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Hi Footy fans…
There’s light on the horizon! Its almost back!
Now begins the seven-day countdown to the 2009 South Australian National Football League “Be-Active” Premiership Season. Once more the question is put before eight of the nine clubs… who can stop the rampaging Bulldogs? Central District won its seventh league title from the past nine Grand Finals, could they possibly bag number eight and write a new record into the SANFL history books? An 80% success rate for a single decade… well there’s 28 weeks for history to be made. But for now… welcome to the pre-season thread for SANFL 2009!
INS & OUTS
Central District
The Bulldogs march of success continued last year with their six-goal victory against Glenelg in the 2008 Grand Final, most of that team remaining with the club into 2009. Long serving retirees include three-time premiership players Luke Cowan and Elijah Ware, five-timer Nathan Steinberner, as well as two-time heros Luke McCabe and Jeremy Aufderheide. The Gowans brothers aren’t going anywhere, to the dismay of many opposition supporters, as is many of the young brigade that starred in last year’s decider. Eddie Sansbury returns to the Dog-pound after a 2008 VFL Premiership with North Ballarat, Ryan Williams is now a full-time Bulldog and Crows rookie Ricky Henderson comes in from the mini-draft.
INS: Eddie Sansbury (North Ballarat/North Melbourne), Kyle Jenner (Port Magpies), Justin Hardy (Tasmania VFL), Luke Habel (Riverina), Mitchell Frail (NSW/ACT Rams), Ryan Williams (Port Adelaide), Ricky Henderson (Crows listed).
OUTS: Jeremy Aufderheide, Luke Cowan, Cameron Faulkner, Luke McCabe, Nathan Steinberner, Elijah Ware (all retired), Daniel Boyle (Victoria), Earl Shaw (NSW), Charles Slattery (Victoria), Brodie Hudson (Gepps Cross).
Glenelg
The Tigers fell at the final hurdle after such a promising 2008 season, the premiership drought that started in 1986 continuing for yet another year. Coach Mark Mickan may have a headache on his hands for this year though with a few big names leaving Brighton Road, the most notable departures being Paul Sherwood, Matthew Bode and Sam Rudolph. Ben Mules will again lead, the club retaining the services of Brett Backwell and Ben Kane. The Tigers have netted two AFL rookies through the mini-draft, Port Adelaide’s Danny Meyer and Adelaide’s Brian Donnelly. In another boost to the club, major sponsor Gliderol has entered into an agreement with the club over ground naming rights, with Glenelg Oval now known as Gliderol Stadium for the next 10 years.
INS: Alex Grima (Hawthorn), Wayde Mills (Brisbane), Brian Donnelly (Crows listed), Danny Meyer (Power listed), Craig Smith (unknown at time of post).
OUTS: Paul Sherwood, Matthew Bode (retired), Matt Graham, Sam Rudolph, Jack Horan (overseas), Scott Lewis (country).
Sturt
May big names have left the team that reached the Preliminary Final last year, coach Rick Macgowan answering the call of his former Central District coach Alastair Clarkson to join him at Hawthorn in an assistant coaching role. But it doesn’t stop there. Ian Perrie, Simon Feast, Andrew Whiteman… the list goes on! Retirements, AFL drafting, SANFL transfers… the Double Blues have been hit pretty hard with several big name players moving out of Unley. All is not completely lost though, Luke Norman comes in to fill the coach’s chair and Luke Button returns from the River Murray league’s Ramblers, where he earned himself a spot in the SA Country team. Also coming to Oxford Terrace is Matthew Payne, originally from Victoria but made a name for himself in the QLD league with the Zillmere Eagles and was chased by other SANFL and WAFL clubs. Crows rookie Tom Lee comes in through the mini-draft.
INS: Luke Button (RMFL), Matthew Payne (Zillmere QLD), Jake Myles (QLD), Jace Bode (Melbourne), Tim McIntyre (Corowa-Rutherglen O&MFL), Brad Vassal (Norwood), James Wilsen (North Melbourne), Jake Bowen (returning), Tom Lee (Crows listed).
