HFL Division 1 (Central)

[stretch]

I guess as always when there's not much talk most assume the worst. I certainly think Ironbank will be in the mix again, most of the side is made up of young players that will only improve, which will hold them in good stead under the guidance of Gaz Campbell.

[Bat Pad]

Can anyone shed any light on why Ironbank's fortunes are apparently so dismall for '09? My understanding is that they have lost Muffy, who only played around half the games last year, Exelby who was looking a bit past it last year and that big bloke with the terrible metro mullet who retired (his name escapes me). Have they lost anyone else of note? I thought IB had/have a talented young squad who are only going to get better this year and also have a solid pool of talented senior colts coming through. I would think that would be an exciting situation for IB but apparently not many others think so.

Lost a fair few players according to the HFL website. Kock is another departure. Plus they weren't exactly brilliant last year. Also a couple of those talented senior colts have moved on to other clubs. e.g. Pope. All in all 13 out, 8 in. None of those eight are from clubs above div 3 bar one from Goodwood Saints. Not to say i know they won't be good players, but i have no reason to assume they would be. They are my reasons for not liking their chances. Time will tell. Big ask for them this weekend.

[2jox]

Can anyone shed any light on why Ironbank's fortunes are apparently so dismall for '09? My understanding is that they have lost Muffy, who only played around half the games last year, Exelby who was looking a bit past it last year and that big bloke with the terrible metro mullet who retired (his name escapes me). Have they lost anyone else of note? I thought IB had/have a talented young squad who are only going to get better this year and also have a solid pool of talented senior colts coming through. I would think that would be an exciting situation for IB but apparently not many others think so.

Lost a fair few players according to the HFL website. Kock is another departure. Plus they weren't exactly brilliant last year. Also a couple of those talented senior colts have moved on to other clubs. e.g. Pope. All in all 13 out, 8 in. None of those eight are from clubs above div 3 bar one from Goodwood Saints. Not to say i know they won't be good players, but i have no reason to assume they would be. They are my reasons for not liking their chances. Time will tell. Big ask for them this weekend.

I assume you can name those 13 outs and 8 ins then? i'd be impressed.

[2jox]

and who is the goodwood saints player?

[Banker]

yep we've heard your same thoughts all summer batpad...

So thats 1 senior colt and 13 senior players gone, how many A graders in that? Considering Smithy, Muffy and Billings hardly played, Ex was often injured...

Anyway, Im not saying were going to be a genuine premiership threat, but we will again scare the shiet out of some who are (eg last year- Handorf @ Handorf, Blackwood @ BW, almost lofty @ home)

[Bat Pad]

Can anyone shed any light on why Ironbank's fortunes are apparently so dismall for '09? My understanding is that they have lost Muffy, who only played around half the games last year, Exelby who was looking a bit past it last year and that big bloke with the terrible metro mullet who retired (his name escapes me). Have they lost anyone else of note? I thought IB had/have a talented young squad who are only going to get better this year and also have a solid pool of talented senior colts coming through. I would think that would be an exciting situation for IB but apparently not many others think so.

Lost a fair few players according to the HFL website. Kock is another departure. Plus they weren't exactly brilliant last year. Also a couple of those talented senior colts have moved on to other clubs. e.g. Pope. All in all 13 out, 8 in. None of those eight are from clubs above div 3 bar one from Goodwood Saints. Not to say i know they won't be good players, but i have no reason to assume they would be. They are my reasons for not liking their chances. Time will tell. Big ask for them this weekend.

I assume you can name those 13 outs and 8 ins then? i'd be impressed.

Clearences on the HFL site.

[BRaG]

Kock will be a big loss for Ironbank, underrated player for mine.

Where has he gone?

[Bat Pad]

Kock will be a big loss for Ironbank, underrated player for mine.

Where has he gone?

Think it said Payneham on the site.

[footy_pie]

Kock will be a big loss for Ironbank, underrated player for mine.

Where has he gone?

Think it said Payneham on the site.

Yep have seen him at Payneham, looks reasonable.

[The Crumber]

In the Country Div thread it is said that at a HFL meeting last week, 4 clubs were struggling to field 2 senior teams. One was Onkas, the other 3 Meadows, Maccy and Callington. Now whether that is true or not I couldn't say.

Only one side for Callington, but I don't think they're telling!

