Welcome to edition 5 of 2012 of the Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club Newsletter “Hawk Talk” which is produced periodically throughout the season to advise all members and supporters of current club news and events. ______ACT UNDER 23’s v UWS GIANTS The ACT side will be entirely comprised of NEAFL Eastern Conference players from the Canberra region.

The ACT’s best under-23 players will take on the UWS Giants at Manuka oval this Saturday including Tuggeranong Hawk’s players Ben Cleaver, David Smith, James McCabe and Chris Robinson. The game, which is the curtain raiser to the GWS Giants NAB challenge fixture, will give the Canberra contingent of NEAFL players the chance to impress in the second installment of this annual representative game.

The first game, which was played at Ainslie oval in 2011, was a tightly fought contest which the ACT won by twelve points.

All of the five Canberra NEAFL teams are represented in the 24 man squad, with Queanbeyan and Eastlake both having six players, Ainslie with five, Tuggeranong four and Belconnen three.

The ACT side will have their share of AFL experience with former Sydney Swan Aaron Bruce as well as Kaine Stevens and Marcus Crook who both played with GWS in 2010 in the TAC cup and 2011 in the NAB cup respectively. The game serves as a great opportunity for the NEAFL players to impress prospective AFL clubs with club recruiters expressing interest in the game due to the high standard of the first representative match. The game starts at 8:45, so do not miss the chance to see the best young football talent the ACT has to offer. After the conclusion of the game at 11:30, the NEAFL will be holding their season launch in the Bradman room at Manuka Oval. The season launch will feature general manager of AFL NSW/ACT , ACT’s coach Chris Rourke and ACT representative players. This will be the biggest day for AFL and the NEAFL so far this year, so make sure you don't miss any of the action.

ACT Under 23's v UWS GIANTS 8:45, Saturday 17 March 2012 Manuka Oval

Jason Akermanis Sportsman’s Night Canberra Southern Cross Club (Tuggeranong) 23rd June 2012. Limited release of tickets on sale now $100.00 each Contact David Graham on 0408 325 753 to secure your seat!

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Hawks Memberships Now Available Tuggeranong Hawks Memberships are now available for season 2012; the club has a variety of membership packages available including:  Full Adult Membership $40.00 (Admits to all home games)  Full Family Membership $80.00 (2 Adults & 2 Juniors, admits to all home games)  3 Game Adult Membership $20.00 (admits to 3 home games only)  Junior Hawks Membership $20.00 (Juniors aged 17 and under)

All financial members are eligible to win $500 cash by being in attendance at one of the 3 CASH BONUS home games in 2012 (These games will be advertised as “Member Bonus Cash Draw Games” on the clubs website www.tuggeranongfc.com.au )

Membership forms are available for download on the clubs website or email [email protected]

National Australia Bank to support the Tuggeranong Hawks through Introducer Program

What is the NAB Introducer Program? The National Australia Bank (NAB) Introducer Program allows the Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club to earn cash for any home, investment or business loan that we refer to NAB. For introducing a loan to the NAB, the Tuggeranong Hawks can receive a commission on the loan amount; this commission income will assist us with funding to help run our football club.

Who can refer a loan? Anyone connected with the Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club can refer a loan! If you know someone that is looking for a loan, refer them to the NAB and the Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club will earn a commission. All you need to do is make sure that our club’s name is mentioned to the NAB banker during the loan application process.

For more information, contact our club’s “NAB Champion”, General Manager David Graham on 0408 325 753 or via email at [email protected] to make an enquiry.

Support those who support us!

Practice Match Schedule. Saturday 17th March 2012 at Gordon 102 Oval (Midge Street Gordon) U/18 @ 12.00pm V Marist College Reserves @ 1.30pm V Sydney University Senior’s @ 3.30pm V Sydney University

There is loads of opportunity to play football in Tuggeranong; here are a few contacts if you would like further information:

Boys & Girls – Aged U/12 as at the 01/01/2012 – please contact either: Tuggeranong Bulldogs on 0409 015 400 or [email protected] Tuggeranong Lions on 0407 235 838 or [email protected] Calwell Swans on 0408 342 659 or [email protected]

Boys & Girls – Aged over 12 but U/16 – please contact: Tuggeranong Hawks on 0418 639 655 or [email protected]

Boys & Girls – Aged over 16 but U/18 – Please contact: Tuggeranong Hawks on 0408 325 753 or [email protected]

Open Age Men & Women – Please Contact: Tuggeranong Hawks on 0408 325 753 or [email protected]

Blast from the past…………………..

