AFL VICTORIA $ INC TAC CUP ROUND 1, APRIL 4-5, 2009 3GST BUSHIES TAKE THE SPOILS MURRAY CAPS ITS STELLAR SEASON TAC01_Cover.indd 1 1/4/09 10:27:35 AM EDITORIAL The TAC Cup produced more than half of the players selected in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, with the Murray Bushrangers (seen here celebrating their 2008 TAC Cup premiership) providing four of them. for learner drivers. Coupled with the football development role Major milestone the competition plays for these young men, the competition has been, and continues to be, an for competition outstanding success. AFL Victoria’s partnership In its 18th year, the TAC Cup remains the with the TAC is one of Australian elite under-age competition in the country. sport’s most enduring and successful relationships. Over the years the two organisations his year is a milestone Transport Accident Commission have worked closely together one for the TAC Cup, the (TAC) since 1992. Over those to develop programs that best nation’s premier under-18 18 years thousands of our TAC meet the TAC’s needs. We have no football competition. Cup players, peer group leaders doubt that the work undertaken TEighteen years ago in 1992 the by our region managers and the and role models in their local TAC Cup competition commenced communities across the state, players who have moved through after the former VFL under- have delivered the important road the TAC Cup development system 19s was scrapped following safety messages, the current one has positively contributed to the the formation of the national promoting 120 hours of practice decrease in the road toll since the competition. And the number 18 early 1990s. is signifi cant as 18 represents the The TAC Cup is very During 2009, AFL Victoria and age that most young drivers gain “highly regarded, while the TAC will be celebrating the their probationary licence. competition’s 18th year through We have been privileged to the TAC is synonymous a number of activities including have had the support of the with under-18 football. ” the launch of a new television 2 / visit www.taccup.com.au TAC02-3_Editorial.indd 2 1/4/09 9:31:21 AM EDITORIAL commercial commissioned by the Looking into a and fi t in better with the schools, TAC featuring Gary Ablett jnr, Sam so we are not clashing as Mitchell and Morrish medallist “crystal ball, the next much and can possibly utilise Matthew Kreuzer. Look out for it. 18 years can prove their facilities. Also, the best team from the TAC just as fruitful. Our 18th year will be another Cup’s fi rst 18 years will also be exciting season. The off-season selected by footy fans, a side that ” was headlined by the appointment is sure to stir debate. synonymous with under-18 of dual AFL premiership coach Refl ecting on the 18 years football and part and parcel of the Denis Pagan at the Northern since the TAC Cup’s inception, footy vernacular. Importantly, the Knights. Other newcomers to it is important to note the competition has been accepted by the TAC Cup coaching ranks are evolution that has occurred. the community football leagues, Martin Allison (Calder Cannons), Initially, we started with a six- when at the start there was a bit Damian Carroll (Gippsland team competition, comprising of scepticism. It’s now a good Power), Steve Grace (Oakleigh fi ve metropolitan clubs and the marriage of an elite pathway Chargers), Glenn Wilkins (North Geelong Falcons. Today, there are and a community pathway. From Ballarat Rebels) and Dale Tapping 13 teams – seven metropolitan, the TAC Cup, some players (Sandringham Dragons). fi ve country and, this year, the will get drafted to the AFL but The TAC Cup continues to new Guy McKenna-coached Gold the majority will go back into provide excellent opportunities for Coast team before it progresses community football. They will Victoria’s elite junior footballers through to the VFL in 2010. be better for the experience and and produces the bulk of the AFL’s Interstate sides have come and able to add to their local football national draftees year after year. gone, with the NSW/ACT Rams club, in turn lifting the standard of In 2008, we provided 39 of the 75 (1995-2002) and Tassie Mariners community footy. players selected at the NAB AFL (1996-2002) once part of Victoria’s Looking into a crystal ball, the Draft – the most of any state. The elite junior competition. They next 18 years can prove just as TAC Cup is squarely focused on were valuable additions, but both fruitful. Can our TAC Cup clubs players maximising their potential states now proceed with their own become even more important and continuing in the game at AFL, talent identifi cation programs. than they are now? Can they be VFL, country