Roger Luders

[Adelaide Hawk]

I heard Roger Luders interviewed om 5AA's segment "Where Are They Now?". Always interesting to hear from players of the golden era. One thing that impressed me was his comment that he watches footy at SANFL level but not interested in AFL. He said he didn't like the way if was formed, that too many average players were turned into superstars overnight and that the club made many errors in their choice of players. Cornesy started to get his back up and was pushing Luders to expound his theories. Sensing an argument, Luders declined to comment further. Pity, I would have loved to hear what he had to say because it sounds as though we have similar ideas on the matter.

He talked about West Adelaide's 1983 premiership team, and I have to agree it was one of the best teams I've ever seen in SANFL footy. Norwood won the flag in 1982 and 1984, but I'll never forget Westies' demolition of Norwood in the 1983 Second Semi. Awesome.

For people who are interested, here is the West Adelaide 1983 Premiership Team:

Coach: Neil Kerley
F: P.Meuret, R.Luders, L.Grosser
HF: M.Smith, B.Lindner, G.Morris
C: R.McKinnon, R.Hamilton, R.Bennett
HB: L.Watson, M.Dreher, G.Summerton
B: J.Kantilaftas, A.Burgess, P.Winter
Ruck: C.Williams, I.Borchard, B.Conlen
Int: D.DeJong, G.Fielke

[Magpiespower]

Unbelievable team that year.

The equal of any team since I've been going to the footy.

[am Bays]

Personal Opinion: great teams aren't "flash in the pans" one premiership wonders.

Can't call that team great compared to the Port teams of the early and late 80s, The Glenelg team of 85-86 and dare I say it the North teams of 85-87 and Norwood 82 & 84. I mean at least North made it to the GF three years in a row........

Good team yes as all premiership teams are, great team no......

[Punk Rooster]

sorry, but I'd rate North's '87 team above that- despite losing them, they made the 2 previous GF's & then totally dominated the season & won the flag beyond doubt, whereas West only had 1 GF appearance & flag for their time- still an achievement, but I couldn't say that's the best side I'd seen go 'round.

[raymond]

centrals 03-05

[blueandwhite]

Roger Luders was a guest of mine at safc presidents lunch last week v west, at Noarlunga. Ryan Fitzgerald was guest speaker and very entertaining as well.
We caught the train down and after a fairly heavy session ,I think we caught it home again!
We had a great chat about sanfl footy in general. We agreed that sanfl footy is much more attacking in that teams actually attack and try to kick a winning score. The afl is much more a possesion game and teams try to limit opposition first before trying to score themselves.

[Punk Rooster]

B&W, what was Roger's take on the incident with Stephen Riley? I know Riley was very remorseful, & that the incident was his biggest regret.

[Jimmy]

ive heard that this team is similar to norths of today...most were bought...which players in that 83 team were recruits??

and why didnt west carry on with it???

[oldfella]

7 I think Jimmy, not all recruited that year from memory

M.Smith, R.Hamilton, L.Watson, M.Dreher, C.Williams, I.Borchard, B.Conlen

[Brad]

B&W, what was Roger's take on the incident with Stephen Riley? I know Riley was very remorseful, & that the incident was his biggest regret.

Roger sounded very bitter still about the incident, but he acknowledge a knee injury at the same time ended his playing days. Cornsey said it was a terrible incident (which I don't doubt) but all sides of that era were dirty and plenty of ugly incidents occured and Glenelg were no angels at that time, but I still think Cornes wanted to sink the boot in without mentioning the player or club involved.

It always astounds me to hear KG talk about 'MY' West Adelaide, how long since hes actually been to a game and how many of the players would he actually know?

'Where Are They Now' is the only time I tune into listen 5AA over the web, Cornes and KG are a pair of tossers.

[redandblack]

The 1983 team is certailnly one of the great teams. Won their finals easily, kicked a (still?) record points for tally and had talent everywhere. It's strange logic to say they weren't a great team because they didn't do it again. The fact is that in 1983 they were one of the great teams.

As for KG, I've been to several West functions where he's attended. He hosted the Hall of Fame dinner only last year.

As far as most of that team being bought, there's no comparison with (say) North's 2006 team. I think perhaps 9 would have been West juniors or locals (Luders, Grosser, Lindner, Morris, Bennett, Summerton, Kantilaftas, Burgess, Fielke, DeJong) - I might be wrong on one or two perhaps. Meuret came from Woodville (via Broken Hill), Winter from Central District (I think), McKinnon from Mt Gambier.

They were exciting to watch.

[redandblack]

PS: I played cricket against Roger Luders, who was playing for Immanuel OS in Adelaide Turf.

He was way above that standard, a very, very good fast bowler.

[CK]

Was very privileged to be coached by Larry Watson in country football. Footy should have more gentlemen like him. A lovely, unassuming man with a great football brain. Some club should snap him up if he still has the desire.

[JK]

I gotta say, that whilst it was only for one season, I think that Westies team of 83' was about the best I've seen ... Punky makes a fair call on North in 87', with Premiership in a canter, Magarey Medallist and Farmer Medallist (much like Norwood of 97').

Listened to the interview and thoroughly enjoyed it ... Thought Luders reckoning of the way the Crows were formed and his thoughts on players (which he rightly didn't name) was correct.

[TroyGFC]

'Where Are They Now' is the only time I tune into listen 5AA over the web

What time? And what station to tune into, I never get a chance to turn on the ol' wireless but might check it out.

[mighty_tiger_79]

TROY

last time i listened 'where are they now' is 5AA just after the 5:30pm news with cornesy and KG

[Punk Rooster]

The 1983 team is certailnly one of the great teams. Won their finals easily, kicked a (still?) record points for tally and had talent everywhere. It's strange logic to say they weren't a great team because they didn't do it again. The fact is that in 1983 they were one of the great teams.

Not disputing they were the best team of 1983. But the fact they could only put it together for only 1 year must've concerned the club & it's supporters (especially looking back yourself, & being excited by that talent). So if they were a great team, then they underachieved.
Did they steamroll the competition that year, in the way Carlton ('95) & Essendon (when they lost only 2 games for the year)?
They certainly didn't have a dynasty about thme, in the way of the BLions, or Port of the 80's.

[Leaping Lindner]

The 1983 team is certailnly one of the great teams. Won their finals easily, kicked a (still?) record points for tally and had talent everywhere. It's strange logic to say they weren't a great team because they didn't do it again. The fact is that in 1983 they were one of the great teams.

Not disputing they were the best team of 1983. But the fact they could only put it together for only 1 year must've concerned the club & it's supporters (especially looking back yourself, & being excited by that talent). So if they were a great team, then they underachieved.
Did they steamroll the competition that year, in the way Carlton ('95) & Essendon (when they lost only 2 games for the year)?
They certainly didn't have a dynasty about thme, in the way of the BLions, or Port of the 80's.

West killed us at Prospect just before the finals in 83 and they were awesome. Remembering North in 83 wasn't a bad outfit either. I always put down West's sudden demise to a lot of injuries in 84 (remembering Cahill got them back up into a prelim in 85). Would be interesting to compare the amount of players West used in 83 and 84 to see if that is true.

[Brad]

'Where Are They Now' is the only time I tune into listen 5AA over the web

What time? And what station to tune into, I never get a chance to turn on the ol' wireless but might check it out.

Wednesdays at 5:30PM

http://www.fiveaa.com.au

[blueandwhite]

riley is certainly not on Rogers' christmas card list