OUTS: Ian Perrie, Simon Feast, Andrew Whiteman, Daniel Wicks (retired), Adam Thomson (Richmond), Fabian Deluca (Port Melbourne), Greg Bentley (Carlton), Ben Eckermann (travel), Darren Gregory (interstate work), Joel Fitzgerald (Port Magpies), Alex Kinal (West Adelaide), Marc Borholm (West Adelaide), Paul Cahill (St. Kilda).
Norwood
One positive from last year was the Redlegs’ appearance in the finals after a five year absence, finishing fourth after succumbing to Sturt in the 1st Semi-Final. Much like the Blues, Norwood having an exodus of players as well. Retirements and departures of several key players would have been an issue had it not been for the confirmed full-time commitment of three former Adelaide Crows players. Bryce Campbell, Kris Massie and Luke Jericho all come in to bolster the clubs’ senior list and the love affair between the Redlegs and the Sydney Swans continues with multi-tasker Dean Terlich arriving at The Parade. Kieran McGuinness returns to Norwood from his overseas break and former AFL players Andrew Lee and Gavin Hughes are among the new recruits.
INS: Dean Terlich (Sydney), Kieran McGuinness (returning), Andrew Lee (Essendon), Gavin Hughes (Western Bulldogs), Ben Gunning (SAAFL), Roland AhChee (Alice Springs), Brady Dawe (Meadows), Nigel James (Tumby Bay), Bryce Campbell, Kris Massie, Luke Jericho (Adelaide).
OUTS: Matthew Bartemucci, Stuart Bown, Matthew Brunoli, Heath Culpitt, Matthew Dawes (retired), Adam Cockshell (South Adelaide), Brad DeVries (Bridgewater), Brad Vassal (Sturt), Chad Gibson (Canberra), Luke McLean, Ryan Holm, Andrew Kirwan, Stephen Pollock (amatuers), Ed McDonnell (QLD), Ben Speight (North Melbourne), Ryan Schoenmakers (Hawthorn), Robert DeJongh (West Adelaide).
Port Adelaide Magpies
10 seasons and counting… that’s how many years it has been since the Magpies have been in a Grand Final and how many years since its last premiership flag. Coach Tim Ginever steered the black and whites only as far as fifth last year, belted by arch-rivals the Redlegs in the Elimination Final. There has been minimal loss of manpower, but will miss men like Mark Clayton, Tom Carr and Danny Hargraves. The Magpies didn’t pick up any kids from the Power or the Crows in the mini-draft, but did get back a former Magpie in Issac Weetra from the Melbourne Demons. Also arriving at Alberton Oval is Jarrod Young and Jordan Barham from the VFL and Joel Fitzgerald transfers in from Sturt.
INS: Jordan Barham (Werribee), Issac Weetra (Melbourne), Jarrod Young (Werribee), Gareth Bowes (Gisbourne), Matthew Beckmans (Wagga), Joel Fitzgerald (Sturt).
OUTS: Mark Clayton, Tom Carr, Daniel Hargraves (retired), Shayne Biacsi (country).
Woodville-West Torrens
The Eagles dropped off in 2008 and as a result, their poor form brought the 2006 premiers down from regular finals contender to sixth, missing out on finals football by a couple of points after a final round capitulation to the Magpies. Transfers, retirements and delistings make way for several inclusions from other SANFL clubs as well as amateur and country clubs. The biggest signing is that of Ken McGregor from the Adelaide Crows, he returns to Oval Avenue full time. But the list of departures may well outweigh the intake. Gavin Colville and several other players are off to the amateur league, while Ben Schwarze heads off to the Roosters.
INS: Ken McGregor (Crows), Jay Cheep (Geelong VFL), Joel Cullen (Henley), Todd Miles (Mintaro Manoora), David Westbrook (returning), Adam Pepe (Port Magpies),
Ben Sanford (South Clare), Duane Schultz (North Adelaide).
