HFL Division 1 (Central)

[The Gimp]

Has any one on this forum heard any info about Torrens Valley in country division this year? They have been big spenders in country over the last couple of years. I have also heard that all three James bros will be playing at Kersbrook. This competition seems to be getting stronger each year.

Not sure about TV's recruiting but I've been told by one of their players that they've lost a couple but also gained a couple - should be around the mark again if Gary "blank chequebook" Hughes is still there!!

I've heard Paul James isn't a definite for Kersbrook yet. He's been offered some coin elsewhere and weighing up his options.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Has any one on this forum heard any info about Torrens Valley in country division this year? They have been big spenders in country over the last couple of years. I have also heard that all three James bros will be playing at Kersbrook. This competition seems to be getting stronger each year.

Can't say I've heard too much about the Northern teams FF but I think that you're right in the overall standard of the Country division has improved over the last 6 or 7 years but in all honesty the depth and strength is in the top 6 or 7 sides and then it falls away a bit after them.
Would very much doubt that Roger James will play for Kersbrook given that his knee is so shot. I'll put it down in the files of "I'll believe it when I see it" and even if he somehow manages to get out there, it'll be interesting to see if he can string anymore than 3 or 4 games in a row together.
Looks as though Nairne could be a team to watch for and I don't think that Meadows will quite be as strong this season which will mean another 4th placing is on the cards.

[ROOS]

[quote="Inside 50"][quote="ROOS"]

[GWW]

Haven't seen much discussion about Echunga on here, but presumably they'll be a bit stronger this year. With their new coach's Sturt connection, i believe they've recruited a few fringe SANFL (Sturt) players. Someone might be able to confirm this?

[Inside 50]

Haven't seen much discussion about Echunga on here, but presumably they'll be a bit stronger this year. With their new coach's Sturt connection, i believe they've recruited a few fringe SANFL (Sturt) players. Someone might be able to confirm this?

I follow sturt footy club pretty closely and i havent heard of any1 going to echunga... got any names?

[GWW]

Haven't seen much discussion about Echunga on here, but presumably they'll be a bit stronger this year. With their new coach's Sturt connection, i believe they've recruited a few fringe SANFL (Sturt) players. Someone might be able to confirm this?

I follow sturt footy club pretty closely and i havent heard of any1 going to echunga... got any names?

No sorry, it was only rumours/speculation i'd heard, nothing concrete. I think it would have only been fringe/Reserves players only, but prob nothing in it.

[The Gimp]

Have heard that Jack Kappelle from Gaza was offered BIG coin to go play at Lofty!!! So much for all you Lofty supporters saying that the club doesn't pay big money - they all play for the club. If that were the case, why are they offering big coin this year??

[devilsadvocate]

Gimp

I heard Shane Warne say that he's a good dad (despite being caught on video in a 3some amongst other indescretions). Doesn't mean it's true.

Who is Jack Kapelle anyway? and what do regard as 'big money'?

Big money in my books is $600 aka Trent Ordinary Allen and Sudjai Cant get a Kick.

Doubt the Devs would be forking out that sort of coin.

Interested to know your source though.

[Fitness First]

Met four lofty players at marble bar who confirmed they are playing at Mt Lofty for big coin. They are not far from the $$$ mentioned with Sudjai Cook and Ormond Allan. It doesn't matter in my books if they are being paid big bucks as long as the club can afford it and they are value for money. In years to come when people look back and see lofty won the premiership in 06 they won't remember who was being paid what, but if the club goes downhil after the $$ run out people will remember that.

[The Crumber]

Have heard Callington have had a big clean-out. New coach, new committee. Apparently most of the Murray Bridge area boys from last year are no longer required. Then again, we have heard all this stuff about Callington before and performances still continue at basement level. Heard some interesting things last year about Milang allegedly re-surfacing but met some locals recently who said this wasn't going to happen. Comments about only 6-7 Country Div teams being in the race each year seem valid. A few years ago, the possibility of 3 HFL divisions was mooted and reached high-level discussions. This was poo-pooed at the time but if the subject arose again..........................?

[great dropkick]

ODB ... Don't know about Meadows not being as strong as 2006? May have lost Chad Dawe to Sturt (possibly) and Mensforth due to knee injury but have heard that two Thunderers are likely to move into the squad and with their experience will certainly be a big asset. Ty Maidment also to return from injury and with yet further talent emerging from the senior colts premiership side, I wouldn't pass too early a judgement on the Dogs ... first game against the defending premiers may well tell a tale. DA Jack Kapelle former Birdwood ruckman, spent time at Gaza

[ORDoubleBlues]

ODB ... Don't know about Meadows not being as strong as 2006? May have lost Chad Dawe to Sturt (possibly) and Mensforth due to knee injury but have heard that two Thunderers are likely to move into the squad and with their experience will certainly be a big asset. Ty Maidment also to return from injury and with yet further talent emerging from the senior colts premiership side, I wouldn't pass too early a judgement on the Dogs ... first game against the defending premiers may well tell a tale. DA Jack Kapelle former Birdwood ruckman, spent time at Gaza

