TAC CUP ROUND 2 MARCH 29-30, 2014 $3.00 PPositiveositive sstarttart ttoo CCalder’salder’s 220th0th yyearear Jesse Corigliano Leigh Spiteri Anthony Daw, Tom Gawthrop Torin Baker Jack Baker RRdd 11:: CCalderalder CCannonsannons 114.114.11 ((95)95) d WWesternestern JJetsets 88.7.7 ((55)55) Andrew Jago AFL VICTORIA CORPORATE PARTNERS NAMING RIGHTS PREMIER PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS APPROVED LICENSEES EDITORIAL Welcome to season 2014 WELCOME to what shapes to be another exciting season in AFL Victoria’s TAC Cup and Peter Jackson VFL competitions. There are currently more than 800 players on AFL club lists; at the highest level they possibly nearly 400 of these were recruited directly from the TAC can, but also take their game to Cup and VFL competitions. the AFL competition’s elite level. Breaking down those impressive numbers even further Importantly, the VFL also serves as the perfect competition reveals that 345 were directly taken in various forms of the for the listed players of AFL clubs to develop. Draft from the TAC Cup with 47 from the VFL. Certainly, AFL Victoria is delighted that Peter Jackson It is a resounding endorsement of these two competitions Melbourne and TAC both return as naming rights partners and also the contribution of the many community football of our respective competitions. Toyota Victorian Dealers leagues, clubs and volunteers that work so hard to maintain return as a premier partner along with Dairy Australia, and carry the game. The Victorian football network who not only support the VFL fi nals with their Legendairy is such a critical part of the supply chain for the AFL. campaign, but also AFL Victoria’s U18 Metro and Country Last year, 38 players were selected by AFL Clubs from Academies. the TAC Cup competition, a further eight players were ABC TV will again provide its excellent coverage of the chosen from Peter Jackson VFL Clubs. Nearly 50% of the match-of-the round each Saturday afternoon in a telecast new players drafted or rookie listed by AFL Clubs last year which continually reaches new heights and generates the originated from Victoria. much needed exposure that the VFL needs. In many ways it is a back to the future journey in the TAC Cup Future Stars returns to Channel 9 in May, giving VFL this year with traditional clubs Coburg, Footscray, great exposure to the current and former crop of talent Richmond and Williamstown all entering the 2014 season within our U18 competition. as stand-alone entities. On Saturday at Visy Park a triple-header involving And, it paves the way for some games to once again be representative teams from the Essendon District Football played at spiritual grounds like the Whitten Oval and Punt League, Eastern Football League, the Victorian Amateur Road. Further facility development work that the respective Football Association, Southern Football League, Northern clubs are committed to will result in more games being Football League and Western Region Football League will played at these venues in future years. be conducted. If possible the Peter Jackson VFL is even more unique than From those games a team representing ever before with a 16-team competition with fi ve stand- the Victorian metropolitan clubs, to be coached by Brian alone VFL clubs, fi ve stand-alone AFL teams and six VFL Royal, will play a Victorian country representative team, clubs with either full or partial alignments with AFL clubs. coached by Peter Knights in July. Such an increase in clubs provides even more opportunities for young Victorians to play at a level that is the best Season 2014 offers so much on so many fronts across outside the AFL, with many TAC Cup graduates gaining a Victoria. Enjoy what promises to be a truly memorable spot on VFL lists for 2014. season. It can only be viewed as a massive positive for the game Grant Williams and those players who aspire to not only test themselves AFL Victoria General Manager Editor: Anthony Stanguts anthony.stanguts@afl vic.com.au Contributors: Anthony Stanguts, David O’Neill Design & Print: Cyan Press Photos: AFL Photo’s (unless otherwise credited) Visy Park, Gate 3, Royal Parade, Carlton Nth, VIC 3054 Advertising: Ryan Webb (03) 8341 6062 GPO Box 4337, Melbourne, VIC 3001 AFL Victoria General Manager: Grant Williams Phone: (03) 8341 6000 | Fax: (03) 9380 1076 State League & Talent Manager: John Hook www.afl vic.com.au High Performance Managers: Anton Grbac, Leon Harris Cover photo: Calder Cannon Paul Ahern Talent Operations Coordinator: Rhy Gieschen Talent Operations Offi cer: 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 12:45pm