Ben Hart Appreciation Thread

[- PC -]

300 games Ben

Wow who would have imagined the skinny kid in the SPOC ( or ROC?) uniform would be the first Crow to play 300 games. ( I will big note myself here and say I told my brother at 150 he would be the first Crow to get to 300)

There have been some times when I didnt think he would get there but this week he will have made it.

Congratulations Ben and hopefully you continue to defy everyone and play many more

 

[Mad Dog]

Well Done Benny - here's to the next 300.

*taps sig*

 

[Stiffy_18]

Congratulations to Benny Hart for what has been a wonderful career so far. Getting to 300 AFL games is a phenomenal achievement and hopefully there are many more to come

Now all the boys need to do is win this one for a player that has truly been one of the greats of this footy club.

 

[Jars458]

A perfect role model.

Great player, great person. Couldn't be any more well deserved.

A 50,000 crowd in great weather is what he deserves.

A "ben hart, ben hart, ben hart" chant during the FIRST quarter would be more than appropriate!

 

[neddy36]

Great achievement by Benny!!

A great role model to Ging-er's (or Bloodnuts ) like me!!!

 

[RoosterLad]

Best defender I've ever seen.
I'm very proud that a former North Adelaide player has gone on to become a 300 AFL gamer.
I am a huge fan of this great man.

 

[maccas_no1]

Ben Hart what a career, seems like he has been around forever, congrats on being the first AFC player to reach 300 games

 

[FCAGJAT]

Congratulations Bennie and well done on your 300th milestone. I can't believe that someone on the main board would claim you as an overrated player but you have always been a wonderful and consistent servant of the club and you deserve all the praise coming your way! Well done!

 

[jo172]

Super player has stood everyone from Tony Lockett to James Hird. Will be remembered as an absolute superstar, cheers Benny!

 

[crowie]

He'll be a name mentioned with the greats of the club in 100 years time, he is and absolute legend.

I think he may even go on for 350, if the old body holds up.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Best defender I've ever seen.
I'm very proud that a former North Adelaide player has gone on to become a 300 AFL gamer.
I am a huge fan of this great man.

Sums it up beautifully

 

[bigman]

A true champion and here the term is not being overused.

Mr reliable and dependable. He hardly ever makes a mistake or plays a bad game.

He is such a fair but committed player. He has helped to make our backline one of the best, if not the best in the league.

He has had some huge jobs in his time and done them all with the quality we woudl expect from a player of this quality.

Congrautlations to one of Adelaides best.

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

300 games Ben

Wow who would have imagined the skinny kid in the SPOC ( or ROC?) uniform would be the first Crow to play 300 games. ( I will big note myself here and say I told my brother at 150 he would be the first Crow to get to 300)

There have been some times when I didnt think he would get there but this week he will have made it.

Congratulations Ben and hopefully you continue to defy everyone and play many more

An absolute Champ in every possible way. Congrats Harty. Lets hope your last years brings another flag or two!

 

[NikkiNoo]

aww now this is nice

Well done Ben!

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Benny, you have shown what a champion on and off the field is really all about. A true gentleman of the game and it's been a real pleasure to have watched most of those 299.
I'll be there cheering you and the boys onward and upward this coming Sunday.

I know you will still treat it as just another game.
You my fiend are a club legend.

 

[drakeyv2]

Nice article online in realfooty today.

It seems amazing that Sunday will be the clubs 350th game & he will have played in 300 of them.

 

[Alex99]

Congratulation Benny Hart, 300 games in an absolute stellar career , go for 350 games or the magical 400 or even the record. Look out Michael Tuck your record is in some danger.

Can we now have some people stop calling for him to retire, he has a long time to go (well 2 year at least)

 

[rooboy]

Well done, Benny. Great player and bloke. Should have won the '98 Norm Smith too.

 

[noddy]

Well done, Benny. Great player and bloke. Should have won the '98 Norm Smith too.

The man kept us in the game during the first half & he would've been a worthy winner of the NS medal for that year.

You guys have said all that needs to be said in regards to our Benny Hart.

 

[Fudd]

Congratulation Benny Hart, 300 games in an absolute stellar career , go for 350 games or the magical 400 or even the record. Look out Michael Tuck your record is in some danger.

Can we now have some people stop calling for him to retire, he has a long time to go (well 2 year at least)

Couldnt agree more. Had one bad year of injury and people automatically see this as a reason for him to hang up the boots simply because he is the wrong side of 30 now. Is still an elite defender, and i hope he has atleast another 2 years in him.
As long as he is playing good footy their is no reason he should 'give up' his position in the side to a youngster. Make them earn it Benny!
As Craigy says "the game doesnt know how old you are".

 

[marvin]

Hart's just been a marvel for us for so many years. A true legend of the club.

You'd feel your age a bit though when you start your career chasing Gary Ablett around and play game 299 matched up against some mop top kid who was about 2 when you debuted....

 

[rayven]

Ben Hart is one of them blokes who does not say much.
But when he does talk I have learned to listen as he is rarely very far of the mark.
A gentleman off the field and as fair as they come on the field, this bloke is a classic example of what the word "sportsmanship" is about.

 

[-VC-]

You'd feel your age a bit though when you start your career chasing Gary Ablett around and play game 299 matched up against some mop top kid who was about 2 when you debuted....

Or for that matter Gary Ablett's sons (not that we've played against Nathan yet).
Congratulations Benny. I wish I could be over there for the game but I'm broke right now. One of the finest we've had in our short but illustrious history.

 

[-CG-]

Some words from his team mates

Simon Goodwin
“His ability to play in tough situations. He went close to winning the Norm Smith medal in ’98 when he was under siege and he showed then that he has got true resilience and a true character.”

Andrew McLeod
“His ability to play at the elite level consistently for 15 years. And what stands out most is his personality and demeanour – he’s an outstanding person and has achieved so much.”

Ben Rutten
“The way he’s been able to keep his good form up over such a long period of time.”

Tyson Edwards
“His red hair … he’s got lots of it and it’s very long. I admire his skinny little legs that have got him through this many years of football. And I admire the fact that he is a very old man still playing the game.”

Brett Burton
“His professionalism and longevity.”

Rhett Biglands
“His ability to bounce back after setbacks, every time he trains he makes sure he trains at 100 per cent. He leaves nothing to chance with what he does in his preparation … he’s the ultimate professional.”

Hayden Skipworth
“Other than his playing ability, it would have to be his personality. He’s just a great bloke around the club, he helps out the juniors, he helps with membership stuff, he helps with everything. He’s a credit to his family.”

Ken McGregor
“His ability to play 300 games with red hair is a pretty good effort, I think that’s amazing. He is probably the first ever, that’s a great achievement. But he’s just one of the best blokes around the club. He’s approachable to everyone, it doesn’t matter if you have played 200 games or you are a first year player, he’ll have a chat to you the same.”

Trent Hentschel
“Benny Hart … errrrr, I’ll think about it.”

Robert Shirley
“He’s just a great bloke to have around the club, he’s always smiling and positive.”

Michael Doughty
“He’s a very humble man who has achieved so much in footy.”

Brent Reilly
“To play 300 games is a great effort for a bloke of his stature.”

Scott Stevens
“His sense of humor, he’s been a leader for all the new guys and he’s worked hard.”

Graham Johncock
“He’s been around for a long time so it’s good to see him doing so well.”

Kris Massie
“He is an amazing man.”

Great response from KennyMcGregor, Tyson Edwards and Trent Hentschel

 

[crowboy]

If ever there has been or will be a legend of the AFC it would be Ben Hart.
Thanks for the memories Ben. What a CHAMPION.