Messenger's Norwood Team of the Decade
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:12 pmI thought for Norwood fans (and others interested) that haven’t seen the local Messenger, you may be interested in an article Jai Bednall wrote with the assistance of Redlegs club historian Chris Lane, selecting their Norwood Team of the Decade 2000-2009
I couldn’t find a link to the story so have typed it instead.
NORWOOD TEAM OF THE DECADE:
FF: Matthew Bartemucci Jamie Vlatko Robbie Neill
HF: Scott Direen Stuart Bown John Cunningham
C: James Thiessen Anthony Harvey James Gallagher
HB: Troy Clements Scott Bassett Matthew Dawes
FB: Stephen Daniels Brett Zorzi Scott Carslake
1R: Jonathon Robran Brett James Scott Borlace
INT: Joel Patfull Bryce Campbell Nick Duigan Jonathon Yerbury
COACH: Neville Roberts
SUCH has been the quality of many of the players who have donned the Norwood gurnsey in the past decade, the Redlegs have underachieved by not making at least one Grand Final, former coach Neville Roberts says.
Roberts, who was named coach of the side because he was the only man to lead Norwood to consecutive finals appearances in the period, conceded the sides he coached in 2000 and 2001 had missed golden opportunities to win a flag.
“It (the club) has underperformed, particularly in that period that I coached,” Roberts said.
Casting his eye over the team of the decade, Roberts was glowing in his praise of the inspirational leaders that had played during the period. “Brett James is as good a choice as captain but there were plenty of others.
“Anthony Harvey was one of the players when you’re running (midfield) rotations you think, why would I take him off? He had a heart the size of Sydney Harbour.
“(And) I had the pleasure of coaching Jimmy (James Gallagher) just before he went to the AFL. He was a very good leader and a great team man.”
Roberts said Robbie Neill, Harvey and Troy Clements had led the club during the early period of the decade.
“Robbie Neill, along with Anthony Harvey and Troy Clements, were the real standout players after Macca (Garry McIntosh) left.
“Robbie Neill was the absolute professional, there was nothing he didn’t do to prepare himself each week. “Troy Clements was the standout player while I was there. He had a colossal attitude, was really tough and highly-skilled.”
Much like its current day side, the earlier Norwood teams were filled with players on AFL lists.
“The club had had a lot of AFL-listed players, guys like Stephen Daniels, Brett James, James Thiessen, Scott Bassett, that always came back and played with the right attitude,” Roberts said.
Of those who missed out, Roberts said Danny Morton and Dale Fleming were perhaps the unluckiest.
Taylor Walker was another player considered for the forward line but greater emphasis was placed on the length of service a player had given when picking the side.
I couldn’t find a link to the story so have typed it instead.
NORWOOD TEAM OF THE DECADE:
FF: Matthew Bartemucci Jamie Vlatko Robbie Neill
HF: Scott Direen Stuart Bown John Cunningham
C: James Thiessen Anthony Harvey James Gallagher
HB: Troy Clements Scott Bassett Matthew Dawes
FB: Stephen Daniels Brett Zorzi Scott Carslake
1R: Jonathon Robran Brett James Scott Borlace
INT: Joel Patfull Bryce Campbell Nick Duigan Jonathon Yerbury
COACH: Neville Roberts
SUCH has been the quality of many of the players who have donned the Norwood gurnsey in the past decade, the Redlegs have underachieved by not making at least one Grand Final, former coach Neville Roberts says.
Roberts, who was named coach of the side because he was the only man to lead Norwood to consecutive finals appearances in the period, conceded the sides he coached in 2000 and 2001 had missed golden opportunities to win a flag.
“It (the club) has underperformed, particularly in that period that I coached,” Roberts said.
Casting his eye over the team of the decade, Roberts was glowing in his praise of the inspirational leaders that had played during the period. “Brett James is as good a choice as captain but there were plenty of others.
“Anthony Harvey was one of the players when you’re running (midfield) rotations you think, why would I take him off? He had a heart the size of Sydney Harbour.
“(And) I had the pleasure of coaching Jimmy (James Gallagher) just before he went to the AFL. He was a very good leader and a great team man.”
Roberts said Robbie Neill, Harvey and Troy Clements had led the club during the early period of the decade.
“Robbie Neill, along with Anthony Harvey and Troy Clements, were the real standout players after Macca (Garry McIntosh) left.
“Robbie Neill was the absolute professional, there was nothing he didn’t do to prepare himself each week. “Troy Clements was the standout player while I was there. He had a colossal attitude, was really tough and highly-skilled.”
Much like its current day side, the earlier Norwood teams were filled with players on AFL lists.
“The club had had a lot of AFL-listed players, guys like Stephen Daniels, Brett James, James Thiessen, Scott Bassett, that always came back and played with the right attitude,” Roberts said.
Of those who missed out, Roberts said Danny Morton and Dale Fleming were perhaps the unluckiest.
Taylor Walker was another player considered for the forward line but greater emphasis was placed on the length of service a player had given when picking the side.
