HFL Division 1 (Central)

[Bat Pad]

Yes they did lose players, but they also gained a few. Neely is probably the best player they have ever had.

Like I said, I don't know what they were like last year compared to this year. I was only going by what I was told by one of their players, whose opinion may have changed since the start of the year.

What is clear though is that their best players are no longer always the best players on the ground, and without depth this is hurting them. But a couple more years and they can sort that out, if they can hold onto their players.

The problem will be their other grades, I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel for them. They traditionally never had strong juniors in Country (unlike Birdwood).

They will need to decide how much the chance for the A's to play at a higher level outweighs the interests of the rest of the club.

[bookie]

How can you say Neely is the best player they have ever had if you didn't see them last year?

[Afterthesiren]

I saw Blackwood had a few handy players out for the Bridgewater game. Cobb, McCormick, Sidebottom and Pope. I'm sure not all these players are injured, I'd suggest they a resting a few. Can you fill us in BB? This would be an obvious reason why the score was much closer than expected.

[overthehill]

How can you say Neely is the best player they have ever had if you didn't see them last year?

I did. Neely is their best then Slattery then Gunning. Neely plays a lot for himself but is their best in terms of tallent

[Bat Pad]

How can you say Neely is the best player they have ever had if you didn't see them last year?

His record, Dual Best & Fairest for Glenelg etc.

Also believe he was on the Swans list but could be wrong.

Even though I did not see the team play last year, I have seen the players play before.

He is the best of a good bunch IMO.

[the breezer]

Gunning is better than Neely and Slattery and Mcdowell who won best and fairests for Port Adelaide however you dont make mention of him.

Gunning may have only played as high as Norwood resys but at hes only about 24 and already holds 2 mail medals from YP League and also Hills Country, has a work rate that has to be seen and when he gets the ball in the corridor with his raking kicks and burst of speed they normally result in goals

[the breezer]

the breezer,
Do you think the league has played a part in these players leaving?
Making a club wait for 12 months after you put in to go up cant of
been good for their footy.
Playing 1 or 2 hard games a year then belting everyone else.
Surely good quality players want to play in a competitive league.
Maybe having to wait that extra year was just too much for them.

The reason half their A playing list from last season left was because of the fall out on GF night between Rod Smitheran and Hughes himself, it also was to do with the Smith brothers and the side that was picked for last years premiership which resulted in the smith brothers taking players with them and some retiring.

Smitheran has taken the cream of their playing list to Port Districts in Gunning (ex Norwood), Mcdowell (ex Port) , Taszone and Carter who also has won mail medals and played league for Port Adelaide. others have left to other clubs aswell.

[Bat Pad]

Gunning is better than Neely and Slattery and Mcdowell who won best and fairests for Port Adelaide however you dont make mention of him.

Gunning may have only played as high as Norwood resys but at hes only about 24 and already holds 2 mail medals from YP League and also Hills Country, has a work rate that has to be seen and when he gets the ball in the corridor with his raking kicks and burst of speed they normally result in goals

When was that?

http://www.portmagpies.com.au/honour_roll.php

You are entitled to your opinion, and you are perhaps right. But dont just make stuff up.


You are comparing a Reserves player with 3 country Mail Medals (by no means a small feat, the bloke can clearly play) versus a bloke with 2 SANFL League Best and Fairest awards, 3 Canberra League Best & Fairest awards, and a runner up for that entire leagues medal, which includes many AFL listed players.

Its a big call.

Out of curiosity, have you gotten out to a Torrens Valley game this year?

[Banker]

Who cares. None of them wanted to stick around TV and play in a better comp.


Good to see the B grade comp going strong this year aswell as the A's. Top 5 look set but anyone could win it.
Pity B grade 2010 results have been deleted off sportingpulse, anyone know why?

[the breezer]

Im tipping TV will be a basket case within 2 seasons and be forced to limp back to country.

If the rumours are correct this will be Garry Hughes last season associated with the side and when the money dries up players like Neely, Hill etc wont be there, they do not have the depth nor the players coming through to be competitive in this comp.

