Playing for the "Love of the Guernsey and club"

[Wedgie]

Does it happen these days?
I don't think it does, and I think its a rarity at any club at any level of footy.
I'm quite sad on this as I'm a big fan of SANFL history, as mentioned in another thread I'm reading Ken Eustice's book at the moment and there were so many players (easily a majority) back in the 50s/60s/70s even 80s that just played for the love of the guernsey/club.
I'm sure there's still a very small amount of players out there that do but there ain't many.
Don't get me wrong, I think there's a lot of factors why players might sign with North, Central, etc including the full package deal not just $$$ including likelihood to play finals, employment, atmosphere, club structure, etc.
In the old days players would fall over themselves to play for any club just because they wanted to take that club places, you only have to go back as far as the 80s to see that.
Barrie Robran only ever wanted to play for North because of his love for the club especially because of Don Lindner and I'm pretty confident in saying this was the same with most champions of earlier eras.
As much as I love my beloved Roosters we'd only have about 4 or 5 North bred lads, I doubt whether most would be fully aware of past greats and past feats of the club and I'm sure this would apply to all clubs.
What are people's thoughts on this?
I'd be fairly confident in knowning more history of each SANFL club than 95% of players these days, or am I off track?
Don't get me wrong, its just not the SANFL, I see players moving between clubs at all levels from the AFL to Amateurs D7.

[Ian]

Don't get me wrong, I think there's a lot of factors why players might sign with North, Central, etc including the full package deal not just $$$ including likelihood to play finals, employment, atmosphere, club structure, etc.

North ran a profile for new recruit, Owen Weatherly, the last item on the profile,

Why he chose to come to North Adelaide: Andrew Jarman

[Wedgie]

North ran a profile for new recruit, Owen weatherly, the last item on the profile,

Why he chose to come to North Adelaide: Andrew Jarman

Exactly Ian, that actually proves my point to a degree, he came to North because of the coach not because of the "Love of the Guernsey and/or Club".
Don't get me wrong, I know we got Jars back as coach because he did have a genuine love of the guernsey/club but my post is more towards current day players.

[Punk Rooster]

As stated previously, ALL North players are there for the love of the jumper. Anything different is a filthy lie. As for other teams- for shame!

[Wedgie]

As stated previously, ALL North players are there for the love of the jumper. Anything different is a filthy lie. As for other teams- for shame!

lol, well there goes my serious discussion out the window!

[Ian]

[am Bays]

Yeah great thread Wedgie, best thing I've read all night but thats another story........

I remember having a beer with Dean Bailey and Simon Hele after we got massacred in Whyalla in 95 against the Eagles. Bails asked Heley if he had any ambition to play AFL, and Heley replied, "Not really all I ever wanted to do in my footy career is play for the Bays, I grew up in the area and went to school at Somerton Park with Phil McGuinness, where Tony and Kernahan went. So I just love the Glenelg Footy Club"

In my time at the Bay I believe there were a few players who were there because they genuinely loved the club, Chiggy, Barty, Stu McCully, Jimmy West, Benny Roehrich and others. Some of our latter recruits such as Alistair Burke came and stayed for a period too

It is interesting to note that they (except Burkey) started their careers at the club when we coming to the end of our successful era and the club had a good winning culture about it. That success we had in the 80s bread a love of the club in our juniors coming through the ranks as all those blokes mentioned above are all Glenelg juniors.

That I believe is one of the keys to attracting and retaining players creating the winning professional culture at the club where success breads success. It is not surprising that Centrals are attracting their ex players back from the AFL and good recruits because they can see tangible success at that club which obviously comes back to building a successful winning culture. Hats off to Kris Grant, Alan Stewart, Peter Jonas and nude nut!!

Money talks too to the charleton players who are here for the quick buck and can p!ss off back home.

I believe you can break it down in this way 40% of your squad particularly the interstate imports are mainly there for the coin, 40% are mainly there for the success and the "vibe" of the club

20% mostly the ex-juniors are there because they love the club and they appreciate the opportunities the club provides for them.

