Eagles retirements

[Aerie]

The Club would like to announce that the following players have retired from SANFL football:

Matthew Cooper
Steven Hall
Paul Lindsay
Tim Inkster

Passador And grocke will play on next year also!

A sad day to see these players retire. Paul Lindsay will leave a huge hole. He has hardly missed a game in the last few years and looks like he could've gone around again, but he will be very satisfied with his career at the Eagles. He's pretty much dominated the competition in the ruck and been one of the main reasons the Eagles have been around the mark since the turn of the decade. As good and as valuable as any ruck the old or new Eagles have ever had and that's not just words from my mouth. That's coming from people who have been watching the Eagles for a very long time.

Steven Hall, along with Colville and Cicolella has been such a huge part of the club for a long time. Injury has seen him slow down in the last few years, but he has been a good enough club man to spend valuable time with the younger players in the reserves. A state full back, great character, well done on a great career.

Tim Inkster reached his potential in 2006. Didn't play a lot of games with the Eagles, but was a very valuable recruit. We really missed him this year, but his body just wasn't up to it. Must have been recruited at a fairly late age from country Victoria so shows that there are rough diamonds out there that can make big impacts in the SANFL. An excitement machine and a very good player.

Matt Cooper was a great pick up for the club, even if only for his one game in October in 2006. Played a blinder that day and was a key ingredient in the premiership.

Thanks to all 4 of those players. Has been a pleasure watching them in the blue, green and gold over the years.

Very happy to see Passador and in particular Grocke still at the club next year. Grocke showed what he is capable of this year and if he can get some consistency and learn to play well with injury, could be anything.

I guess decisions are still to be made with regards to 2008, particularly Colville and Joe Pedler. As long as they still enjoy playing league footy, I hope both go on next year. Opportunities now are open to the next generation of players to stand up and carry the club to success. Dabrowski, Symmons, Lomas etc now have to develop into the top level of players as the club moves forward.

Well done and congratulations to Lindsay, Hally, Cooper and Inkster on great careers!

[ORDoubleBlues]

Will admit that I'm a fan of Cooper as a footballer but was in the top 3 for the Jack Oatey in last year's GF in my book and a big contributor for your flag.

[eddie-eagle]

So long SQUID, my fave player behind the champ cicca. Who could forget tim's mark of the year against west, and his explosive efforts against many sides, one that comes to mind is his perfomance against sturt at aami in 2003? when we had a final four and sturt were red hot favourites, tore whiteman and other opponents a new one. A top bloke off the field to boot, wearing his premiership cap proudly at the ashes test last year.
Was a massive out in the 2004 GF. Played though pain in the ressies this year to get back in the league side. Too young to retire, but unlucky with injuries.

Bing Linds..... Recruit of the decade, hard as nails. The enforcer will be missed. Great service over the seven years.

Hally. State full back, sensational club man, unlucky not to play in a flag. Many a great game nullifyingan opposing forward. Love his destroyng spoils and his courage. Best for us in the 2000 GF.

Coops..our lucky charm in 2006. Another with unbelievable courage, does not know a pain barrier. Body had enough, thanks very much for your contribution, and well done for coming to a club that knows how to win and retain the shearman trophy.

[eddie-eagle]

Great to see Grocke continue on. Despite what the "experts" have famously quoted He HAS PROVEN he has got what it takes to be a premiership centre half forward, certainly more ultimate success than wundke, perrie, white, gill etc. A sensational pickup who played many great games this year, particularly when he was "carrying" an undermanned forward line at times - south away & ethelton away come to mind.

Passa will continue to make great contributions in our quest for another premiership.

[am Bays]

Great to see Grocke continue on. Despite what the "experts" have famously quoted He HAS PROVEN he has got what it takes to be a premiership centre half forward, certainly more ultimate success than wundke, perrie, white, gill etc. A sensational pickup who played many great games this year, particularly when he was "carrying" an undermanned forward line at times - south away & ethelton away come to mind.

Passa will continue to make great contributions in our quest for another premiership.

Why pick on the North players?? reads like you have a complex towards them.....

The flip side to your argument is you can't change history only shape it and when history needed to be made in the preliminary final THIS year it was the North players that stood up, compared to the Eagles players....

[cd]

Please refer to B & F thread for further details

Col D

[Wedgie]

Great to see Grocke continue on. Despite what the "experts" have famously quoted He HAS PROVEN he has got what it takes to be a premiership centre half forward, certainly more ultimate success than wundke, perrie, white, gill etc. A sensational pickup who played many great games this year, particularly when he was "carrying" an undermanned forward line at times - south away & ethelton away come to mind.

WTF?
It was Eagles fans who were calling on him to be dropped telling us how hopeless he'd been this year.
Don't pick on us mate, have a look in your own back yard.
Most North supporters including myself have always wished the best for Adam.
WTF has Wundke, Perrie, White or Gill got to do with Grocke?
Except for Wundke who will be a great player for the next 10 years the other 3 have played a hell of a lot more AFL than Grocke's ever would. Unfair to compare them I'm not sure why you'd find the need.

Geezus I hate fickle supporters and people.

[woodwt]

I am glad that Grocke is playing on. His form in the last half of the year wasnt good though, but im sure he will bounce back!

[BPBRB]

Hey Eddie - you missed Alleway in your diatribe about Grocke being better than the North fwds. How would you rate him against the leagues best CHF???

Grocke is a good player when the rest of the team is firing but this year proved he alone is no match winner when the Eagles were missing the likes of McKenzie, Passador etc. I'm a lot more impressed with Schwarze and Salter in your fwd line than Grocke.

[purch]

Will admit that I'm a fan of Cooper as a footballer but was in the top 3 for the Jack Oatey in last year's GF in my book and a big contributor for your flag.

Very unlucky not to get the Oatey that day, played an absolute blinder. However, I'm sure he was just happy to receive his 2nd premiership medal.

Without Inkster Sturt might have a big chance to end the Eagles hoodoo at last. I recall him tearing a game apart in a 10-15min burst on more than one occasion against us. Top player that could devastate the opposition.

What about Klun? What are his plans?

[Aerie]

Hey Eddie - you missed Alleway in your diatribe about Grocke being better than the North fwds. How would you rate him against the leagues best CHF???

Grocke is a good player when the rest of the team is firing but this year proved he alone is no match winner when the Eagles were missing the likes of McKenzie, Passador etc. I'm a lot more impressed with Schwarze and Salter in your fwd line than Grocke.

Rubbish. Grocke played his best footy when the chips were down this year. See Port at Alberton and Central at Elizabeth in both games this year as examples.