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TROY WEST - LIFE MEMBER
The VFL confirms that Troy West, co-captain of the Williamstown
FC, will qualify for VFL Life Membership this weekend when he plays
his 175th VFL Senior Game against the Box Hill Hawks on Saturday
June 14th, 2003 in the ABC-TV match of the day.
AROUND THE TRAPS IN THE VFL.
By Nathan Ryan
The Tasmanian Devils are expected to be one of the VFL’s
big improvers this season after recruiting four distinguished players
to the apple isle.
Former St Kilda player Jason Cripps has joined Jordon Doering,
Trent Bartlett and Jamie Cann to cap off one the most successful
recruiting drives seen in the VFL. Cann, the former Northern Bullant
livewire, is reaping the rewards of a tough pre-season, adding strength
and endurance to his blistering speed. The Devils are looking to
play Cann as a rover rather than a forward.
Although Doering and Bartlett are currently injured they are both
expected to be in tip-top shape for the start of the home and away
season. Cripps, who only joined the Devils two weeks ago, is over
his much publicised hamstring complaints and will play in Tasmania’s
intra-club match this weekend.
One local Tasmanian the Devils failed to entice was Andrew Hill,
formerly of Collingwood/Williamstown. While many VFL clubs courted
the laconic Hill, he chose to play with North Launceston in the
local Tasmanian competition. Hill cited family reasons and university
studies as his reasons for playing in a lower competition.
AN UMPIRE'S SON PLAYING FOOTBALL -ARE YOU KIDDING?
Nick Geischen, the son of former Richmond coach and current AFL
umpire coach Jeff has signed to play for Coburg after doing pre-season
training at both Coburg and the Northern Bullants. The Bullants
were disappointed to lose the talented on-baller, as he is expected
to fill a midfield position in the VFL this season. It is believed
captain Dean Talbot had a big contribution in attracting Geischen
away from the Bullants with a last minute meeting with the Geischen
family.
LOOK OUT FOR THOSE SEAGULLS - WHERE'S THE CASH COMING FROM?
Williamstown is another club that has recruited aggressively over
the pre-season, gaining the services former Carlton wingman Sam
Cranage, Collingwood full-forward Scott Cummings and Geelong key
position player, Marcus Baldwin. Cranage chose the Seagulls after
having a positive meeting with the Collingwood match committee about
his future AFL prospects.
Cummings has been appointed as a Collingwood skills coach and the
magpies believe he will be a great asset as on field leader for
the younger players at Williamstown.
Marcus Baldwin joins the seagulls after spending time at South
Australian club Norwood where he led the clubs goal kicking last
season. Williamstown are hoping Baldwin will be able to hold down
centre half forward, which will allow former Coleman medallist Cummings
to play the majority of the season at full forward.
GO BURRAS
Last season’s grand finalist, Port Melbourne, are looking
to go one better in 2003 after aligning itself with the Kangaroos.
Former Hawthorn and Sydney rookie Chris Obst has joined the Burra’s
as well as Joel Sofi, who was previously on the Kangaroos supplementary
list. Port Melbourne will play an intra club this weekend before
playing Coburg the following weekend.
BULLANTS LOSE TAYLOR
Simon Taylor has been appointed coach of Hamilton in the Western
Border League. Taylor, a former captain and best and fairest winner
of the Northern Bullants, decided to leave Cramer Street between
Christmas and New Year because of the coaching opportunity. The
Bullants have had a substantial turnover of players this season
because of the alignment with AFL club Carlton. Along with Taylor,
Craig Carracella, Kent Webber, Simon Grossman, Mark Pilling, Cameron
Buss and Matthew Bonadio have departed from the Bullants.
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Phil,
The Bullants have been training a month and are looking strong.
Nick Sautner is rumoured to be joining the Bullants as well as Josh
Mahoney.
Another rumor is that Dean Talbot is leaving Coburg. Maybe its
just the silly season talk.
Nathan Ryan (December 2002)
Editor's note - The boy was right about Sautner - see below.
Dear Phil
We haven't met but I know Pat Dodson well and I understand you two
are well acquainted.
Pat's son Adrian (18) is apparently a good footy player (Darwin
and Alice) and wants to get a run with with Coburg VFL so that he
might get a crack at the AFL draft.
Because Pat is in Broome I said I would do a bit of chasing around
for him. With that in mind, I am wondering if you have any tips
on how I might pursue Adrian's case?
Cheers
Tony Cutcliffe
NICK SAUTNER TALKS WITH NATHAN RYAN
He was the first scribe to declare that Nick Sautner was heading
for Preston and now our man on the ground, Nathan Ryan, speaks to
Nick about the move.
The Northern Bullants have pulled off a huge recruiting coupe by
signing the VFL’s premier forward Nick Sautner for two years.
As many as eight VFL clubs were vying for the signature of the
League’s leading goal kicker, however it was the professionalism
of Bullants coach Mark Williams that persuaded him to Cramer Street.
"Mark Williams has been just outstanding in his conduct. I
couldn't be happier with the work he’s done to get me over
to the Bullants".
Sautner has spent the previous two seasons with Frankston after
playing in two premierships in five years with Sandringham. With
the Bullants recently aligning with AFL club Carlton, Sautner sees
his move to the Bullants as his last chance to play AFL.
"I still have the aspiration to get the opportunity to play
at the highest level (AFL). The Bullants presented a great opportunity
for me and a new challenge. I think if I’m going to get a chance
at AFL, this will be the last chance I have."
With experienced players Shannon Gibson, Shane Watson, Matthew
Collins, Frankie Raso and Brett Zorzi all remaining with the Bullants,
along with the influx of Carlton players, the Bullants are sure
to be a force in 2003.
"I really do believe with the coaching structure, the support
and the depth the team has we will be successful this season"
said Sautner
Sautner drew parallels with the Bullants and the 2000 premiership
team at Sandringham. "It (the Bullants) has a similar feeling
to Sandringham in 2000 whereby we had experienced players, such
as Chad Liddell, as well as the young players from Melbourne who
played 50 per cent of the matches with Melbourne and 50 per cent
with Sandringham".
Kicking 100 goals is not something Sautner has set as a target
for 2003, which is surprising considering he kicked 93 goals in
a struggling Frankston side last year. His goals for the year are
much more team orientated, "I want to make a positive contribution
to the success of the Bullants, whether that be kicking goals, teaching
younger players, assisting with their development and hoping that
my contribution can contribute to on-field success".
By Nathan Ryan
AND THE CABBIE SAYS.....
Hi Phil....
Been reading the latest in the Nick Sautner travel section...
Seems a bit odd to see Nick extolling the virtues of the Bullants
alliance with Carlton when he told everyone that was the reason
he was leaving Sandringham because of our alliance with Melbourne...he
wanted to play in a stand alone team didn't he!
We really gave it to Nick Sautner when he played Sandringham.....and
now he has to face up to that mob on the hill at Frankston....scary
thought Nick.....but you're not going for the money are you???
Funny how history repeats itself
Go Zebras
John "the Zebra cabbie"
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