OUTS: Gavin Colville, Jake Pavlich, James Stewart, Denis Redden, Jonathan Lee (Henley), Ben Schwarze (North Adelaide), Chris Hall (Fremantle), Christian Bock (Essendon), Tom Couch (training with Glenelg), Daniel Roberts (Hahndorf), Adam Klun (Onkaparinga), Craig Gogoll, Nick Malinovski (delisted).
North Adelaide
Well it all came crashing down hard for the Roosters in 2008, from runner up in 2007 to seventh last year and then out goes Andrew Jarman who has gone to the WAFL. In comes former Central District premiership captain Daniel Healy to fill that spot and one of his best signings to date is Ben Schwarze who comes in from Woodville-West Torrens. The loss of key personnel may hurt a little, with Darryl Wintle, Chris Ladhams, and Daniel Ebert among those leaving the club for retirement and Luke Ivens is taking a break. Shannon Motlop has returned to the Top End, probably to join the Northern Territory for their foray into Queensland. Luke McEntee returns to the Roosters after a stint at Hawthorn, Damon White from the Power and via the mini-draft comes Crows junior recruit Rory Sloane.
INS: Ben Schwarze (Woodville-W.T.) Djaran Whyman (Moama FC), Damon White (Port Adelaide), Cain Ackland (Carlton), Luke McEntee (Hawthorn), Rory Sloane (Crows listed).
OUTS: Darryl Wintle, Daniel Ebert, Matthew Krieg, Chris Ladhams (retired), Luke Ivens (overseas), Rhys O’Keefe (Carlton), Shannon Motlop (Northern Territory), Daniel Ward (Victoria), Cameron Staples (West Adelaide), Dean Christie (West Adelaide).
South Adelaide
Again the Panthers didn’t deliver last year. In this decade from 2000 - 2008, South have finished inside the final five once for a fourth placed finish in 2006. It has been either sixth, seventh or eighth for the rest of that timeframe, just managing to stay out of reach of the wooden spoon. Could this year see them at least back in finals contention? With only three departures, Clay Sampson now a fully commissioned coach and some dipping into Victoria and other SANFL clubs could help that along. Mark Bradley comes back from the VFL and former Redleg and Power player Adam Cockshell heads down south as well. Two AFL-listed rookies come in too, Crows youngster Shaun McKernan and Power recruit Jordan Johns. Former Carlton player Ian Prendergast is among the departures.
INS: Mark Bradley (Casey Scorpions VFL), Adam Cockshell (Port Adelaide/Norwood), Simon Dean (West Adelaide), Michael Gugliotta (Nightcliff NTFL), Jak Kennedy-Hunt (Werribee VFL/Geelong Falcons), Nathan Lyons (Williamstown VFL), Nick McKenna (Burnie TAS), Lee Schmidt (Corowa-Rutherglen), Shaun McKernan (Crows listed), Jordan Johns (Power listed).
OUTS: Ian Prendergast (Victoria), Travis Baird, Dale Ellis (delisted).
West Adelaide
Not even a new coach could stop the Blood and Tars from their fourth consecutive wooden spoon and once more the club was subjected to a massive cleanout. Some retiring players helped make the job in front of Andrew Collins far easier… Nathan Brown, Murray Hamblin, Luke Donaldson, Simon McCormick were among those that hung up the boots. Collins has embarked on a big recruiting campaign, one that saw the Bloods gain the services of St. Kilda’s Shane Birss and the transfer of Robert DeJongh from Norwood. More VFL players have made their way to Richmond, as well as several men from other SANFL clubs. In the AFL-listed department, Chris Schmidt joins Westies from Brisbane through the Crows and selections from the mini-draft include two Power recruits in Jason Davenport and Jesse Laurie. In other WAFC happenings, the Bloods’ home ground will now be known as City Mazda Stadium in a new naming rights agreement.
