Mon 7-Dec (9pm) grand final Somerton Thunder v Seaton Spartans, Sat 19-Dec (2pm) Christmas concert at Gateway Community Church Reynella, Sat 9-Jan (tba) Brad Smith's wedding, January pre-season training (details tba).
Welcome to the home of the Somerton Thunder, Movember and Jultopia
Established in 1992 as the ACH Gungadins, the Somerton Thunder represent Holdfast Baptist and play in the Salvation Army Basketball Assoc (SA) at the Distinctive Homes Dome and the SA Church Basketball Assoc at Mars Stadium, and are affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. See the headlines for more history. Photos used with permission. If you object to any material on this website, email us at thunder2009@optusnet.com.au (new address). Many characters and events on this website - even those based on real people - are fictional. Many player quotes are impersonated ..... poorly. The following website may contain offensive material and due to its content it should not be viewed by anyone.
Julius Hodge returns to the Dome December 5, 2009
Interesting night tonight as Julius Hodge returns to Adelaide on the same night Thunder Captain Brad Smith commemorates his last few weeks of singledom. Put the two together and you've got an interesting plot in the making. We have no idea where this will go but tonight, the two stories collide at the Cal McKinnon Court and we're tagging along for a look. And while we're at it, enough of the whole "If I'd played in Adelaide for another two years, they would've named the court after me." No, they wouldn't have, Julius. It's already named after Cal McKinnon #5 and you wear #24 so there's no way this would ever have worked. Deal with it, dude. It's Cal's court. Back soon with more updates.
A reminder to those who have RSVP'd to Thunder Captain Brad Smith's bucks' night for tonight, to contact Andrew Brook or James Smith for details if you haven't received an SMS message yet. There's two particular events, one starting at 3pm (meet us at Port Adelaide) and the other from 7pm at Findon (game starts from 7.30pm). It's a private function so for obvious reasons, details can't be posted on the interweb but you can be rest assured that pictures will be. Oh yes, there'll be pictures. Good times, good times ..... for some anyway.
Happy Birthday Michael Reu! December 4, 2009
Thunder centre Michael Reu, who was a controversial no-show for the match against Port Pirie last weekend, turned 43 on Wednesday amidst much hype and fanfare about the discovery of one of his ancestors, Michael Reu (above), who looks strikingly much like the 2009 version. Professor Michael Reu, taught at Wartburg Seminary (Iowa Synod, then the old ALC of 1930) for 44 years, 1899-1943. One blog quotes:
"Reu was a giant among scholars. He started out more liberal. If memory serves, he was the one who worked against inerrancy when the 1930 merger took place. Lenski in Ohio was on the opposite side, so a committee was formed to keep Lenski silent."
Oh, that Lenski in Ohio. He would just never shut up and was always arguing with Reu. He was one of these guys who would go on and on, kind of like a 1930s Bruce McAvaney. But Reu got him, courtesy of the bothan spies of the day (sadly, the story left that detail out). Reu spent Wednesday at home continuing his family tree research so we don't want to say too much for fear of distracting him from this all-important work. From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, we wish Mike a Happy Birthday and many more seasons in the black and gold.
AFL football says goodbye to West Lakes December 3, 2009
In summarising the situation in as few words as possible, here it is. AFL football is saying goodbye to West Lakes and moving to Adelaide from 2014. It will either be played at the revamped Adelaide Oval (see above) or at a new indoor "City Stadium". The decision is yours and while we're not a political website, we're not afraid to call things as they are. Vote Labor at the next state election and get a revamped Adelaide Oval. Vote Liberal and get a new indoor "City Stadium". Either way, it's bon voyage to West Lakes and from everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, don't let us be the ones that say "we told you so". Our bothan spies however, have a slightly different view of things.
The bothans made the trip to AAMI Stadium yesterday to spy on proceedings and after spending the entire day counting the seats (with apologies to AAMI for putting black texta marks on every seat - how else could they remember where they were up to?), they found that Football Park has 51,515 seats (more if you include toilets) and Adelaide Oval will have 50,000 seats. Isn't that a backward step? Also, with the Thunder's membership approaching 50,000 (currently 47,913), the Thunder will have to find an even bigger venue to play at. Complicated times. Our bothan spies tell us this isn't over yet, and to watch for the competing factions (or "fractions") to fracture over the ownership and fraction of the membership pie, and to increase the capacity closer to 60,000. Again, don't let us be the ones that say "we told you so".
It's Somerton Thunder v Seaton Spartans as the SABASA grand final teams are announced December 2, 2009
In what is a fair surprise, the Seaton Spartans stunned the Arndale Allstars on Cal McKinnon Court on Monday night to stamp their claim on the John Pilley Trophy and book their place in the upcoming SABASA A Grade Men Grand Final. Not even in A Grade at the start of the season, the Ramblers Spartans have stormed home like Tiger Woods after a 2.30am car crash and will look to swing their collective 9-iron at the Thunder's drivers' side window this coming Monday. We don't have any further details as we took the night off after the weekend's trip to Port Pirie, so feel free to send us an email and fill in the blanks. The lineups for the grand finals for all grades are as follows:
6.30pm Crt1 - Under 14, Marion White Knights v ACH Redbacks
6.30pm Crt2 - C Men, Oakden Octopi v Oakden Powerhouses
6.30pm Crt3 - C Women, ACH Lillipops v ACH Ace Gals
7.45pm Crt2 - A Women, ACH Suns v Happy Valley Lynx
7.45pm Crt3 - B Women, Tea Tree Gully Twisties v Arndale Angels
9.00pm Crt2 - A Men, Somerton Thunder v Seaton Spartans
9.00pm Crt3 - B Men, Happy Valley Wolves v Marion Magnetics
We caught up with the Thunder after a pre-final training session yesterday and whilst they refused to comment on the Seaton win, they did note their disappointment that the Somerton Lightning (A Women) and Storm (B Men) both lost on Monday night. Both teams have had excellent seasons but fell one hurdle short of the grand final. "Good teams, good people. It's a shame such a tumultous season/year saw our teams one game short of the final. That said, you can be rest assured we'll be going all out to bring home the bacon and onion chips in the big dance," one anonymous player may or may not have said. So the stage is set for a big night next Monday night so get there early if you want a good seat. As mentioned yesterday, we'll be at the DHD on Saturday so we might just stay there for a few days. Back soon, folks.
