- May 8, 2001
- 5,667
- 818
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
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- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
From the Advertiser 19/5/05...
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Hopwood won't die wondering
By DOUG ROBERTSON
RESILIENT midfielder Heath Hopwood said he "won't die wondering" when he leads South Australia as first-time captain against traditional enemy the VFL in the state leagues clash at Port Melbourne on Saturday.
The New South Wales-born Hopwood, who has been acting captain in five of Central District's six games this year, says he shares the Croweaters' desire to roll Victorians in football matches. Hopwood, 27, will lead SA for the first time while reliable North Adelaide skipper Darryl Wintle is his first-time deputy.
Damian Squire, SA's captain against the WAFL in 2003, was retained in the 22-man team (four on the interchange bench) to face the Big V from 12.40pm (SA time). However, midfielder Mark McKenzie (Woodville-West Torrens) was cut and Chris Hall (South Adelaide) could not be considered because of a foot injury.
Hopwood said being in a Croweaters guernsey for the fourth time was a thrill but being captain had him counting his blessings. Coach Darel Hart said Hopwood was chosen because of the enthusiasm and passion he showed at training and because he "led by example".
"I'm still caught up in all this stuff, in state footy. I know a lot of people don't recognise it but I do," delighted Hopwood said before SA's final training session at AAMI Stadium last night.
"Even if I was injured, I'd still try to play . . . yeah, I'd tell lies (to play). I'm a New South Welshman but I've been here 10 years now so that qualifies me for citizenship, I reckon."
Hopwood said the responsibility of leading the state's most talented group of footballers outside the AFL would not change his hard-nutted style.
"I've missed out on the AFL so this is the next best thing for me," he said. "I got the job obviously because they like the way I do things so I'll keep giving the same . . . be hard at the footy and be honest, then you don't die wondering."
Wintle, listed with Adelaide in 1999, is certain to start on one wing on the compact TEAC Oval in his second interstate outing. "He was an excellent captain in very hard times (at North)," said Hart, the Roosters' coach from 2001-03. "It would have been very easy to select Damian (Squire) but two other boys get a chance now and hopefully they'll be winning captains like he was."
The VFL is waiting on fitness reports on several players and will name its 22 tonight.
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Hopwood won't die wondering
By DOUG ROBERTSON
RESILIENT midfielder Heath Hopwood said he "won't die wondering" when he leads South Australia as first-time captain against traditional enemy the VFL in the state leagues clash at Port Melbourne on Saturday.
The New South Wales-born Hopwood, who has been acting captain in five of Central District's six games this year, says he shares the Croweaters' desire to roll Victorians in football matches. Hopwood, 27, will lead SA for the first time while reliable North Adelaide skipper Darryl Wintle is his first-time deputy.
Damian Squire, SA's captain against the WAFL in 2003, was retained in the 22-man team (four on the interchange bench) to face the Big V from 12.40pm (SA time). However, midfielder Mark McKenzie (Woodville-West Torrens) was cut and Chris Hall (South Adelaide) could not be considered because of a foot injury.
Hopwood said being in a Croweaters guernsey for the fourth time was a thrill but being captain had him counting his blessings. Coach Darel Hart said Hopwood was chosen because of the enthusiasm and passion he showed at training and because he "led by example".
"I'm still caught up in all this stuff, in state footy. I know a lot of people don't recognise it but I do," delighted Hopwood said before SA's final training session at AAMI Stadium last night.
"Even if I was injured, I'd still try to play . . . yeah, I'd tell lies (to play). I'm a New South Welshman but I've been here 10 years now so that qualifies me for citizenship, I reckon."
Hopwood said the responsibility of leading the state's most talented group of footballers outside the AFL would not change his hard-nutted style.
"I've missed out on the AFL so this is the next best thing for me," he said. "I got the job obviously because they like the way I do things so I'll keep giving the same . . . be hard at the footy and be honest, then you don't die wondering."
Wintle, listed with Adelaide in 1999, is certain to start on one wing on the compact TEAC Oval in his second interstate outing. "He was an excellent captain in very hard times (at North)," said Hart, the Roosters' coach from 2001-03. "It would have been very easy to select Damian (Squire) but two other boys get a chance now and hopefully they'll be winning captains like he was."
The VFL is waiting on fitness reports on several players and will name its 22 tonight.