INS: Robert DeJongh (Norwood), Shane Birss (St. Kilda), Fortunato Caruso (Coburg VFL), Tom Langford (Tasmania VFL), Ryan Willits (Port Adelaide), Chris Schmidt (Brisbane/Adelaide listed), Bronik Davis (Northern Bullants VFL), Jason Davenport (Geelong VFL/Power listed), Jessie Laurie (Claremont WAFL/Power listed), Myles Krakouer (Frankston VFL), Marc Borholm (Sturt), Alex Kinal (Sturt), Cameron Staples (North Adelaide), Braydn Fisher (returning), Wade Champion (returning), Dean Christie (North Adelaide), Ryan Richter (Broadview).
OUTS: Nathan Brown, Lenny Clark, Marc Dragicevic, Shane Neaves (Victoria), Murray Hamblin, Luke Donaldson, Peter Walsh, Ben Hollands, Simon McCormick, Leigh Gathercole (Retired), Caolon Buckley (South-East), Alex Hutchins (Perth), Daniel Proud (Local), James VanderHaak, Rick Giles (amatuers), Tyson Slattery (Essendon), Rhys Stanley (St Kilda).
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Coopers Stadium will light up on Friday March 27 to kick things off for 2009, with the Redlegs to play the Magpies in the first game in the best of three series for the Williams-Gallagher Cup, the other two games in Rounds 12 and 20. The Tigers will play their first home match in twilight, against the Double Blues on Saturday March 28. In the night match department, in addition to the Round 1 fixture the Redlegs will host another four Friday night games. North Adelaide will feature in two of those nights in Rounds 4 and 21, as well as Glenelg (R-8) and Sturt (R-9). Hamra Homes Oval has just three Saturday night games; against the Eagles in the opening round for 2009, the draw-card match against Port in Round 8 and the Blues in Round 22.
Adelaide Oval will have four matches in the first half of the season, the first being the Anzac Day Grand Final Re-match between Central and Glenelg on Saturday April 25, and then two Friday night matches in Rounds 6 (Port vs. Sturt) and 12 (Sturt vs. Glenelg). Two country games have been scheduled, this year South Adelaide will again take a Saturday afternoon home match to the Encounter Bay Oval to play Norwood in Round 3, followed by West Adelaide’s trek to Waikerie to play Sturt in Round 14. Thebarton Oval will feature once this year, in Round 20 when the Eagles come up against the Panthers. There’ll be some 'theme' rounds this year, among them will be Round 12’s “Rivalry Round” and then Round 21’s “Charity Round” where SA footy-heads are encouraged to give generously to the highlighted organization of the weekend. Last year’s donations topped $10,000 to the Starlight Foundation. The Queen’s Birthday holiday during Round 10 on Monday June 8 will now host two games, Glenelg vs. Port at Gliderol Stadium and Sturt vs. Central at House Brothers Oval. This year will also see the beginning of the new Under-18’s division, the previous under-age format of U-19’s and U-17’s has been scrapped in favour of matching the U-18 divisions utilised by the VFL TAC Cup and WAFL colts competitions.
STATE LEAGUE & FINALS FOOTY
The SANFL West End State Team heads west this year as they take on the best that the Western Australian Football League has to offer. It’s the Croweaters against the Sandgropers on Saturday May 23, the venue has yet to be finalised. For the finals series of 2009, despite the Western grandstand renovations getting the go-ahead, the first three weeks of the 2009 Finals Series will be held at the Adelaide Oval. As always though, the SANFL Grand Final will be at the home of SA football in AAMI Stadium on Sunday October 4.
So… in seven days, you can finally let your fingernails grow back. SANFL Football to re-commence in a week, starting with these matches below!
ROUND 1
Friday March 27
Williams-Gallagher Trophy Match 1
Norwood vs. Port Adelaide; Coopers Stadium @ 7:40pm
Saturday March 28
South Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga @ 2pm
Glenelg vs. Sturt; Gliderol Stadium, Glenelg @ 4:30pm
Central District vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Hamra Homes Oval, Elizabeth @ 6:30pm
Sorry North Adelaide peeps… you’re waiting for one more week. Hey… stop biting them!
So until next weekend… see you at the Footy!
