INS AND OUTS

What are the positive aspects of winning 2 games in 2019, MR BLOODHOUND? Please elaborate, while we all continue to support them.

I can remember years when we won only 1 game for the year .

We all can but surely we don't have to be happy with it?

Be a tough year in 2020 but with the personnel changes I believe 2021 will be the ‘rebirth’ of the WAFC. We just need to get through this year.

brodlach wrote:Be a tough year in 2020 but with the personnel changes I believe 2021 will be the ‘rebirth’ of the WAFC. We just need to get through this year.

I think this is a very good summary of the situation.

I hope to get to preseason tonight to have a look at where the 40-50 game players are with their development/improvements.

brodlach wrote:Be a tough year in 2020 but with the personnel changes I believe 2021 will be the ‘rebirth’ of the WAFC. We just need to get through this year.

Let's hope so.

We've been through a lot of 'rebirths' over the years.

As for personnel changes, we've had hundreds in all departments over the last decade or two.  Almost none are still there, so let's hope it turns out better this time.

The West Adelaide Football Club is happy to announce the signing of two players from the Sydney Academy.
The first is the 195cm and 105kg key forward Hamish Ellem. Known to be incredibly quick for his size and very strong at ground level, Ellem will slot into our forward line perfectly. Hamish represented the Allies in the State U18 carnival in 2019 and was invited to the State Draft Combine. He has also played matches with Sydney’s NEAFL team in 2018 and 2019.
Our second recruit is Kyle Martin. Kyle is a half back with great kicking skills. He is known to be extremely clean with his ball handling and is a smart decision maker on the field. Kyle can play at both ends of the ground as a small defender or forward. He has been with the Swans Academy for six years and also played with Sydney’s NEAFL side in 2019.
Senior coach Gavin Colville spoke very highly of both players and is looking forward to them wearing the red and black in 2020.
More to come

Well done Gav & others involved.
These two boys (although unknown to our supporters) have been on the club’s radar for some time due to their quality, so it is great to see they have now committed to the Bloods to add more enthusiastic youth to our young group.
Best of luck young men.

This is some positive news!!
I have been very critical about our recent recruiting or lack of.
Let’s hope both the boys can have an impact at league level!

Good move to get these young lads who will get better with experience and add to our talent.

Mypaspective wrote:Well done Gav & others involved.
These two boys (although unknown to our supporters) have been on the club’s radar for some time due to their quality, so it is great to see they have now committed to the Bloods to add more enthusiastic youth to our young group.
Best of luck young men.

Absolutely, good news. A great opportunity for both to have a real crack at getting drafted by an AFL club, as long as it's not mid season. Didn't someone post on the forum that the mid season issue had been sorted. Haven't heard a word about this from the SANFL.
It's nice to finally have a little hope moving into 2020.
The promise of 'more to come' is a little ambiguous - more info about these players or more recruits to come?

Seen the two at training tonight -- liked what I seen but I stress was only training.

Also liked much of what I seen from the entire squad training --- would recommend supporters going down and having a look

At 105kg Hamish would be one of the heaviest players in the SANFL. Big boy.

Kyle looks like he could be related to the coach!

195cm and 105kg key forward Hamish Ellem
https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/player/hamish-ellem/
https://www.facebook.com/neaflofficial/videos/vb.339492609486313/309396123086230/?type=2&theater

Kyle Martin
https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/249074/academy-martin-kicks-his-way-to-the-top

KEY COMMENT
I think there will be one or two more that we haven’t announced yet, a couple of guys from Victoria, who will come in as well.

“To some extent, we’ve taken a bit of a different road this recruiting season.

“We’ve gone with more of a youth focus, which may not pay dividends in the immediate term, but we hope they’ll be long-term players at Westies.”

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/sport/west-adelaide-recruit-sydney-swans-academy-products-hamish-ellam-and-kyle-martin/news-story/637d39bc2a55e1f50bd1ccb92b0b11cf

Looking forward to going to training tonight

Isn’t it funny, the club announces a couple of recruits, albeit kids, and we all find a bit of enthusiasm and excitement. Too bad they couldn’t announce anything before Christmas

Agreed but sadly not sure they had much to tell us about new players prior to Christmas.

Cannot speak for all but my enthusiasm and excitement has not changed and have gone to preseason training anytime my illness allows --- as always I highly recommend any Member who can get there (Mon, Wed & Fri 0530PM) as they will be made welcome.

My last line wasn’t a dig, but could be read that way. Just saying some positive news before Christmas would have been awesome

I did not take it that way mate so I am sorry if my comment appeared to do so as actually I felt your comment had a lot of truth in it..

Was just sharing how I felt hoping other would express how they feel good/bad.

I fully agree with comment "some positive news before Christmas would have been awesome" hopefully next year will be different -- sigh, one can only hope

Fair comment, brodlach.

I haven't been to a recruiting meeting for months for health reasons, but I think Derek and Wayne in their new positions will help greatly in supporting Gavin and the Recruiting Committee for next year.

Hopefully we don't have a bad injury run this year and can find someone to kick some goals.

Oldfella wrote:I did not take it that way mate so I am sorry if my comment appeared to do so as actually I felt your comment had a lot of truth in it..

Was just sharing how I felt hoping other would express how they feel good/bad.

I fully agree with comment "some positive news before Christmas would have been awesome" hopefully next year will be different -- sigh, one can only hope

Not at all OF, just thought I would clarify it

Couple of useful recruits from the Geelong footy league:
Matt McKenzie, a ruckman and goal kicking forward. Kicked 20 goals from 16 games last year.
Hayden Elliot a premiership player with Geelong Falcons.
I'm hopeful the club will provide more info on these 2 in the near future but well done on their recruitment.

Must have someone in the job with good PR and recruiting skills. It goes a long way when you have this and have the club at heart.

Matt McKenzie was spotted and signed some months ago, bundy. Was interviewed by the coach and previous Football Manager.

Stop the sad trolling. Every one at Westies, now and previously, has the club at heart.