Messenger's Norwood Team of the Decade

[Big Phil]

I 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.

[dedja]

COACH: Neville Roberts

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.

Just throwing it out there .. is Rocky ahead of Macca, Dale Lewis and Trevor Hill?

[Wedgie]

Hope its closer to the mark than the Messenger's very poor effort on North's team of the decade was.
It had Ryswyk on the wing!
(and yet O'Hara, M.Campbell, Roe, Gilham, Hudson and Morgan couldn't make it! )

[Ronnie]

Bartemucci surely not???

[Psyber]

Bartemucci surely not???

At his best I'd have him in, but his form deteriorated with time.
As I was away from SA by then I don't know whether it was post-injury, or whether the Norwood malaise wore him down.

[JK]

Everyone has different opinions on subjective matter such as this.

For mine Patfull goes to the goalsquare, Vlats to a pocket, Barta the bench, Cars the bench, Bryce to Back Pocket and Harvs is the skipper.

[wycbloods]

Did Scott Bassett play many games for Norwood? I thought he only got a few games in before he broke his leg? really badly.

[JK]

Played a few while he was Power listed mate, and then got through most of a season, before Round 1 2006 (IIRC) messing his leg up pretty badly.

Could possibly drop to I/C with Patfull to CHF and Bown to CHB

[wycbloods]

Played a few while he was Power listed mate, and then got through most of a season, before Round 1 2006 (IIRC) messing his leg up pretty badly.

Could possibly drop to I/C with Patfull to CHF and Bown to CHB

I thought he would've only played 20 odd and i thought that wouldn't have you qualify for a team of the decade no matter how good those 20 were.

[Booney]

Roger James?

[JK]

Played a few while he was Power listed mate, and then got through most of a season, before Round 1 2006 (IIRC) messing his leg up pretty badly.

Could possibly drop to I/C with Patfull to CHF and Bown to CHB

I thought he would've only played 20 odd and i thought that wouldn't have you qualify for a team of the decade no matter how good those 20 were.

I'm not sure of the criteria they use mate so I really couldn't say ... There's a few listed there that would have played more of their career in the 90's than 00's

[The Ash Man]

Bartemucci surely not???

At his best I'd have him in, but his form deteriorated with time.
As I was away from SA by then I don't know whether it was post-injury, or whether the Norwood malaise wore him down.

He is one of my good mates and Im sure even he would be suprised to be there...

[wycbloods]

Bartemucci would make it before a few others in that side IMO. As CP said earlier lots of good footballers but some played good footy in the 90's and not so much in the 00's.

[Rik E Boy]

If that side played the Norwood team of the 80's it would be a scoreline akin to the Crows v Norwood games we had a few years back.

regards,

REB

[Magpiespower]

Roger James?

The gun Port on-baller?

[ezydoesitbigfella]

If that side played the Norwood team of the 80's it would be a scoreline akin to the Crows v Norwood games we had a few years back.

regards,

REB

If this team played ANY Norwood team of the 80's they'd get gunned down.....quite embarrassing really.