There’s light on the horizon! Its almost back!
Now begins the seven-day countdown to the 2009 South Australian National Football League “Be-Active” Premiership Season. Once more the question is put before eight of the nine clubs… who can stop the rampaging Bulldogs? Central District won its seventh league title from the past nine Grand Finals, could they possibly bag number eight and write a new record into the SANFL history books? An 80% success rate for a single decade… well there’s 28 weeks for history to be made. But for now… welcome to the pre-season thread for SANFL 2009!
INS & OUTS
Central District
The Bulldogs march of success continued last year with their six-goal victory against Glenelg in the 2008 Grand Final, most of that team remaining with the club into 2009. Long serving retirees include three-time premiership players Luke Cowan and Elijah Ware, five-timer Nathan Steinberner, as well as two-time heros Luke McCabe and Jeremy Aufderheide. The Gowans brothers aren’t going anywhere, to the dismay of many opposition supporters, as is many of the young brigade that starred in last year’s decider. Eddie Sansbury returns to the Dog-pound after a 2008 VFL Premiership with North Ballarat, Ryan Williams is now a full-time Bulldog and Crows rookie Ricky Henderson comes in from the mini-draft.
INS: Eddie Sansbury (North Ballarat/North Melbourne), Kyle Jenner (Port Magpies), Justin Hardy (Tasmania VFL), Luke Habel (Riverina), Mitchell Frail (NSW/ACT Rams), Ryan Williams (Port Adelaide), Ricky Henderson (Crows listed).
OUTS: Jeremy Aufderheide, Luke Cowan, Cameron Faulkner, Luke McCabe, Nathan Steinberner, Elijah Ware (all retired), Daniel Boyle (Victoria), Earl Shaw (NSW), Charles Slattery (Victoria), Brodie Hudson (Gepps Cross).
Glenelg
The Tigers fell at the final hurdle after such a promising 2008 season, the premiership drought that started in 1986 continuing for yet another year. Coach Mark Mickan may have a headache on his hands for this year though with a few big names leaving Brighton Road, the most notable departures being Paul Sherwood, Matthew Bode and Sam Rudolph. Ben Mules will again lead, the club retaining the services of Brett Backwell and Ben Kane. The Tigers have netted two AFL rookies through the mini-draft, Port Adelaide’s Danny Meyer and Adelaide’s Brian Donnelly. In another boost to the club, major sponsor Gliderol has entered into an agreement with the club over ground naming rights, with Glenelg Oval now known as Gliderol Stadium for the next 10 years.
INS: Alex Grima (Hawthorn), Wayde Mills (Brisbane), Brian Donnelly (Crows listed), Danny Meyer (Power listed), Craig Smith (unknown at time of post).
OUTS: Paul Sherwood, Matthew Bode (retired), Matt Graham, Sam Rudolph, Jack Horan (overseas), Scott Lewis (country).
Sturt
May big names have left the team that reached the Preliminary Final last year, coach Rick Macgowan answering the call of his former Central District coach Alastair Clarkson to join him at Hawthorn in an assistant coaching role. But it doesn’t stop there. Ian Perrie, Simon Feast, Andrew Whiteman… the list goes on! Retirements, AFL drafting, SANFL transfers… the Double Blues have been hit pretty hard with several big name players moving out of Unley. All is not completely lost though, Luke Norman comes in to fill the coach’s chair and Luke Button returns from the River Murray league’s Ramblers, where he earned himself a spot in the SA Country team. Also coming to Oxford Terrace is Matthew Payne, originally from Victoria but made a name for himself in the QLD league with the Zillmere Eagles and was chased by other SANFL and WAFL clubs. Crows rookie Tom Lee comes in through the mini-draft.
INS: Luke Button (RMFL), Matthew Payne (Zillmere QLD), Jake Myles (QLD), Jace Bode (Melbourne), Tim McIntyre (Corowa-Rutherglen O&MFL), Brad Vassal (Norwood), James Wilsen (North Melbourne), Jake Bowen (returning), Tom Lee (Crows listed).