[dukes]

Season starts saturday guys, I think the Lofty and blackwood game will be a cracker, how will Lofty go without Cutting, will J mac and Matt Penny Cover him??? and what will blackwood bring to the table this year, will jordan wood have an impact??? intersting to see so get out to Subway Stadium I rekon it will be a corker!

Cutting is a big loss no doubt... the reason lofty keep rising above the rest is their depth... Mcdonalds onfield brilliance will be able to match that with cutts..he will be a big asset to their title defense this year...none the less leadership was a huge asset to cutts' game and will be greatly missed.however.. pipes stapleton will do a great job assuming the role of captain... penny has been showing great signs in the trial matches and with his goal sense will inevitably damage a few teams up forward this year. .. looking forward to the season opener

[Inside 50]

Can any of the Lofty blokes confirm the early season form of young David "Turtle" Bennett. I have heard that he has been dominant on the track and in the trial games. He wins the hard ball and really goes when its his turn. Is there any chance of him pinch hitting in the Ruck at some stage, because a reliable source said he has been jumping all over the bean pole ruckman out at training? Go the Turtle.

[dangermouse]

I think it is as hard to pick the order of the bottom five as it is the top five this year. IMO any one of Lofty, Hahndorf, Uraidla or Blackwood could finish top and any of Lobey, Bridgy, Ironbank, Mt Barker or Birdwood could finish bottom. That is a great situation for the HFL to be in, and this year much more so that previous years, the wooden spoon is gauranteed to be 'won' by a reasonable side!

I'll have a go, I think the year will pan out:
Mt Lofty
Uraidla
Hahndorf
Blackwood
Onka Valley

Ironbank
Mt Barker
Birdwood
Bridgewater
Lobethal

And I think % will separate 5th from 8th and 1st from 3rd. And also 20goal thumpings will be rare (fingers crossed!).

[bazzw]

Can confirm that Turtle has been burning up the training track after a season ending knee injury last year. Has been the class performer on the track and is looking a real picture of fitness after a strong pre-season. Will start in the B's, but I reckon he could be a bolter for A Grade selection early in the season, a 100% fit Bennett can easily turn the game in the space of a quarter!

[dukes]

Can confirm that Turtle has been burning up the training track after a season ending knee injury last year. Has been the class performer on the track and is looking a real picture of fitness after a strong pre-season. Will start in the B's, but I reckon he could be a bolter for A Grade selection early in the season, a 100% fit Bennett can easily turn the game in the space of a quarter!

Can also confirm that turtle has been tearing the training track a new one... put in a silvagni like performance down back in saturdays trial.. if this guys mental toughness stays as strong as his punch out of defense... watch out HFL

[2words]

Can confirm that Turtle has been burning up the training track after a season ending knee injury last year. Has been the class performer on the track and is looking a real picture of fitness after a strong pre-season. Will start in the B's, but I reckon he could be a bolter for A Grade selection early in the season, a 100% fit Bennett can easily turn the game in the space of a quarter!

Can also confirm that turtle has been tearing the training track a new one... put in a silvagni like performance down back in saturdays trial.. if this guys mental toughness stays as strong as his punch out of defense... watch out HFL

I concur

[ohh i dunno]

Can confirm that Turtle has been burning up the training track after a season ending knee injury last year. Has been the class performer on the track and is looking a real picture of fitness after a strong pre-season. Will start in the B's, but I reckon he could be a bolter for A Grade selection early in the season, a 100% fit Bennett can easily turn the game in the space of a quarter!

Can also confirm that turtle has been tearing the training track a new one... put in a silvagni like performance down back in saturdays trial.. if this guys mental toughness stays as strong as his punch out of defense... watch out HFL

I concur

Ill second that motion.

[The_Special_One]

Did Onkas not get thumped by the team Ironbank convincingly downed on the weekend???

[travelling light]

I think your correct there TSO, but you cant take too much from trial games when you play with 25 men and probably more that were not playing. Round 1 will be interesting for Ironbank, Bridgewater and Birdwood too see where they stand in a strong competition.

Good luck too all

[comeon]

tso the scores onkas 15-18 to port noarlunga 10-8 over six quaters onkas had missing klun j.smith s.tanner p.tanner and three new players lets get in to round one and then we will have a better idea if onkas will shit good luck to all this weekend