Oh No- Not Centrals

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Larry the Liquidator said:
Dogwatcher, sure the passion of those who support it is high, but look at the numbers who are supporting it. Face it, the numbers have dwindled. I live in Melbourne now so I don't get to see alot of games, but I do try to keep abreast of the SANFL. When you've got 25,000 people to a Centrals WW grand final, you know the league is no where near what it was. The heady days of the SANFL ended when the Crows came along, and was pretty much killed off when Port joined the AFL.

Centrals had good sides in 1995 and 1996. Both years they lost to a Port side whose goal was still to win SANFL flags. Once the Port joined the AFL, their goal chganged to winning AFL flags, sure they won 2 more SANFL premierships after they joined the AFL, but once Mark Williams was appointed coach, it was almost as if Port gave Centrals a bone (pardon the pun) and said, 'here, you can have it, enjoy". And that's what Centrals have been doing ever since, enjoying being successful ion a comp which lost its soul many years ago.
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22,000 of those supporters would have been Centrals supporters though. The Eagles are probably the weakest supported club in the league.



We got nearly 25,000 to a Semi final on the weekend, bigger then that of an AFL final in Sydney. This weeks crowd will be even bigger if its good weather.
 
Edward Teach said:
Agree with you. You can only do the best you can in the competition you are in. That is why when the Vics say Port won premmies in a weak competition it annoys me because they did the best they could in the competition. Hard to say it (as a Sturt supporter) but obviously Port must be a very very well run club as is Central now. Port have proven that this can transfer straight into a higher competition. I'm sure that a Central management team of say, Laird, Stewart, Jonas, Clarkson, Grant would make for the basis of a much better than average AFL team (and this has been proven already with 3 of them).

My point was in response the question of 'why would anyone support Sturt?' Crazy question!

Sturt sure had a golden run during what many regard as the greatest era in SA footy (late 60's) and I am sure that their team in the day would have taken it to any VFL team as they proved when knocking off Carlton and Collingwood etc during that period.

It is hard to compare eras, understand the point about SANFL not being what it was but can't take anything away from Central. Has been an amazing sucess story from a club that as a kid I remember being a bit of a joke and an 'inked' in win along with Woodville.
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I can't believe I'm in agreement with a Sturt supporter - hahahaha.

I'm actually old enough to remember the Sturt dominance of the 60's and remember some of the great players they had, as did Port, Glenelg, North and Norwood (in particular) in that era.

Back in the 60's and 70's it wasn't unusual to go to a big game i.e. Port/Sturt, Port/Glenelg etc. as an impartial spectator, purely because you knew it would be a great game with a big crowd.

I can vividly remember going with my Dad as a 10 year old to the ANZAC Day game at Adelaide Oval to see Port and Sturt. In those days the previous year's grand finalists always met again on ANZAC Day (do they still? I haven't lived in Adelaide for 12 years.).

I remember the huge crowd (most standing - although we were in the Cresswell Stand) - around 40,000 and the great players. Sturt had Schoff, Rigney, Bagshaw, Doc Clarkson, Chessell, Adcock, Roger Rigney - Port with Jack Cahill, Eric Freeman, Geoff Potter, Ron Elleway etc.

Ok, now I'm starting to sound like the boring old fart I am!
 
Larry the Liquidator said:
Dogwatcher, sure the passion of those who support it is high, but look at the numbers who are supporting it. Face it, the numbers have dwindled. I live in Melbourne now so I don't get to see alot of games, but I do try to keep abreast of the SANFL. When you've got 25,000 people to a Centrals WW grand final, you know the league is no where near what it was. The heady days of the SANFL ended when the Crows came along, and was pretty much killed off when Port joined the AFL.

Centrals had good sides in 1995 and 1996. Both years they lost to a Port side whose goal was still to win SANFL flags. Once the Port joined the AFL, their goal chganged to winning AFL flags, sure they won 2 more SANFL premierships after they joined the AFL, but once Mark Williams was appointed coach, it was almost as if Port gave Centrals a bone (pardon the pun) and said, 'here, you can have it, enjoy". And that's what Centrals have been doing ever since, enjoying being successful ion a comp which lost its soul many years ago.
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Again, who said the SANFL was as good as it was then? No Centrals supporter is claiming that. It's only those who wish to deride Centrals who bring it up.
As for a competition that gave up its soul....I think you're looking in the wrong direction.
 

