In our weekly round-up of South Australian footy news and characters, Peter Argent reports on the women’s draft, explains why stats don’t tell the story in the Eagles’ thrashing of Norwood, and asks when Bob Quinn will be elevated to “legend” status.
The other draft
South Australian Danielle Goding has found her place in Australian football history, being selected at number two in the women’s draft this week.
Goding was selected at pick number two by Melbourne coach Michelle Cowan, despite the fact that Goding has been out of the game for a year, only returning last Saturday to play in the SA Women’s Football League All Stars match.
She wasn’t the only Morphettville Park player selected. Goding’s captain at the Roos, Courtney Cramey, was also selected by the Demons at pick number 32.
“It is an amazing honour and it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” the 27-year-old, 180cm Goding said.
“I didn’t even know there was a women’s football competition before I started back in 2009.”
She came from a volleyball background and, because she was a spiker, was put into the ruck.
“My game has developed a bit since them.
“Football started at Greenacres and before my injury I was playing with Morphettville Park.
“Going into the (South Australian) All Stars game at Elizabeth last year, I tore ligaments in my ankle and had a season off.”
In her absence, Morphettville Park won the flag.
“My previous game was the 2013 SAWFL Grand Final, where we lost to Greenacres by a single straight kick.”
Goding and Cramey will play for Melbourne in two matches this year against a Western Bulldogs outfit – at Etihad Stadium on May 24 and the MCG on August 16.
Danielle Goding. Image courtesy AFL
Godden signs on
Woodville West Torrens senior coach Michael Godden has signed on until the end of the 2017 season.
“Mick is an outstanding Premiership coach who continues to lead our club on the path to success,” said Eagles CEO and 1993 premiership player Peter Schwarz.
“Securing Mick until the end of 2017 is a major step towards the Eagles achieving ultimate success.”
Godden believes he has unfinished business at the Eagles.
“To coach this club is an honour I look forward to repaying the faith shown in me by the board, members and supporters,” Godden said.
The stats don’t tell the story
Despite the Eagles thrashing Norwood by 81 points at Oval Avenue on Sunday, the Redlegs only had 16 fewer possessions, the number of marks was even and the tackle count was 51 to 50.
Both teams also were credited with 37 clearances.
Yet the final score was Woodville West Torrens 17.11 (113) to Norwood 3.14 (32).
So why is the gigantic discrepancy in the score?
Both teams played the 18-man press, but the Redlegs use of the football was modest and the “ground ball gets” made famous by Crows coach Phil Walsh were heavily in the host’s favour.
In the last couple of years, the Eagles have been a nemesis for the triple-premiership-winning Redlegs, coming out in front in four of the last five contests.
They are the last team to beat Norwood in a major round game – the 2011 Preliminary Final.
SA’s greatest soldier/footballer
After 198 games, 414 goals, three premierships and a pair of Magarey Medal either side of World War II for the Magpies, you could quickly surmise that Bob Quinn was a champion of the game.
But there is so much more to the man.
Robert Berrima Quinn enlisted in the Australian Army in June, 1940, as a Warrant Officer Class 2 and was shipped out to fight in the North African campaign.
Quinn was awarded the Military Medal for bravery at the Siege of Tobruk. On August 3, 1941, as one of the famous “Rats of Tobruk” Quinn took command of the 10th platoon and defied German troops.
Maintaining control of Tobruk (a costal port in Libya) was crucial to the Allied war effort. Quinn also saw battle in the Pacific.
The accolades continued after his retirement.
When the new Alberton Oval grandstand was built in 1972, it was named the RB Quinn Stand in his honour.
Finally the SANFL acknowledged his outstanding service with the Bob Quinn medal, initially awarded in 2002. The medal is presented to the best player on ground at the annual SANFL ANZAC match, played between the grand finalists from the previous season.
Surely it is now time for Quinn to be the second South Australian to be elevated to “legend” status in the AFL Hall of Fame, after Barrie Robran (2001).
Bob Quinn being chaired from the ground.
SANFL Bob Quinn Medallists
2002 – James Gowans – Central District
2003 – Paul Thomas – Central District
2004 – Paul Thomas – Central District
2005 – Luke Powell – Woodville West Torrens
2006 – Mark Passador – Woodville West Torrens
2007 – Chris Gowans – Central District
2008 – Paul Thomas – Central District
2009 – Chad O’Sullivan – Central District
2010 – Jade Sheedy – Sturt
2011 – Paul Thomas – Central District
2012 – Ryan Williams – Central District
2013 – Mat Suckling – Norwood
2014 – Jay Shannon – North Adelaide
