered at the same pace nor with the same polish. So it can be a great environment for a young body to become hardened to real battle while gaining confidence mastering the skills.

During the 1970s and 1980s, South's reserve sides dominated the GDFL and early BLGFA, with many blokes regularly playing in both the first and second sides, boasting a great depth of playing talent at the senior level. Indeed, grafitti hailed the famous "Mean Machine" of 1986-87 led by Gary 'Grandpa' James, as "back-to-back premiers in any league", referring to the last flag of the old league and the first in the new BLGFA.

A benefit of playing in the "early game" is that you are able to enjoy the afternoon watching the A Grade at the bar. Nevertheless, a number of South sons have made their mark as champions at this level, usually combining a longevity (not so common amongst the A Grade especially since professionalism) with a dedicated club spirit. Men such as George Scotland, Grant O'Reilly, Claude and Doug Freak, and Peter Bain (the all-time senior games record holder) are a testimony to this. Certainly, the backbone of the club have always been the B Graders.