SAFC Media Release - Robert Pyman Situation

[Wedgie]

Robert Pyman Appointed Until End of 2008

The South Adelaide Football Club is pleased and proud to announce that Robert Pyman has been re-appointed coach of the Panthers until the end of the 2008 season.

“When the Board first appointed Robert in 2003, our club had been down for a long time,” SAFC General Manager, Ben Kavenagh stated.

Through his own strong management, his refining of our list and his development of a tough, fast and attacking game style, Robert has bought significant improvement to our club and we believe it critical to our future success that he be given the opportunity to continue the work he commenced.”

“While we are disappointed that other clubs have seen fit to approach our coach while he is still under contract, the facts of the matter are that the success he has bought to the Panthers make him a commodity that other clubs now desire.

We are thrilled we have been able to retain him at South and we look looking forward to what he will bring to the club in the future.”

Pyman who has been Panthers coach since the 2004 season, was pleased with the re-appointment.

“I never wanted to leave South. We’re on the brink of something special and I am thrilled that the Board have unanimously backed me in to be the man to deliver that.

For the first time in many years, we will experience unparalleled stability in our list.

All the indicators are positive and I now just look forward to getting on with the job” Pyman said.

To clarify speculation about the Board's decision over the last week, it should be noted that Robert has always had an option for season 2007.

However after discussions with Robert and overwhelming support from the Panther faithful, the Board have readdressed the matter and unanimously decided to extend that commitment.

For further information on this matter please contact
SAFC General Manager, Ben Kavenagh on 0423 005 265

I dunno about fans of other clubs but I don't think I'd be too happy having a bloke in charge who is quite open and willing to shop himself around in October.
Let's face it, Sturt could never match South for $$, so he was obviously holding out for better conditions.
Not good signs for the Panthers IMHO, I don't think he's coaching for the right reasons.

[westcoastpanther]

Not better conditions Wedgie, just confirmation of a couple more years at the helm. Why would he bother going again next year if he thought the current board wouldn't appoint him for 2008. He's a career coach, and he wanted some stability. It's all good now.....

[Wedgie]

Not better conditions Wedgie, just confirmation of a couple more years at the helm. Why would he bother going again next year if he thought the current board wouldn't appoint him for 2008. He's a career coach, and he wanted some stability. It's all good now.....

Yeah I can understand where he's coming from (looking after his family, etc) , Id just prefer someone a bit more dedicated to the club and not willing to shop himself around. If it happened at North there'd be a riot.

I think some should realise its the SANFL and not the AFL, coaches at the SANFL level should be there for a passion and be willing to take a pay cut not a pay increase to take their clubs on to bigger and better things. Im starting to think the rumblings at board level at the SAFC are justified with this latest episode.

[blueandwhite]

Despite what you think wedgie sanity has prevailed.
The board should have got of its arse and re-signed him during the finals and not waited to see if he wanted to take up his 1 year option. As many may know the coach would have specific off field reasons for ensuring his tenure for more than one year. The only reason it has taken this long is "the 3 amigos" on the board have it in for him. Congatulations on a great effort by the South faithfull (we really are faithfull....) for making it known to the board and the club in no uncertain terms,our very strong feelings on this matter.
Go Panthers!

[Wedgie]

Despite what you think wedgie sanity has prevailed.
The board should have got of its arse and re-signed him during the finals and not waited to see if he wanted to take up his 1 year option. As many may know the coach would have specific off field reasons for ensuring his tenure for more than one year. The only reason it has taken this long is "the 3 amigos" on the board have it in for him. Congatulations on a great effort by the South faithfull (we really are faithfull....) for making it known to the board and the club in no uncertain terms,our very strong feelings on this matter.
Go Panthers!

Fair enough and its probably just an "ideal" situation Im talking about as there would probably be about 4 or 5 coaches in the SANFL who are there for the job only. I would hazard a guess as to say the board members have been at South before and will be there after Pyman.

[Squawk]

Not better conditions Wedgie, just confirmation of a couple more years at the helm. Why would he bother going again next year if he thought the current board wouldn't appoint him for 2008. He's a career coach, and he wanted some stability. It's all good now.....

Couldn't agree more.

[Jimmy]

for the panters to be in the finals again, they need a coach to hang around and for their sake i hope they have a good crack at it next year and go further.

[Blue Boy]

Got an extra year on his contract and probably got a pay rise - good on him I rekon !!!!

Even though it was @ my Blue Baggers expense !!!

[zipzap]

for their sake i hope they have a good crack at it next year and go further.

Further than Noarlunga?