From the Barossa & Light Herald - barossa.yourguide.com.au/home.asp
Article - barossa.yourguide.com.au/...y=2003&m=3
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Lions roaring into new season
by GRANT EDWARDS
Wednesday, 19 March 2003
Cruelly ousted from the first semi-final last season, South Gawler has a renewed fire in its belly.
The Lions dropped out of 2002 premiership contention after going down to seasoned finals campaigner Nuriootpa in extra time. But South has approached the new season with enthusiasm, and managed to recruit additional players to bolster the senior squad.
Elizabeth trio Dave Rogers, Brendan Watts and Jason Presland have been welcomed to the Lions den, and are sure to add some potency to South's A Grade line-up.
While the new recruits are a welcome addition, it has come at the expense of Brad Vincent, who the club has released to fulfil the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association imported player requirements.
South was one club which supported a move to extend the local player boundary at this year's BLG annual general meeting, but the motion was not successful.
Despite being restricted in its recruiting, the Lions have managed to retain much of the player foundation which guided them to fourth position on the premiership table in 2002.
Led by last year's association best and fairest Ben Halliday, there will be a familiar feel to the South Gawler midfield. Captain Aaron Bevis reeks of class and is ably backed by the hard working Damian Ellis and the silky skills of Lee Makris.
Boasting plenty of young talent coming through the ranks, South has lost the experienced Chris Hurst and Robert Copson to retirement, as well as Darren Joyce to Kadina, all of whom have been great servants to the club over the past decade. Also joining the outs list is Bob O'Gorman, who has moved to Adelaide.
South coach Robert Fraser said the side would be "marginally stronger" than last year, which had quickly adapted to his style of play after he took the coaching helm last year.
"It was disappointing to lose that first semi-final but the disappointment from that certainly sits right in the heart of a lot of these guys this year and may make them get an extra degree of accountability," he said.
"I am very impressed by the character they showed as a team last year and we had some really good wins.
"It is going to be another tough tight year.
"A lot of close games will determine whether you are up around the mark or not."
Article - barossa.yourguide.com.au/...y=2003&m=3
---------------------------------------------------------
Lions roaring into new season
by GRANT EDWARDS
Wednesday, 19 March 2003
Cruelly ousted from the first semi-final last season, South Gawler has a renewed fire in its belly.
The Lions dropped out of 2002 premiership contention after going down to seasoned finals campaigner Nuriootpa in extra time. But South has approached the new season with enthusiasm, and managed to recruit additional players to bolster the senior squad.
Elizabeth trio Dave Rogers, Brendan Watts and Jason Presland have been welcomed to the Lions den, and are sure to add some potency to South's A Grade line-up.
While the new recruits are a welcome addition, it has come at the expense of Brad Vincent, who the club has released to fulfil the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association imported player requirements.
South was one club which supported a move to extend the local player boundary at this year's BLG annual general meeting, but the motion was not successful.
Despite being restricted in its recruiting, the Lions have managed to retain much of the player foundation which guided them to fourth position on the premiership table in 2002.
Led by last year's association best and fairest Ben Halliday, there will be a familiar feel to the South Gawler midfield. Captain Aaron Bevis reeks of class and is ably backed by the hard working Damian Ellis and the silky skills of Lee Makris.
Boasting plenty of young talent coming through the ranks, South has lost the experienced Chris Hurst and Robert Copson to retirement, as well as Darren Joyce to Kadina, all of whom have been great servants to the club over the past decade. Also joining the outs list is Bob O'Gorman, who has moved to Adelaide.
South coach Robert Fraser said the side would be "marginally stronger" than last year, which had quickly adapted to his style of play after he took the coaching helm last year.
"It was disappointing to lose that first semi-final but the disappointment from that certainly sits right in the heart of a lot of these guys this year and may make them get an extra degree of accountability," he said.
"I am very impressed by the character they showed as a team last year and we had some really good wins.
"It is going to be another tough tight year.
"A lot of close games will determine whether you are up around the mark or not."
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