Originally posted by mic59
Must say I'm a lot more disappointed in Morgs and Thrust than Koula. Defence is a hard area to break into and experienced players will get the nod more than any, but both these players have been having relatively uninterrupted years for their SANFL clubs and haven't forced their way in the team. Koula has had to put up with injuries and an unsympathetic coach who seemed to select on the basis of "better the devil you know".
I dont think that is correct at all.
Last year was the first year where Morgan played more than about 5 games. Every other year hes had broken legs and chronic hamstring injuries. He was fit for a lot of last year, and played well enough for North to get 5 or 6 BOGs and force his way into the side.
Thurstans was robbed of a game last year. THere was no reason why he shouldnt of been brought into the side when Mead. Poor planning (yet again) by Williams meant that he was reluctant to debut him a week before the finals.....when he should of been given games anyway.
Thurstans just cant seem to get into the side. In 2001 he was very stiff because he was getting in Sturts best players every week yet Mark refused to play him. Mark vowed last year would be different. It wasnt. Thurstans ended up making the SANFL team of the year...played impressively in the Wizard Cup, we had injuries or dropped key backmen, yet he still was never given a go - despite obviously playing pretty damn good footy to be in the SANFL team of the year. Thurstans in my view has been a victim of Mark Williams stupidity more than anything else.