HFL Division 1 (Central)

[dangermouse]

Ryan MacGahay is a quality pick up- He isn't a flashy game-breaker but is an honest, hard working player who thrives on the 1%ers. He will lead by example, which is what you want from recruits. The value of recruits is not if they win you games off their own boot, but whether they lift the players around them with the example they set on the training track, preparation, professionalism etc. Birdwood have recruited very well by getting Krieg and MacGahay, even if it cost them a fair bit of $$, the locals are only going to be better for it.

[dangermouse]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

[Rooster]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

that's a fair point, plenty of teams have brought in quality recruits and had no success because the locals don't rise to the challenge... birdwood are hungry for some central division success, and with these two, plus a couple of others i've heard about, my early predicition that we'll be pushing for a top 5 finish hopefully won't be too far off the mark...

what is far off the mark is suggesting matoga is worth only $500 per game... surely $750 would have to be his minimum???

[Gator-Aid]

gator aid, i dont think playing 18 league games in a year is a flop.. hes a absolute hulk of a man, and when your first ruck is brad dabrowski its hard to become number 1 ruck.. and also his missus is a model, so no probs with money there, i reckon he'll stay at the eagles and if not he will prob do a pre season there to get fit as a fiddle then attack hills footy

Silky, yeah I know that but I also know he's been in contact with a couple of people with the view to moving on. One major problem he's got is he drops too many overhead marks which will always inhibit a big mans impact.
I also know his wife is a model, and a good looking one as well, it was said "tongue in cheek", don't take life so seriously, it'll send you mad!

[Hoodlum]

.

$500+ a game!!! i wonder if the footy club knows about that!!

yeah to be fair that kind of money should only be reserved for T.Matoga [/quote]

Totally agreed [/quote]

McGahey has played more than 50 odd league games, so more than likely worth every penny.
I rekon I played against a Matoga when I played at Lockleys. Did he he play for Hope Valley. If so, theres no way your paying a bloke who's played Div 6 anything. Could be wrong guy though. Great too see Birdwood having a crack. Hope they shake things up in 09![/quote]

Is the same Matoga. More of a joke him getting $500, but he is a vastly improved player. got about 4th in the B&F this year, is a really hard working bloke and will have a great year.[/quote]

To go from D6 to 4th best in central division is a great effort. Hope he serves his rooster well next year.

[Hoodlum]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

Great point dangermouse. I can't get over it, how some players get up in arms over blokes who are paid money. If you've been blessed with strong ability and you've done the hard yards to play at the highest level and then you want to try and bring success to a side in the amateur leagues, then you should be absolutely embrased by the club and the players of that club. Most of the paid players I ve been involved with have been great mates of mine and they deserve their cash. You will find, that the blokes who are only after cash and have no interest in the club, come un done pretty quick anyway.

Gotta pay blokes who are worthy, or they just head elsewhere, coz too many clubs are now paying good coin. The country scene is getting more professional each year,

[thunderchild]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

that's a fair point, plenty of teams have brought in quality recruits and had no success because the locals don't rise to the challenge... birdwood are hungry for some central division success, and with these two, plus a couple of others i've heard about, my early predicition that we'll be pushing for a top 5 finish hopefully won't be too far off the mark...

what is far off the mark is suggesting matoga is worth only $500 per game... surely $750 would have to be his minimum???

if its the guy im thinking surely he could use that money on a bloody decent hair cut???

side note* in the courier a couple weeks back, it said he finished equal 3rd with hanton -

now there is a player you could talk about

[superboot7]

Rumour has it that Birdwood's B&F has left the club. Hand the trophy to runner up in my opinion. Wouldn't have thought that was the BEST or Fairest thing to do for a club trying to improve!

[false]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

that's a fair point, plenty of teams have brought in quality recruits and had no success because the locals don't rise to the challenge... birdwood are hungry for some central division success, and with these two, plus a couple of others i've heard about, my early predicition that we'll be pushing for a top 5 finish hopefully won't be too far off the mark...

what is far off the mark is suggesting matoga is worth only $500 per game... surely $750 would have to be his minimum???

if its the guy im thinking surely he could use that money on a bloody decent hair cut???

side note* in the courier a couple weeks back, it said he finished equal 3rd with hanton -

now there is a player you could talk about

Hey it's what Gucci wants... it's a tough job being a male model!

