CrowMagnum
All Australian
Pecker' Crows a good fit
CHRIS McDERMOTT
January 28, 2007 12:15am
"With former Crows' recruiting guru James Fantasia (ironically an ex-Woodville Pecker himself) now in control of the future direction and development of the SANFL, fixing the current issues facing the competition must be his No.1 priority. Without doubt the biggest problem that needs immediate attention is the nine-team competition and the scheduling nightmares it presents.
The fix is simple, but the solution continually falls on deaf ears.
Woodville now looms as the saviour. Without doubt, the merger between the Peckers and West Torrens has been a great success story.
It was the right move for the time, but it's time to turn back the clock.
The Eagles should return to thebarton under the old West Torrens banner and of course don that magnificent jumper with the Eagle on front.
With their new gaming facility up and flying their financial future is secure.
But it's Woodville which provides the SANFL with its greatest benefit. Unfortunately it will be at the expense of its old nickname "the Peckers".
The Woodville "Crows" must become the 10th team in the SANFL.
The time has come for the Adelaide Crows to have a second team in the local comp.
It works well for Melbourne-based AFL clubs in the VFL.
It will be a huge success in many ways here in SA.
THE benefits are many, the transition is simple – and the downside is minimal, almost negligible.
It keeps the Crows' players under the one regime all the time. no longer splitting their energy between the AFL club and their SANFL team
One club, one system, one voice.
After all they are Crows players, on loan to the local clubs.
Many SANFL coaches would agree as good as it is to have quality AFL players in their team it does cause problems at finals time.
An unhealthy reliance on that group can be costly.
It definately did Glenelg no favours in 2006.
Mark Mickan is now preparing his team without relying on the luxury of his AFL-based players.
It is the right move. Surely our local clubs are better off without them.
While aligning Crows players to Woodville, the Power and the Magpies must merge at Alberton.
That transition will be even easier. Opotunities will arise at the new Woodville for players looking for a fresh start. The new-look Woodville Crows must fill their playing squad with local talent.
It must have enough numbers to fill a league and reserves team. the under-17s and under-19s can follow in time.
Woodville Oval would be the new home. all facilities including the social club are in place.
Adelaide Football Club could run the admin from its West Lakes HQ. If the benefits for the Crows are great, they are even greater for the SANFL.
Kids would have a greater affiliation and knowledge of the local comp
A Crows' team in the local comp would attract fantastic crowds – 5000 a minimum, you'd think.
WITH a round of local footy often drawing crowds of under 10 000 to the four games thats a massive improvement.
Not to mention the increase in attendances to magpies matches.
This is not a new suggestion, but it continually gets fobbed off as a nonsense.
The SANFL is not the best competition it can be at the moment.
Uneven programming is a major issue. A 10-team comp means an even 18-round season. Each team plays the other twice, while the final five remains.
The season takes just 23 weeks to complete, 24 if there's a state game, and just as importantly must start after the AFL season begins and finish before it ends.
The AFL is without question the premier comp in the country, it must take precident over all other leagues.
As I've said, the Crows would also be big winners.
The team could be coached by one of the assistants or better still one of their past greats like Tony McGuinness, a Woodville fan as a youngster – or maybe even Andrew Jarman.
Players would be played in the positions they will fill if and when they suit for the Crows.
Surely the transition for interstate youngsters, especially rookie listed kids would be much easier.
Why won't it happen?
What are the pitfalls? who if any are the losers?
The only issue here is the old theory it ain't broke so don't fix it.
My view is it ain't perfect so do fix it.
The solution is simple and every player wins a prize.
Woodville fans, dust off the duffle coats – and rehearse the club song.
The green and gold stripes could be on their way back!"
I heard Woodville Mick or whatever he calls himself suggest this on 5AA last week to the Boney One , who almost wet himself with excitement at the time. Thought it had some legs at the time and still seems to have some merit in it. Woodville was always everyone's 2nd team and I still remember the shopkeepers wearing Warrior guernseys when Malcolm Blight took them into the finals series in the 80's.
