Debutants making big impact in first game/season

[FlyingHigh]

Josh Donoghue from the Legs was pretty impressive last year.

[nickname]

Over the years, I can think of quite a few SANFL debutants (young blokes, not those who have already played senior footy in the WAFL or VFL) who made a big impact in their first game and/or season. Some went on to become absolute champions, whilst some failed to maintain lofty standards.



WEST ADELAIDE
* Mark Ricciuto
* Adam Cooney

I don't think Cooney had much impact in his first game or first year really.

[wycbloods]

Over the years, I can think of quite a few SANFL debutants (young blokes, not those who have already played senior footy in the WAFL or VFL) who made a big impact in their first game and/or season. Some went on to become absolute champions, whilst some failed to maintain lofty standards.



WEST ADELAIDE
* Mark Ricciuto
* Adam Cooney

I don't think Cooney had much impact in his first game or first year really.

I think Cooney had a reasonable impact in his first year NM. He had a very solid season i thought and his bump on Ben Walton is one i will never forget.

[whufc]

Over the years, I can think of quite a few SANFL debutants (young blokes, not those who have already played senior footy in the WAFL or VFL) who made a big impact in their first game and/or season. Some went on to become absolute champions, whilst some failed to maintain lofty standards.



WEST ADELAIDE
* Mark Ricciuto
* Adam Cooney

I don't think Cooney had much impact in his first game or first year really.

I think Cooney had a reasonable impact in his first year NM. He had a very solid season i thought and his bump on Ben Walton is one i will never forget.

was right in front of that one, Walton was unlucky in that he slipped a second before Cooney made contact, to what have been shoulder to shoulder instead Cooney ACCIDENTLEY got him straight in the head, was a few uncomfortable moments for everyone in the crowd as Walton laid there motionless, unfortunate accident.

[smithy]

Tony Francis the Pocket Battleship

[FlyingHigh]

Damien King at Norwood in 1997 - kicked probably 30-40 goals from a forward pocket.
Can't remember whether his form tapered off towards the end of the year and he missed the premiership?

[wycbloods]

Over the years, I can think of quite a few SANFL debutants (young blokes, not those who have already played senior footy in the WAFL or VFL) who made a big impact in their first game and/or season. Some went on to become absolute champions, whilst some failed to maintain lofty standards.



WEST ADELAIDE
* Mark Ricciuto
* Adam Cooney

I don't think Cooney had much impact in his first game or first year really.

I think Cooney had a reasonable impact in his first year NM. He had a very solid season i thought and his bump on Ben Walton is one i will never forget.

was right in front of that one, Walton was unlucky in that he slipped a second before Cooney made contact, to what have been shoulder to shoulder instead Cooney ACCIDENTLEY got him straight in the head, was a few uncomfortable moments for everyone in the crowd as Walton laid there motionless, unfortunate accident.

Yep he had no intention of getting him head high but by Walton slipping it happened, it was concerning for a period of time when he hadn't moved but good to see him move eventually.

Walton struggled to play much league footy after that incident IIRC. Did he go to North the next year?

[Adelaide Hawk]

Josh Donoghue from the Legs was pretty impressive last year.

Josh started with Norwood in 2007.

[FlyingHigh]

Josh Donoghue from the Legs was pretty impressive last year.

Josh started with Norwood in 2007.

No worries AH, my mistake.

Do you remember much about Damien King, or Roger James' debut year, which from memory was 1995?

[JK]

Josh Donoghue from the Legs was pretty impressive last year.

Josh started with Norwood in 2007.

No worries AH, my mistake.

Do you remember much about Damien King, or Roger James' debut year, which from memory was 1995?

IIRC Damien King was a well built lad who looked equally as comfortable with ball on the ground or in the air ... To break into Norwood's 97' team he must have been alright.

Kicked 4 or 5 against Port in the Anzac Day clash that year if memory serves correctly.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Josh Donoghue from the Legs was pretty impressive last year.

Josh started with Norwood in 2007.

No worries AH, my mistake.

Do you remember much about Damien King, or Roger James' debut year, which from memory was 1995?

Yep, Roger James was very good in 1995. Played 25 games for 21 goals. Roger always played well for the Norwood Football Club.

Damien King in 1997 played 15 games and kicked 18 goals. He started strongly, but lost his way mid-season. Played a couple of games late in the minor round but no finals. Made spasmodic appearances in 1998 but that was it. We seemed to have a lot of players around that time who showed enormous talent but didn't go on with it, for one reason or another.

[Goat Herder]

Good call on Fiora as making an impact in his debut season. IIRC, he was BOG in 3 or his first 4 matches for Port on a wing, taking big marks, kicking goals and generally dominating overall. One of the biggest disappointments for a high 1st round draft pick in AFL history.

IIRC, Buckley debuted in the latter half of '91 and didn't make a huge impact, despite the hype surrounding his ability. Sure made an impact in '92 however..