SA Footy

No new contract for Hart
5:15:10 PM Tue 3 October, 2006
afc.com.au
The Adelaide Football Club wishes to advise that defender Ben Hart will not be offered a new contract with the Club.

This decision has been made (essentially) for the following reasons:


a) The need for the Club to continue to develop its List.
b) Concerns in relation to Ben▓s durability.
c) The fact that there are already two long term injuries in 2007 (Biglands and Hentschel).


The decision has been made after very lengthy and detailed discussion and debate by List Management Committee.


The decision making process was also very difficult, due to the extraordinary service and contribution made by Ben over 16 years. It was, however, a decision made in the best interests of the Club into the future.

While it is the Club▓s desire for Ben to retire and to continue in an off-field role with the Club (in Coaching support and the Commercial area), it is clear that Ben himself now has a decision to make in regard to his future.

Ben▓s contribution to the Club has included:

Dual Premiership Player
Played 311 AFL games
Club Champion 1999 and 2002
Four time All Australian
First Adelaide player to play 300 games

More than that, he has demonstrated enormous leadership and commitment, defining him as one of the Club▓s greatest ever players.

Adelaide Football Club chief executive officer Steven Trigg said: ⌠The Club has made a clear, definitive decision √ but one which was not made lightly at all, as Ben has been a magnificent player and person for us.

⌠In the end, the needs of the Club▓s List have been paramount in our thinking.

⌠We would very much like Ben to continue with us off-field, and will keep our fingers crossed that that▓s his decision.■


SD Say's
Tough decision but the right decision made by the club

anyone wear 34 at the power???

Dutchy wrote:anyone wear 34 at the power???

Get real.

I hope Ben remains a one club player, he is in no doubt in the best 3 ever to play at the AFC and a quality person

it's probably the toughest call the AFC club has ever had to make on a player in it's short history, but given Ben's past two seasons the right decision has been made

I would hate to see him play with another club, absolutely hate it.

The crows do eat their own, oh not such a loving club after all

dash61

are you saying Hart should of been given a new contract

sydney-dog wrote:dash61

are you saying Hart should of been given a new contract

He probably couldn't care less, in fact he probably knows it was the right decision.

Any possible chance to put down the AFC and he will take it.

Predictable.

NFC

I think once he has a day or two to let the dust settle he will clearly see the position of the club

the crows back 6 is the strongest part of our structure, both Torney and Massie can play Ben's role and the club will be looking at developing Obst and Pfeiffer as similar type of players, not to mention with zoomer, roo, goody and macca all 30+ and already two fit players down on our list for next year we need players on the list who can get through a full season, we can't afford any risk at all

I don't think that any other AFL club will pick him up given his injuries recently.

North Adelaide might be interested in giving him a couple of seasons, I'd love to see him still play on; a very dependable player.

Tough but right decision, elite sport aint about fairness....

spell_check wrote:I don't think that any other AFL club will pick him up given his injuries recently.

North Adelaide might be interested in giving him a couple of seasons, I'd love to see him still play on; a very dependable player.

Got a feeling Jars could be on the phone sooner rather than later.

A tough decision but with Ben's injuries over the past two years probably the right one. Good luck in the future Ben.

never know - no doubt Ben thought he had at least a year left (hence the option to retire not taken)....the power could do worse in getting him for a year and use his experince amongst what will be a young group next year.

I reckon Hart wouldnt be happy due to players like Hird, Voss, Archer, Buckley all given the option to play on, where he obviously hasnt - mind you he is "just" a half back flanker and can be replaced where the before mentioned all add something a bit different to team structures.

interesting call

or on the other side of the coin their is the Wanganeen situation for the Power, obviously went 1 year too many

Harty must want to go on for another year, surely the AFC would have told him of their decision and at least given him the chance to retired with a bit of diginity. what a great player he has been for the club...SD i think gavs 300th had something to do with him going on, and i think you gotta let champions have a go at it, just like WB were willing to have smith for another year, Ess - hird, Kangas- Archer all in same boat...good luck harty!

Every 30+ year old seem to play one year too long.
They play well then have that bad last year, happens often,
Ben is no exception.

dash61 wrote:The crows do eat their own, oh not such a loving club after all

Ridiculous!!

regards,

REB

I am still in shock as to the way this is has been handled.

I give Port some credit in this area as they dont let this happen to there champions !!!!!

Before his broken arm earlier this year he was playin very good footy - News Flash AFC 20 year olds can suffer a broken arm . He came back to AFL to early and should of played a game or 2 in the SANFL and now has paid the ultimate price.

When Neil Craig took over he had always questioned Harts durability - FFS 311 games is some durability.

Im goin now cause i could rant on for ever !!!!

Good Career - Stellar player and one for the ages.

His mark against the Saints a while back was magnificent and definately was a versatile player who gave his all for the Crows!