PS. In late news, we're told Seaton defeated Arndale by just one point. No other details yet so keep those emails coming, folks.
Gold Coast Blaze v Perth Wildcats rumble in the jungle December 1, 2009
"Pinch and a punch for the first day of the month, and no returns." Well, in line with that theme and to keep the SABASA's all-time second-most famous celebrity Scott Ninnis happy, here's a quick story on the NBL. The above video shows the aftermatch reaction of the Wildcats' Stephen Weigh after James Harvey and Chris Goulding got a little excited about beating Perth at home. Last year it was Corey Williams who took his shirt off and ran around the stadium Derek Poulton-style circa 1994. The Wildcats of course, are known for having noble and well-behaved fans, which explains why players go nuts after knocking them off. As far as NBL results go, the ladder is incredibly tight as follows:
So hopefully that keeps Adelaide 36ers' coach Scott Ninnis off our backs. In addition, we're off to the Dome on Saturday night for the big Julius Hodge return to Adelaide so stay tuned for our review on Scott's dress sense, roaming of the sidelines, bald spot (surely he'll end up like Brian Goorjian), general demeanour and perhaps some talk about the game too. We can't wait and by all reports, neither can most of Adelaide.
PS. Who's the SABASA's most famous celebrity? Do you really need to ask? 1737 visitors to his 23-second YouTube video ..... and counting.
Last day of Movember 2009 November 30, 2009
It's the 30th of Movember, that exciting time when Mo Bros countdown the hours, minutes and seconds to the moment when they can rid themselves of unwanted follicles and return to the world of clean shavenness. This Movember, the Thunder had six participants (pictured left to right) - Brad Anderson, Josh Gondolf, Nick Kyriazis, Terry Sleep, Brad Smith, and James Smith. The fundraising efforts to date have been decidedly average but with the Global Financial Crisis et al, it's understandable. That said, it's not too late so with a big thanks to Clint Walker for being the first Movember donor for 2009, we issue a plea for more donations and note that there isn't long remaining before donations close. Click on our Movember link at the top of our website, choose your favourite Mo Bro from the players listed, and donate online via Credit Card. Thank you for your support for beyondblue and the National Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia - and see you again in 2010.
PS. While you're at it, remember to register your vote for the 2009 Man of Movember. With apologies to the Bando fans out there, Brad Anderson has only just been added after serving a two week penalty for starting Movember late. Get your votes in while you can, folks!
Thunder defeat Port Pirie Panthers 95-84 November 29, 2009
Somerton Thunder defeated Port Pirie Panthers 95-84 at the Donaldson Stadium in front of a crowd of 80 locals and about 20 Thunder Fans. More details soon but for now, a few numbers to whet the appetite while we recover from what was a fun weekend. Good times, good times.
QUARTER BY QUARTER SCORES
1st: Thunder 28 lead Panthers 17 (quarter score 28-17)
2nd: Thunder 53 lead Panthers 43 (quarter score 25-26)
3rd: Thunder 71 lead Panthers 59 (quarter score 18-16)
4th: Thunder 95 lead Panthers 84 (quarter score 24-25)
LEADING SCORERS
Somerton Thunder 95 - James Smith 22, Terry Sleep 18, Tom Halman 16, Ray Wickstein 10, Andrew Zajer 10, Cal McKinnon 7, Brad Smith 6, Josh Gondolf 3, Kerwin Penn 3
Port Pirie Panthers 94 - Stuart Yates 20, Lyall Gillett 12, Tim Dunkley 11, John Brill 10, Adam Williams 9, Ryan Hoare 7, Matt Leske 7, Trent Hoare 6, Brad Ley 2
LEADING TRIPLES
Somerton Thunder 8 - Terry Sleep 2, Ray Wickstein 2, Josh Gondolf, Tom Halman, Cal McKinnon, Kerwin Penn
Port Pirie Panthers 9 - Stuart Yates 3, John Brill 2, Trent Hoare 2, Tim Dunkley, Matt Leske
LEADING FREE THROWS
Somerton Thunder 17 - James Smith 8, Cal McKinnon 2, Terry Sleep 2, Brad Smith 2, Andrew Zajer 2, Tom Halman
Port Pirie Panthers 13 - Ryan Hoare 3, Adam Williams 3, John Brill 2, Tim Dunkley 2, Lyall Gillett 2, Stuart Yates
MATCH OFFICIALS
Matt Bromnitz, Derek Poulton
Back soon with more details from the game played at the Donaldson Stadium in Port Pirie last night. For now, enjoy a collection of the best game photos from last night's game. Click on the photo below to enter the folder, or enter via the "game photos" tab at the top of our website.