If they had of stayed in country with their current playing list they would be on a par with Birdwood and Kersbrook and not as good as Echunga on any given day

[Tex]

If I was to pick the best player for Torrens valley since the Gary Hughes influence started I would say Micheal Carter

[the breezer]

If I was to pick the best player for Torrens valley since the Gary Hughes influence started I would say Micheal Carter

I agree Tex - however he is now mid 30s and not as good as Gunning at the current moment, he was in the best for Port Districts last week and i have seen Carter win games of footy of his own boot and in the last couple of seasons, he is a massive loss for Valley

By the way Batpad - Mcdowell is a little over rated in my opinion and thanks for pulling me up on the port b & f's he finished a couple of votes shy of Clayton

[Kick'n Back]

If I was to pick the best player for Torrens valley since the Gary Hughes influence started I would say Micheal Carter

I agree Tex - however he is now mid 30s and not as good as Gunning at the current moment, he was in the best for Port Districts last week and i have seen Carter win games of footy of his own boot and in the last couple of seasons, he is a massive loss for Valley

By the way Batpad - Mcdowell is a little over rated in my opinion and thanks for pulling me up on the port b & f's he finished a couple of votes shy of Clayton

I could be wrong but didn't the Carter from TV retire after missing the 2009 GF with injury and i think you will find its Steve Carter playing for PT Dist not Michael who played for TV(Was a very good footballer though). The best player of Gary's ring ins would have to be Slattery that bloke is a freak you dont know if he is right or left footed and can take a great catch and has been very good for Port the last year and a half but i am yet to see Neely play.

[The Gimp]

If I was to pick the best player for Torrens valley since the Gary Hughes influence started I would say Micheal Carter

I agree Tex - however he is now mid 30s and not as good as Gunning at the current moment, he was in the best for Port Districts last week and i have seen Carter win games of footy of his own boot and in the last couple of seasons, he is a massive loss for Valley

By the way Batpad - Mcdowell is a little over rated in my opinion and thanks for pulling me up on the port b & f's he finished a couple of votes shy of Clayton

I could be wrong but didn't the Carter from TV retire after missing the 2009 GF with injury and i think you will find its Steve Carter playing for PT Dist not Michael who played for TV(Was a very good footballer though). The best player of Gary's ring ins would have to be Slattery that bloke is a freak you dont know if he is right or left footed and can take a great catch and has been very good for Port the last year and a half but i am yet to see Neely play.

I think you're all forgetting Dwayne Hughes.......GUN!

[the breezer]

If I was to pick the best player for Torrens valley since the Gary Hughes influence started I would say Micheal Carter

I agree Tex - however he is now mid 30s and not as good as Gunning at the current moment, he was in the best for Port Districts last week and i have seen Carter win games of footy of his own boot and in the last couple of seasons, he is a massive loss for Valley

By the way Batpad - Mcdowell is a little over rated in my opinion and thanks for pulling me up on the port b & f's he finished a couple of votes shy of Clayton

I could be wrong but didn't the Carter from TV retire after missing the 2009 GF with injury and i think you will find its Steve Carter playing for PT Dist not Michael who played for TV(Was a very good footballer though). The best player of Gary's ring ins would have to be Slattery that bloke is a freak you dont know if he is right or left footed and can take a great catch and has been very good for Port the last year and a half but i am yet to see Neely play.

I think you're all forgetting Dwayne Hughes.......GUN!

Isnt it Duanne Hughes?

yeah he was a real winner, at selection when people questioned Garry about his selection... the response used to go something like this...

"oh but a big body, big body - we can use a body like his back and forward"

[Afterthesiren]

I saw Blackwood had a few handy players out for the Bridgewater game. Cobb, McCormick, Sidebottom and Pope. I'm sure not all these players are injured, I'd suggest they a resting a few. Can you fill us in BB? This would be an obvious reason why the score was much closer than expected.

Well BB... Surely the result last Saturday would have been much different if these players weren't rested or are you actually carrying some significant injuries? How's big Lucas Herbert going on his return to A grade footy? Will those knees hold the big man up until finals?

[Bertie Beetle]

I saw Blackwood had a few handy players out for the Bridgewater game. Cobb, McCormick, Sidebottom and Pope. I'm sure not all these players are injured, I'd suggest they a resting a few. Can you fill us in BB? This would be an obvious reason why the score was much closer than expected.

Well BB... Surely the result last Saturday would have been much different if these players weren't rested or are you actually carrying some significant injuries? How's big Lucas Herbert going on his return to A grade footy? Will those knees hold the big man up until finals?

With the score being so close, you can just blame it on players out (as every weak club does!!!) and although it does help having a full-strength team playing but in the end of the day, you put faith in the side that you out on the park to get the job done (and we had a very talented side playing) and if you don’t win by as much as expected or you lose, you don’t say that you have players out. Bridgewater played very well for most of the game, and I can see them winning a game this season if other teams take them lightly.

