That was quick.

'840, doubt it's ratified but people are calling it. As of a couple of hours ago, the NBL were saying they didn't have the documentation, but Anstey had said the announcement of four players was very close. AdelaideNow's headline is "Sixers lose Ballinger to Tigers" and their opening line:

Adelaide 36ers captain Adam Ballinger has quit the club and will play for the Melbourne Tigers after five seasons in South Australia.

Former club captain and multiple times club MVP. Was also close to league MVP on several occasions. He certainly deserves the respect of the crowd when he returns to the Brett Maher court in opposition colours. I wish him luck.

Strangely for one of the best players to pull on a Sixers jersey in the last decade, I can't muster too much regret that he has parted ways with the Sixers. Maybe that it because he has spent so little time on court for the last two seasons and the writing has been on the wall for so long.

The league haven't officially signed off on it yet, but it's a done deal.

A Sad Loss,one of the best imports to play in australia with sixers until ankle injury interrupted his season,would have been nice to see Luke and Balls tandem again but i feel balls wont be same player as before he got injured,he might get 20mins with tigers.

This issue reminds me of my mate Mark Davis,once he got that horrific shoulder injury he wasnt able to perform well after that.

I will cheer him on when the Tigers play at Arena

All the best balls,show Marty and Co that you can produce good numbers next season.

Thanks for 5 great years Balls. You will be missed by many.

All the best!

My favourite Ballinger moment.

skip, that's the one - Shannon slipped in Ballinger's sweat.

'855, depends what they paid. If they got him at a good price with some injury clauses and he gets back to even close to his past level, he will be pretty handy. Change of scenery could well get his confidence back.

That is good news all around.
Balls moves back to Melbourne, and we have more room to move with salary cap and player ranking points.

I dont like seeing players go, but then when Bruce left everyone was tickle pink, so I am more than that for ballinger. Both good players but time says, time up.

Good luck

Adam was one player who took a huge pay cut to help the 6ers out when in dire trouble, and who showed how to be loyal. Other players in that same time left so fast just to chase more money. No need to name names we all know who you are don't we. Some players should look up the word loyal because you will find the word Ballinger next to it. Adam you and your family have been refreshing at games l can still see your kids and nieces dressed up in Ballinger 54 t-shirts. Also how one young lad who had never played the game found his love for the game and his idol at one game. All the best . will be following you at your next club.

Sad to see him go but as mentioned above we all knew this was going to happen so its a soft let down. Actually the long goodbye is good as he leave with very little resentment from people. Hopefully this works out for all parties.

Congratulations on your new contract and thankyou for your service to the club Balls.

anon I don't think you can sprout 'loyalty' when he was offered a contract and decided to decline it. Call it what it is, a professional decision that many have made before him.

Read what l wrote. l said that he took a huge pay cut when others opted for more money, thats being loyal. By the way a news paper round is not a contract.

Will miss him, leaves us a gaping hole to fill. Currently no back up bigs and guys of his calibre don't grow on trees.

More on the move on today's blog


http://www.36reasons.net/2012/05/no-more-balls.html

Very sad to see him go, but I wish him well in his next chapter. Brilliant service for us over the years. Cheers Balls

Good luck to Adam. Would like to have seen a few more great moments from him in the last 5 years considering the salary he has been on, but he provided good service all round while he was healthy. I think his best years as a basketballer are behind him.

anon 887 don;t tell me l have no idea l was there so get your facts right . so get your facts right

He wasn't enamoured with the Sixers at the end. A reflection of his (good) personality that he didn't come out and say it.

Hey you lost a good player and have finished up with 2 dud coaches just the way the club wanted.

anon he did what was asked of him so don't make false claims about shit you don't fucking know .it could be messy

You almost feel sorry for him though having to resort to going to play for Melbourne!
Surely if the money was only a little less you would consider going somewhere else???!!!

Please don't antagonise each other and kill the main thread we'll have about a club MVP leaving Adelaide. It does him a disservice.

Would've been nice to discuss the highlights, thank him and wish Balls the best. I'm sure he'll be applauded by all any time he returns.

The reality is that a business decision has been made. The 36ers have considered what a 32 year old player, still recovering from a serious injury, can contribute to the future of the team. They have put a $$ value on it and offered a contract to the player accordingly. Yes, Ballinger is a professional Basketball player who relies on his playing ability for his income. He considered the offer and others, and made his decision on his playing future.

What the 36ers have done is no different to Adelaide United and Adelaide Crows in dealing with veteran players. Yes some Club favourites do seem to get pushed out but ultimately it is also up to the players to recognise that their contribution to the team and their ability to achieve it, changes with age and the ability to recover from injury. There is no guarantee that Ballinger will reach his former standard, either with Adelaide or Melbourne. Time will tell who made the right decision - the club who decided on their perceived value or the player by changing clubs for a better offer.

Good luck to both.

its not bianca but it is some one who will rip you anew arsehole gladly .

Thanks for the years of service Balls. Cappo and club MVP.
Wish we could have seen you more in the last couple of seasons.



Personally I think it may be win/win, Ballinger goes and gets his groove back somewhere not lost to the NBL, and the 36ers hopefully spend the money/caps VERY wisely.

Tigers Confirm Ballinger Signing

What's with the crap logo?

Adam is a big whose skill set is more about face up triple threat rather than back to the basket post stuff.

Always seemed more comfortable in Phil Symth's system, and seemingly more suited to the traditional Tigers Drake shuffle offence, but why the Tigers? Can only think it must be a good offer.

name change now required for me, i might just have to be Ballin Fan.