bayman wrote:luke norman (next year) & he is a former panther, perhaps brenton honor could takeover for the remainder of the year
I work with Luke 'Stormin' Norman, he's one of iur truck drivers...
Talk to him occassionally, seems pretty happy with Rick Macgowan out at Sturt, think he is coaching the reserves side...
Reckon he would make a good League coach, eventually, but I think this is only his first FULL year as a head coach, reckon he has only been an assistant, out at the Eagles with Ricky as well, and think he took over from Donald Dickie with the Double Blues ressies...
IMHO, I think South need to promote from within, like Centrals did with Roy Laird after Al Clarkson left. I think the experienced Torney should be "captain / coach" for the remainder of the year, leaving his assistant Clay Sampson in charge in the box, esentially giving Sambo a bit of match day experience, and blooding him for the League coaching role in season 2009. Sampson just seems like a good, natural fit and would certainly be better for any experience in a coaching capacity that he would gain in the remainder of the season...
Whoever they decide upon, it's going to be a mammoth task to bring South back from the duldrums. I think, although they don't have the greatest record with interstate recruits, they need to get a couple of experienced, quality players for next season, while still blooding as many as the local youngsters as possible. Similar to Centrals in terms of geographical positioning and distant metropolitan location, I reckon they need to show faith in their zones and local players. The Doggies, while in part, have been successful with a few selective and QUALITY recruits, really, they have in the majority, given the right opportunities and shown faith in their local kids and recruiting zones to reap the benefits. The Barossa Valley and local Northern Suburbs clubs have been a recruiting mecca for a fair majority of Central's recent Premiership success.
I think South need to follow suit with the Centrals "model" for want of a better word, but really need to be settled off field, before the on field results stay to come together. I feel sorry for the Panther faithful, they certainly have had a fair bit of sh!t to put up with coaching issues and board level problems over the last 2 or 3 years, of course barring the semi succesful season in 06 when they made the finals. I think a certain player who was in the Panther line up that season and since has been recruited to the AFL, was really a HUGE blow to the sides success and following lack of it since he left. ALWYN DAVEY, who has now proven himself at the highest level, but is unfortuantley injured at the moment, was an amazing player for the Panthers and was so good at not only kicking goals but applying forward line pressure as well. I think on top of that, losing Steve Kenna, Rhys Archard and David Clarke since, has also been a huge blow for the Noralunga based team.
Good luck to the Panthers for the rest of the season and in following years. I'm sure things will slowly, but surely, get back on track...
Big Phil...