Dear Members and Supporters,
I love cricket but football is my passion and in a few more weeks the AFL starts practice games and not long after it is our turn.
West Adelaide has had a busy off-season with many changes to our playing list that will represent us in 2012.
Joel Tippett and Michael Still headline our new recruits. Joel is a key position back and Michael a key position forward.
Other new players into our Club for the first time include:
Paul Ellisiou from Western Australia. Paul is a strong stocky midfielder who loves going forward.
Dean Poynton from Victoria. Dean can play a variety of roles but it will be his foot skills that will shine.
Campbell Smith from Port Pirie. Campbell is a 21 year old hard running mid-fielder.
Jack Noonan from SHOCS (ex Glenelg), is another hard running small.
And finally we welcome Brad Crouch after being recruited to the Crows as a 17 year old. Brad is a wonderful young man who is an outstanding talent.
But perhaps the best news is the return of many West Adelaide Juniors back to our Club.
Chris Schmidt will be our Vice captain in 2012 and control the midfield areas. Tyson Slattery is a super courageous tall versatile, Taite Silverlock, a small versatile but loves a mark and Nick Westhoff, a tall athlete with ground skills of a small (all four coming of AFL lists).
We also welcome back Simon Dean, Anthony Skara, Adam Luitjes, Duncan Cragg-Sapsford, who return much improved thanks to the support and coaching they received at their local clubs.
From the Under 18’s we congratulate Rory Laird for being Rookied to the Crows - Thank you Crows. He will be a great young player in our Club. Drew Gallard is training the house down and looks likely to step up.
We still might even have a surprise or two.
I look forward to communicating soon.
Regards,
Andrew Collins