SA Footy

whybother wrote:This is why I get rather sad when "good" SANFL players get "promoted" to the AFL to end up playing a fringe role, or in the VFL. The SANFL club officials all seem keen on them going, all for the players good I suppose, but never seem to reflect on how it affects their own planning etc for their club's season.

Their attitude cements the idea that the SANFL is a second tier comp, with the purpose of propping up the AFL.

DOC wrote:Hamish Hartlett reveals his complete lack of understanding about what our clubs are playing for this year. Hint. It's not so players can be used by other clubs to help them and destroy their actual clubs chances.



A former Port Adelaide star has backed the idea of state-league footballers covering mass coronavirus absences in the AFL, saying SANFL players will view it as a huge opportunity.

The AFL has discussed creating a pool of second-tier talent to help Covid-hit clubs fill sides this year and ex-Power vice-captain Hamish Hartlett will put his hand up if it goes ahead.

Hartlett, who played 193 games for the Power, returned to his junior team West Adelaide after being delisted in September.

The 31-year-old said a Covid replacement pool would provide another avenue for state-league players to realise their AFL dreams, which was good for the game.

“I’d say it would be unlikely for anyone to really require top-up players but who knows what can happen, Covid spreads very, very quickly,” Hartlett told News Corp.

“Anyone that considers themselves good enough to play at AFL level should be going in with a really open mind this season because as we’ve seen in other competitions in various other sports, opportunities can arise from nowhere, so you need to be prepared for that.

“The reality is there’s a lot of guys running around the SANFL who grew up with the dream of wanting to play AFL football.

“That’s not going to be a reality for everyone to be able to do that but if there’s a glimmer of hope that’s a chance of happening, I think any SANFL player would jump at that opportunity.

“My main focus at the moment is keeping fit, staying fit and playing good football with West Adelaide, but with the right preparation under my belt to be able to perform at AFL level should that call come.

“Clearly there’d be some logistics to work through from the lower levels with the AFL about how they’re likely going to be compensated or with other players.”

Hartlett believed each SANFL club had at least two or three players capable of filling holes on AFL lists.

“They’re not going to go out and play in the midfield and dominate – I don’t think anyone’s expecting that to happen,” he said.

“But it might mean being thrown in a back pocket or forward pocket, or on a wing and getting to play a pretty basic and general role.”

Hartlett, who had an injury-hampered 2021, would relish another AFL chance.

But he said seeing young players receive an opportunity out of the blue was more exciting.

“Having stepped out of the (AFL) system for a pretty short period of time, you kind of understand how good it is and enjoyable it is to be involved and how privileged you are to play in those types of games,” he said.

Hartlett said having five or six players plucked mid-year to join an AFL pool would be a good look for the SANFL.

“Is it fair on the clubs individually? Probably not,” he said.

“But on the same token, I think clubs would be super encouraging of their players to get that opportunity.

“It’s something (SANFL) clubs, even now, will have to start wrapping their heads around.”

Hartlett said building squad depth would help state-league clubs handle losing quality players during the minor round.

Even if a top-up pool was not introduced, state-league stars like Hartlett could be recruited in the mid-season rookie draft.

“I’ll try to play good footy at the start of the year and we’ll see where things go from there,” he said.

whybother wrote:This is why I get rather sad when "good" SANFL players get "promoted" to the AFL to end up playing a fringe role, or in the VFL. The SANFL club officials all seem keen on them going, all for the players good I suppose, but never seem to reflect on how it affects their own planning etc for their club's season.

Their attitude cements the idea that the SANFL is a second tier comp, with the purpose of propping up the AFL.

Backman wrote:Hamish might have a different view if Westies are battling for a finals spot and West lose a couple of players to the top up pool, but he is left in the SANFL
This will be the reality for 99% of SANFL players!!

whufc wrote:

Backman wrote:Hamish might have a different view if Westies are battling for a finals spot and West lose a couple of players to the top up pool, but he is left in the SANFL
This will be the reality for 99% of SANFL players!!

My mail is if by June Hamish doesn’t believe he could get on an AFL list he will most likely be seen at Eudunda /Robertsown with his brother and Chris Schmidt.

Dutchy wrote:

whufc wrote:

Backman wrote:Hamish might have a different view if Westies are battling for a finals spot and West lose a couple of players to the top up pool, but he is left in the SANFL
This will be the reality for 99% of SANFL players!!

My mail is if by June Hamish doesn’t believe he could get on an AFL list he will most likely be seen at Eudunda /Robertsown with his brother and Chris Schmidt.

Adam? he is assistant at West, so he will leave also?

Dutchy wrote:

whufc wrote:

Backman wrote:Hamish might have a different view if Westies are battling for a finals spot and West lose a couple of players to the top up pool, but he is left in the SANFL
This will be the reality for 99% of SANFL players!!

My mail is if by June Hamish doesn’t believe he could get on an AFL list he will most likely be seen at Eudunda /Robertsown with his brother and Chris Schmidt.

Adam? he is assistant at West, so he will leave also?

jet-airport wrote:Gday all,

For the Russell Ebert game in Loxton will a standard SANFL pass get us into this game?
I'm Not a Port or West Member, what will crowd be capped at we think?.

Cheers

DOC wrote:

jet-airport wrote:Gday all,

For the Russell Ebert game in Loxton will a standard SANFL pass get us into this game?
I'm Not a Port or West Member, what will crowd be capped at we think?.

Cheers

I am not sure what a standard SANFL pass is.

jet-airport wrote:Gday all,

For the Russell Ebert game in Loxton will a standard SANFL pass get us into this game?
I'm Not a Port or West Member, what will crowd be capped at we think?.

Cheers

tkr wrote:

jet-airport wrote:Gday all,

For the Russell Ebert game in Loxton will a standard SANFL pass get us into this game?
I'm Not a Port or West Member, what will crowd be capped at we think?.

Cheers

From what I have been told if you have a Westies home game pass or a Port season pass they will get you in.

PatowalongaPirate wrote:Glenelg have extended Brett Hand's contract until end of 2023.

bulldogproud wrote:

PatowalongaPirate wrote:Glenelg have extended Brett Hand's contract until end of 2023.

That is Handy; I bet the extension didn't cost an arm and a leg either.