In regards to the players listed above: Cobb and McCormick were rested, Sidebottom was out with ribs and Pope was out with a hand injury. All of those players will be back for the Ironbank game plus about 15 others players (A, B and C Grade) will be available for selection. Lucas Herbert's knees are holding up at the moment (fingers and toes crossed) he is just enjoying being able to play football again and is a very good asset for the A-Grade side.

We’re happy to be 6-3 after round 1 and we still feel that we have plenty of room for improvement and are looking forward to the second half of the season and giving the competition a crack.

[Footy Warrior]

If I was to pick the best player for Torrens valley since the Gary Hughes influence started I would say Micheal Carter

I agree Tex - however he is now mid 30s and not as good as Gunning at the current moment, he was in the best for Port Districts last week and i have seen Carter win games of footy of his own boot and in the last couple of seasons, he is a massive loss for Valley

By the way Batpad - Mcdowell is a little over rated in my opinion and thanks for pulling me up on the port b & f's he finished a couple of votes shy of Clayton

I could be wrong but didn't the Carter from TV retire after missing the 2009 GF with injury and i think you will find its Steve Carter playing for PT Dist not Michael who played for TV(Was a very good footballer though). The best player of Gary's ring ins would have to be Slattery that bloke is a freak you dont know if he is right or left footed and can take a great catch and has been very good for Port the last year and a half but i am yet to see Neely play.

I think you're all forgetting Dwayne Hughes.......GUN!

Nasty Gimp! GH has bought some good footballers to the HFL. Think the top ones have all been mentioned. Carter, Slattery, Jacques, McDowell, Gunning and Neely would be arguably the best. Carter perhaps the most influential and Slattery the most talented.

[Afterthesiren]

I saw Blackwood had a few handy players out for the Bridgewater game. Cobb, McCormick, Sidebottom and Pope. I'm sure not all these players are injured, I'd suggest they a resting a few. Can you fill us in BB? This would be an obvious reason why the score was much closer than expected.

Well BB... Surely the result last Saturday would have been much different if these players weren't rested or are you actually carrying some significant injuries? How's big Lucas Herbert going on his return to A grade footy? Will those knees hold the big man up until finals?

With the score being so close, you can just blame it on players out (as every weak club does!!!) and although it does help having a full-strength team playing but in the end of the day, you put faith in the side that you out on the park to get the job done (and we had a very talented side playing) and if you don’t win by as much as expected or you lose, you don’t say that you have players out. Bridgewater played very well for most of the game, and I can see them winning a game this season if other teams take them lightly.

In regards to the players listed above: Cobb and McCormick were rested, Sidebottom was out with ribs and Pope was out with a hand injury. All of those players will be back for the Ironbank game plus about 15 others players (A, B and C Grade) will be available for selection. Lucas Herbert's knees are holding up at the moment (fingers and toes crossed) he is just enjoying being able to play football again and is a very good asset for the A-Grade side.

We’re happy to be 6-3 after round 1 and we still feel that we have plenty of room for improvement and are looking forward to the second half of the season and giving the competition a crack.

What about Roche BB, he hasn't played for a month?

[Bertie Beetle]

I saw Blackwood had a few handy players out for the Bridgewater game. Cobb, McCormick, Sidebottom and Pope. I'm sure not all these players are injured, I'd suggest they a resting a few. Can you fill us in BB? This would be an obvious reason why the score was much closer than expected.

Well BB... Surely the result last Saturday would have been much different if these players weren't rested or are you actually carrying some significant injuries? How's big Lucas Herbert going on his return to A grade footy? Will those knees hold the big man up until finals?

With the score being so close, you can just blame it on players out (as every weak club does!!!) and although it does help having a full-strength team playing but in the end of the day, you put faith in the side that you out on the park to get the job done (and we had a very talented side playing) and if you don’t win by as much as expected or you lose, you don’t say that you have players out. Bridgewater played very well for most of the game, and I can see them winning a game this season if other teams take them lightly.

In regards to the players listed above: Cobb and McCormick were rested, Sidebottom was out with ribs and Pope was out with a hand injury. All of those players will be back for the Ironbank game plus about 15 others players (A, B and C Grade) will be available for selection. Lucas Herbert's knees are holding up at the moment (fingers and toes crossed) he is just enjoying being able to play football again and is a very good asset for the A-Grade side.

We’re happy to be 6-3 after round 1 and we still feel that we have plenty of room for improvement and are looking forward to the second half of the season and giving the competition a crack.

What about Roche BB, he hasn't played for a month?

hes been injured and is one of the 15 others players that will be available for selection for the Ironbank game