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Dogwatcher said:
Again, who said the SANFL was as good as it was then? No Centrals supporter is claiming that. It's only those who wish to deride Centrals who bring it up.
As for a competition that gave up its soul....I think you're looking in the wrong direction.
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Compdtitions do what they have to do to survive. The AFL, the EPL, are examples of competitions who have made changes to survive, and now both flourish.

I think also the agenda of the player now playing in the AFl has changed. Once upon a time the SANFL was a big deal. You had players like Michael Aish, Chris McDermott, Russel Johnston, all tempted by VFL/AFL clubs to play for them. Sure McDermott only went to AFL after the CRows were formed, but my point is, you had good players playing in the SANFL because the SANFL was a good enough league. Some went for the money, but alot stayed. Now, any 17 year old would not think twice about being picked up by an AFL club.

I'm not discrediting Centrals for winning the flags they have won, of course, the best you can do is win what you are playing in year after year. All I'm arguing is that the competition is well below what it once was and now alot of the SANFL clubs just hope to get their little payout at the end of the year to keep harvesting player stocks. Once upon a time, it was all about winning at all costs. Now players play with one eye on the AFL. If you speak to my brother who still lives in Adelaide, he barracks for West Adelaide/Crows, he will tell you that while most SANFL clubs nurturee young talent for future supply to the AFL, Centrals goes the opposite way and stocks its side with AFL rejects...players not good enough to play AFL, but good enough to be successful in the SANFL. Like I said, I don't follow the SANFL all that much nowadays due to me living in Melbourne, so I can't confirm or deny, but one thing is true, the standard of the SANFL is way way down from what it was and I believe the agenda of the clubs and certainly the players coming through has certainly changed. Nowadays, if you get a superstar in the making, the best you can do is hope to hold on to him for a season before he gets drafted. That's why most people don't care. It's reflercted in the numbers.
 
Larry the Liquidator said:
Compdtitions do what they have to do to survive. The AFL, the EPL, are examples of competitions who have made changes to survive, and now both flourish.

I think also the agenda of the player now playing in the AFl has changed. Once upon a time the SANFL was a big deal. You had players like Michael Aish, Chris McDermott, Russel Johnston, all tempted by VFL/AFL clubs to play for them. Sure McDermott only went to AFL after the CRows were formed, but my point is, you had good players playing in the SANFL because the SANFL was a good enough league. Some went for the money, but alot stayed. Now, any 17 year old would not think twice about being picked up by an AFL club.

I'm not discrediting Centrals for winning the flags they have won, of course, the best you can do is win what you are playing in year after year. All I'm arguing is that the competition is well below what it once was and now alot of the SANFL clubs just hope to get their little payout at the end of the year to keep harvesting player stocks. Once upon a time, it was all about winning at all costs. Now players play with one eye on the AFL. If you speak to my brother who still lives in Adelaide, he barracks for West Adelaide/Crows, he will tell you that while most SANFL clubs nurturee young talent for future supply to the AFL, Centrals goes the opposite way and stocks its side with AFL rejects...players not good enough to play AFL, but good enough to be successful in the SANFL. Like I said, I don't follow the SANFL all that much nowadays due to me living in Melbourne, so I can't confirm or deny, but one thing is true, the standard of the SANFL is way way down from what it was and I believe the agenda of the clubs and certainly the players coming through has certainly changed. Nowadays, if you get a superstar in the making, the best you can do is hope to hold on to him for a season before he gets drafted. That's why most people don't care. It's reflercted in the numbers.
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You've really got a different take on things. Reflected in the numbers?
What's reflected in the numbers is that the AFL is the major competition and people go and watch that. SANFL is the second competition and a smaller crowd watches that. But guess what? The numbers are growing again.
Yes the standard is lesser -but no one pretends it isn't.
Your brother is a West supporter and HE tells you that Centrals stocks its side with AFL rejects??? Have a closer look at West's recent history.
Also have a look at Central's recent player history.
Proves how little you know about the current SANFL. At least you admit you "can't confirm or deny" anything (if that's the case, stop making statements about something you profess to know nothing about).