CHRIS McDERMOTT
January 28, 2007 12:15am
"With former Crows' recruiting guru James Fantasia (ironically an ex-Woodville Pecker himself) now in control of the future direction and development of the SANFL, fixing the current issues facing the competition must be his No.1 priority. Without doubt the biggest problem that needs immediate attention is the nine-team competition and the scheduling nightmares it presents.
The fix is simple, but the solution continually falls on deaf ears.
Woodville now looms as the saviour. Without doubt, the merger between the Peckers and West Torrens has been a great success story.
It was the right move for the time, but it's time to turn back the clock.
The Eagles should return to thebarton under the old West Torrens banner and of course don that magnificent jumper with the Eagle on front.
With their new gaming facility up and flying their financial future is secure.
But it's Woodville which provides the SANFL with its greatest benefit. Unfortunately it will be at the expense of its old nickname "the Peckers".
The Woodville "Crows" must become the 10th team in the SANFL.
The time has come for the Adelaide Crows to have a second team in the local comp.
It works well for Melbourne-based AFL clubs in the VFL.
It will be a huge success in many ways here in SA.
THE benefits are many, the transition is simple – and the downside is minimal, almost negligible.
It keeps the Crows' players under the one regime all the time. no longer splitting their energy between the AFL club and their SANFL team
One club, one system, one voice.
After all they are Crows players, on loan to the local clubs.
Many SANFL coaches would agree as good as it is to have quality AFL players in their team it does cause problems at finals time.
An unhealthy reliance on that group can be costly.
It definately did Glenelg no favours in 2006.
Mark Mickan is now preparing his team without relying on the luxury of his AFL-based players.
It is the right move. Surely our local clubs are better off without them.
While aligning Crows players to Woodville, the Power and the Magpies must merge at Alberton.
That transition will be even easier. Opotunities will arise at the new Woodville for players looking for a fresh start. The new-look Woodville Crows must fill their playing squad with local talent.
It must have enough numbers to fill a league and reserves team. the under-17s and under-19s can follow in time.
Woodville Oval would be the new home. all facilities including the social club are in place.
Adelaide Football Club could run the admin from its West Lakes HQ. If the benefits for the Crows are great, they are even greater for the SANFL.
Kids would have a greater affiliation and knowledge of the local comp
A Crows' team in the local comp would attract fantastic crowds – 5000 a minimum, you'd think.
WITH a round of local footy often drawing crowds of under 10 000 to the four games thats a massive improvement.
Not to mention the increase in attendances to magpies matches.
This is not a new suggestion, but it continually gets fobbed off as a nonsense.
The SANFL is not the best competition it can be at the moment.
Uneven programming is a major issue. A 10-team comp means an even 18-round season. Each team plays the other twice, while the final five remains.
The season takes just 23 weeks to complete, 24 if there's a state game, and just as importantly must start after the AFL season begins and finish before it ends.
The AFL is without question the premier comp in the country, it must take precident over all other leagues.
As I've said, the Crows would also be big winners.
The team could be coached by one of the assistants or better still one of their past greats like Tony McGuinness, a Woodville fan as a youngster – or maybe even Andrew Jarman.
Players would be played in the positions they will fill if and when they suit for the Crows.
Surely the transition for interstate youngsters, especially rookie listed kids would be much easier.
Why won't it happen?
What are the pitfalls? who if any are the losers?
The only issue here is the old theory it ain't broke so don't fix it.
My view is it ain't perfect so do fix it.
The solution is simple and every player wins a prize.
Woodville fans, dust off the duffle coats – and rehearse the club song.
The green and gold stripes could be on their way back!"
I heard Woodville Mick or whatever he calls himself suggest this on 5AA last week to the Boney One , who almost wet himself with excitement at the time. Thought it had some legs at the time and still seems to have some merit in it. Woodville was always everyone's 2nd team and I still remember the shopkeepers wearing Warrior guernseys when Malcolm Blight took them into the finals series in the 80's.
