SANFL: Daniel Caire glad he stuck around with West Adelaide

THERE were no more content players in the triumphant West Adelaide rooms than tough defender Daniel Caire.

THERE were no more content players in the triumphant West Adelaide rooms than tough defender Daniel Caire.

The No. 13 knew so well the ugly times at the Bloods.

In his first four years the club earned the wooden spoon and he tasted just eight wins in his first 50 games.

“I’m glad I stuck around,’’ Caire said.

“To see those bad days makes this more worthwhile.

“I’m glad I saw the bottom, four years in a row, and now I’m stoked.’’

It has been 32 years since the Bloods partied in premiership glory. However, the players were satisfied to keep the champagne on ice for a few moments while they soaked up the atmosphere on the ground.

Then they retreated to the changerooms for the backslapping, high fives, handshakes and kisses from family, friends and fans.

Lee Harradine has been an official at the club for 27 years.

Bloods win SANFL Grand Final

He planned to overindulge on the drink for just the second time in his life. Kevin Joseph has been a stats man for the club for 23 years. This was a moment he had long wished for.

Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck, father of classy on-baller Travis, stood quietly in the background as is his way. Ryan Ferguson, who led the club in the losing grand final in 2012, had travelled from Victoria.

There would have been bittersweet thoughts from some players. Nick Homburg was brilliant in the preliminary final, only to be overlooked for the grand final.

“I have great empathy for him,’’ coach Mark Mickan said.

“I have so much respect for him as a young man and leader, as I do for Aaron Anderson (who also missed a spot in the side).

“It was a gut-wrenching decision but I felt the right one for the club and that is what I am here for.

“It felt like it hurt me as much as it hurt him but it probably didn’t. It would be hard to describe his emotions at the moment, my heart goes out to him.’’

The Bloods wore black armbands in the grand final in honour of former Bloods and Adelaide official Barrie Downs’ wife, Glenda, who passed away last week.