OUTS: Ian Perrie, Simon Feast, Andrew Whiteman, Daniel Wicks (retired), Adam Thomson (Richmond), Fabian Deluca (Port Melbourne), Greg Bentley (Carlton), Ben Eckermann (travel), Darren Gregory (interstate work), Joel Fitzgerald (Port Magpies), Alex Kinal (West Adelaide), Marc Borholm (West Adelaide), Paul Cahill (St. Kilda).
Norwood
One positive from last year was the Redlegs’ appearance in the finals after a five year absence, finishing fourth after succumbing to Sturt in the 1st Semi-Final. Much like the Blues, Norwood having an exodus of players as well. Retirements and departures of several key players would have been an issue had it not been for the confirmed full-time commitment of three former Adelaide Crows players. Bryce Campbell, Kris Massie and Luke Jericho all come in to bolster the clubs’ senior list and the love affair between the Redlegs and the Sydney Swans continues with multi-tasker Dean Terlich arriving at The Parade. Kieran McGuinness returns to Norwood from his overseas break and former AFL players Andrew Lee and Gavin Hughes are among the new recruits.
INS: Dean Terlich (Sydney), Kieran McGuinness (returning), Andrew Lee (Essendon), Gavin Hughes (Western Bulldogs), Ben Gunning (SAAFL), Roland AhChee (Alice Springs), Brady Dawe (Meadows), Nigel James (Tumby Bay), Bryce Campbell, Kris Massie, Luke Jericho (Adelaide).
OUTS: Matthew Bartemucci, Stuart Bown, Matthew Brunoli, Heath Culpitt, Matthew Dawes (retired), Adam Cockshell (South Adelaide), Brad DeVries (Bridgewater), Brad Vassal (Sturt), Chad Gibson (Canberra), Luke McLean, Ryan Holm, Andrew Kirwan, Stephen Pollock (amatuers), Ed McDonnell (QLD), Ben Speight (North Melbourne), Ryan Schoenmakers (Hawthorn), Robert DeJongh (West Adelaide).
Port Adelaide Magpies
10 seasons and counting… that’s how many years it has been since the Magpies have been in a Grand Final and how many years since its last premiership flag. Coach Tim Ginever steered the black and whites only as far as fifth last year, belted by arch-rivals the Redlegs in the Elimination Final. There has been minimal loss of manpower, but will miss men like Mark Clayton, Tom Carr and Danny Hargraves. The Magpies didn’t pick up any kids from the Power or the Crows in the mini-draft, but did get back a former Magpie in Issac Weetra from the Melbourne Demons. Also arriving at Alberton Oval is Jarrod Young and Jordan Barham from the VFL and Joel Fitzgerald transfers in from Sturt.
INS: Jordan Barham (Werribee), Issac Weetra (Melbourne), Jarrod Young (Werribee), Gareth Bowes (Gisbourne), Matthew Beckmans (Wagga), Joel Fitzgerald (Sturt).
OUTS: Mark Clayton, Tom Carr, Daniel Hargraves (retired), Shayne Biacsi (country).
Woodville-West Torrens
The Eagles dropped off in 2008 and as a result, their poor form brought the 2006 premiers down from regular finals contender to sixth, missing out on finals football by a couple of points after a final round capitulation to the Magpies. Transfers, retirements and delistings make way for several inclusions from other SANFL clubs as well as amateur and country clubs. The biggest signing is that of Ken McGregor from the Adelaide Crows, he returns to Oval Avenue full time. But the list of departures may well outweigh the intake. Gavin Colville and several other players are off to the amateur league, while Ben Schwarze heads off to the Roosters.
INS: Ken McGregor (Crows), Jay Cheep (Geelong VFL), Joel Cullen (Henley), Todd Miles (Mintaro Manoora), David Westbrook (returning), Adam Pepe (Port Magpies),
Ben Sanford (South Clare), Duane Schultz (North Adelaide).
