Gawler Central has secured the services of former Port Adelaide Magpie Daniel Stanley.

He would have played against Tanunda, except the SA Amateur League office wasn’t open on Saturday morning to process his clearance.

“Daniel is a 2006 SANFL under 19s premiership player at Alberton,” said Mark Moody, a member of the Port Adelaide underage coaching staff.

“He has been an outstanding junior at Port Adelaide, playing predominantely as wingman/midfielder. He has beautiful skills and is a noted goal kicker.

Brant said he was a best and fairest player in his premiership year and would complement the young Central squad.

Stanley and his girlfriend were at the Showgrounds on Saturday to watch the Central - Tanunda match.

Moss SANFL debut

Former Willaston junior James Moss, who is on the rookie list of the Adelaide Crows, made his SANFL debut on Saturday.

The Dean Tobitt medallist in last year’s BL&G senior colts grand final, Moss played for Central District against Woodville West Torrens at Oval Avenue.

Moss started on the wing, against 227-game Eagles’ veteran Gavin Colville in the first half and was given a football lesson in the first quarter and a half.

He returned in defence in the second half, looking more composed and comfortable, despite the Doggies’ comprehensive loss.

Dynasty over?

“Is the dynasty over?” was the question reverberating around Woodville Oval last Saturday after Central District’s biggest loss against Woodville West Torrens.

The 84-point defeat was worse than the 2006 grand final effort when the Eagles humbled the Bulldogs by 76 points.

The concern was not so much the size of the loss, but the way the six-time premiers this decade were defeated.

The Doggies were smashed in the middle, by a side many believe will struggle to play finals football this year.

Veterans Matthew Slade (who was reported for making head high contact) and Luke McCabe are both now 32 and are not making an impact.

Jason Mackenzie, Richard Cochrane, Yves Sibenaler and Daniel Schell are in the late 20s, while Adam Switala is now 30 and the only Gowans brother who was playing James is 31.

Players like Ryan Williams and Scott Dutschke were undisciplined and Jonathan Giles isn’t doing enough for a player of his size.

This is only one game in isolation, but all trends start somewhere.

Only Crows’ player Brad Symes (whose kicking action needs addressing) and Chad O’Sullivan, in his 50th game, could hold their heads up.

Lehmann coaching

Gawler Central’s best cricket export and former football club best and fairest Darren Lehmann presented the after- match awards last Saturday.

During the club day, Darren announced he will start his foray into cricket coaching.

He has signed a three-year contract to coach the Indian premier league (IPL) side Deccan Chargers for which Adam Gilchrist played in this year’s inaugural season.

The IPL plays the new 20/20 version of cricket.

Darren is already being talked up as a future coach of the SA cricket team but he still enjoys his time back at Gawler Central.

Hurn’s return

Ashton Hurn made her first tentative steps back into netball with a quarter for the SASI in the state league netball competition last Tuesday night.

Reports were that Ashton got through the quarter with no ill effects after a leg injury and the coaching staff were happy with her game time.

Wisely, due to her current lack of fitness base, Ashton declined the opportunity to attend the AIS training camp coming up shortly.

Older brother Shannon was also back for four days with his family in the Barossa Valley during the AFL’s split round.

“It’s good to get a couple of mum’s roasts while I’m back,” said the Eagles’ young star who is currently recovering from a fractured fibula.

“I’m aiming to play WAFL next weekend, (July 5) but it won’t be for my team the Thunder because they have a bye.

“I’d be looking to have 60 to 70 minutes of game time and would expect to play a minimum of two WAFL games before pushing for selection again in the Eagles.

“Because your time in the game is short any time you miss is frustrating.

“I haven’t really enjoyed the bike riding and swimming during this rehab – I am a great believer that if you stay on land, there is no real need to swim.”

Hurn said with the movement of senior players and a large injury toll in 2008 there is a changing of guard at the Eagles.

Hurn is signed to 2011, with the West Coast Eagles.

Sled dog racing

The 2008 ‘Eagle Pack Wild Dog Derby’ will be held this weekend.

“This is South Australia’s premier sled dog event, attracting mushers from various Australian states,” said Michael Herbst, president of the Wild Dog Mushers Association.

The event will be held over two days, July 5 and 6, at Waterholes in Mt Crawford forest.

“Entries are strong with 60 teams registered but we are still hoping for those traditional late comers.”