It will be an interesting year for this group.
This team will struggle - and have to fight to stay off the bottom of the ladder.
Expect some bad losses this year.

But will these bad losses cost the coach his job? Will the GM have to sack the Coach?
No becasue the GM wont sack himself.
How can the GM self appointed himself to be the coach.

Underlining issue with this downward spiralling club,
-can anyone say daddy's little girl????

Sam should have retired anyway. These "daddys" post are getting really boring. I think they may be more competitive than people think.

How would that have anything to do with someone walking away from the team?

All reports are that it has more to do with the player not accepting her role coming of the bench.

Whilst I don't want to sound bitter, as I appreciate all Sam has done for the Club in her role as the sturdy veteran, I can't help but feel for the rest of the team.

Sam has made this decision at the worst possible time.

To leave an already floundering line-up 10 days before tip-off isn't really acting in the best interests of the team.
I know we could go on and say its better that she left now, rather than floating unenthusiastically through the season which could potentially hurt the team even more, but I wish she had done what we all know she should have... Retired at the end of last season - or the championship winning season for that matter.

But once again, congratulations Sam on a great WNBL career. You will be missed on the court.

To all those getting bored by the "daddy's" posts : get used to it !
The team is NOT the team it used to be. And the shame largely belongs to the city of Adelaide that can not maintain one women's basketball club, turning it to a private party playground.

What what are you talking about ariel? If Link hadn't brought hte team you wouldn't have one . pull your head in you sook.

Great player and a great person. will miss you Sam.

You gave everything and more to and for the Team.

all the best for whatever you choose in the future.

The sun sets on a brilliant career.

Thanks Sam, I personally thought you had another season at least left in you, your smarts (on the court) will definately be missed, especially with this group of girls!

Thanks for the great career!

thanks Sam for the memories always a class act wish you all the best for your future quests

I think this quote has been added to the article on AdelaideNow since it was originally posted:

``I'm not really feeling it,' she admitted yesterday. ``I really like the girls and the group we've put together but I think I've had enough.'

Nice quote, Makes Ariel more of a knob coming on here posting their crap.

Hey ';' Are you on Daddy's payroll to watch this forum ?

Arvidas, No just sick of dickheads like you bagging people for no reason. Will you keep posting under a different alias all the time?

At least Mr Marino did spend the money to save the team in ther first place. Perhaps all the concerned people could get together, like SOS, and put their money and support behind a bid to purchase the license from him and restore the Lightning brand to where they think it should be.

Why are there so many anons when it come to the Lightning threads?

Maybe not enough Lightning threads for people to create and stick with regular identities? Lots of anon posters in other topics too, just sometimes outnumbered by regulars.

Hello Sam!

lol Jack.

wouldn't it be funny if sam signed with dandenong and played against adelaide in the first round, at the same venue the coach lost his mind at her....

Bit of a slap in the face for adelaide, but then again the current admin / owner group had it coming.

Rumour is that is exactely what will happen good luck to Sam @ rangers

The doors and windows are shut at Bearcats.Nothing coming or going.She wasnt available at the Junior Presentation Night,which doesnt mean anything either.Is Her House up for Sale(not stalking I dont know if she has a house)?

At 32, Sam would only have a few seasons left and who can begrudge her from not being enthused about being a role player for a team that is expected to help prop up the ladder. Far better to be a bench player for a top team, at least the post match would be a lot better even if the court time is minimal. Thanks Sam for all your contributions to the Lightning over the years.

^^ If that is true then shit!

I understand, and all the best to you Sam.

Good luck Sam, make the most of it.

This will hurt the Lightning big time. Major loss.

Gee, when you look at it

Phillips, Gahan, Camino, Francis, Foley, Duke, Woosnam

That's a pretty strong group

Funny,

Woosnam was a loud voice behind the sceens in getting rid of Lucas and Valk. But did it behind the sceens and managed to get evertone else in trouble for it.

And now that no one would do her dirty work, ups and quits when the coach tells her to pull he head in.

Agree with Brehney here, if you don't want to be a part of it for the right reasons, then leave.

Woosnam wasn't the loud voice behind the scenes - I think you will find that daddys little girl diddn't have the same views as those choaches did so they got the arse.

Sad to see her go - sooner or later adelaide need to decide wether the owners are hurting or helping by being involved. Outside looking in - Having a player with a single owner structure is hurting the adelaide lightning brand.

Would an owner without a child in the team have such an input into the running of the group - probably not.
Would people listen to Angela if Daddy wasn't the owner - probably not.
Would the Lightning exist without them - probably - the BSA would have to take them over and provide a pathway for junior girls.
Maybe this season will bring it to a head...

The situation might be awkward, but I also think some of this criticism is pretty harsh on Vince. I doubt he got himself into this planning to mastermind an experience for his family alone.

I can't imagine that it's a profitable enterprise (certainly not with past rosters) so realistically we're looking at someone who's stepped in when there were few or no alternatives to try and contribute something to keep the team alive.

The 36ers appear to have had some luck spreading the load across multiple owners and the Kings are doing the same sort of thing. If it's the right path for the Lightning, has anyone approached the club to offer that sort of help? Either to share the load, or give Vince an escape route?

Joyce?

As a long time fan of the Lightning it is disappointing to say the least that there is even a possibility that the team is run a particular way because of one player and her perceived power. The club has such a strong history and was a great advertisement for women's basketball in this state. Is it just lack of money that is causing players to leave or is it because of the owner/player? The fans who presumably the club would like to see supporting the team this year deserve better than the complete lack of information from the club. If it was not for Boti's articles and publicity about Sam's defection we would not even know there was a team!

I have heard rumours that SOS offered to take the team over, but Vince did not want to let it go
Will be interesting

Anon, I was describing the primary intent rather than what's eventually come to be. e.g., what has transpired is probably not exactly what he set out to do (keeping the team alive and keeping his daughter in a job in the process).

Woosnam gone across the boarder to a vic club?

No I won't, I'll be having a beer with the Wolf at the Sixers launch!

If anyone saw the way Breheny spoke to Sam in a timeout in a preseason game at Wayville it wouldn't be a surprise as to why she has left. It was absolutely disgraceful, considering she has been at the club for so long, is a former Captain (and was asked to be captain again this season) and a leader in this team. I guess we have a puppet as head coach this year and this was evident with who he selected as Captain.
To also give her a clearance right there on the spot showed he didn't want Sam there and according to people in Dandenong, Breheny has now tried to withdraw the clearance stating Sam owes the club money. This bloke seriously is a dipshit!
If anyone is looking for a sure bet it will be The Lightning to win the wooden spoon!

Three way battle for the spoon between Adelaide, Perth and the AIS.

Interesting game Friday Night with Sam at Dandenong now!!!!

Interesting point in Boti's article. SB reckons she has been paid two months in advance. Looks like the clearance revolves around some money coming back to the Lightning I would think, but just is just joining dots together.

I will be going to watch her play.
It will be her last game EVER in Adelaide

I would suggest that the players are required to actually play games to be paid. To walk out and then sign up for a rival club would negate any goodwill that may have existed for attending pre-season.

Indications in a recent newspaper article were that she had been paid two months in advance, similar to the Hodge situation in that a "refund" of advanced payments is being sought.