Messenger Articles

[Big Phil]

Again, an older story, but talks about all the Maggies players signing up as members and the march supporters organised that happened last week...

http://leader-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/lokan-we-want-to-lead-from-the-front/

Lokan: ‘We want to lead from the front’



Matthew Lokan says he and his team mates want to lead a Port Adelaide on-field revival.

EVERY player in Port Adelaide’s senior squad has taken out a club membership as a gesture of commitment ahead of what could be the Magpies’ last season.

Senior player Matthew Lokan says players are also using their contacts at local businesses to help sources potential sponsorship, as the team joins the cause to help save the Magpies.

``The off field stuff is all out of control and we are trying not to get distracted from playing football,’’ Lokan said last week.

``But we had a chat about it and decided we would do what we can as a group.

``We’ve all got contacts in the community and we are all promoting ourselves through the area.’’

Lokan said most of Port’s current squad had grown up in the Port or in the Magpies’ country zone on the Eyre Peninsula, and had been hit hard by the club’s off-field struggle. ``It’s been a tough couple of weeks,’’ he said.

``Most of us have played junior football at the club and this place means a lot to us but to the boys’ credit no one has dwelled on the situation.

``It’s out of our control so we’ve just had to focus on improving as a football team.

``We’ve been pretty disappointing over the past couple of seasons and we want to lead from the front on the field.’’

Lokan, who grew up in North Haven, went to every Port game with his grandparents as a child and says the club’s tenuous position has given him extra motivation to perform.

``I still think I’ve got at least two seasons in me and I think it’s important the senior guys hang around to give the club some stability.’’

Lokan, who played 46 matches for Collingwood including the 2003 grand final against Brisbane, said he had not been surprised by the outpouring of support from Port and rival supporters.

The club’s membership has surged from about 1800 to more than 5500 since news its future was in jeopardy broke a fortnight ago. ``That’s Port people,’’ he said.

``They are passionate people and having grown up around here I wouldn’t expect anything else.’’Port Magpie fans will walk from Queenstown’s Prince of Wales to Alberton Oval in a show of support for the embattled club on Friday, February 27, at 4.30pm. The club has arranged a barbecue for the supporters, to coincide with a Magpies senior side internal trial. All fans unable to attend the march are encouraged to head to Alberton to watch the game from 5.30pm.

[Big Phil]

Here's a good little piece on the Power trying to increase it's supporter base in the Northern suburbs...

http://news-review-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/doggies-protect-their-turf/

Doggies protect their turf



ONE CITY, TWO CLUBS: The Power's Travis Boak with Bulldog Ryan Williams.
The Power is extending its reach into the north. Picture: Sam Wundke


CENTRAL District is doing little to hide its concern over the Power’s push into the northern suburbs.

The pre-season match between Adelaide and Melbourne is, ironically, the result of a new partnership between the Power and Playford Council.

The club’s community development manager, Darren Adamson, said the idea for an AFL game in Elizabeth stemmed from the Northern Summit community forum in August 2008.

The Power would have played in the match, had it not beaten West Coast by 78 points in Perth on Saturday, February 27.

But Central CEO Kris Grant admitted he was cautious about Port’s push into the north, given the impact it could have on the Bulldog supporter base.

Mr Grant said he was not consulted about the AFL club’s marketing push into the area.

“That’s the life of an SANFL club,” Mr Grant said.

“You get trodden on and there is nothing you can do about it.

“We just have to keep working hard at what we do and make sure we do it well.”

However, Mr Adamson said the club was excited about bringing AFL action to the north.

“It’s a great opportunity to reward our northern supporters and to engage a new group of people.”

Mr Adamson said the northern suburbs provided 18 per cent of the Power’s members last year, the highest of any metropolitan area.

Port visited local schools and hosted AusKick clinics this week as part of its partnership with the council.

“We found the council had some really positive community programs already and we can actually add value to them,” he said.

Playford Mayor Martin Lindsell said the council was excited to welcome AFL to the city for the first time and the council had formed a valuable relationship with the Power.

Mr Lindsell said Power players would attend the “426 on Peachey”, a youth program which provides after-school sporting activities at the John McVeity Centre in Smithfield Plains.

Saturday’s match begins at 4pm. Adults tickets $13, concession $7 and children under 15 $2.

[whufc]

Here's a good little piece on the Power trying to increase it's supporter base in the Northern suburbs...

http://news-review-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/doggies-protect-their-turf/

Doggies protect their turf



ONE CITY, TWO CLUBS: The Power's Travis Boak with Bulldog Ryan Williams.
The Power is extending its reach into the north. Picture: Sam Wundke

CENTRAL District is doing little to hide its concern over the Power’s push into the northern suburbs.

