bunji wrote:"With us only losing one game for the year, Dom was quite disappointed when he found out we don't pay players at West Torrens, think he was looking forward to the cash as a going away present!" (Eagles 2014)
Interesting comment, I was in a conversation where Dom Bess spoke about how much he loved his season at West Torrens and was very positive about particular people in the club and what they had done for him. You have posted this on a public forum (Eagles 2014) so what evidence do you have to substantiate what you are saying?
As I know the people who set him up at West Torrens I find it confusing this was said and that you have posted this after listening to him speak, I am sure the people involved will be interested and will want to follow this up with Dom.
My understanding is that the cultural changes that occurred at the club were the result of some distinct changes made by the people in charge who are very focused on the well being of all the players and ensuring that it was a great place to play with a total focus on a quality team environment. This was evidenced by their first grade totally dominating the competition, having been to final day of the first grade final and witnessed the support of their players/membership it is confusing to hear that Dom was disappointed in not being paid, as this was not my understanding.
I await your reply with interest.
Everything you say is true Bunji, you have summed it up perfectly. Using the word "disappointed" was probably bad choice of words by me. It was more a tongue in cheek comment by Dom, along the lines of we have won 15 games, times $50, be nice little bonus. He was not annoyed with the Club at all, after one year at Northerns he may have thought that's what all Clubs do. His best mate George Hankins was at Bays, not sure if they pay players for wins and they discussed it.
The Club did do everything to help Dom and I know he loved it with us, all the players loved having him and his Cousin around the place. His accommodation arrangements in the end did get messy and he had to go live with Hankins in the end, so we need to thank the Bays for letting that happen.
Dom speaks so highly of West Torrens, and the atmosphere around the place last season was obviously amazing, so I apologize for a bad choice of words (and probably no smiley face afterwards!!).