Famous inter-club transfers ... why did they do it?

[Adelaide Hawk]

Neville Roberts - Torrens, Richmond then Norwood - why not Torrens when he returned?

He did return to West Torrens. He played for them from 1978 to 1981, captaining the club in 80 & 81, before moving to Norwood in 1982.

I think a lot of players in that era from lower clubs transfered simply because they wanted to win a flag before retirement.

Yep you're right ... again, I forgot that he came back to Torrens first. Didn't he have some hassles in the transfer to Norwood or is that my imagination?

Not sure, but I seem to recall that Roberts wasn't cleared until just shortly before the start of the season. Can't remember the circumstances.

[dedja]

I never knew Paynter was a life long Sturt supporter.

I've always assumed Halbert had a fair bit to do with it ... got him another runners up to complete the triple in '83.

Well Chris McDermott was likewise a Woodville fanatic and idolised Blighty, but that didn't make him leave the Bay!

[dedja]

Not sure, but I seem to recall that Roberts wasn't cleared until just shortly before the start of the season. Can't remember the circumstances.

Are you serious? ... I can't believe you didn't remember something!

[Adelaide Hawk]

Not sure, but I seem to recall that Roberts wasn't cleared until just shortly before the start of the season. Can't remember the circumstances.

Are you serious? ... I can't believe you didn't remember something!

Once again ... just happy to have him on board

[Adelaide Hawk]

With the Neville Roberts clearance, what I can tell you is we paid West Torrens $37,000 for Roberts, but this was offset by the $30,000 we got from Woodville for Ugo Colasante.

The SANFL settled the fee for Roberts, but the stand off occured when Norwood wanted to pay in installments, whereas Torrens wanted the money up front ... can't blame them for that.

The controversy was that Torrens claimed Norwood did not have permission to interview Roberts when he announced that he wanted to play for a higher ranked club with a chance of winning a flag. These allegations were upheld and Norwood was fined $1000 for improper recruiting conduct .. the first club ever to be fined fpr this offence, but not the last.

As I said earlier, Norwood were able to finalise the deal once they cleared Colasante to Woodville.

Norwood nearly had one hell of a team in 1982. Michael Taylor expressed interest in returning from Collingwood, but decided to stay with the Woods, and Phil Carman also wanted to return to Norwood but North Melbourne signed him for that season. Added to this, Neil Balme was thinkig about playing as well.

Also, 1969 Tassie Medal winner Graham Molloy returned to the club, but spent the season playing reserves.

[dedja]

With the Neville Roberts clearance, what I can tell you is we paid West Torrens $37,000 for Roberts, but this was offset by the $30,000 we got from Woodville for Ugo Colasante.

I knew you'd come good ... and there was a tiff with Torrens.

Your kidding, $30K for Ugo? The Legs must have pissed themselves laughing with that deal.

Yes, the 'Legs had a good side but so did the Bays and of course we played our GF a week too early

[Leaping Lindner]

Here's a few others:
John Roberts - Woodville, South Melbourne, Torrens, North - why did he move so many times?

John Roberts actually retired at the end of 86 and Nunan talked him into coming to North. I suppose he figured it was a shot at a flag - he'd played in one final prior to this. Turned out a good move as when he retired two seasons later he had a premiership and Ken Farmer medal.
BTW he came back to Woodville after South Melbourne before moving to Torrens.

Glynn & Darryl Hewitt - West, Richmond, Woodville, South - why so many clubs?

Don't know about Darryl but Glynn was sacked by Woodville IIRC along with Huppatz Darryl was at St Kilda at the time (i think) and when he returned to SA joined his brother at South.

[Leaping Lindner]

Some North ones from the 80's off the top of my head...

Kim Klomp from Sturt (couldn't crack a regular league spot)
Mike Armfield from Glenelg (as above)
Wayne Slattery from South (via St Kilda) - not 100% sure presumably to play finals
Craig Burton from West - as above
Steven Sims from Torrens - as above
Steven Barratt from Torrens - as above
Bradley Ryan from West - as above
Darrel Hart from Central - dispute with Neale IIRC
Max Parker from Woodville - fall out with Woodville hierarchy over Ebert's appointment.
Roger Clift from Woodville - swapped for a young Andrew Rodgers

The other way
Kim Dillon, Mark Downie, Robert Diorio, Mark Diorio, Trevor Hill to Torrens - presumably because of Nunan but Hill came back in 1984
Wayne Stringer and Alan Stringer to Glenelg - pay dispute IIRC
Trevor Grenfell to Port - ??
Greg McAdam to Central (via StKilda) presumably to join his brother
Phil Harrison to Port - couldn't crack a regular spot in North team.

[Dogwatcher]

A fantastic thread guys, really enjoying it.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Your kidding, $30K for Ugo? The Legs must have pissed themselves laughing with that deal.

Well, it was no disrespect for Ugo, Norwood had recruited Jeff Fehring and also had other ruckmen in Button, Hein, Hall, etc, so it was unlikely Ugo would have got a regular game.

Where Ugo was handy was for someone 6'7", he had good bulk but was extremely athletic and mobile, allowing for him to run with players such as Davies, Carey, etc, and cut their on ball effectiveness by spoiling from behind.

However, he wasn't a ruckman to take marks around the ground, which was what Woodville needed, so I'm not sure why they were willing to pay such a high price for him.