The pre-season match between Adelaide and Melbourne is, ironically, the result of a new partnership between the Power and Playford Council.

The club’s community development manager, Darren Adamson, said the idea for an AFL game in Elizabeth stemmed from the Northern Summit community forum in August 2008.

The Power would have played in the match, had it not beaten West Coast by 78 points in Perth on Saturday, February 27.

But Central CEO Kris Grant admitted he was cautious about Port’s push into the north, given the impact it could have on the Bulldog supporter base.

Mr Grant said he was not consulted about the AFL club’s marketing push into the area.

“That’s the life of an SANFL club,” Mr Grant said.

“You get trodden on and there is nothing you can do about it.

“We just have to keep working hard at what we do and make sure we do it well.”

However, Mr Adamson said the club was excited about bringing AFL action to the north.

“It’s a great opportunity to reward our northern supporters and to engage a new group of people.”

Mr Adamson said the northern suburbs provided 18 per cent of the Power’s members last year, the highest of any metropolitan area.

Port visited local schools and hosted AusKick clinics this week as part of its partnership with the council.

“We found the council had some really positive community programs already and we can actually add value to them,” he said.

Playford Mayor Martin Lindsell said the council was excited to welcome AFL to the city for the first time and the council had formed a valuable relationship with the Power.

Mr Lindsell said Power players would attend the “426 on Peachey”, a youth program which provides after-school sporting activities at the John McVeity Centre in Smithfield Plains.

Saturday’s match begins at 4pm. Adults tickets $13, concession $7 and children under 15 $2.

Bigger picture here is that the Power are looking to get into the new super school which is getting built across the road from the mcviety center. Their looking at setting up programs for troubled students who excel at sports. Trouble is they will never capture the imagination of the northern suburbs children as without being disrepectful unless their given free tickets for themselves and their family the chances of them getting to more than one Power game a year is very very slim.

[Big Phil]

A one on one chat with comedian and South charmain Dave Flanagan...

http://southern-times-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/jokes-will-end-says-panthers-boss/

Jokes will end, says Panthers boss


PANTHERS chairman Dave Flanagan has heard more than his share of South Adelaide jokes.

One of SA’s most wellknown comedians, he is regularly ribbed about the amusing parallel between his profession and his club’s lacklustre performance.

But Flanagan, a lifelong South supporter who decided to stop bagging the Panthers board and join it in 2006, is anything but a joker when it comes to his footy club.

“I’m quite proud of the fact that I’m South chairman. I make sure that people are aware that South Adelaide is in my blood,” he says.

Meeting Flanagan inside his successful entertainment venue, the Comix Comedy Cellar on Grenfell St, it quickly becomes clear he is more businessman than comedian.

Flanagan has sold out the venue every Saturday night for the past 20 years, established one of Australia’s best comedy schools and introduced some of the eastern states’ best comics, including Steady Eddy, to local audiences.

It is the management skills he has developed at work that have helped him chair a club which is one of the most financially stable in the SANFL.

Not that he’s taking the credit.

“I’m just the chairman of the board. I’m the person that chairs the meeting and signs the papers. It’s a real team effort.”

On field success, however, hasn’t been as forthcoming.

The Panthers have made the finals only once in the past 18 years and finished bottom last season.

But with new coach Ron Fuller on board, Flanagan sees that changing in the near future.

He is adamant the club will fulful a goal in its strategic plan which requires a finals appearance by 2011 and believes a premiership will come before his time at Hickinbotham Oval is over.

And with it, an end to all the South jokes.

“Absolutely. If you’d asked me that four years ago I would’ve said no. But I can actually see it now.”

“Man walks into a Bar”, Flanagan’s Fringe 2010 show, is on at the Comedy Cellar, Da Costa Arcade, 68 Grenfell St, until March 14. Bookings: 8232 5688.

The thoughts of chairman Dave:

John Cahill’s appointment in 2008...
``I’ll stand on record as saying he didn’t deliver what he was supposed to deliver. He was a primadonna from the start. He offered a whole lot of excuses.
The decision was wrong and he knew the decision was wrong and we knew the decision was wrong and that’s why it was short-lived.’’

Clay Sampson’s axeing last season...
``Given the scenario he was in Clay did an extraordinary job, given his inexperience and the inexperience of the players he was dealing with.
But in the end we felt… the job was far too big for his experience to cope with. It was the most difficult time I’ve had since becoming chairman… It was like shooting Bambi.’’

