Dad complains on Radio

I didn't hear the story on SEN but I can understand the frustration. I am in a bit of two minds on this, as the boys did sign a contract, and Port are within their rights to ghold them to it, I suppose. But the kids arn't getting a game, and all they want to do is play footy at the highest levelk they can, and thats not seconds! This sort of treatment by Port is what will kill this competition. If kids know that if they sign a contract, and they are going to have to sit in the seconds behind the AFL walk ups, they will stay in the local comps. This is not a sledge at Port (much) but it shows the real problems that the competition has. The heat is on Port now. Can't wait to see the team lists on Thursday and see if these two "required player" actually get a game!! The kids feel that they have been treated appalingly by Port, and with good cause.

I heard the SEN call as well. Two players Phibbs and Robertson sought clearance to play with Frankston this season. Phibbs in particular had a good season kicking 70+ goals in the reserves. As I understand it, they could earn significantly more playing in the "ones" for Frankston than they would with Ports reserves. So I guess it was a combination of wanting to play at a more senior level, and be paid accordingly. I don't know their motives so can only speculate. Sam Anstey did get clearance to the Dolphins and will play with them this season. Port have kept them on the list, and with North Melbourne not picking any of 6 possible rookies to add to their list, there will be an increased opportunity for Port to develop more of its own list this season. Interestingly, Port have given them their existing jumper numbers 12, and 15 so I guess they think that they will get a proper season out of them, otherwise they would have issued jumpers up in the 60s.

I think its a nasty situation all around. I didn't hear the dad ring in, but I did hear Ken Gannon's response. From what he said the two players had signed one year contracts, but a clause in the contract allowed Port to retain the players in the following year. KB asked whether this happened with all contracts in the VFL to which Gannon said something along the lines of "well that clause could be removed from the initial contract". He also said the players were sent a letter by Football Victoria shortly after signing the first contract reminding them of their contractual obligations and that there would be a 7 day cooling off period. In the end it sounds like Robertson and Phibbs did not read their contracts. They made a mistake.

Onslaught, both Robertson and Phibbs have serviced Port Melbourne to the nth degree. It is such a shame that to budding young footballers not be given the opportunity to fulfil their football potential. As a Port Melbourne supporter I am disgraced at my clubs actions and handling of this situation. How could Sam Anstey be cleared, while Robertson and Phibbs are stuck here. If they don't want to play for us then they should be released, especially when they were told it was a one year contract, when they signed the contract.and were pretty stiff in losing their appeal. I feel sorry for these players as now they have to put up with the Kangaroo players being pushed ahead of them. The season is starting and I believe they haven't even played a practice game. Port Melbourne is acting very "unaustralian". and what the game is about. I am thinking of ripping up my membership card, because our team's morals and values are wrong. By the way Onslaught Gibson is highly overrated. but he seems to be your loved on this site.

As I said in this thread or elsewhere here.. It is hard to understand why Port wouldnt release them, as they surely would not expect them to give 100% this season. *edit Plus Im not on the Gibson bandwagon or anything, just doing write-ups as I go through the teamlists, trying to say someting accross each line on the field. In about January I said both him and Cheevers would be the big improvers... thats about it.