ABL - 2005 BankSA State League - Central ABL Women/Men
ABL Players update
04/03/2005
This season both the Senior Men and Women’s sides have quiet clear objectives with the Women’s team looking to go one step further than 2004 when they finished second while the Men are looking to play finals basketball this season after missing out in 2004 and put themselves in a position where they can challenge for the Championship and repeat the result of 2003. Again this season there have been many changes to both the Men and the Women’s rosters for the 2005 season.
While the coaching staff remain the same as last season there has been many changes to the Men’s roster with Rhys Higham retiring due to work commitments and last seasons co-captain and MVP winner Brenton Campbell leaving to play with Cairns in the Queensland ABL. Also joining Brenton in Cairns will be promising junior Peter Hoban who is also going to try his luck and considerable basketball skill up north. Rejoining the squad in 2005 is captain Jason Dix who missed last season through a pre season knee injury, forward Jason Farman returns after his second knee reconstruction that saw him miss the second half of the 2003 and all of the 2004 season and also returning after missing the same time is Melbourne NBL big man Neil Mottram. All three big men look in great shape in the pre season and are all looking for big performances on the court. Also returning is Shaun Jennings who missed last season for work and personnel reasons. This along with improvement of Matt Sutton and Matthew Gange and with the usual suspects returning in Daniel Wilson, Wayne Haydon, Cameron Wood, Brad Sullivan and Doug MacDonald-Taylor the squad looks in great shape. The added bonus will be Brad Newley returning to play with the group when his NBL commitments with Townsville are complete. The number of games that Brad will be able to suit up with the Eagles will depend on his Australian Under 22 commitment however having Brad back in a Eagles uniform will be great news for the team and the fans as well.
The Women’s team has undergone many changes from the team that finished runner up in the 2004 season. Gone are Nadia Anderson, Gabby Flanagan, Desinta Cummins, Kimberley Porplycia, Deaane Burrows, Brooke Sidebottom (all delisted) while Rachael Flanagan has remained in Townsville after her WNBL season with the Fire and Lisa Robinson is missing with a season ending knee injury. Coming into the side is 2003 Championship player Belinda Tredwell who missed last year after becoming a mum for the first time, 2001 Championship player Narelle Lindsay returns after three years with the Sydney Uni Flames in the WNBL, cleared from Sturt to Forestville are Sturt captain Kylie Newbold and Adelaide Quit Lightning guard Jess Mahony. Anyone who saw last seasons qualifying final and preliminary final at Wayville between the Eagles and Sturt will realise what a great pick up Kylie will be for the Club in her work rate, scoring and rebounding at both ends of the court. Jess is still working her way through her knee injury that has kept her sidelined for over a year and it is not known when Jess will be back on the court. Also joining the group is Dandenong Rangers guard Deanne Ranford along with Cherie Smith and Jenni Screen, both coming off great WNBL seasons with the Adelaide Quit Lightning, Jo Mathews is also returning giving the group depth and experience. Also joining the squad are SA Under 20 representatives Jess Fergus (from North Adelaide) and Tara Robinson along with exciting Under 18 players Mia Newley and Nikita-Lee Martin giving the team a good balance of youth and experience that will give coach, Dean Kinsman, a group that is capable of winning the Championship. Joining Dean on the bench this year will be Steve Boyton who coaches the Club’s Under 18 Girls team that have recently won the 2004 winter season and 2004/2005 summer season championships.
ABL news for 2004
05/03/2004
This season both the Senior Men and Women's sides are confident of having another
successful year and are looking forward to the challenge of trying to repeat the success of the 2003 season although there have been many changes to both the Men and the Women's rosters for the 2004 season.
The Men's team sees a change at the top with Championship winning coach Shaun Ryan retiring due to family and work commitments. The Club has appointed Andrew Simons as Head Coach for the 2004 season. Andrew brings a wealth of experience to the position and Todd Grocke continues as Assistant Coach. the Club as they have both moved to the bench as assistant coaches and will be an asset to the team.
The team has retained all the players from last year with the exception of Shaun Jennings who is having time off for personnel reasons. The Club has gained the services of Victorian State Country Under 18 Men's captain, Matthew Gange, from Mildura while Brett Lewis returns after being two years in retirement and Peter Hoban joins the group from the Forestville juniors. The Club is hopeful that Melbourne Tigers big man Neil Mottram will join the group again this season, if fit and when his commitments with the Tigers in the NBL are completed. It is unlikely that due to the shortened season that Jason Farman will have recovered fully from his knee reconstruction in time to join the group late in the season.
The Senior Women's squad has also undergone many changes from the team that won the 2003 Championship. Missing are Belinda Tredwell (expecting her first child), Sharon Simons (expecting her second child), Rachael Sporn (Australian and Olympic commitments) and Carla Boyd. Coming into the squad is Adelaide Lightning guard Jenni Screen (cleared from North Adelaide) and Gemma Boyton also from North Adelaide. The Club is hopeful that Belinda will rejoin the group later in the season. Also missing for the first part of the season will be Jo Mathews, recovering from surgey.
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