[false]

Rumour has it that Birdwood's B&F has left the club. Hand the trophy to runner up in my opinion. Wouldn't have thought that was the BEST or Fairest thing to do for a club trying to improve!

yeah you heard right. Heading down to Payneham, following the $$$. very disappointing to lose him, but from what i've heard that's the only player we've lost, so we'll definitely live with it!

Any news on new captain down at Lofty? Is a tough place to fill, always had a lot of respect for Cutting and the way he conducted himself on the field.

[superboot7]

Rumour has it that Birdwood's B&F has left the club. Hand the trophy to runner up in my opinion. Wouldn't have thought that was the BEST or Fairest thing to do for a club trying to improve!

yeah you heard right. Heading down to Payneham, following the $$$. very disappointing to lose him, but from what i've heard that's the only player we've lost, so we'll definitely live with it!

Any news on new captain down at Lofty? Is a tough place to fill, always had a lot of respect for Cutting and the way he conducted himself on the field.

Why wouldn't birdwood offer some cash?

[Rooster]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

that's a fair point, plenty of teams have brought in quality recruits and had no success because the locals don't rise to the challenge... birdwood are hungry for some central division success, and with these two, plus a couple of others i've heard about, my early predicition that we'll be pushing for a top 5 finish hopefully won't be too far off the mark...

what is far off the mark is suggesting matoga is worth only $500 per game... surely $750 would have to be his minimum???

if its the guy im thinking surely he could use that money on a bloody decent hair cut???

side note* in the courier a couple weeks back, it said he finished equal 3rd with hanton -

now there is a player you could talk about

hanton may of finished 3rd in the best and fairest...but he certainly finished 1st in the tightest tshirt award.. apparently the ladies (and the mt.lofty boys) love it.

[false]

Rumour has it that Birdwood's B&F has left the club. Hand the trophy to runner up in my opinion. Wouldn't have thought that was the BEST or Fairest thing to do for a club trying to improve!

yeah you heard right. Heading down to Payneham, following the $$$. very disappointing to lose him, but from what i've heard that's the only player we've lost, so we'll definitely live with it!

Any news on new captain down at Lofty? Is a tough place to fill, always had a lot of respect for Cutting and the way he conducted himself on the field.

Why wouldn't birdwood offer some cash?

They did I think just not as much...

[GetTheSherrin]

informer, the only thing u can do after the loss of a player like cutts is hope u can fill the gap with someone atleast half as good.. near ompossible to fill it completely. massive loss to the devs on and off the field..

[R. White]

Informer, as gts said cutts will be sorely missed, not only was he a great player but a top bloke.
As to who will fill his shoes, good question?
I would imagine Matt Stapleton and Brad Burch would be the front runners. I think Matt Stapleton will be the first choice. He is a local, one of the best and toughest players in the comp. Not to mention that all the players at the club has enormous respect for him.
Burch is always going to be a leader at the club even if he doesnt have the 'c' next to his name in the budget. Decision will prob go
captain- Matt Stapes
VC- D.K Stevens
VDC- Burch, Peterson-grey, wood, the list goes on

[Howard]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

Great point dangermouse. I can't get over it, how some players get up in arms over blokes who are paid money. If you've been blessed with strong ability and you've done the hard yards to play at the highest level and then you want to try and bring success to a side in the amateur leagues, then you should be absolutely embrased by the club and the players of that club. Most of the paid players I ve been involved with have been great mates of mine and they deserve their cash. You will find, that the blokes who are only after cash and have no interest in the club, come un done pretty quick anyway.

Gotta pay blokes who are worthy, or they just head elsewhere, coz too many clubs are now paying good coin. The country scene is getting more professional each year,

Hoodlum, please don't confuse the situation of paying players - just because a club pays out bucket loads of cash, doesn't make that club or competition "professional".

