300 game players

[Grahaml]

I know it's been rare of late, but was wondering if we will ever see a 300 game player again. Corey Ah Chee is half way there, and only 26, and Tim Weatherald is only 29 and on 234 now. Both will be 33 or so when they might bring up the milestone the soonest, barring injuries and that's even if they want/are able to keep playing after that many seasons of league footy. Are any insiders at either clubs able to predict whether these guys can make it or not? My gut instinct is these might be the last hopes as the dynamic of the league changes. It's getting more and more common for anyone who debuts at a young enough age to be taken by an AFL team which cuts out 2 or 3 seasons at least, and more common to move interstate for new challenges etc. And it's also getting more and more common for players to retire from SANFL at 30 or sooner rather than play until they drop, unless they want a couple of SANFL seasons after an AFL career like Ben Hart.

IMHO, think any 300 game aspirant who begins his SANFL career now would need to debut at 19 or so to avoid being drafted, not be AFL key position size or they might get drafted right until they're 21 if they can play league at that age and not be reliant on leg speed or at 30 they won't be able to keep up anymore. IE, I don't think a rover will do it (once Weatherald finishes). I think that leaves just the mid size blokes who can play SANFL key position, but not AFL, and defenders seem less plagued by injury than forwards so my choice is a bloke who has the height to play as the second or third tall defender (185-190cm), and can crack a league position before he's 20.

Any comments?

[Dutchy]

ANy of the Centrals stalwarts getting up there?

I would doubt it will occur, as players get into their late 20's career and family beckons and when you can get the same or better $$$ elsewhere without the commitment of the SANFL

[Grahaml]

The closest is Slade on 161 at 30. No hope. Gowans not yet 150 games and also 30. Steinberner's 30, played less games and is finished. Thomas will play more than those guys, but is 24 and not yet notched 100. He might push 250, but I think 300 is a big ask. He uses his leg speed a lot, and when the legs die down will struggle to find a role in a league team.

[Jimmy]

great thread gl....totally agree that the dynamic is changing and we will see less 300 and even 250/200 gamers. I remember just 5 years ago stur had about 5 or 6 over that mark!

I hope Timmy can get there, with him its all about fitness...i think his desire is still that of a 18 year old playing his first game. He is only a school teacher so no big demands there. He is fit as this year but we all know he isnt the fastest or longest kick like he used to be

[Jimmy]

oh and ahchee is only 26 you say????

the man looks like a combination of mountain gorilla and the incredible hulk...i thought he was easily 30

[Dogwatcher]

Interesting thread. was actually something I was thinking about from an AFL perspective today.

[spell_check]

I have thought about this a lot, and can realistically only think of Weatherald that can do this. He turns 30 on the 31st of July.

He was lucky he did not get drafted - anyone who ends up playing this many games you would think he would have been on an AFL list at some stage.

This is his season by season games/goals/behinds:

1995: 5 games
1996: 20 games 13 goals 6 behinds
1997: 21 games 17.14
1998: 22 games 13.10
1999: 20 games 8.11
2000: 23 games 25.25
2001: 16 games 13.11
2002: 23 games 24.21
2003: 18 games 16.15
2004: 23 games 24.18
2005: 21 games 14.11
2006: 19 games 8.8
2007: 1 game 0.2 (to Rd 1)
Total: 232 games 175 goals 152 behinds

I would say the extra match is a State game, the other 15 goals the Budget has him for I'm not sure - they had Passador on 207 last week when he should have been on 211!

Including State matches, here is a list of the 100 game players in the Budget this week and their current age, as well a couple not in the Budget this week due to injury or the bye:
Weatherald - 233 (29)
Colville - 222 (30)
M.Clayton - 197 (29)
Hall - 193 (31)
Bamford - 180 (32)
Feast - 170 (32)
Wintle - 166 (31)
Cicolella - 164 (28)
Borlace - 161 (25)
Slade - 161 (30)
Howard - 160 (30)
AhChee - 151 (26)
Sherwood - 149 (31)
C.Gowans - 148 (30)
J.Gowans - 142 (30)
Sheedy - 139 (27)
Switala - 139 (28)
Nelson - 136 (30)
Floreani - 136 (30)
Lindsay - 134 (31)
Bown - 130 (28)
Carr - 128 (28)
Whiteman - 128 (29)
Sampson - 128 (31)
Chambers - 124 (27)
Poulton - 120 (29)
Gallagher - 119 (27)
Dawes - 116 (27)
Younie - 111 (28)
Bartemucci - 106 (26)
D.Ebert - 105 (25)
Moore - 105 (29)
O'Hara - 103 (25)
Pedler - 102 (28)

Most games played by age for 24 years and younger:

M.McKenzie - 93 (24)
Handby - 89 (23)
Porplyzia - 73 (22)
McLeay - 41 (21)
Ruwoldt - 27 (20)
Carlile - 23 (19)
Caire & Hutchins 9 (18)
Fairclough - 11 (17)

So Scott Borlace could be another who could go close. What doesn't help is that the SANFL only have 20 matches in a minor round - you'd lose 20 matches in 10 years compared to the AFL.

[spell_check]

I think Andrew Payze was the last to reach 300 games, in 1998.

[Wedgie]

With less games these days than prior to 1991 it'd be a pretty amazing feat by someone. I think because of this the SANFL lowered its requirement for life membership a few years back.

[Macca19]

I have thought about this a lot, and can realistically only think of Weatherald that can do this. He turns 30 on the 31st of July.

He was lucky he did not get drafted - anyone who ends up playing this many games you would think he would have been on an AFL list at some stage.

He was actually on the Crows rookie list back in the day.

[Dutchy]

Yeha looking at those stats I think the 200 is going to be the big milestone from here on in

[Hondo]

Great thread topic! I think this is a trend at the AFL as well but will be more pronounced at SANFL. The game is asking so much of the players these days in terms of time and fitness that the burn-out age is lowering IMO. And as was pointed out in the thread there are so many more other opportunities around (in life, work and sport) that to expect a player to commit 13+ consecutive seasons playing football in one comp (or even 1 state) is getting pretty unrealistic.

[spell_check]

I have thought about this a lot, and can realistically only think of Weatherald that can do this. He turns 30 on the 31st of July.

He was lucky he did not get drafted - anyone who ends up playing this many games you would think he would have been on an AFL list at some stage.

He was actually on the Crows rookie list back in the day.

The only other way to get matches in the SANFL like that is to be drafted to the Crows or Port and spend a couple of season for little or no matches. You have not a big chance of getting a match if you are on the rookie list either.

[spell_check]

Great thread topic! I think this is a trend at the AFL as well but will be more pronounced at SANFL. The game is asking so much of the players these days in terms of time and fitness that the burn-out age is lowering IMO. And as was pointed out in the thread there are so many more other opportunities around (in life, work and sport) that to expect a player to commit 13+ consecutive seasons playing football in one comp (or even 1 state) is getting pretty unrealistic.

Plus SANFL played get paid nowhere near what they should with all the time spent.

I know some will disagree with the above line, but earning $700k+ plus endorsements in the AFL is a lot more than your top paying jobs get. And yes, I'm aware of the training schdules compared for each league.