Craig Parry’s departure from the club...
``That was the right decision at the time. It wasn’t meant to be an example, it was just the right decision.’’

New coach Ron Fuller...
``Ronny Fuller is in his element at the moment because he’s a great teacher, he’s a great instructor… The side knows where they have to be. They’ve got no indecision on what is required of them.’’

How he became a South fan...
``Mum grew up in the city and that’s where South’s home base was in those days and she was always a mad South Adelaide fan.
I used to sell footy budgets as a boy at Adelaide Oval, which got you in to the game for free… I used to always see South getting a hiding and just sort of liked them. It didn’t seem to be a pushy club, it was always a different sort of vibe and that’s what attracted me.’’

[darley16]

Good ol Dave is right about John Cahill but iám bracing myself for the response, maybe it was better left unsaid, the reopening of old wounds is never a good thing.

[whufc]

agree, would probably be in the clubs best interest to concerntrate on the future with Ron.

[Wedgie]

Very good answers from Dave IMHO.

[Big Phil]

A good story on car accident and burns victim Trent Moody from Port Magpies...

http://portside-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sights-set-on-round-one/

Sights set on Round One


DETERMINED: Trent Moody wants to play for the Magpies in Round One this season.
Picture: Luke Hemer

IF Trent Moody makes it on to the field for the Port Adelaide Magpies in round one of the SANFL season, he will be fulfilling more than a personal goal.

The 17-year-old also will be keeping a promise to the nurses who helped him back to full health after he suffered third-degree burns to 35 per cent of his body in a burning car wreck in January last year.

“I made a promise to them that I would play again, to show all the other burns victims that you can go back, there are no excuses,” he said.

“I could have been a slack p**ck but I wanted to be an example to people.”

Football was a key motivating factor during Trent’s recovery and he’s desperate to get back on to the field as the club fights for survival.

A former captain of the Magpies’ under 15s, he resumed training with Port’s under 18s at the end of last season and has completed the full pre-season so far.

The main obstacle has been his right leg, which was crushed in the crash.

“My tibia and fibula snapped out of the skin so I’ve got a titanium rod from my ankle to my knee.

“One of the screws in my knee has been bothering me so I’m having that removed, but that should only keep me out a week.

“My goal is Round One.”

Beyond this year, his goals have become more realistic.

“Before the crash my goal was to play AFL. But now I’d settle for a Reserves game. If I could play League that would be a dream come true.”

Meanwhile, Moody is is determined to share his story with as many of his peers as possible.

He learnt firsthand the dangers of drink-driving when the car he was in crashed into a stobie pole at Fulham Gardens in the early hours of Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Skin has been grafted from his back, arms and buttocks onto his legs, which were covered in flames while he waited for firefighters to arrive and cut him free.

“It took me a while to get used to it. In the hospital I hated moisturising my skin and doing what I had to do but I got used to it,” Trent said.

Trent has began public speaking at local football clubs, telling his peers the danger of drink-driving.

“No young people are invincible. I had to learn the hard way, you don’t want anyone else to have to.”

[The Apostle]

John Cahill’s appointment in 2008...
``I’ll stand on record as saying he didn’t deliver what he was supposed to deliver. He was a primadonna from the start. He offered a whole lot of excuses.
The decision was wrong and he knew the decision was wrong and we knew the decision was wrong and that’s why it was short-lived.’’

What was Souths record when Cahill coached them briefly in 2008???

[Big Phil]

John Cahill’s appointment in 2008...
``I’ll stand on record as saying he didn’t deliver what he was supposed to deliver. He was a primadonna from the start. He offered a whole lot of excuses.
The decision was wrong and he knew the decision was wrong and we knew the decision was wrong and that’s why it was short-lived.’’

What was Souths record when Cahill coached them briefly in 2008???

Cue spelly...

[CK]

Won their first three, lost their next five.

[saintal]

John Cahill’s appointment in 2008...
``I’ll stand on record as saying he didn’t deliver what he was supposed to deliver. He was a primadonna from the start. He offered a whole lot of excuses.
The decision was wrong and he knew the decision was wrong and we knew the decision was wrong and that’s why it was short-lived.’’

What was Souths record when Cahill coached them briefly in 2008???

Won the first three, thumped by Sturt in R4, Drew with Nwd under lights, then 4 losses I reckon. Were about 5 or 6 goals up in his final match at Richmond before getting belted.