for the return of TAC Cup Radio for season 2014. Join Phil Crooks, Rick Morris, Gabe Sorrentino and Paige Cardona as they bring you a weekly TAC Cup match throughout the season. Saturday March 29: Gippsland Power vs Dandenong Stingrays, 12:45pm Listen live on the Red Time Sport iPhone App or www.taccup.com.au Next week: Gippsland Power vs Murray Bushrangers, 1:45pm TAC Cup Future Stars TAC Cup Future Stars will return to Channel 9 on Sunday May 11. Join Craig Hutchinson and the team as they keep you up to date with results and information from AFL Victoria’s TAC Cup competition. Returns: Sunday May 11, 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 Paige Cardona (3) Phil Crooks (2) Rick Morris (2) Gabe Sorrentino (1) Gippsland Power Gippsland Power Gippsland Power Gippsland Power Murray Bushrangers Murray Bushrangers Murray Bushrangers Murray Bushrangers Sandringham Dragons Sandringham Dragons Sandringham Dragons Sandringham Dragons Oakleigh Chargers Oakleigh Chargers Eastern Ranges Oakleigh Chargers Geelong Falcons North Ballarat Rebels Geelong Falcons Geelong Falcons Calder Cannons Calder Cannons Calder Cannons Calder Cannons 2 www.afl vic.com.au TAC CUP SEASON PREVIEW Each season gives a new wave of players an opportunity to seize the moment and forge their own piece of history in AFL Victoria’s TAC Cup competition. Last year it was the Eastern Ranges that rose from the bottom of the ladder in 2012 to the premiership in 2013 – such is the transient nature of the competition. Which region will make a similar rise this year, or will it be one of the regular fi nals contenders that can take the next step in 2014? The coaching staff of each of the 12 regions have made the tough decisions in the preseason to cut their lists for their fi nal 2014 squads, and we congratulate all players named this year on a list. Last week previewed all the metro regions, this week we spoke to the country coaches to fi nd out their thoughts on season 2014, revealing some of the players to watch this season as well. Note: Turn to the inside back cover for a pictorial of the 2013 Country best & fairest winners THE RECOVERY DRINK YOU NEVER KNEW YOU DRANK. It’s true. Your humble glass of milk contains electrolytes for rehydration and proteins to repair muscle. dairyaustralia.com.au/legendairy www.taccup.com.au 3 SEASON PREVIEW BENDIGO PIONEERS Last season: 3-14 Finish: 11th Coach: David Newitt (3rd season) Captain: Jake Maher Best & fairest: Jacob Chisari 2013 Drafted Players: - Direct draftees currently on AFL lists: 11 Notable AFL draftees: Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda/North Melbourne), Josh Hunt (Geelong/ GWS), Dustin Martin (Richmond), Joel Selwood (Geelong) What can we expect from Bendigo in 2014?: DN: We had North Ballarat and Murray both in a practice match, and we play them in the opening games of the season so it will be a country feel to the start of the year. It will be a great way to start the season being up in the region, starting in Shepparton (vs Murray), so not too much travel just yet and to stay near home will be a great start to the year. Who will be the players to watch this season?: DN: We have some players that played as bottom age players last year in Jake Maher and Jaden McGrath, who is in the AIS. They are two of the young guys. Billy Evans has had a really good preseason as well and there are three or four other players that played last year as bottom age players and we certainly looking for those players to step up. Blake Poyser 4 www.afl vic.com.au SEASON PREVIEW DANDENONG STINGRAYS Last season: 10-7 Finish: Runners-up Coach: Craig Black (1st season) Captain: Daniel Capiron / Jack Lonie Best & fairest: Nathan Foote 2013 Drafted Players: 3 - Zak Jones (Sydney), Billy Hartung (Hawthorn), James Harmes (Melbourne) Direct draftees currently on AFL lists: 31 Notable AFL draftees: Chris Newman (Richmond), Nathan Jones (Melbourne), Tom Scully (Melbourne/GWS), Tom Lynch (Gold Coast) What can we expect from Alex Harnett Dandenong in 2014?: CB: Hopefully we can play a nice exciting brand of football, and give the kids a bit of freedom to express themselves the way they want to play. A real team orientated brand of football as well, so hopefully that is what we will see year for the Stingrays. Who will be the players to watch this season?: CB: We have a couple of the AIS kids in Tom Lamb and Daniel Capiron, and would expect them to be good for us. This year we have a couple of kids that have not been in our program before, in Geurts, Bennett and Dale that all played senior football in the local competitions in grand fi nals last year.