SA Footy • View topic

by **Aerie** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:59 am

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21138886-21543,00.html

Roosters take footy abroad

EXCLUSIVE:

DOUG ROBERTSON

January 30, 2007 01:15am
Article from: The Advertiser

NORTH Adelaide is heading into the South Africa wilderness to take the great Australian game to the heart of one of the most vibrant growth areas for Aussie Rules.
The intrepid Roosters - who took SANFL football to Tasmania in the 1940s, Sydney in the 1950s and Darwin in the 1960s and again last year - are planning to play WAFL premier Subiaco in South Africa, probably in October.

The proposed one-off promotional match at Potchefstroom, a one-hour drive south-west of Johannesburg, is geared to add some glamour to their state leagues and provide some gloss and incentive for the semi-professional players.

Arrangements are yet to be finalised for a 10-day tour and North general manager Glenn Elliott said it might still be delayed until March next year. But whatever the date, Subiaco chief executive Jeff Lind says the match is "a goer".

Lind broached the forward-thinking proposal when North innocently inquired about holding a pre-season trial between the clubs in Perth. "We've already made a provision for it in our financial statement for this year," Lind said. "We're totally committed to it."

Both clubs will cover their own expenses for about 40 players, support staff, officials and two umpires. Players will help pay their way through fundraising. The AFL has said it will lend a helping hand with logistics in South Africa through its established AFL-South Africa organisation. North and Subiaco players and coaches will be involved in several football clinics for the estimated 2500 locals who are already hooked on the game in South Africa's North-West Province.

Lind said the proposed trip was one way of rewarding the club's players for their considerable input over a season against the backdrop of a tight salary cap. Elliott said North did not support end-of-season "junkets" and the proposed trip had benefits for the club and players.

News of the proposal brought smiles from Roosters and former AFL midfielder Chris Ladhams, who said the trip to Darwin last year had long-lasting benefits for the club.

"It's also a fantastic promotion for North Adelaide to put the club out there," he said "Four years ago we were looking at relegation but now we're a force in the SANFL. Definitely, North Adelaide is the closest club I've been at."

SANFL chief executive Leigh Whicker enthusiastically backed the idea and said the league would seek ways to offer support.

"Who knows what opportunities will come out of this for players in South Africa, in this state and nationally?" he said.

"It is exciting for a South Australian club to be profiled in that way. The AFL sees South Africa as a very important part of their program as far as international promotion is concerned." The AFL predicts 28,000 South Africans in the North-West Province will be playing Australian football by 2009.

by **Aerie** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:06 am

Well done to North. They really are leading the way in promoting the SANFL not only here in Adelaide but now internationally as well. Can't help but think potential recruits will be swayed to join a club such as this because of these type of opportunities. I also like the idea of playing the WAFL clubs and hope we can build some rivalry and see more matches such as this (wherever they're played) in the future.

by **MightyEagles** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:09 am

If it helps promote the game, I'm all for it.

by **Pseudo** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:48 am

Not wanting to be a wet blanket, but I hope that this isn't the case of SANFL and WAFL clubs doing hard work and then the AFL (spit) reaping the benefits.

by **Rushby Hinds** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:50 am

Lind said the proposed trip was one way of rewarding the club's players for their considerable input over a season against the backdrop of a tight salary cap. Elliott said North did not support end-of-season "junkets" and the proposed trip had benefits for the club and players.

Would it would be wrong of me to think that Robbo is intimating that North is paying for the players end of season trip?

Website · by **TroyGFC** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:03 am

I might seriously think about going over, good work Norf!!

by **Punk Rooster** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:07 pm

TroyGFC wrote:I might seriously think about going over, good work Norf!!

you better be supporting Subiaco...

by **Jimmy** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:24 pm

why not NYC??? we could do with a laugh!! haha

seriously, awesome job by north...who is financing it all???

by **mighty_tiger_79** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:27 pm

Jimmy wrote:why not NYC??? we could do with a laugh!! haha

seriously, awesome job by north...who is financing it all???

salary cap, they didnt spend much this year

Website · by **TroyGFC** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:01 pm

Punk Rooster wrote:
TroyGFC wrote:I might seriously think about going over, good work Norf!!
you better be supporting Subiaco...

No you seriously think I would support Norf?? :roll:

by **Punk Rooster** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:48 pm

TroyGFC wrote:
Punk Rooster wrote:
TroyGFC wrote:I might seriously think about going over, good work Norf!!
you better be supporting Subiaco...

No you seriously think I would support Norf??

it was more of a threat...

by **mal** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:52 pm

NA $1-20
SB $4-00

by **mighty_tiger_79** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:56 pm

WHAT price north get eaten by lions????????

by **Punk Rooster** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:17 pm

mal wrote:NA $1-20
SB $4-00

c'mon Mal, we're the "away" side...

by **mal** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:22 pm

Punk Rooster wrote:
mal wrote:NA $1-20
SB $4-00

c'mon Mal, we're the "away" side...

You idiot away goals count for double :!:

by **Blue Boy** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:31 pm

Im callin North today to see if they need any volunteers to run water.

Footy Trip !!!

by **BPBRB** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:41 pm

Blue Boy wrote:Im callin North today to see if they need any volunteers to run water.

Footy Trip !!!

LOL

Trust me there has been a flood of offers from all sorts tryring to get an official guernsey on this trip!!!

by **Blue Boy** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:14 pm

BPBRB wrote:
Blue Boy wrote:Im callin North today to see if they need any volunteers to run water.

Footy Trip !!!

LOL Trust me there has been a flood of offers from all sorts tryring to get an official guernsey on this trip!!!

I think I will be in the running with the players as my bottles will be filled with choices of Bourbon and Coke - Red Bull and Vodka & Tequilla sunrises !!! :wink:

by **Snaggletooth Tiger** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:42 pm

I'm wondering if the SANFL & WAFL brains trust were considering but quickly debunked
a Port Adelaide versus Swan Districts exhibition match in the land of Tony Grieg...
When they suddenly realised that some of the Afrikaan 'Old Guard' still have issues
getting used to the whole 'Black & White' thing! :wink:

by **bayman** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:04 pm

Punk Rooster wrote:
TroyGFC wrote:I might seriously think about going over, good work Norf!!
you better be supporting Subiaco...

didn't you know that troy barracks for the lions

North to play Subiaco in South Africa

North to play Subiaco in South Africa

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