Afl Canberra Edition 01 $2.50
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AFL CANBERRA EDITION 01 $2.50 THE PRE-SEASON SWAP: WHO’S COME AND WHO’S GONE? SWANS RULE CHANGES TO EVEN UP COMPETITION Contents A CHAMPION TEAM... IS BETTER THEN A inside TEAM OF CHAMPIONS In the Box with the GM 4 AFL Canberra Limited Bradman Stand Manuka Oval Manuka Circle ACT 2603 News 6 PO Box 3759, Manuka ACT 2603 Ph 02 6228 0337 Local Hero 10-11 Fax 02 6232 7312 Publisher Coordinate Communication Seniors 12-17 PO Box 1975 WODEN ACT 2606 Ph 02 6162 3600 Reserves 18 Email [email protected] Neither the editor, the publisher nor AFL Canberra Under 18’s 19 accepts liability of any form for loss or harm of any type however caused All design material in the magazine is copyright protected and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of Coordinate Communication. Round 01 Editor Jamie Wilson Ph 02 6162 3600 vs Email [email protected] Designer Kirsty McCabe Ainslie Oval, Sat 5th April, 2pm Ph 02 6162 3600 Email [email protected] Photography Andrew Trost vs Email [email protected] Greenway Oval, Sat 5th April, 2pm vs Margaret Donoghoe Oval Sun 6th April, 2pm Design + Branding + PR + Advertising + Internet www.coordinate.com.au ACTION shots In the box finals 2007 with the GM The summer for every football club offers the chance to Tuggeranong, Tuggeranong, Tuggeranong. Just when it cleanse the soul, repair broken dreams, plan for the next looked as though there would not be a Hawk to be seen club assault and recruit the gun. In many ways every club does champion Bob Hughes returns to the club, galvanises sup- all of these things while the previous season’s Premiers are port, drags in a sponsor or two, straightens up some systems looking over their shoulder wondering how fast the rest of the and with the impressive leadership of Sean Giddings the competition are improving. Hawks have survived... again. A new coach in Michael Horne, yesterday’s loveable rogue and talented player, has become The summer we have all just enjoyed has seen some evolu- corporate and with zero recruiting capacity has moulded a tion and some revolution amongst the clubs we love and unit that will play with as much passion and courage as any in despise. the competition. There will be plenty of sentimental support for the boys from Tuggeranong but that helps little when the The Swans, deserving of their number 1 seeding for 2008, ball is there to be won. They may not be in the mix for the have farewelled many of their consistent performers at this premiership in 2008 but they will trip a few more credentialed level and we see a new generation. The rules under which opponents up along the way. My sincere hope for the Hawks they will play are designed to handicap their on field power. is that they turn the 2007 page of history over, learn from it Thee biggest challenge for the Swans though is perhaps their and never be forced to question their very existence for a very own injury list and early in the season they have taken a bat- long time. I know they will maintain the respect they have on tering at senior level. More than one local club is looking to the field, it’s the other side of the fence that needs mending challenge the Swans when the prize is on offer. I suspect the and the tradesman there at the moment are laying a very Swans welcome very much that challenge and should not be solid foundation. underestimated. And Ainslie. New leadership, new spine and now coach Queanbeyan have recruited specifically after last year’s Chris Rourke has a bit of talent to work with bringing its own splash. The real impact I suspect could be from a now fit pressures. Billy Neely is quite possibly the fittest player in and settled Mark Powell. They still have the two outstanding Canberra at the moment and will remain the most competi- forwards in James Kavanagh and the evergreen Mark Arm- tive. His honesty alone should add some energy to the culture strong. Those two alone will ensure the Tigers are competi- and with some extensive recruiting we may see a resurgent tive and likely to be ‘there’ when it matters. The form of the Ainslie outfit. Many of them have reasonable qualifications Tiger midfield and the speed of their ball movement remain but again this competition has the habit of biting people who critical to their Premiership hopes. do no prepare with absolute diligence. A good as the captain might be it is the form of assistant coach Tony Bourke which Belconnen have been smarting over their inglorious exit since is pivotal to the Tricolours hopes. Corey Saitta could well be last September and have benefitted from their shrewd Foot- the recruit that has the most impact at Ainslie. An impressive