OUTS: Gavin Colville, Jake Pavlich, James Stewart, Denis Redden, Jonathan Lee (Henley), Ben Schwarze (North Adelaide), Chris Hall (Fremantle), Christian Bock (Essendon), Tom Couch (training with Glenelg), Daniel Roberts (Hahndorf), Adam Klun (Onkaparinga), Craig Gogoll, Nick Malinovski (delisted).
North Adelaide
Well it all came crashing down hard for the Roosters in 2008, from runner up in 2007 to seventh last year and then out goes Andrew Jarman who has gone to the WAFL. In comes former Central District premiership captain Daniel Healy to fill that spot and one of his best signings to date is Ben Schwarze who comes in from Woodville-West Torrens. The loss of key personnel may hurt a little, with Darryl Wintle, Chris Ladhams, and Daniel Ebert among those leaving the club for retirement and Luke Ivens is taking a break. Shannon Motlop has returned to the Top End, probably to join the Northern Territory for their foray into Queensland. Luke McEntee returns to the Roosters after a stint at Hawthorn, Damon White from the Power and via the mini-draft comes Crows junior recruit Rory Sloane.
INS: Ben Schwarze (Woodville-W.T.) Djaran Whyman (Moama FC), Damon White (Port Adelaide), Cain Ackland (Carlton), Luke McEntee (Hawthorn), Rory Sloane (Crows listed).
OUTS: Darryl Wintle, Daniel Ebert, Matthew Krieg, Chris Ladhams (retired), Luke Ivens (overseas), Rhys O’Keefe (Carlton), Shannon Motlop (Northern Territory), Daniel Ward (Victoria), Cameron Staples (West Adelaide), Dean Christie (West Adelaide).
South Adelaide
Again the Panthers didn’t deliver last year. In this decade from 2000 - 2008, South have finished inside the final five once for a fourth placed finish in 2006. It has been either sixth, seventh or eighth for the rest of that timeframe, just managing to stay out of reach of the wooden spoon. Could this year see them at least back in finals contention? With only three departures, Clay Sampson now a fully commissioned coach and some dipping into Victoria and other SANFL clubs could help that along. Mark Bradley comes back from the VFL and former Redleg and Power player Adam Cockshell heads down south as well. Two AFL-listed rookies come in too, Crows youngster Shaun McKernan and Power recruit Jordan Johns. Former Carlton player Ian Prendergast is among the departures.
INS: Mark Bradley (Casey Scorpions VFL), Adam Cockshell (Port Adelaide/Norwood), Simon Dean (West Adelaide), Michael Gugliotta (Nightcliff NTFL), Jak Kennedy-Hunt (Werribee VFL/Geelong Falcons), Nathan Lyons (Williamstown VFL), Nick McKenna (Burnie TAS), Lee Schmidt (Corowa-Rutherglen), Shaun McKernan (Crows listed), Jordan Johns (Power listed).
OUTS: Ian Prendergast (Victoria), Travis Baird, Dale Ellis (delisted).
West Adelaide
Not even a new coach could stop the Blood and Tars from their fourth consecutive wooden spoon and once more the club was subjected to a massive cleanout. Some retiring players helped make the job in front of Andrew Collins far easier… Nathan Brown, Murray Hamblin, Luke Donaldson, Simon McCormick were among those that hung up the boots. Collins has embarked on a big recruiting campaign, one that saw the Bloods gain the services of St. Kilda’s Shane Birss and the transfer of Robert DeJongh from Norwood. More VFL players have made their way to Richmond, as well as several men from other SANFL clubs. In the AFL-listed department, Chris Schmidt joins Westies from Brisbane through the Crows and selections from the mini-draft include two Power recruits in Jason Davenport and Jesse Laurie. In other WAFC happenings, the Bloods’ home ground will now be known as City Mazda Stadium in a new naming rights agreement.