Tuggeranong Bulldogs (Circa 1984) V Queanbeyan

Tuggeranong Hawks Secure Joss Group Funding The Tuggeranong Hawks were yesterday announced as one of the lucky recipients of an AFL NSW/ACT Joss Group Facility Grant for $10,000.00.

This grant will be used by the club to upgrade and relocate it existing scoreboard at Greenway Oval to the outer side of the oval with a digital scoreboard and time clock.

Let’s get to know Ben Hancock

Player: Ben Hancock.

Nickname: Bum hole.

Playing Number: 12.

Age: 19.

Favourite Food: Anything healthy really.

Favourite Drink: Jaigerbomb.

Which club do you support in the AFL? Collingwood, they will be premiers for sure this season.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? My recent car accident, lucky I walked away from it though.

If you could be the Prime Minister of Australia for a single day what changes would you make? Make the next Prime Minister a hot looking one.

What is the best thing about playing for the Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club? Best bunch of blokes, everybody plays for each other, best boys I have ever met.

Tuggeranong Hawks Football Club - 2012 Season Launch

Thursday 22nd March Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong 7:00pm for 7:30pm Tickets $10.00 (must be pre-purchased) RSVP to [email protected] By Friday 16th March Finger Food included

Payment Options Direct Transfer: Credit Card BSB: 082-902 Visa Mastercard Bankcard Account: 1219 40277 Card Number: Name: Tuggeranong Hawks FC Please use your surname as an Expiry Date: / reference Name on Card: ______

Payment must be received by Friday 16th March Credit Card slips can be given to your teams’ social committee rep.

www.facebook.com/ColinMcIntyreProperty

Footy Live on Channel at Canberra Southern Cross Club - Tuggeranong

The Canberra Southern Cross Club in Tuggeranong has now obtained a subscription to the new Fox Footy Channel and will be showing all AFL games lives (subject to Fox Footy Programming)

Please do not forget to tell them you are a Tuggeranong Hawks Member should you be attending to watch the football so that we can ensure this new initiative continues throughout season 2012.

Tuggeranong Hawks Players – Physiotherapy Clinic (Mondays 6.00pm-7.00pm)

The Tuggeranong Hawks have a service agreement with Performance Edge Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, this agreement provides Tuggeranong Hawks players access to a free injury assessment clinic every Monday evening at Performance Edge Physiotherapy in Anketell Street Tuggeranong (next door to Canberra Connect), players simply need to call the clinic on (02) 6293 4355 and request an appointment for the “Hawks Injury Clinic” by 2.00pm on a Monday afternoon to secure a free injury assessment, all follow up treatment is at the cost of the player and health insurance is recommended by the club, Performance Edge Physiotherapy will provide Tuggeranong Hawks players a discounted consultation rate. 2012 AFL Premiership Season Previews with

Over the next few weeks I'll be previewing all 18 teams for the upcoming 2012 AFL season...all opinions are mine!

Carlton The Blues finally took the next step last year winning their first final in quite some time, and with a couple of key injuries nearly rolled the Eagles in the west to fall just short of a preliminary final. I think this year if the likes of Walker, Scotland and Robinson can hold their form, improvement from Duigan, Yarran and Warnock could see them finish one spot higher in the top 4, which will have them poised to go deeper into the final series. A full season from Michael Jamison would be welcome for , as he can structure his backline with the emergence of around him. As it has been for quite some time, the Carlton midfield is their strength. I think it's time for Bryce Gibbs to showcase his skill-set predominately around the ball which only adds to the dilemma for opposing teams as to who to tag. Can Jarrod Waite's body hold up as a key forward? I'm not so sure. If so it would ease the burden of having to rely on livewires and kicking the winning scores each week. I think Robbie Warnock has improved to the point where he can handle the number one ruck duties, allowing to play deep in the goal square.

Ins: , Sam Row, , Tom Bell, , Matthew Lodge and . Delisted: , Joe Dare, , Wade Twomey, Setanta O’hAilpin Retired: Traded: None

Best 22 B: Duigan, Jamison, Laidler HB: Yarran, Henderson, Scotland C: Simpson, Gibbs, Carrazzo HF: Walker, Waite, Robinson F: Betts, Kreuzer, Garlett Foll: Warnock, Judd, Murphy Int: Tuohy, Hampson, Joseph, Curnow

The Blues have a lot of depth this year, hence a few decent players not being in the best 22...this can only be a good thing going forward. The only question mark I have is their ability to beat the top sides - being Geelong, Collingwood and Hawthorn which they couldn't do last year. If only they had the one piece of the puzzle I feel they're missing, ironically who they traded to West Coast in the deal, Josh Kennedy. It would allow Waite to be more of a floater in the forward line, easing the strain on his body. Aside from that this could be the year they finally take the next step with Collingwood and Geelong maybe levelling out in terms of improvement.

