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24th Feb 2012
’99 PREMIERSHIP QUARTET REUNITES AS COACHING PANEL FINALISED
They played alongside each other in Port Adelaide's last SANFL premiership and now they're back together at Alberton, plotting the Magpies' next success.
The appointment of Brett Chalmers as assistant coach rounds out a quartet of 1999 premiership heroes who make up the bulk of Port Adelaide’s panel for 2012.
Senior coach Tony Bamford leads the group, joined by Chalmers as midfield mentor, Paul Evans who'll work with the midfield and Bryan Beinke who is Reserves coach and a league assistant.
Of the senior group, only defensive line coach Craig Smith isn't from the '99 premiership team. 2011 Under 18s premiership coach Matthew Webber will assist Beinke with the reserves.
Bamford is thrilled to be coaching alongside men with whom he shared so much success, capped by the thrilling eight-point victory over Norwood in 1999.
"We all enjoy each other's company and more importantly we're all hell-bent on getting this current playing group to experience what we experienced many years ago," Bamford said.
"To that end, we're all driven to give these guys a chance to succeed."
"To have the four premiership guys together will hopefully give the current group an idea of what can come out of a premiership in terms of the life-long friendships you make."
"And obviously the experience the coaches have had in getting to that point, of winning a premiership. They can pass onto the playing group."
Chalmers and Evans both came to Alberton from Port Adelaide's country zone on Eyre Peninsula and will be valuable to the new era of rural recruits.
"They have done what a lot of our group are doing now, in relocating and getting settled in Adelaide, getting a career and starting to find their feet at SANFL level," Bamford said.
"Some still have aspirations to play at AFL level which both Paul and Brett did as well."
"From that point of view it’s good that we’ve got them here for the country boys to pick their brains in terms of some of the pitfalls that these kids face settling into a new environment. They might be able to help them along the line."
While the '99 team-mates have a shared history, Bamford says Smith's influence will be critical.
"Craig, who's come from a different SA club in the Eagles, will be able to bring in some new methods and new ideas," Bamford said.
"Just a different voice which is what our group really needs."
Port Adelaide plays a trial match against West Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday 3 March. The Reserves play at 11.15am with the League teams clashing from 2.10pm.
Tony Bamford
SANFL League Debut: 1996
SANFL League Career: 1996 – 2005
SANFL Games: 78
SANFL Goals: 58
Premiership Player: 1996, 1998, 1999
Vice Captain: 2001, 2002
Deputy Vice Captain: 1999, 2000
Coach's Trophy: 1999
Reserves Captain: 2005
Life Member: 2005
Senior Coach: 2010 – current
Bryan Beinke
SANFL League Debut: 1993
SANFL League Career: 1993, 1995-1996, 1998-2003
SANFL Games: 107
SANFL Goals: 169
Premiership Player: 1996, 1998, 1999
Best & Fairest: 1998
Leading Goalkicker: 1998 (39)
Most Improved Player: 1996
Coach's Trophy: 1998
AFL Career: Adelaide 1999-2000, 38 Games, 42 Goals
Brett Chalmers
SANFL League Debut: 1991
SANFL League Career: 1991-2000
SANFL Games: 120
SANFL Goals: 48
Premiership Player: 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999
Jack Oatey Medallist: 1998
AFL Career: 1994-1999; Adelaide: 50 Games, 8 Goals; Port Adelaide: 25 Games, 12 Goals
Paul Evans
SANFL League Debut: 1997
SANFL League Career: 1997-1999, 2000, 2003-2006
SANFL Games: 80
SANFL Goals: 169
Deputy Vice Captain: 2004
Premiership Player: 1999
Leading Goalkicker: 1999 (35), 2003 (46), 2004 (29)
Best Team Man: 2003
AFL Career: 1997-2000; Port Adelaide: 6 Games, 5 Goals
1999 Premiership Team
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