[Rooster]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

Great point dangermouse. I can't get over it, how some players get up in arms over blokes who are paid money. If you've been blessed with strong ability and you've done the hard yards to play at the highest level and then you want to try and bring success to a side in the amateur leagues, then you should be absolutely embrased by the club and the players of that club. Most of the paid players I ve been involved with have been great mates of mine and they deserve their cash. You will find, that the blokes who are only after cash and have no interest in the club, come un done pretty quick anyway.

Gotta pay blokes who are worthy, or they just head elsewhere, coz too many clubs are now paying good coin. The country scene is getting more professional each year,

Hoodlum, please don't confuse the situation of paying players - just because a club pays out bucket loads of cash, doesn't make that club or competition "professional".

well howard.. don't want to get into semantics here.. but actually because clubs are paying more and more players, by definition that is making the competition more and more professional...
professional: participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs

[Howard]

One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.

Great point dangermouse. I can't get over it, how some players get up in arms over blokes who are paid money. If you've been blessed with strong ability and you've done the hard yards to play at the highest level and then you want to try and bring success to a side in the amateur leagues, then you should be absolutely embrased by the club and the players of that club. Most of the paid players I ve been involved with have been great mates of mine and they deserve their cash. You will find, that the blokes who are only after cash and have no interest in the club, come un done pretty quick anyway.

Gotta pay blokes who are worthy, or they just head elsewhere, coz too many clubs are now paying good coin. The country scene is getting more professional each year,

Hoodlum, please don't confuse the situation of paying players - just because a club pays out bucket loads of cash, doesn't make that club or competition "professional".

well howard.. don't want to get into semantics here.. but actually because clubs are paying more and more players, by definition that is making the competition more and more professional...
professional: participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs

Fair enough - just goes to show you, when you get into definitions you can get into the gray area - I guess what I meant to say relates more to how clubs/competitions can be poorly managed and/or make decisions like spending bucket loads of cash that impact the overall club.

Especially if, even after the big spend, you finish midfield. (Only one team can win the flag) I'd suggest spending like a drunken sailor for no result could be considered unprofessional.

But that's just my opinion.

[superboot7]

[quote="Howard"][quote="Rooster"][quote="Howard"][quote="Hoodlum"][quote="dangermouse"]One more point- if the locals can ignore the money issue and not look upon these guys as their lords and saviours ( a la Bridgewater) and instead follow their lead, Birdwood will have a few more goals to celebrate (obnoxiously!) next year and probably a few more wins against teams other than Lobey.[/quote]


Great point dangermouse. I can't get over it, how some players get up in arms over blokes who are paid money. If you've been blessed with strong ability and you've done the hard yards to play at the highest level and then you want to try and bring success to a side in the amateur leagues, then you should be absolutely embrased by the club and the players of that club. Most of the paid players I ve been involved with have been great mates of mine and they deserve their cash. You will find, that the blokes who are only after cash and have no interest in the club, come un done pretty quick anyway.

Gotta pay blokes who are worthy, or they just head elsewhere, coz too many clubs are now paying good coin. The country scene is getting more professional each year,[/quote]

Hoodlum, please don't confuse the situation of paying players - just because a club pays out bucket loads of cash, doesn't make that club or competition "professional".[/quote]

well howard.. don't want to get into semantics here.. but actually because clubs are paying more and more players, by definition that is making the competition more and more professional...
professional: participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs [/quote]

Fair enough - just goes to show you, when you get into definitions you can get into the gray area - I guess what I meant to say relates more to how clubs/competitions can be poorly managed and/or make decisions like spending bucket loads of cash that impact the overall club.

Especially if, even after the big spend, you finish midfield. (Only one team can win the flag) I'd suggest spending like a drunken sailor for no result could be considered unprofessional.

But that's just my opinion.[/quote]

And you are indeed entitled to it! However saying clubs spend money unprofessionally??? Most clubs spend with the best of intentions, is my opinion. I think the country leagues are run quite professionally.

[ohh i dunno]

So fellow posters can we collectivly put a list together so far of who is leaving and who has been recruited???