TAC CUP ROUND 18 AUGUST 23-24, 2014 $3.00 DDragonsragons ssecureecure fi nnalsals sspotpot GGeelongeelong FFalconsalcons 111.8.741.8.74 d OOakleighakleigh CChargershargers 110.13.730.13.73 AFL VICTORIA CORPORATE PARTNERS NAMING RIGHTS PREMIER PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS APPROVED LICENSEES EDITORIAL Thank you This weekend marks the end of another successful TAC Cup home and away season. It has been a fascinating competition all throughout the scoreboard or the water carriers, year with just a few percentage points separating the everyone plays their part in teams from third through to seventh place on the ladder. making the TAC Cup competition Eighth spot is up for grabs as we head into Round 18, a quality one. Murray Bushrangers and Eastern Rangers are still in fi nals It’s at this time of year that we acknowledge the contention. With the double chance in the top four also outstanding contribution that so many make to the still in a number of teams sights, it sets the scene for a competition and the development of the players both on thrilling fi nal round of matches. and off the fi eld. For Northern Knights, Gippsland Power, Bendigo Pioneers Our talent managers, coaches and support staff members and one other team, this weekend will mark the end of do a great job in managing their programs and providing their 2014 season. every single player on their list the opportunity to be the For the top age players in those squads it also marks best footballer that they can be. their last game in the TAC Cup competition as they With around 625 TAC Cup players spread across the 12 graduate from AFL Victoria’s underage talent program regions, it’s no easy task. Thank you very much for time, and transition into senior football or to an AFL club. It is a effort and energy you put into your supporting roles. day of mixed emotions as they take to the fi eld with their It’s pleasing to see the number of players that have this mates for the last time in their TAC Cup jumper. year experienced playing at the U18 TAC Cup levels with We wish all of our graduating players well as they most teams playing their full player lists during season continue their football journey and development. 2014. We also recognise the fantastic support that our TAC Cup The TAC Cup talent pathway has once again proven to parents, families and friends have provided as they too be successful in 2014 with 48 TAC Cup players receiving are very much a part of the journey each player takes. invites to the 2014 NAB AFL Draft Combine, 38 invited to the State Draft Combine, 26 selected in the AFL Academy While we hope that many of our graduating player’s programs and 12 players making the U18 All Australian progress to the VFL competition or even AFL level, many team. will take what they have learned during their time in the TAC Cup back to their local clubs and become leaders in Former TAC Cup players have also made up 16 out of the their football communities. 21 the NAB AFL Rising Star nominees so far this year. It takes a mountain of work and a large band of mostly AFL Victoria would like to thank you all for your volunteers to enable the TAC Cup teams to take the fi eld contributions and look forward to an exciting TAC Cup each week. fi nals series. Be it the people who directly support the players on Grant Williams match day, work in the canteen, the volunteers on the AFL Victoria General Manager Editor: Anthony Stanguts anthony.stanguts@afl vic.com.au Contributors: Anthony Stanguts, David O’Neill, Kate Mitchell Design & Print: Cyan Press Visy Park, Gate 3, Royal Parade, Carlton Nth, VIC 3054 Photos: AFL Photo’s (unless otherwise credited) GPO Box 4337, Melbourne, VIC 3001 Advertising: Ryan Webb (03) 8341 6062 Phone: (03) 8341 6000 | Fax: (03) 9380 1076 AFL Victoria General Manager: Grant Williams www.afl vic.com.au State League & Talent Manager: John Hook High Performance Managers: Anton Grbac, Leon Harris Cover photo: Michael Manteit, Sandringham Dragons Talent Operations Coordinator: Rhy Gieschen Talent Operations Coordinator: Lauren Bunting www.taccup.com.au 1 MEDIA COVERAGE TAC CUP MEDIA COVERAGE Keep up to date with all the action from the TAC Cup via the following media coverage: TAC Cup Radio Tune in from 10:45am for TAC Cup Radio. Join Phil Crooks, Rick Morris, Gabe Sorrentino and Paige Cardona as they bring you a weekly TAC Cup match throughout the season. Saturday August 23: Northern Knights v Calder Cannons Listen live on the Red Time Sport iPhone App or www.taccup.com.au Next week: ALL fi