BTW - you mentioned EPL. Should supporters of Leeds, Scampaignerhorpe or Southampton enjoy their club's successes any less because they are not in the EPL?
 
Disagree that Central stack their side with AFL rejects - a lot of SANFL clubs try to. I think Port have been the biggest AFL reject stackers of all actually.

Not quite correct that noone cares about the SANFL. A lot of footy fans actually don't really care about the AFL clubs here. Look at the choice we have... Port.. great players etc but really only any good if you are a Port fan, and the West Lakes Crows which I like to see win but like many SA footy fans - not really upset if they lose. Imagine Victorians given the choice of two clubs to follow.... Collingwood or 'Victoria'. Hardly a great choice.

Won't get back to the halcyon days but while the AFL becomes more sterile, lame club choices, no Adelaide oval etc... SANFL footy is looking a lot more interesting, passionate, cheaper, and easier to get a beer!
 
Edward Teach said:
Disagree that Central stack their side with AFL rejects - a lot of SANFL clubs try to. I think Port have been the biggest AFL reject stackers of all actually.

Not quite correct that noone cares about the SANFL. A lot of footy fans actually don't really care about the AFL clubs here. Look at the choice we have... Port.. great players etc but really only any good if you are a Port fan, and the West Lakes Crows which I like to see win but like many SA footy fans - not really upset if they lose. Imagine Victorians given the choice of two clubs to follow.... Collingwood or 'Victoria'. Hardly a great choice.

Won't get back to the halcyon days but while the AFL becomes more sterile, lame club choices, no Adelaide oval etc... SANFL footy is looking a lot more interesting, passionate, cheaper, and easier to get a beer!
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I might add, that stacking your side with AFL "rejects" is not limited to sides in the SANFL. I live in Melbourne these days and even though the majority of VFL clubs have an affilliation with an AFL club as a "feeder" club, there are still plenty of ex-AFL types running around as well.
 
Edward Teach said:
Disagree that Central stack their side with AFL rejects - a lot of SANFL clubs try to. I think Port have been the biggest AFL reject stackers of all actually.

Not quite correct that noone cares about the SANFL. A lot of footy fans actually don't really care about the AFL clubs here. Look at the choice we have... Port.. great players etc but really only any good if you are a Port fan, and the West Lakes Crows which I like to see win but like many SA footy fans - not really upset if they lose. Imagine Victorians given the choice of two clubs to follow.... Collingwood or 'Victoria'. Hardly a great choice.

Won't get back to the halcyon days but while the AFL becomes more sterile, lame club choices, no Adelaide oval etc... SANFL footy is looking a lot more interesting, passionate, cheaper, and easier to get a beer!
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My point is being missed. Once upon a time, the SANFL clubs were cashed up and well sponsored. The games were well attended. The playing standard was not that far below that of the VFL/AFL teams. You had teams like North Adelaide, premiers in 1987, beating Collingwood in the 1988 night competition. The young players coming through all had ambitions to play for Norwood, or Sturt, or Port Adelaide, or Glenelg etc etc. The clubs' number one agenda was to win premierships.

Now look at it. The players all coming through want to play AFL ASAP. When they play for their SANFL club, they are either playing to a position as instructed by his Crows/Power coach, playing to get a game next week for the Power or Crows or playing to impress to get drafted. Most would not care about the SANFL team they are playing in or care about doing the team things. They want to be drafted. They will run fast, kick long, kick straight, tackle well, handpass well, but those one per centers that win games for the team, not like it was back in the day. It is a feeder competition with a feeder mentality.

After the Crows entered the competition, Port Adelaide won SANFL flags in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999. I would not regard any of them as particularly special when compared to the flags won prior to the formation of the Crows. The actual grand final matches against Sturt (1998) and particularly Norwood (1999) were close matches, but I would not rate the level of achievement of any of those premierships mentioned as being particularly special when compared to the flags Port won prior to 1991.
 