INS: Robert DeJongh (Norwood), Shane Birss (St. Kilda), Fortunato Caruso (Coburg VFL), Tom Langford (Tasmania VFL), Ryan Willits (Port Adelaide), Chris Schmidt (Brisbane/Adelaide listed), Bronik Davis (Northern Bullants VFL), Jason Davenport (Geelong VFL/Power listed), Jessie Laurie (Claremont WAFL/Power listed), Myles Krakouer (Frankston VFL), Marc Borholm (Sturt), Alex Kinal (Sturt), Cameron Staples (North Adelaide), Braydn Fisher (returning), Wade Champion (returning), Dean Christie (North Adelaide), Ryan Richter (Broadview).
OUTS: Nathan Brown, Lenny Clark, Marc Dragicevic, Shane Neaves (Victoria), Murray Hamblin, Luke Donaldson, Peter Walsh, Ben Hollands, Simon McCormick, Leigh Gathercole (Retired), Caolon Buckley (South-East), Alex Hutchins (Perth), Daniel Proud (Local), James VanderHaak, Rick Giles (amatuers), Tyson Slattery (Essendon), Rhys Stanley (St Kilda).
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Coopers Stadium will light up on Friday March 27 to kick things off for 2009, with the Redlegs to play the Magpies in the first game in the best of three series for the Williams-Gallagher Cup, the other two games in Rounds 12 and 20. The Tigers will play their first home match in twilight, against the Double Blues on Saturday March 28. In the night match department, in addition to the Round 1 fixture the Redlegs will host another four Friday night games. North Adelaide will feature in two of those nights in Rounds 4 and 21, as well as Glenelg (R-8) and Sturt (R-9). Hamra Homes Oval has just three Saturday night games; against the Eagles in the opening round for 2009, the draw-card match against Port in Round 8 and the Blues in Round 22.
Adelaide Oval will have four matches in the first half of the season, the first being the Anzac Day Grand Final Re-match between Central and Glenelg on Saturday April 25, and then two Friday night matches in Rounds 6 (Port vs. Sturt) and 12 (Sturt vs. Glenelg). Two country games have been scheduled, this year South Adelaide will again take a Saturday afternoon home match to the Encounter Bay Oval to play Norwood in Round 3, followed by West Adelaide’s trek to Waikerie to play Sturt in Round 14. Thebarton Oval will feature once this year, in Round 20 when the Eagles come up against the Panthers. There’ll be some 'theme' rounds this year, among them will be Round 12’s “Rivalry Round” and then Round 21’s “Charity Round” where SA footy-heads are encouraged to give generously to the highlighted organization of the weekend. Last year’s donations topped $10,000 to the Starlight Foundation. The Queen’s Birthday holiday during Round 10 on Monday June 8 will now host two games, Glenelg vs. Port at Gliderol Stadium and Sturt vs. Central at House Brothers Oval. This year will also see the beginning of the new Under-18’s division, the previous under-age format of U-19’s and U-17’s has been scrapped in favour of matching the U-18 divisions utilised by the VFL TAC Cup and WAFL colts competitions.
STATE LEAGUE & FINALS FOOTY
The SANFL West End State Team heads west this year as they take on the best that the Western Australian Football League has to offer. It’s the Croweaters against the Sandgropers on Saturday May 23, the venue has yet to be finalised. For the finals series of 2009, despite the Western grandstand renovations getting the go-ahead, the first three weeks of the 2009 Finals Series will be held at the Adelaide Oval. As always though, the SANFL Grand Final will be at the home of SA football in AAMI Stadium on Sunday October 4.
So… in seven days, you can finally let your fingernails grow back. SANFL Football to re-commence in a week, starting with these matches below!
ROUND 1
Friday March 27
Williams-Gallagher Trophy Match 1
Norwood vs. Port Adelaide; Coopers Stadium @ 7:40pm
Saturday March 28
South Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga @ 2pm
Glenelg vs. Sturt; Gliderol Stadium, Glenelg @ 4:30pm
Central District vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Hamra Homes Oval, Elizabeth @ 6:30pm
Sorry North Adelaide peeps… you’re waiting for one more week. Hey… stop biting them!
So until next weekend… see you at the Footy!
