2008  13th July

Good News and Bad News

The Bad, Northern Cities Country Championship. Only 1 player in the team from Whyalla.
Players selected to train:-

Some had injury, which is fair enough, but a phone call to advise is not too much to ask!
Some just did not turn up or advise and this is very poor attitude and for mine I would not like to be playing in a Grand Final and rely on a player with this attitude!!

Whyalla claims and rightly so to have some of the strongest country teams, but until our senior players have pride and the internal fortitude to play at a higher level we have no right to claim this.
Perhaps our selectors should forget about some of these so called good players and start picking an Under 21 side as we have plenty of good youngsters who have played in representative sides and acquitted themselves well!

The Good, Freddy's lads played in the Kinlough Cup side against the best Under 17 players from E.P. last week. They reached the final and went down by one point on the last kick of the day. Our under 17 lads are a disciplined unit and credit must go to Freddy and his helpers who spend a considerable amount of time with the player development squad. The Kinlough Cup day at Lock was thoroughly enjoyed by Tit Bit who made the trip down or over (my directions at times are way out).
The advent of an Under 17 programme is to be applauded and to witness 150 young lads playing the game as it should be played is a pleasure. None of this silly AFL 'stuff' of playing backwards, flooding etc which is not inspiring.
Whyalla youngsters who caught Tit Bits eye were, Webster, Holmes, Everett, Ward and Norman.

Central - written off, now 2 wins in a row - can it happen - be difficult to make finals, but only a brave man would say they cannot.

Memorial Oval was a sight to see on Saturday with that terrific wind. The scoreboard numbers were taking off like helicopters and good to see officials decide to disperse with the scoreboard for the day in the interest of safety. During the last quarter of the 'A' grade noticed several spectators asking what the score was as it was a tight finish.

Sunday, I noticed Freddy Freeman talking to his 'A' grade players in the centre of Bennett Oval before the start of the seconds. Freddy has brought a lot of experience and fresh approaches to North and it is good to see the renewed confidence and support at the club.

Curious about the Bays. Plenty of talent but no commitment from the players is evident. Hope they get behind John Sawford and Harry Marks and show that they do