All things West Adelaide 2022

to quote Yazz ''the only way is up''

It's a long way to even the next rung on the ladder, unfortunately.

As a very uninformed outsider, I think the club has suffered on field since the new club structure. Cannot be just a coincidence.

I might be way off the mark, but happy to be put straight.

Chambo Off To Work We Go wrote:As a very uninformed outsider, I think the club has suffered on field since the new club structure. Cannot be just a coincidence.

I might be way off the mark, but happy to be put straight.

I agree, since the coup, has anything gone right for West, either on or off the field ?

Chambo Off To Work We Go wrote:As a very uninformed outsider, I think the club has suffered on field since the new club structure. Cannot be just a coincidence.

I might be way off the mark, but happy to be put straight.

Is it the same structure that Sturt have Chambo? If so, how has it worked at Unley?

I am not sure. As far as I am aware the members elect the board. I had thought there were appointed positions on West's Board that outnumber the elected ones?

The management change Sturt made after CEO Matt Benson left 10 years or so ago, was to have a GM responsible for Admin and a GM responsible for football.
However, I note this now seems to have reverted back to how it was. IE a GM and then Football Manager.

I don't recall any structural changes to the board composition.

I think all an sundry have sung the praises of CEO, Sue Dewing who has led the club out of its financial misery with a whole raft of different things. But that is on the management side.

Jason Kilic has been the President for maybe 10 years now and has been a pretty steady influence in all that time. It seems each year only 1 or 2 positions change on the board.

So on the whole, I think things have worked well over this time. Financial stability is pretty important and a bit of on field success never hurts!

I would think that the pass mark in 2022 would be a return to finals. The recruiting appears to be going slowly, but that seems to be a bit of a lottery these days. A lot of Sturt people look at Mattner in a messiah sort of way. A lot of expectation there based on his past successes.

I think the back half of 2021 would give him momentum going into 2022, but the gains v losses in personnel make things ever volatile.....for all clubs.

West's change was based on what one person thought of Sturt's model.

The SANFL backed it to the hilt, way past just encouragement.

As for Mattner, he seems highly impressive.

I was looking back on last year's thread and read this from the President's message:



I want to thank members of the Board of Directors who have been steadfast in their determination to implement strategies that have set a clear course for the future. Vice President Mark Goddard, in his role as Finance Director, has been unmoved in making sure that we have set and achieved our financial goals so that we can remain strong and can fund a better footy structure. Derek Bonner, as Football Director, has created an environment which sets us up as a club of choice for potential new recruits. Marteine Edwards is forging new pathways as Membership Director and is proactively seeking better ways to make membership of Westies something to be valued even more. Nick Karasoulos, a Life Governor and our Commercial and Sponsorship Director, has brought sponsors closer to the club and has strengthened those important commercial ties that are so vital to Westies. Jacqui Rose has been relentless as our People, Culture and Governance Director in building a sustainable and accountable framework for the club so that it meets its goals today and leaves a permanent blueprint for club managers and directors of the future. Troy Abbott, also a Life Governor, in his role as Assets and Venue Director has ensured that the right advice has always been provided to the club in the development, maintenance and protection of our infrastructure.


My comment: 3 of these 6 have now gone, only a year later.


Together, the Board has worked as a tight and effective unit, aimed at delivering the best possible outcomes for the club as a whole. Each Director brings a unique mindset and array of skills to the table, but the power of the Board has been the creative and respectful blending of those unique qualities into a well-considered and well-rounded decision making process.


Particular thanks must go to our CEO Ben Hopkins. He has been a great leader of the club and has been single-minded and professional in the execution of his duties. He has always put the club first and has been instrumental in developing strong relationships with all its stakeholders. Thanks also to Ben’s loyal and hard-working staff – a very effective and tight team indeed.

My comment:  Ben has gone.

I want to acknowledge the valuable support provided by SANFL. This is an organisation with whom we have been working together very closely. Westies are part of SANFL – without them we wouldn’t be who we are today. Their interest in the health and success of our club has been unwavering. The Board has enjoyed having Neil Matotek as a regular guest at Board meetings and his advice and assistance has been invaluable as we have been working towards common goals. I look forward to inviting Neil and other SANFL guests to future meetings.

My comment:  Neil has gone.

As we prepare for the upcoming Annual General Meeting, I want to thank our outgoing Directors whose positions will become vacant in accordance with the terms of our club constitution. Nick, Jacqui and Troy have contributed so much over the last couple of years and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for their work. They have been energetic and vibrant members of the Board. Nick and Jacqui will hand over their respective portfolios to the successful applicants who have applied to the nominations committee for recommendation, and Troy’s portfolio will be passed to the next member-elected candidate. All three have already expressed their desire to continue in roles that will support the club into the future and we thank them for that.

I know that 2020 has been a challenging year. Enough has been written about that already. Our focus now must be on making 2021 a success. Everything is in place for that to happen. We have a stronger, more robust platform from which to launch our campaign for next season. We must work together to realise the rewards that are just around the corner. As we contemplate the exciting prospects for next year, I wish you all a restful and enjoyable holiday period. I hope it brings you and your friends and families together in a spirit of peace and happiness.

My comment:  No rewards around the corner, no excitement.  Let's hope 2022 is better.

Go Bloods.

So do we glean from this that the matters contained in the report, have not occurred?

Is there optimism that 2022 will be better and if so, do all the people who have replaced the outgoing personnel instill confidence in the members do you think?

No, they haven't occurred.

No, we hope it changes for the better, but we're not confident.

Worrying times.

Indeed, if so.

Lee wrote:No, they haven't occurred.

No, we hope it changes for the better, but we're not confident.

Worrying times.

Stop your bickerin'
Norwood currently has a longer Premiership drought than West AdeLeeaide ...

Long may it continue, scrappy

Improved effort by a weakened side, but a very long way off.

16 losses in a row now.

Do West have a chance against South this week?

The battle for the wooden spoon with Central is on. West are a game and about 12 goals behind CD, but they play each other at Richmond to come.

NostraScrappymus predicts West Adelaide wont be beaten in Round 10 this season

I'm with you, Scrappy.

Tested Port, was in front of South, then gave Glenelg a big start & should have won, a win is very very close

Let's hope so, but we've had too many false dawns to be too confident.

Scrappy wrote:NostraScrappymus predicts West Adelaide wont be beaten in Round 10 this season

Correct weight !

Is Brad Gotch on the move ?

Will Adam Hartlett take over?


I believe both those statements are very very close to the mark

Scrappy wrote:

Lee wrote:No, they haven't occurred.

No, we hope it changes for the better, but we're not confident.

Worrying times.

Stop your bickerin'
Norwood currently has a longer Premiership drought than West AdeLeeaide ...

No they haven't scrappy

Adam Hartlett appointed coach.

bayman wrote:Is Brad Gotch on the move ?

Will Adam Hartlett take over?


I believe both those statements are very very close to the mark

Every now & then I get one right