[Harry the Horse]

Just spoke to Rocky Roberts and asked him about this ... he said he wanted out of Torrens because he knew he'd never win anything there. He was actually close to joining Port because he knew Jack Cahill well and used to go for runs along the beach with him. Port had won the last three flags when he decided to leave Torrens. But it was ultimately his affiliation with Neil Balme from their days at Richmond that swung him towards Norwood. And the Redlegs won two of the next three which was obviosuly in no small way thanks to his efforts up front.

[FattyLumpkin]

LL

You forgot Mick Doszna from Peckerland. A fave of mine in his time at Oval Ave.

Other Peckers to clear out:

Colin MacVicar to Glenelg
Frank Stemper to Norwood
Ray Huppatz to Port (that hurt)
Jon Simpson to Port (serves the right!)

Coming in.
Ken Deards from West
Brian Mulvahill from Torrens
Bob Ford from North


Sneezer from SA to Glenelg must have hurt the Panthers

[Adelaide Hawk]

Frank Stemper to Norwood

Norwood derived tremendous value in this period by resurrecting careers of top players who had become disenchanted or had retired.

Frank Stemper had given footy away at the end of 1978 to concentrate on his studies but Norwood rekindled his interest and he started with the Legs in 1980.

Terry Von Bertouch retired prematurely for employment purposes. He had been missing from league football for over 2 seasons when Bob Hammond approached him to play for Norwood.

Wayne Phillis (as discussed) had become disenchanted at Glenelg and retured, only to be coaxed to Norwood by Hammond.

Also as discussed, Mike Nunan took leave from Sturt for a season to undertake busiess studies overseas, only to be told by Jack Oatey there was no spot for him to return. Norwood offered him a position.

All 4 players have been wonderful players for their previous clubs, and enjoyed premiership success at Norwood. We used to recruit well back in those days

[Adelaide Hawk]

Just spoke to Rocky Roberts and asked him about this ... he said he wanted out of Torrens because he knew he'd never win anything there. He was actually close to joining Port because he knew Jack Cahill well and used to go for runs along the beach with him. Port had won the last three flags when he decided to leave Torrens. But it was ultimately his affiliation with Neil Balme from their days at Richmond that swung him towards Norwood. And the Redlegs won two of the next three which was obviosuly in no small way thanks to his efforts up front.

Yep, he was good mates with Neil Balme and that swung the deal. I have no doubt in my mind, that had we not recruited Roberts when we did, our 1982 and 1984 premiership flags would be hanging on the wall at other clubs.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Rocky Roberts

Just a quick story about the "Rocky" tag given to Roberts. As most would be aware, Neville suffered same bad facial injuries playing for West Torrens and came back from injury wearing a facial guard not unlike those a sparring partner would wear in boxing. He played an incredible game that day and the press awarded him the sobriquet "Rocky", after the movie.

When he came to Norwood, they wanted him to blend in as just another Norwood player so they told him "none of this Rocky stuff". Of course, the name had caught on, and it didn't stop the media or the supporters still referring to him as Rocky.

One day he booted 10 goals against Sturt at Unley. In a moment of weakness, Roberts thrust his arms in the air Rocky style. As he was playing with the flu, and Norwood were 10 goals up at the time, Balmey sent runner Ross Porritt out and took Robets from the ground. He was told he was dragged for disciplinary reasons, but the real reason was to rest him.

The following week, he booted 11 against Woodville at Adelaide Oval. When he reached number 10 again, he thrust his arms in the air, saw Porritt running towards him, so he proceded to jog off the ground thinking he'd been dragged. However, the message was "well done", and he stayed on .... and the shot of Neil Balme p*ssing himself laughing was priceless

[Hondo]

Just spoke to Rocky Roberts and asked him about this ... he said he wanted out of Torrens because he knew he'd never win anything there. He was actually close to joining Port because he knew Jack Cahill well and used to go for runs along the beach with him. Port had won the last three flags when he decided to leave Torrens. But it was ultimately his affiliation with Neil Balme from their days at Richmond that swung him towards Norwood. And the Redlegs won two of the next three which was obviosuly in no small way thanks to his efforts up front.

Yep, he was good mates with Neil Balme and that swung the deal. I have no doubt in my mind, that had we not recruited Roberts when we did, our 1982 and 1984 premiership flags would be hanging on the wall at other clubs.

On 5AA's "where are they now", Roberts said that he actually trained at Port a few times while he was deciding. He said somehow the media didn't realise or, if they did, didn't make a deal out of it.

[whufc]

Alot of rumours floated around about Josh Coulter's departure from the Dogs to North Adelaide.

None have ever been confirmed from my knowledge so hard to go into detail about them, wary of defemation.

[FlyingHigh]

Norwood nearly had one hell of a team in 1982. Michael Taylor expressed interest in returning from Collingwood, but decided to stay with the Woods, and Phil Carman also wanted to return to Norwood but North Melbourne signed him for that season. Added to this, Neil Balme was thinkig about playing as well.

So winning the Grandy by 10 goals wasn't good enough for you AH?

[FlyingHigh]

Couple of more recent ones - Scott Carslake and Troy Clements from Eagles to Norwood. Does anyone know if Clements started at Port (juniors?) being from Kimba?

Although I imagine these probably would have been more for the opportunity given the Eagles depth up until '95

[FlyingHigh]

James Fantasia and Des ODwyer from Norwood to Woodville. Perhaps not stars like some of the other names here, but made some useful contributions at the Warriors.