Princes Park Tribute Night

[AlecDuncan]

Just got back from the event and I thought it was pretty good.

Richard Hadley, Matty Kruezer, Lachlan Hill, Michael Shields, Stephen Browne, Aaron Joseph, David Ellard, Denis Armfield, and Darren Pffeifer were in attendance. It looked like the next generation of AFL recruits were training outside under the lights.

Lots of fine vintage performances on the projector. I found myself bunched up with the rookies and footage of Braddles came on the screen. David Ellard started a conversation with me, saying that Bradley was amazing. Even now he does the tan and then comes in to do the rehab sessions alongside the players. He reckoned Craig could still play today.

Asked him about he was settling in, and he said he was sharing with fellow sand-gropers Paul Bower and Scott Gumbleton. He agreed that The Fro has found his niche in the senior side and is looking very good. The AFL provides about $7k in assistance for kids living interstate which I'm guessing is very welcome when you're on rookie wages. He's happy with the alignment, but the 10:12 rule will be a problem come finals time. Nothing we don't know.

Ratts gave a short talk about how the defensive game we saw on Sunday is something we'll have to make a habit. We can't go flat out all day.

Digby had a crack at the Irish boys and their swimming ability. Ellard told me they're all hopeless in the water. Even Bower can't swim apparently.

The players all introduced themselves and straight away you can tell Armfield is going to be a genuine character around the place.

Ellard is a top kid. Very friendly and confident with strangers. It wasn't an effort to him in the least like it must be for some players. Indeed he looked like he relished every minute of it.

I took a few minutes away to walk the Heatley and Harris stands and soak the view in. After all, they were the stars of the show. I first started coming to PP as the Harris stand foundations were being laid. My uncle was a long-serving leggy for the cricket team, and the family had local history (including the real AD) so we were all fixtures there. That stand has seen half of our premierships - amazing to think in 44 years we accomplished as much as we had in the previous 100 years. Let's hope the new building sees as much again.

 

[TGR]

Brilliant work. I love these posts about the club functions. Very rarely do I get to go with bloody paperwork and other garbage to deal with week nights.

Thanks for insight, most appreciated.

 

[thylacine60]

Nice one, AD.

 

[HBF]

Great post AD.

 

[Dramoth]

Just got back from the event and I thought it was pretty good.

Richard Hadley, Matty Kruezer, Lachlan Hill, Michael Shields, Aaron Joseph, David Ellard, Denis Armfield, and Darren Pffeifer were in attendance. It looked like the next generation of AFL recruits were training outside under the lights.

Lots of fine vintage performances on the projector. I found myself bunched up with the rookies and footage of Braddles came on the screen. David Ellard started a conversation with me, saying that Bradley was amazing. Even now he does the tan and then comes in to do the rehab sessions alongside the players. He reckoned Craig could still play today.

Asked him about he was settling in, and he said he was sharing with fellow sand-gropers Paul Bower and Scott Gumbleton. He agreed that The Fro has found his niche in the senior side and is looking very good. The AFL provides about $7k in assistance for kids living interstate which I'm guessing is very welcome when you're on rookie wages. He's happy with the alignment, but the 10:12 rule will be a problem come finals time. Nothing we don't know.

Ratts gave a short talk about how the defensive game we saw on Sunday is something we'll have to make a habit. We can't go flat out all day.

Digby had a crack at the Irish boys and their swimming ability. Ellard told me they're all hopeless in the water. Even Bower can't swim apparently.

The players all introduced themselves and straight away you can tell Armfield is going to be a genuine character around the place.

Ellard is a top kid. Very friendly and confident with strangers. It wasn't an effort to him in the least like it must be for some players. Indeed he looked like he relished every minute of it.

I took a few minutes away to walk the Heatley and Harris stands and soak the view in. After all, they were the stars of the show. I first started coming to PP as the Harris stand foundations were being laid. My uncle was a long-serving leggy for the cricket team, and the family had local history (including the real AD) so we were all fixtures there. That stand has seen half of our premierships - amazing to think in 44 years we accomplished as much as we had in the previous 100 years. Let's hope the new building sees as much again.

Good work there AlexDuncan

I think that Braddles could have easily still been playing until he was 40-41 years old... but for some reason he decided to retire shortly after we got our new coach

He is the guy who we should be trotting out as the example for training dedication

 

[Blue Dawn]

Appreciated AD.

 

[stokesy]

Bradley's skills are still amazing.

I watched him at training in December kicking the ball around beautifully and out sprinting Adam Bentick.

Next time your at a game, watch Bradley in the pre-match warm up, his out there usually involved in the mid field work. Amazing.

 

[one_twelve112]

You're not the real AD?

 

[SA Blueblood]

Great post AD. All information about the club is greatly appreciated. Especially for someone like me who doesn't get the coverage of my team like you guys do. Look forward to reading more great posts from you, well done.

 

[wablues]

Thanx AD. Great to hear about functions. We dont get much support over here in WA.
The WA Carlton Supporter Group sponsor Ellard. A few of our committee went over for the guernsey launch and their opinion of Ellard is the same as yours. We picked a great bloke. The WA thing sold it for us of course.

 

[blue gunslinger]

Thanx AD. Great to hear about functions. We dont get much support over here in WA.
The WA Carlton Supporter Group sponsor Ellard. A few of our committee went over for the guernsey launch and their opinion of Ellard is the same as yours. We picked a great bloke. The WA thing sold it for us of course.

So true but the WA fans are sensational. Rumours has it the Saturday function after the round 7 game should be awesome. Lets hope the club does the right thing like last year and all of the players and coaches attend! Regardless the wablues will put on a great show I am sure!
It will be great after a win versus the Eagles the night before!

 

[AlecDuncan]

The WA Carlton Supporter Group sponsor Ellard. A few of our committee went over for the guernsey launch and their opinion of Ellard is the same as yours. We picked a great bloke. The WA thing sold it for us of course.

You know I thought he was your boy, but I wasn't sure enough to bring the WA blues sponsors up (I'm still struggling to recognise the rookies). Otherwise I would have said hello for you. If I have the pleasure again, I will.