3-1-4 overall. (i think)

4-28 since!

[The Apostle]

Won the first three

All that success must of gone to their heads...

4-28 since!

Oh dear...

[Big Phil]

Congrats to Dugga, a well deserved appointment at Noarlunga...

http://hills-and-valley-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/warren-to-captain-south/

Warren to captain South


IN CHARGE: Ben Warren has been named captain at the Panthers.

BEN Warren will captain South Adelaide this season after edging out Michael Handby and Bradley Crabb for the role.

The full-forward, who has played 145 games for the Panthers, said he was honoured to be selected after serving under previous skippers Jason Torney, Clay Sampson, Trent Mills and Kym Koster.

``It’s a huge responsibility following on from those four captains that I played under,’’ Warren said.

``The main thing I took from all of them was how they led from the front on the field and that’s what I intend to do.’’

Warren said he didn’t think the fact he spends long periods of the game out of the play at full forward would be an issue.

``I’m certainly not doing everything myself. We’ll have Michael Handby (vice-captain) in the middle and Crabby (deputy vice-captain) down back, so we’re covered in all three areas of the ground.

``And a big part of my duties as captain will be done during the week, helping out the younger guys.’’

A product of the Langhorne Creek Football Club in the Great Southern Football League, Warren said he hadn’t considered leading South until being nominated for the role by former skipper Torney in an article in the Southern Times Messenger last season.

``That was probably when I thought, well one of us is going to have to do it.

``Then a lot of senior guys Matt Smith, Ben Neagle, Tom Hateley all left. And it was only really me, Josh Thewlis and Handles left that were over 25.’’

Warren said he hoped to fill the role for at least the next two seasons.

``I’m not too sure about my future… but I’m pretty hopeful I can play next year.’’

The captaincy capped off a big summer for Warren, during which he also got married to wife Kelly.

[HeartBeatsTrue]

``That was probably when I thought, well one of us is going to have to do it.

This doesn't sound too convincing.

[Big Phil]

An interesting piece on Crows Rookie Jack Gunston, playing for the Dogs...


http://leader-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/jack-an-option-to-cover-for-yves/

Jack could cover for Yves



YOUNG GUN: Central District picked up Crows draftee
Jack Gunston in the SANFL Mini Draft. Picture: Simon Cross


YVES Sibenaler’s retirement might open the door for Adelaide Crows draftee Jack Gunston to push for a League spot at Central District.

While undersized at just 74kg, Gunston has the height (191cm) to hold down a key post.

“The reports I’m getting from the Crows are good,” Central coach Roy Laird said.

“I need to see a little bit of him first but if he’s good enough I’ll play him.”

Gunston’s coach last year, Sandringham’s Dale Tapping, raves about his potential.

“He’s a ripper kid, just a pure footballer. I couldn’t speak highly enough of him,” Tapping said.

“I think he’ll do very well at Central and play League footy for Adelaide for a very long time.”

Gunston, 18, was selected with pick 29 in the AFL Draft by the Crows as a versatile key position player who has the capabilities to play both medium and tall, up forward and down back.

“We were over in Adelaide a few weeks ago for the coaching conference and stayed on to watch the Crows train,” Tapping said.

“They did a bit of match practice and Jack was on James Sellar and we thought he handled himself very well.

“And he’s obviously kicked a couple of goals (in his NAB Cup debut) against Collingwood the other day in tough conditions and showed a bit.

“He’s going to a really good environment, both at Adelaide and Central, so he’s only going to get better.”

Tapping said Gunston had a big finish to the TAC Cup season in 2009.

“We played Murray Bushrangers in the second last game of the season and they needed to win to make the top eight.

“Jack kicked six goals and just tore the game apart.

“I thought he was our number one player by the end of the year.”

Sibenaler, a six-time premiership defender, retired from Central last week to take up employment in Darwin as a fire fighter.

[Big Phil]

This one was on the Messenger site last week, just didn't get round to putting it up*

http://southern-times-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/panthers-add-size-and-speed/

Panthers add size and speed


Daniel Talia - set to give Panthers key position options. Picture: Ray Titus

SOUTH Adelaide’s key position stocks could receive a much needed boost courtesy of the Crows and Power this year.

The Panthers took 194cm Crows draftee Daniel Talia and 198cm ex-US college basketballer Daniel Bass in the SANFL Mini Draft and can expect to see game time from both men in 2010.

Former Vic Metro and Calder Cannon player Talia made the All-Australian under-18 side playing as a centre half back last year and and according to his former coach Martin Allison is good enough to push for Crows selection later in 2010.

