SA Footy

Not sure if this was discussed earlier but the SANFL are running a competition similar to the AFL's Norwich Rising Star Award, Steven Summerton from Port won it in Rd 1 and Ryan Darling in Rd 2:

Ryan Darling from the Sturt Football Club has been named the Round Two Coca-Cola Star Search Award nominee.

In just his second League appearance, 21 year old Darling picked up best on ground for the Double Blues in their 26 point victory over Glenelg at Unley Oval.

This follows his fine debut performance in Sturt’s Round One victory against West Adelaide.

Playing on the wing, Darling accumulated 32 possessions, including 20 kicks, 12 handballs, four marks, four tackles and kicked three goals.

Ryan, recruited from the Blyth-Snowtown Football Club was named best Under 21 player at the 2006 SA Brewing Company Country Football Championships held in Berri last year. Ryan represented the victorious Central zone team at the Championships.

Introduced for the first time this season, the Coca-Cola Star Search Award recognises the talented youngsters marking their mark in League ranks.

To be eligible for the Award, nominees are required to meet the following criteria:

* players must have played no more than 8 State League games at the start of the 2007 season
* players must be aged 21 or under at January 1, 2007
* AFL rookies are eligible for the award unless promoted to the senior list of their AFL club
* Players who are suspended by the tribunal during the 2007 season are ineligible to win the award

Following each round of the home and away season, each competing club nominates one eligible player from their team. A review panel then selects one player as the Coca-Cola Star Search Award nominee.

The review panel consists of:

Glen Rosser (General Manager - State League Competition)
James Fantasia (General Manager – Game Development)
Daniel Thomas (SANFL Football Services Manager)
Brenton Phillips (SANFL Talent Manager)

Each weekly nominee receives a gift pack, compliments of Coca-Cola.

On the completion of the minor round, one of the 23 nominees will be chosen as the 2007 Coca-Cola Star Search Award Winner. Voting will take place in the following ways:


1. Review panel choose a winner who is awarded $1500 - Coca-Cola Star Search Award Winner

2. The public choose a winner by voting on the SANFL Website (winner awarded $500)


The Coca-Cola Star Search Award Winner will be presented with a cheque for $1500 at the Magarey Medal Presentation Dinner.

Another well advertised thing from the SANFL.

I didn't even know about it until now.

It was in the budget for both the first round. Summerton from Port was the round 1 nominee.

Grahaml wrote:It was in the budget for both the first round. Summerton from Port was the round 1 nominee.

Should read it more closely I suppose. I normally flick through it, apart from the team lists so I can compile the height/weight/number thing I have.

Yeah, Graham's right and they've also put it on their webspace, its not the SANFL's fault that 5AA or the Advertiser wouldn't be interested in running a story on it (if they have I apologise).
The Budget and this website, where else does it need to be advertised?

Wedgie wrote:Not sure if this was discussed earlier but the SANFL are running a competition similar to the AFL's Norwich Rising Star Award, Steven

Ahem.....Try NAB Rising Star...

Wedgie wrote:Yeah, Graham's right and they've also put it on their webspace, its not the SANFL's fault that 5AA or the Advertiser wouldn't be interested in running a story on it (if they have I apologise).
The Budget and this website, where else does it need to be advertised?

I can't ask for too much!

I don't look at the SANFL website much, only for the other grades scores. To tell you the truth, I look at the WAFL site more.

Dutchy wrote:

Wedgie wrote:Not sure if this was discussed earlier but the SANFL are running a competition similar to the AFL's Norwich Rising Star Award, Steven

Ahem.....Try NAB Rising Star...

Whoops, I lose track of the AFL's various cups/grounds/awards with the amount name changes they do.

Wedgie wrote:

Dutchy wrote:

Wedgie wrote:Not sure if this was discussed earlier but the SANFL are running a competition similar to the AFL's Norwich Rising Star Award, Steven

Ahem.....Try NAB Rising Star...

Whoops, I lose track of the AFL's various cups/grounds/awards with the amount name changes they do.

2 names in 12 years too much?

Dutchy wrote:

Wedgie wrote:

Dutchy wrote:

Wedgie wrote:Not sure if this was discussed earlier but the SANFL are running a competition similar to the AFL's Norwich Rising Star Award, Steven

Ahem.....Try NAB Rising Star...

Whoops, I lose track of the AFL's various cups/grounds/awards with the amount name changes they do.

2 names in 12 years too much?

Yeah but considering the amount of times other things in the AFL have changed name (especially Kardinia Park and the Preseason Cup) and the fact Ive hardly even watched an AFL game in the last 3 to 4 games and I'm sure you can forgive me Dutchy.

Does anyone from the advertiser actually read this site???? If they do then a small story may appear now to fill up some space

I think there should be a section on here where we can all dispense advise to the advertiser on what to write, what's crap and generally to sledge them.

Excellent initiative by the SANFL!

I would say Darling has a fair chance of winning the award if he keeps up his BOG form against Glenelg.
Others who are a chance to pick up a nomination during the year include:

Nathan Grima (Centrals)
Josh Willoughby (Glenelg)
Matthew Graham (Glenelg)
Josh Cubillo (North)
Austin Wonaemirri (Norwood)
Luke Crane (Sturt)
Craig Evans (Sturt)
Luke Button (Sturt)
Dean Galea (West) (unless suspended!)
Daniel Caire (West)
Caolan Buckley (West)
Alex Hutchins (West)

+ others I have probably missed.

What do others think?

Note: I edited this after reading the rules more carefully

I think McIntyre would have played more than 8 league games for North last year hence not eligibile.

If a North player doesn't win it, I'll set fire to the Bays FC!

Wedgie wrote:I think McIntyre would have played more than 8 league games for North last year hence not eligibile.

He was listed in the Budget ashaving played 18 games, so after Sunday that would be 19. After he made his debut against Port at Prospect, I don't think he missed one (although I could be wrong about that)

Punk Rooster wrote:If a North player doesn't win it, I'll set fire to the Bays FC!

geez they wont be happy down at Encounter Bay

By my reckoning Daniel Havelberg is a chance for the dogs. Looks a real prospect. 200 game player for the dogs.

Wedgie wrote:I think McIntyre would have played more than 8 league games for North last year hence not eligibile.

Oops - I forgot that part - disregard most of the players I mentioned!

Although how are "State League" games defined? Do Crane's games in the QAFL count? or Willoughby's for the Swans Reserves?
With such stringent rules, I doubt very much that they will find a deserving nominee each week...

I think at the end we'll have some people here saying that some players were unlucky. There are surely more than 23 good young players around the league. 3 for each club would be plenty.