From left field

[ROK Lobster]

Following the retirement of Spida, to hedge against injury to Jolly and/or the failure of development in Currie (or both!) - basically the pro Jeff White arguments - why not approach the big Donk?

I cannot remember, but didn't Doyle go to a SAFL club. If he did can anyone report on what sort of a season he had, and if he got through injury free. I liked Doyle when he was fit (which was not often). Has he got his body right? and if so, would he be a worthwhile back-up.

(FWIW I am all for throwing Currie in ASAP, and consider LRT to be a worthy temporary ruck alternative, but am only tossing Doyle's name around as a 3rd ruck)

[Robbo]

He went to Norwood with Phillips and Matthew Davis. I'm not sure how he went though.

[goswannie14]

IIRC there was a thread on here during the season saying he was injured.....again.

[hammo]

I think he may have played last weekend. I read somewhere that he was in good form.

[ShockOfHair]

I thought Currie was supposed to be coming along well. He's certainly been kicking a few goals in the twos. I saw Roos the other day saying he thought Currie and Orreal were both in the mix for '09.

Doyle has been playing for Norwoodand doing a good job for them. Hard to believe but he was injured in the semi-final last Sunday.

The Redlegs lost impetus in the centre square when lead ruckman Stephen Doyle went down with a calf injury in the second term.

"He's (Doyle) been the story of the last few weeks we just lost too many players at critical times," Hill said.

Stunning Sturt gives Norwood the blues | AdelaideNow

[laughingnome]

It's unfortunate, but Doyle just seems to be one of those players who's body can't hold them up. I worry that bringing him back would be like flogging an injured horse to run in the Melbourne Cup.

Let the thing lie down.

[Xie Shan]

Well, if he has been doing a good job for Norwood when he's played... personally I'd love to see him back even if I doubt his body would hold up at AFL level - his ruckwork against Cox prob got us back into the 2006 grand final when Jolly was MIA. But the consensus seems to be it's Currie time!

[bodgie]

I went to a Norwood game a coupla months ago at the 'Coopers' stadium. It was a great nostalgic atmosphere for me. Real ale in real cans! No sign of the Donk. We left at half time for non footy reasons. A few Norwood injured and blokes who couldn't get a game were at the local Italian getting a pasta lunch. I pointed out the Donk to my son. 'Remember him?'. I don't think he's set the place alight.

[giant]

Is this just a scam to resurrect your "Bring back the Donk!!!" sign?

[Jeffers1984]

Who remembers the phrase "Plonk the Donk?" (reference to making him our FF).

[ItsAllGoodes]

On the premise that IF he had had a good year, I didnt think the idea was a bad one. So I did a bit of research...being unemployed gives you the extra time!!!

Firstly, there is a real Swans flavour to the Norwood team. Not only Doyle, but Matthew (Smokey) Davis, Simon (Flipper) Phillips and Sam (I have no idea what his nickname was) Rowe. Running around in the Reserves and Under 19s is Matthew (Brother of Nic) Fosdike

Here is how the year went

Round 1 - Injuries - Doyle (ankle)
Round 2 - Doyle out injured
Round 3 - Doyle out injured, also Phillips. Rowe dropped to reserves, where he was amongst the Best, Davis amongst the best in the Seniors
Round 4 - Doyle out injured
Round 5 - Doyle out injured, Rowe amongst best in the Reserves
Round 6 - Bye
Round 7 - Doyle back in Reserves, where he is amongst the Best
Round 8 - Doyle still in the Reserves, again amongst the Best
Round 9 - no mention of Doyle in Reserves. Roew kicked Norwood's ONLY goal in the Seniors
Round 10 - Doyle back in Seniors, no significant mention
Round 11 - No mention of the Donk. Davis amongst the best. Fosdike amongst the best in the Reserves
Round 12 - Bye
Round 13 - no mention
Round 14 - no mention
Round 15 - no mention
Round 16 - Doyle, out injured, hamstring (possibly at Training)
Round 17 - Doyle out injured, Phillips amongst best
Round 18 - Doyle yet another hamstring setback, Phillips amongst best
Round 19 - Doyle out injured, Rowe amongst best
Round 20 - Bye
Round 21 - Doyle back in 1sts, Phillips amongst best
Round 22 - Doyle amongst best, ankle injury to Davis
Round 23 - Doyle amongst best, Davis out injured

Elimination Final - Doyle amongst best, Davis back, but then receives knock to head, Fosdike amongst best in Under 19s
Semi Final - Doyle strains calf in 3rd quarter


So there ya have it...book end injuries at start and end of season for the Donk, pretty typical. Davis and Phillips showing glimpses of ability but no consistency, pretty typical. Rowe, OK but just not good enough, need I say, pretty typical

I think we have our answer to the "Bring Back the Donk" campaign

[waterfowl]

On the premise that IF he had had a good year, I didnt think the idea was a bad one. So I did a bit of research...being unemployed gives you the extra time!!!

Firstly, there is a real Swans flavour to the Norwood team. Not only Doyle, but Matthew (Smokey) Davis, Simon (Flipper) Phillips and Sam (I have no idea what his nickname was) Rowe. Running around in the Reserves and Under 19s is Matthew (Brother of Nic) Fosdike

Here is how the year went

Round 1 - Injuries - Doyle (ankle)
Round 2 - Doyle out injured
Round 3 - Doyle out injured, also Phillips. Rowe dropped to reserves, where he was amongst the Best, Davis amongst the best in the Seniors
Round 4 - Doyle out injured
Round 5 - Doyle out injured, Rowe amongst best in the Reserves
Round 6 - Bye
Round 7 - Doyle back in Reserves, where he is amongst the Best
Round 8 - Doyle still in the Reserves, again amongst the Best
Round 9 - no mention of Doyle in Reserves. Roew kicked Norwood's ONLY goal in the Seniors
Round 10 - Doyle back in Seniors, no significant mention
Round 11 - No mention of the Donk. Davis amongst the best. Fosdike amongst the best in the Reserves
Round 12 - Bye
Round 13 - no mention
Round 14 - no mention
Round 15 - no mention
Round 16 - Doyle, out injured, hamstring (possibly at Training)
Round 17 - Doyle out injured, Phillips amongst best
Round 18 - Doyle yet another hamstring setback, Phillips amongst best
Round 19 - Doyle out injured, Rowe amongst best
Round 20 - Bye
Round 21 - Doyle back in 1sts, Phillips amongst best
Round 22 - Doyle amongst best, ankle injury to Davis
Round 23 - Doyle amongst best, Davis out injured

Elimination Final - Doyle amongst best, Davis back, but then receives knock to head, Fosdike amongst best in Under 19s
Semi Final - Doyle strains calf in 3rd quarter


So there ya have it...book end injuries at start and end of season for the Donk, pretty typical. Davis and Phillips showing glimpses of ability but no consistency, pretty typical. Rowe, OK but just not good enough, need I say, pretty typical

I think we have our answer to the "Bring Back the Donk" campaign

Very impressive research - esp coming from a Norwood background myself in the old days

[ItsAllGoodes]

Very impressive research - esp coming from a Norwood background myself in the old days

So youre one of the rare red-legged waterfowl?

[Plugger46]

I reckon he was good enough to be a decent league footballer. Too injury prone to consider picking up again though.

[ROK Lobster]

I think we have our answer to the "Bring Back the Donk" campaign

I think you are right. Put a lock on the gate of that left field.

Anyone know how Spriggs is going...