When we get that successful culture back (and I feel confident if Mickan can be given a tenure of at least 3 years we will get that back) we retain our juniors who don't quite make AFL level and some good selective recruiting the mighty tiger will rise again......(well maybe if we can reincarnate John H Ellers - the good fellas!!)

Interesting to note that it appears that the actions of the board in the last four months have demonstrated that they are going to back this coach and if players don't want to be there or are perceived to have bad attitudes they are not wanted at the Glenelg Footy Club any more. Also intersting to note that four of the board are all ex-Glenelg juniors two of which I know through my dealings with them for seven years bleed black and gold (Chigwidden and Angove). The other two I don't know well enough (Rouvray and Jamo) to make an accurate comment. That is why with the selection of this current coach and the current board I am feeling quietly confident for the future as we appear to be building a professional culture and a culture that values the Glenelg Footy Club, not individuals. Time will tell though!!

So in answer to you question Wedgie, yeah there are players at each club that play for the guernsey but they are in the minority, and doesn't that just sh!t blokes like you and me who just wish we had the ability to wear just once, only once, the guernsey we grew up loving, respecting and following come hell or high water!!!

That is why the best blokes are footy clubs are the old trainers and property blokes like Mud Guts at North, great bloke, and ol Bert Cugley at Glenelg, good rest his soul. Still get a tear in my eye when I watch the 85 & 86 GFs and I see Cugs on the video

[Wedgie]

Fantastic post Tassie, I really enjoyed reading that, and yes I concur fully.

[spell_check]

I'd say the players who stick with the club for a long time, and players after around 1991 who came from interstate, who don't get drafted but stick with the club would fit the title.

Garry McIntosh is the first that comes to mind, is a Legend of the SANFL for sticking it up the VFL/AFL.

For the Eagles, the two with the most games played with the club - Gavin Colville (202) and Steven Hall (187) both came from interstate. I would have thought they would have tried to get into the AFL by coming over here, but didn't and now are about to enter their 12th and 11th seasons with the Club respectively. I can't think of a time when it didn't look like they were "Going through the motions" or "Just for the money" to me. Even 4 GF losses (including 2004) hasn't stopped them from playing for the Club.

[MW]

A few have stayed at their clubs for loyalty in the AFL where they could of got more money elsewhere. Names that come to mind are Chris Grant stayed at the Bulldogs where Port had a blank cheque for him...also...hmm....can't think of many more!

[stan]

If you want to see players playing for the love of the Guernsey and club then head down to a Div 5 or div 6 club.

[MW]

If you want to see players playing for the love of the Guernsey and club then head down to a Div 5 or div 6 club.

That love of the jumper got me three premiership medals at that level stan!

[Magpiespower]

Chris Grant stayed at the Bulldogs where Port had a blank cheque for him...

Hope the kid that mailed him 20c in the post flunked primary school.

[Jimmy]

they play for the love of the jumper at sturt

[Coorong]

A couple from Westies come to mind, Anthony Banick and Des Herbert. Obviously both paid well when they came accross but grew to love the club. Many many others high on the list, but of recent times Youngster, Cap't Blood, Leon, etc etc.

[TroyGFC]

I agree with Tassie Medalist. Chiggy bleeds black and gold, always at home games watching the team. Out of the current players its hard to find one, prehaps Sherwood, Mulesy and Byrce Gibbs (shame he will be off soon to AFL).

[Macca19]

For the Eagles, the two with the most games played with the club - Gavin Colville (202) and Steven Hall (187) both came from interstate. I would have thought they would have tried to get into the AFL by coming over here, but didn't and now are about to enter their 12th and 11th seasons with the Club respectively.

Steven Hall was on Adelaides rookie list for a year back in the last 90s. Colville was unlucky. Seemed like a shoe-in to be part of Ports first AFL squad.

I do still think there are players these days that are happy to play for the jumper. Someone like Mark Clayton from Port Magpies would be one of these players. I couldnt think of anything better than playing for the club I supporterd as a youngun