ball Manager, Garry Davidson, who went shopping where the football resume and extensive contact list Corey inherits the others weren’t looking. The results of that recruiting appear club that is easily the highest in profile outside the ACT. For in March to be fruitful. The underrated James Bennett and our competition to be recognised as ‘strong’ by the broader Steve Mahar will be the keys to the Magpie quest. There was football community the boys from Ainslie have to stand up in a real hunger in the way Belconnen trained over the summer 2008. and I would expect Mahar to keep that level of intensity for when it matters this year. It is reasonable to assume that when the ball bounces on In some way Eastlake have shown the most courage over Saturday (I find it enormously frustrating that people refer to the summer. A club with the undoubted capacity to be highly our beginning as a kick off!) there will be several relieved AFL competitive when recruiting, and this isn’t to say they didn’t Canberra Board members. It as been another demanding have a go at recruiting a couple of players, but in the end summer for us here and the strength of the Board has been there was a conscious decision to promote players from extraordinary. Thank you for your integrity, leadership and within their own system. Significantly expectations remain courage Geoff. The hours of negotiating, hours of planning, high but coach and elite player Nathan Clarke takes on some hours of debate and hours of scrutiny for the love of the game pressure to develop players and balance the win/loss ledger. have sapped energy and desire. The season now starts, the This has to be admired and even with the loss of their fine dreams are alive and all the focus goes onto the performance forward for many years, Julian Farkas, this side could be the of the teams. May you all enjoy the success you deserve, may one to watch. the ball bounce your way when you need it to and may the season throw up many surprise results. News strong presence in the midfield that our young players can The Pre-Season Swap: work around,” he said. Of the other clubs, 2007 runners up Queanbeyan have Who’s come and who’s overcome the loss of travelling duo Michael Wescombe and Brett Daniher, by recruiting Kris Thompson and Andrew gone? Carey from Victoria, whilst Belconnen have picked up Julien Moussi from VFL club the Northern Bullants. By James Patmore AFL Canberra key player gains and losses Key to clubs success AfterAfter a brilliant 2007,2007, QueanbeyanQueanbeyan will be strivingstriving to stamp The pre-season has been a period of great change for theirtheir authority early. Mark ArmstrongArmstrong will coach againagain many AFL Canberra clubs, following the departure of a AINSLIE mightmight lie with who, and Renee Ioppi and Ryan QuadeQuade will begin their second number of prominent players, and the arrival of many season as co-captains. co-captains. fresh faces for the 2008 season. Gains: Clinton Mathis (Wildcats), Andrew Mathis (Wildcats), Michael Buchanan (Box Hill - VIC), John Holmes (Box Hill – Whilst a number of sides have recruited strongly, Ainslie not what The contrasting roles both captains played last year VIC), Ben Hughes (Warragul – VIC) worked wonders for the Tigers and fans will be hoping and Eastlake have especially seen a dramatic list change By Harry Thring over the off-season, with both clubs looking to youth to Losses: Nicholas Paine (South Fremantle – WA), Justin the experience of Ioppi, combined with the youth and exuberance of Quade, will indeed get them the flag they improve on their 2007 performances. Searle (North Shore – NSW) In difficult times there have always been men who show desire. strength and can lead their peers through the troubled Ainslie adopted a youth policy throughout 2007, and have BELCONNEN period and into the light. followed the same path in 2008, with the majority of their Ainslie will be led by captain Billy Neely, whose leadership will go a long way to ensuring success. Neely has been new recruits being under 22 years of age. Gains: Michael Archibald (Ungarie Magpies – NSW), Robert Leadership on the sporting field is constantly in question. described by coach Chris Rourke as “a man of few words”, Phillips (UNSW/Eastern Suburbs -NSW), Julien Moussi The need to stand up and be counted is ever present. Having recruited Michael Buchanan and John Holmes from (Northern Bullants – VIC) but a man who is ‘an all round professional’ and ‘leads by VFL club Box Hill, Ainslie coach Chris Rourke was able to example.’ attracted the highly sought after Mathis brothers - Clinton Losses: N/A Captain/coach of Eastlake, Nathan Clarke, is one of three captain/coaches in the competition.