That's a fair call GD.
When I said that Meadows wouldn't be as good but still finish fourth, I was referring to the fact that they shouldn't have finished any worse than second in the season just gone. If Kersbrook aren't as good as it may seem, Torrens Valley lose one or two players of significance and Nairne don't come on like I feel they're going to, it's more than likely that Meadows could be up for a GF appearance.
I've heard that rumour as well about Echunga possibly picking up fringe Sturt players and unless guys like Daniel Wicks (just retired and is still only 28 ) or others that were playing league are picked up, I can't see them making much difference as the depth at Sturt was very ordinary last season and even allowing for the fact that Country Division is few rungs down from SANFL reserves, I can't see any that get picked up turning the competition on it's head.
Had to laugh about the Advertiser putting in a third of a page article in the sport section about Stuart Dew possibly playing a few games for Kersbrook (I can just see it now - an article in the Adelaide confidential section of the paper saying "Teresa Palmer is alledgedly unhappy at the prospect of having to spend her Saturday afternoons in remote outposts of South Australia ). Would be great for the competition if he did but it must have been a slow day for Sport's news at Advertiser HQ.

[The Gimp]

Gimp

I heard Shane Warne say that he's a good dad (despite being caught on video in a 3some amongst other indescretions). Doesn't mean it's true.

Who is Jack Kapelle anyway? and what do regard as 'big money'?

Big money in my books is $600 aka Trent Ordinary Allen and Sudjai Cant get a Kick.

Doubt the Devs would be forking out that sort of coin.

Interested to know your source though.

DA, maybe you don't know as much about the money your club spends as what you say you do. As the figure you mentioned is around what I was talking about.

Kapelle was 1st ruck in the SAAFL U23 side that played in Melb last year.

Sounds like Fitness First knows a bit about what Lofty are spending as well. I agree, with your coments about Lofty winning the premiership but the Lofty supporters seem to think that the team played for the "guernsey" and there wasn't much coin going around. Maybe the committee just did a good job of keeping it quiet.

[Rapper]

Gentleman as a sponsor of the Lofty football club I can tell you that know one is getting anywhere near that sort of coin. And I can confirm that the club has not approached some bloke called Jack Kappelle. I just rang the people in the know and confirmed it.

[devilsadvocate]

DA, maybe you don't know as much about the money your club spends as what you say you do. As the figure you mentioned is around what I was talking about.

Kapelle was 1st ruck in the SAAFL U23 side that played in Melb last year.

Sounds like Fitness First knows a bit about what Lofty are spending as well. I agree, with your coments about Lofty winning the premiership but the Lofty supporters seem to think that the team played for the "guernsey" and there wasn't much coin going around. Maybe the committee just did a good job of keeping it quiet.

Gimp I certainly don't know what everyone gets paid, I'm just speculating. However, I probably know a fair bot more about our club than outsiders who constantly try to downramp the value of us winning our flag becasue we pay players.

I never said that these blokes don't get paid and just play for the jumper, but there are a LOT of players in our A grade that people think get paid who dont. And that I can say is fact. 2words will back me up on this - read his posts a few pages back.

FF - The four Marble Bar crew are certainly getting paid, no boubt about it. They have proved they are worth it too. However, I can;t see them all getting paid coin similar to Sudjai. Only one of them would be close, and he's assistant coach, so it figures.

At the end of the day, all you outsiders can keep sledging us for paying players. You just wish your club had the balls to lay it on the line, recruit some young guns and catch up to the rest. I'm glad as hell the Devils did it and hope we keep doing it.

[Chook]

Adding to the money talk on here, seems as though it always comes back to this.

Seems as though Uraidla are trying to bridge the gap from Lofty by signing brothers from norwood/north/sturt ex league and reserves for big coin.

I have heard around $400 - $600 each to play. Boys names are Kade and Wade Mclean I think. Not sure who has played what but I understand they have both played league footy. can anyone add to this??

Not bagging uri's as they have paid players in the last few years, lets hopw these boys can make a difference

[devilsadvocate]

Interesting.

Hadn't heard that and haven't heard of these blokes.

I did hear that Uri had lost a couple, but was blind at the time, so can't remember who or how many.

[robby]

Mt Lofty have lifted the standard of the league, just makes the footy better watching

[Inside 50]

Mt Lofty have lifted the standard of the league, just makes the footy better watching

Also lets not forget the massive depth at Mt. Lofty. The B Grade and Senior Colts also won premierships in 2006. There will still be plenty of success at Devil Park in the future... dont you worry about that. Also young defender Michael 'Jumbo' Davies has returned from a cheeky overseas stint and looks keen as mustard.

Also congratulations to Scotty "Maddog" Madsen for getting the B Grade job at Dev Park. He is a gun bloke and will be a gun coach. He has a lot of time for every guy at the club... especially the youngsters. Go Devils 07.

[Silky skills]

Chad Dawe has quit Sturt, and thats not a rumour, i dont no how i know but i know