nals matches TAC Cup Future Stars TAC Cup Future Stars has returned to Channel 9 for season 2014. Join Craig Hutchinson and the team as they keep you up to date with results and information from AFL Victoria’s TAC Cup competition. Tune in this Sunday August 24, 1pm on Channel 9. TAC Cup Online Keep up to date with the TAC Cup via the following methods: Website: www.taccup.com.au @TACCup www.facebook.com/taccupfooty TAC CUP RADIO TIPSTERS LW TOTAL LW TOTAL LW TOTAL LW TOTAL Rick Morris 3 68 Paige Cardona 5 68 Gabe Sorrentino 4 65 Phil Crooks 4 62 Geelong Falcons Geelong Falcons Dandenong Stingrays Geelong Falcons Calder Cannons Calder Cannons Northern Knights Northern Knights Murray Bushrangers Murray Bushrangers Bendigo Pioneers Murray Bushrangers Oakleigh Chargers Oakleigh Chargers North Ballarat Rebels North Ballarat Rebels Western Jets Western Jets Gippsland Power Western Jets Sandringham Dragons Eastern Ranges Sandringham Dragons Sandringham Dragons 2 www.afl vic.com.au TAC CUP FINALS Top 8 spots up for grabs It all comes down to the Round 18 results to decide who makes the 2014 TAC Cup fi nals, and who will have the coveted double chance. The fi nal top 8 order can alter dramatically dependant on the Notably, it will be the fi rst time in ten years that perennial results this weekend. fi nalists Gippsland Power will miss out on post season The door is open for second placed Calder Cannons to take action. The young list has developed substantially in 2014 top spot if they can beat Northern Knights and if North and will be looking to have a big impact in 2015. Ballarat Rebels can take advantage of playing at home and Fourth placed Dandenong Stingrays take on sixth placed knock off current ladder leaders Oakleigh Chargers. Geelong Falcons in what is shaping to be the game of the Both the Knights and Rebels will relish the chance to upset round. With just seven percentage points separating the the minor premiership aspirations of their opponents. Fourth two teams its set to be a thrilling contest. After upsetting spot potentially beckons if the Rebels can get the win, while the Chargers, the Falcons have their sights set on a top four the Knights have fi nished the season strongly and have fi nish and have the fi re power to pull off another big win. plenty to prove in their fi nal game of the year. Murray Bushrangers and Eastern Ranges are chasing the Remarkably, fi ve clubs Western Jets, Dandenong Stingrays, remaining fi nal’s spot. Murray, which holds a one game North Ballarat, Geelong Falcons and Sandringham Dragons break, can seal fi nals action with a win against the Pioneers all own a 9-7 record with percentage separating the clubs in Bendigo. from third to seventh. If Bendigo can upset the Bushrangers and Eastern defeats Percentage is on the Jets side who currently sit third with Sandringham Dragons, the Ranges will take the Bushrangers a 12% buffer. They hit the road in Round 18, travelling to place in the eight. Morwell to take on an improving Gippsland Power who always provides a tough contest at home. A win will lock in Round 18 will be an enticing entrée to the TAC Cup fi nals, third place for the Jets and cap off an outstanding season where it has been proven time and time again that once you with their fi rst top 4 fi nish since 1996. make it in, anything can happen. Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Visy Park Visy Park Visy Park Etihad Stadium August 30/31 September 7 September 13 September 21 1st on ladder QUALIFYING FINAL 1 4th on ladder Winner QF1 PRELIMINARY FINAL 1 5th on ladder Loser QF1 Winner SF2 ELIMINATION FINAL 1 SEMI FINAL 1 8th on ladder Winner EF1 Winner PF1 GRAND FINAL 6th on ladder Winner EF2 Winner PF2 ELIMINATION FINAL 2 SEMI FINAL 2 7th on ladder Loser QF2 Winner SF1 PRELIMINARY FINAL 2 2nd on ladder Winner QF2 QUALIFYING FINAL 2 3rd on ladder www.taccup.com.au 3 NAB AFL DRAFT Key dates on the TAC Cup calendar The home and away season may be coming to an end but there are still plenty of key dates for supporters of the TAC Cup to mark down in the calendar. The TAC Cup fi nals promise to be action packed and kick off next Saturday 30th August. CLUB PRESENTATION NIGHTS The 2014 Morrish Medal awards night will be held on For venue and ticket information contact the clubs Sunday 7th September at Etihad Stadium. Along with the naming of the Best and Fairest for the Bendigo Pioneers: competition, the TAC Coaches Award and Leading Goal Saturday 23rd August Kicker will be presented on the night, and the TAC Cup Team of the Year announced.