Best Player: Chris Judd Most Important Player: Matthew Kreuzer Most Improved: Lachie Henderson Predicted Finish: 3rd

Brisbane Lions 2011 was a forgettable year for the Lions as they could only manage 4 wins on the back of many injuries to several senior players. Jonathan Brown obviously headed that list with 2 facial surgeries, and like groundhog day it's happened again, with the big man expected to miss at least 6 weeks with yet another facial fracture. must be wondering "why me" again, at least this time he'll have the likes of Josh Drummond, Daniel Merrett and Joel Patful back in defense, but like Brown are always an injury risk. The improvement shown from , and the consistent was a bonus as was the continual brilliance of , who showed no signs of slowing down. For to improve they need to stay healthy, needs to keep improving but is well on the way to becoming a star, and they need to cover the losses of Mitch Clark and with youngsters such as , and , who I think will have a breakout year.

Ins: , , , , Patrick Weardon, Mitch Golby, , Stephen Wrigley, , Richard Newell and . Delisted: Bart McCulloch, Broc McCauley, Donald Barry, , . Retired: Traded: Luke Power (GWS), Mitch Clark ()

Best 22 B: Hanley, Merrett, Drummond HB: Sheldon, Patfu, Adcock W: Rich, Black, Polkinghorne HF: Banfield, Brown, Polec F: McGrath, Cornelius, Karnezis Foll: Leuenberger, Redden, Rockliff Int: Hudson, Stiller, Beams, O'Brien

On paper the young Lions look like they'll be competitive, and like last year will rarely get blown out by sides. I see them improving their win loss record due to Brown, Merrett, Drummond and Patful playing most of the year. Hudson is a welcome back-up in the ruck because without him, and an injury to Leuenberger, they'd have the worst ruck division in the league. Improvement will come from Rockliff, Redden, Polec and forwards Cornelius and Karnezis. Michael Voss certainly has some talent to work with, and like himself they seem like a group who love competing, it's in the skill department where they need to get better. I think the finals are just out of reach this year, but I wouldn't be surprised if they doubled their win tally from last year.

Predicted Finish - 11th

Adelaide Crows A new coach, presumably new game plan, and new personal is what the Crows have to deal with this year, and whilst they only registered 7 wins in 2011, I'm expecting improvement just so long as they stay healthy, and can find some backs to replace the talls they've lost. has some talent to work with, especially through the midfield/forward rotations with ever reliable Scott Thompson leading the charge. needs to regain his form as does Richard Douglas and . If can stay fit, the Crows are a 4 goal better team as he offers match up problems for defenses with his ability to play small and take a high mark. I think is in for a huge year. I'd play him in the Centre and let his Mark Riccuito style of play take control of games. As always a lot of reliance will be on and Taylor Walker, hopefully Sanderson can get the best out of these guys, it starts in their heads as they can both play. The losses of Phil Davis, Jack Gunston and leave quite a hole to fill, so it will be up to the likes of McKernan and Rutten to hold down a fort he once guarded with veteran key backs and Scott Stevens.

In Luke Brown, , ,Tom Lynch, , Matthew Wright, , Mitchell Grigg, Nicholas Joyce, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen Retired Scott Stevens, Delisted Lachlan Roach, Chris Schmidt, Jake von Bertouch, , , Will Young, James Craig Traded Tony Armstrong (Sydney), Phil Davis (GWS), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Ivan Maric (Richmond)

My Best 22 B: Johncock, Rutten, Talia HB: Douglas, McKernan, Doughty C: Mckay, Dangerfield, Sloane HF: Porplyzia, Walker, Knights F: Petrenko, Tippet, Henderson Foll: Jacobs, Van Berlo, S.Thompson Int: Henderson, Riley, Otten, L.Thompson

An injury to any one of the Crows' key position players would see their depth tested severely. Small to mid-range players are where the most talent is, and 4 of the injured players from last season are in their top 10 so once again if they can stay healthy, will have a big bearing on whether they finish down the bottom, or improve to push for finals. Playing the Suns, Giants and Power twice helps their cause, but improvement is needed from the likes of Mckernan, Talia and hopefully a draft pick can come out of nowhere and play 15+ games. All in all not ideal hinging your success on staying injury free, which is why I see them just missing the finals.

Predicted Finish - 10th