Riverland Football Chatter

[200 Killer Wasps]

Are we talking 'Big V'.

[Dogwatcher]

That's the man. As I said nothing official as yet.

[200 Killer Wasps]

Very handy. and there is already a Pinnaroo connection.

[Dogwatcher]

Yeah there is. Not sure if that'll count for anything - it's a long way to travel for a game of footy. There were a couple of Suparoos at Berri in 2006, but....

As you'd know Supa - you just gotta ask everyone you ever think of - no matter who they are - to get any pay off with the recruiting. Ask 100 and get 10, you've done well.

Brown's Well will be interesting this season Supa, with the new coach in charge and previous history at the club.

He'll do a good job, but will he be able to get the cattle?

[200 Killer Wasps]

Mick Durdin always had the makings of a good coach but never really had the respect of those at Brown's Well. At East Murray he was relatively unknown and earnt their respect by putting the runs on the board.

I do not think much would have changed at Brown's Well and he is going to have his work cut out for him.

It appears you may be right with East Murray's coach, they have not called for applications and an announcement is imminent. The money is that it is a former coach, they have only had three since joining the independent's and its not me.

[Dogwatcher]

Ahhhh so it'd be a Boughen then Supa?

Three coaches in 20 years. That's interesting. When did you coach them?
It'll be interesting to see how many come from the Mallee Magpies with him.
I see in today's Pioneer the Tigers are advertising for a 17s coach, which means they have a senior coach stitched up.

And as for Mick, we'll just wait and see. You're right, he does have the makings of a good coach - he knows footy.

[Dogwatcher]

Also.....former West Gambier coach Grant Russell appointed to coach Berri.
Has a record of bringing clubs up from the bottom of the ladder - seems a good fit for the Demons.

He was approached to coach by Berri.

[200 Killer Wasps]

I was at East Murray in 94 & 95, Paul did 96 to 2001 and then Mick.

I dont know if Paul will bring any from Karoonda but I believe some former Tigers are set to return.

East Murray have a very healthy bank balance and at a recent committee meeting decided that there is no point being flushed with cash if you cannot field a team.

Watch this space!.

[Dogwatcher]

So there'd be a McConnell, maybe an Andriske....

I can't think of any other players from my time in Indys to come back....there's probly a few from the season or tow before I started.

That money issue was mooted during Rep training earlier this year. I even said the same thing - no point having the money if you're club's gonna field crap sides...and with the way things are going in rural areas - some clubs are going to have to make some decisions soon.

I think it's going to be a good year in Independent footy next year. Several clubs seem to be getting an influx of players - unlike last year, when there were few quality recruits to the comp, very few.

[200 Killer Wasps]

A Parsons, another McConnell and maybe some of the Boughen family.

[Dogwatcher]

Might help them a little - but they need a lot more than that to match up against Cobby and Painga. And that's not to disparage those players or East Murray.
Every side does - if the rest of us don't recruit some extra special numbers again this season, you might as well mark those two sides off as grand finalists again. I seriously think they were 10 to 15 goal better sides than the rest of us in '06. So much more class.

Although I have heard some rumours about the Swans and the fractious politics going on at the moment. Interesting stuff.

[200 Killer Wasps]

Independent clubs all have a history of being up and down - except for Cobby they have been consistent finalist's since 71 and probably have only missed the finals 2 or 3 times. Paringa have dropped away a few times over the years from either
a) Renmark raids or
b) players heading north to Queensland and NT.

East Murray have a wild card up their sleeve in the form of the sand mine at Mindarie. All depends on where the miners are housed.

[Dogwatcher]

That's very much the case Supa. I've been watching that with interest.

[Dogwatcher]

Loxton Football Club has appointed Leigh Kruger as their coach for season 2007.
Kruger's a former South Adelaide player aged about 24.
Good recruit - could also provide an interesting link for recruiting other players.

[200 Killer Wasps]

Do some digging for us Dogwatcher, I reckon this guy's father may have played for Peake during the 1970's.

[GWW]

Do some digging for us Dogwatcher, I reckon this guy's father may have played for Peake during the 1970's.

Are you referring to Trevor Kruger, sv, who was also a good country cricketer? If thats who you're thinking of, i'm pretty sure no relation.

The only background i know about Leigh Kruger (Krueger?) is that he played his junior footy with the Victor Harbor Football Club.

[southern fan]

Yes it was Trevor Krueger. No relation. Leigh Kruger's father is Geoff who played full forward/centre half forward in Goolwa's premierships of 1975,76,77. He won the GSFL goalkicking in 1977 with about 80 goals. Had problems with a dislocating kneecap Also a good cricketer and played association cricket as an all rounder. Teaches at the Local high school at Victor. Leigh won Victor Harbor A grade best and fairest as a 17 year old in 2000, then went to South.

[200 Killer Wasps]

Sorry I was thinking of Rolly and Haydn Kruger.

Both played for Peake in the 1970's and Rolly had a few years at South, Mainly in the B's I think.

Trevor Kruger who played with Peake was playing with Jabuk at that time.

I think I heard that Brooke Kruger, the Commonwealth Games gold medal winner, is his daughter.

[GWW]

Yes thats right Brooke is Trevor's daughter. Trevor became an umpire in the River Murray League after retiring as a player.

[200 Killer Wasps]

Ahhhh so it'd be a Boughen then Supa?

Three coaches in 20 years. That's interesting. When did you coach them?
It'll be interesting to see how many come from the Mallee Magpies with him.
I see in today's Pioneer the Tigers are advertising for a 17s coach, which means they have a senior coach stitched up.

And as for Mick, we'll just wait and see. You're right, he does have the makings of a good coach - he knows footy.

It seems the favourite for the East Murray coaching job is a former coach but goes back even further than the Tigers involvement in Independents. At this stage he is only a 50/50 chance but if appointed his number one recruit could be his son who is currently one of Loxton A grades gun players.