But Allison, who coaches the Cannons in the TAC Cup, believes this will be a development year for Talia, who needs to put on some size to become a key position AFL player.

“I think South Adelaide will see a fair bit of him (Talia) this year,” said Allison, who led his side to a flag last year.

“Just going on the way the Crows have operated in the past I don’t think they will look to rush him into senior football ...

“We played him at centre half forward last year and as early as round one against the Northern Knights he showed he was something special. But then for Vic Metro he played at centre half back so he can play at either end of the ground.

“He can take a strong mark and he is very quick. I don’t think the Crows could believe their luck when he was still there at pick 12.”

Bass, 23, has taken a less travelled route to AFL football.

The former AIS basketballer spent four years at Metro State University in Denver, Colorado, and played his second ever game of Australian Rules football for South Adelaide against the Eagles last week.

Power development coach and former Panther Darren Trevena said Bass had already impressed on the track at Port but he was a “three year project” player.

“He is a long term project and we would expect him to learn the game this year playing mainly in the SANFL,” Travena said.

“He is an extremely good athlete. He can jump and he has very good hands.”

Bass is being mentored by fellow basketballer come AFL footballer Dean Brogan.

[Booney]

John Cahill’s appointment in 2008...
``I’ll stand on record as saying he didn’t deliver what he was supposed to deliver. He was a primadonna from the start. He offered a whole lot of excuses.
The decision was wrong and he knew the decision was wrong and we knew the decision was wrong and that’s why it was short-lived.’’

What was Souths record when Cahill coached them briefly in 2008???

At what point did both parties discover they were both wrong?

[Big Phil]

A small piece on the importance of education down at the Panthers...

http://southern-times-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/study-comes-first-say-panthers/

Study comes first, say Panthers


ROLE MODEL: Jacob Crate juggles football with uni. Picture: Stephen Laffer

SOUTH Adelaide Football Club has joined with Flinders University to encourage more young people to continue study after school.

Under the new partnership, the university will provide financial sponsorship to the Panthers and assist with special projects, including school football clinics.

The club has started looking at further opportunities for staff and players to obtain tertiary qualifications.

SAFC marketing manager Andrew Osborn said he hoped the four-year partnership, launched for the 2010 season, would boost awareness of education options.

“Together we want to encourage young players at our club and people in the southern community that they can pursue both sport and study,” he said.

Mr Osborn said Jacob Crate a Panthers backman was a good role model for younger players trying to determine their future.

Crate, of McLaren Vale, is in his fourth and final year of a Bachelor of Education and Health Sciences at Flinders and hopes to debut as a middle school teacher next year. “I’ve always wanted to further my education and the teaching and sports science area tied in well with my interest in sport,” Crate, 21, said. He said the dedication acquired through football helped with his studies and he praised the Panthers for adopting a “uni comes first” attitude.

“Whenever I have uni exams or classes that run into training they help work around it."

[Big Phil]

Great work by North Adelaide to be giving something back to the community in this kind of way...

http://city-north-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/roosters-training-in-jail/

Roosters training in jail


ROLE MODEL: Djaran Whyman says football has helped to
keep him on the straight and narrow. Picture: Neale Winter


NORTH Adelaide footballers will head behind bars this month to strengthen ties with Port Augusta’s Indigenous community.

In an SANFL first, Magarey Medallists Rhys Archard and Jimmy Allan, and Indigenous player Djaran Whyman, will take low security prisoners at Port Augusta Jail through a training clinic and scratch match on Tuesday, March 16.

North Adelaide Football Club CEO Glenn Elliott said the club had a major focus this year on developing its relationship with the Indigenous community in its rural zone of Port Augusta.

“It’s about taking football to different places, and if we can be seen to be proactive in a role in the community, particularly in developing SANFL, that’s important,” Mr Elliott said. Mr Elliott said the Indigenous component of the SANFL was “completely underdeveloped and underfunded”.

“The grassroots stuff and Indigenous player development are forgotten in many other clubs,” he said. “With the relatively large Indigenous population up there (Port Augusta), and having two players Wade and Kriston Thompson from Port Augusta, we would be hoping their example would inspire others to follow their steps in football.”

The Roosters have about 15 Indigenous players at the club, including six on the seniors list.

Mr Elliott said the jail experience would be confronting for the players involved.

“I think it will be enlightening for the players and highlight to them how fortunate they are and encourage them to stay acutely on the career paths they are on.”