or suburban-league Each year we produce around true football academies? Can level. Importantly, 95 per cent of 50 per cent of the players we build better infrastructures? TAC Cup graduates continue to drafted, proving beyond doubt Can universities get involved play football. the competition’s value as a in these academies? Can local Enjoy this the 18th year of pathway to the AFL. We would government and local regions the TAC Cup. See you at Etihad like to maintain that ratio and that see that, through the TAC Cup, Stadium on Friday, September 25 is AFL Victoria’s aim – to ensure we can build a hub for footy, the for the showpiece TAC Cup we remain at the forefront of community and other sports. Grand Final. producing AFL players. Our policy with school football Today, the TAC Cup is well- will also be reviewed, particularly PETER SCHWAB established and very highly in Melbourne with the APS and Chief Executive Offi cer, regarded, while the TAC is AGSV. We can look at our fi xturing AFL Victoria AFL Victoria Chief Executive Officer: Photography: ROUND ONE Peter Schwab Getty Images (02) 9004 2250 APRIL 4-5, 2009 Football Operations Manager: Advertising: John Hook Jennifer Pryor (03) 8663 3007 Contents High Performance Managers: Season preview 4 Anton Grbac, Leon Harris 2009 fi xture 7 Statistics: Sophie Timms CEO, The Slattery Media Group: Team lists 8-21 Geoff Slattery COVER: The Murray Editor: Nick Bowen Bushrangers celebrate their Club notes 22 81-point victory over the Designer: Karl Chandler Dandenong Stingrays in the Photo Manager: Natalie Boccassini 2008 TAC Cup Grand Final at Printed by: Condor Printing Etihad Stadium. TAC CUP RECORD / 3 TAC02-3_Editorial.indd 3 1/4/09 9:56:06 AM TAC CUP SEASON PREVIEW Geelong Falcons coach Garry Hocking says his side may lack height but will make up for it with its fi tness and skill. CALDER Brightest and CANNONS Last season: 5-14 Finish: 11th youngest shine 2008 drafted players: Jackson Trengrove (Port The TAC Cup promises to again unearth Adelaide), Shaun McKernan the nation’s best junior talent. (Adelaide) Rookie listed: he 2009 TAC Cup season BENDIGO Thomas German (Essendon), has fi nally come around Marcus White (North Melbourne), and defending premiers PIONEERS Players to watch: Daniel Talia the Murray Bushrangers Last season: 5 wins-14 losses (tall defender/forward); Jake Twill again be tough to beat, as Finish: 10th Melksham (half-forward/ they welcome back a handful 2008 drafted players: None defender/wing); Jake Carlisle of players from their thumping Rookie listed: (196cm ruckman/key position) Grand Final win last year. Rhys Healey (Melbourne) Coach’s view: “We’re pretty But despite the Bushrangers’ Players to watch: Kallen Geary excited about our list. I think dominance last year, history (hard-working midfi elder); when we have all our private- tells us the nation’s elite under- Dustin Martin (on-baller); Jordan school boys available we will be age competition will once more Williams (utility) very competitive, especially up be keenly fought this season. Coach’s view: “We think we have forward. I think we’re also better Here, the TAC Cup Record more depth this season and we and stronger in defence this year. assesses the prospects of all 13 want to improve on what we showed With continued improvement from clubs and gets the inside word at the end of last season. I think we our players I think we can have a from their coaches. got some momentum towards the good season.” end of last year and we defi nitely MARTIN ALLISON want to build on it.” MARK ELLIS 4 / visit www.taccup.com.au TAC04-5_Season Preview.indd 4 1/4/09 8:56:26 AM TAC CUP SEASON PREVIEW DANDENONG GEELONG GOLD COAST STINGRAYS FALCONS Did Not Play Last Year Last season: 15-7 Last season: 12-8 Players To Watch: Finish: 2nd Finish: 6th Zac Smith (ruckman); 2008 drafted players: 2008 drafted players: Charlie Dickson (ruckman); Nicky Tom Gillies (Geelong), Ayce Cordy (Western Bulldogs), Price (utility) Ashley Smith (West Coast), Luke Rounds (Collingwood), Coach’s view: “Given Shane Savage (Hawthorn) Jordan Jones (West Coast), Queensland’s history in the Rookie listed: Steve Gaertner Ben Bucovaz (Fremantle), Under-18 Championships if we (St Kilda) Rookie listed: can get to a competitive level, I Players to watch: Ryan Bastinac Luke Delaney (North Melbourne), would be comfortable with that. (midfi elder); Myles Pitt (key Jordie McKenzie (Melbourne) Obviously, we are going to have a forward); Jim Cottrell (half-back) Tom Simpkin (St Kilda) transient squad because it’s all Coach’s view: “Last year we Players to watch: about accessing as much of the had 14 top-age boys who played Callum Bartlett (midfi elder); talent as we can in Queensland.