Larry the Liquidator said:
My point is being missed. Once upon a time, the SANFL clubs were cashed up and well sponsored. The games were well attended. The playing standard was not that far below that of the VFL/AFL teams. You had teams like North Adelaide, premiers in 1987, beating Collingwood in the 1988 night competition. The young players coming through all had ambitions to play for Norwood, or Sturt, or Port Adelaide, or Glenelg etc etc. The clubs' number one agenda was to win premierships.

Now look at it. The players all coming through want to play AFL ASAP. When they play for their SANFL club, they are either playing to a position as instructed by his Crows/Power coach, playing to get a game next week for the Power or Crows or playing to impress to get drafted. Most would not care about the SANFL team they are playing in or care about doing the team things. They want to be drafted. They will run fast, kick long, kick straight, tackle well, handpass well, but those one per centers that win games for the team, not like it was back in the day. It is a feeder competition with a feeder mentality.

After the Crows entered the competition, Port Adelaide won SANFL flags in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999. I would not regard any of them as particularly special when compared to the flags won prior to the formation of the Crows. The actual grand final matches against Sturt (1998) and particularly Norwood (1999) were close matches, but I would not rate the level of achievement of any of those premierships mentioned as being particularly special when compared to the flags Port won prior to 1991.
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Your point isn't being lost.
We're all aware of the history and the slide in game style, crowds, sponsorship etc.
We don't need history revision.
But the argument that premierships earnt in SANFL football are any less important to SANFL followers is incorrect.
Just because a competition has been surpassed by another - doesn't mean it is any less important to those who support it.
 
KingsCrow said:
Surelly not another Centrals Grand Final.

Cannot stand that team/club/supporters. I for one am going to barrack like all hell for the Bays.


I think even Centrals fans are getting sick of making the GF every year. Its becoming boring.

Go You Bays.
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OH i no most of them aren't, most of them aren't the kind of people that would get sick of their teams success, i don't think i'd get sick of it either, Centrals should give other teams a chance though.
 

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The thread only started out of sheer jealousy and frustration.

FTR Central do NOT stack their side with AFL rejects, we have had the best CORE group of players for the past 8 years, other clubs cannot say they have kept so much of their list together like we have, most of our best players are genuine interstate recruits that havent been on an AFL list or local zoned players. Hell look at Matty Slade. Gun of the highest order, zoned out of Gawler - would have made a very good AFL player, but was good he stayed with the doggies.
 
Dogwatcher said:
You've really got a different take on things. Reflected in the numbers?
What's reflected in the numbers is that the AFL is the major competition and people go and watch that. SANFL is the second competition and a smaller crowd watches that. But guess what? The numbers are growing again.
Yes the standard is lesser -but no one pretends it isn't.
Your brother is a West supporter and HE tells you that Centrals stocks its side with AFL rejects??? Have a closer look at West's recent history.
Also have a look at Central's recent player history.
Proves how little you know about the current SANFL. At least you admit you "can't confirm or deny" anything (if that's the case, stop making statements about something you profess to know nothing about).

BTW - you mentioned EPL. Should supporters of Leeds, Scampaignerhorpe or Southampton enjoy their club's successes any less because they are not in the EPL?
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We haven't had success since 1976 Rob, where the heck did you pull the only team I love more than Centrals from?
 
bulldog pommy said:
We haven't had success since 1976 Rob, where the heck did you pull the only team I love more than Centrals from?
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Sorry BP! I was actually thinking of you when I wrote that. I didn't realise it had been that far back for Soto though. Sorry mate.

See you at the GF?
 
Seems to be more of a case of sour grapes from the Port supporters.

"Oh it doesn't mean anything anyway, the league is not the same".

They'd be all over that if it were the Magpies in 9 Grand Finals in a row. You wouldn't shut them up. FWIW, the last sold out Grand Final was 1998, which happened to feature Port Adelaide. They were there in their droves and this was AFTER the Power was founded.

There wouldn't be any calls what so ever for Port Magpies to fold and die if they were winning premiership after premierships still.
 
im not a centrals fan but congratulations on ur efforts.
one question for everyone
are we going to watch football or soccer these days
those idiots with flares stick to soccer. its not very australian to be doing that at a football game.these morons should be banned from ever atending a football game again(thats foot ball not soccer) its just funny that it only happen when centrals are playing.
U didnt see hawthorn with flares when they won the grand final. am i correct
 

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