TAC CUP ROUND 15 AUGUST 3-4, 2013 $3.00 JJetsets ssetet ssightsights oonn ttopop ffourour NNorthernorthern KKnightsnights 113.10-883.10-88 d GGeelongeelong FFalconsalcons 111.15-811.15-81 AFL VICTORIA CORPORATE PARTNERS NAMING RIGHTS PREMIER PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS APPROVED LICENSEES EDITORIAL AFL dream lasts a long time NOT only do Sam Dwyer and Sam Gibson have much in common, but they highlight the important role that the Peter Jackson VFL plays in providing opportunities for talented players beyond their eighteenth year. Dwyer and Gibson’s football journey began 10 years ago with a top 10 ranking in that when, in the same year, they came through the Geelong category in the AFL. Falcons and Oakleigh Chargers’ talent programs Collingwood provided Dwyer, aged respectively. 26, the opportunity he was seeking when they rookie listed When neither player was selected in any of the AFL Drafts him last year. Such was his form pre-season that Dwyer both headed to the VFL – Dwyer went Port Melbourne; was elevated to the senior list before the start of the Gibson the Box Hill Hawks. season and he has racked up 15 AFL games. Interestingly, both took time to adapt and adjust to the What the accomplishments of Dwyer and Gibson, along tempo, speed and standard of the Peter Jackson VFL. with more than 50 other ex-VFL players currently on AFL Dwyer played the solitary senior game in his fi rst season; club lists, illustrates is the meaningful role played by the Gibson spent the season entirely in the Development Peter Jackson VFL in player development. League. The reality is that not every player will be drafted when While Gibson attracted enough interest by Hawthorn to they exit the TAC Cup competition. rookie list him after his second season in the VFL; Dwyer’s senior game total remained in single digits. Players all face different challenges – injury; school commitments; late physical development; opportunity or When his stay on Hawthorn’s list didn’t gain any traction restricted access to a TAC Cup program given the logistics and he was delisted, Gibson returned to Box Hill Hawks. and travel obligations required from some areas of Victoria. Over the ensuing seasons Dwyer and Gibson forged Just because players don’t get drafted out of the TAC Cup signifi cant careers with their respective VFL clubs. competition it doesn’t mean that their desire or aspirations Both players won best and fairests; both gained selection of playing AFL should cease. in the VFL Team of the Year. Gibson was elevated to captain of Box Hill Hawks; Dwyer represented the VFL in a State As we’ve seen with both Dwyer and Gibson a football match. ‘apprenticeship’ has no expiration date. Seasons playing in the Development League and the Peter Jackson VFL can While at times visions of playing in the AFL may have form part of a player’s progression along football’s learning seemed light years away, Dwyer and Gibson’s dream never curve. wavered. Players with a dream should never lose sight of it. The two Gibson, aged 25, gained his break when North Melbourne Sams didn’t. rookie listed him after the 2011 season. He broke into the AFL at the midway point of the 2012 season and ended up Grant Williams leading the club in uncontested possessions and fi nished AFL Victoria General Manager Editor: Anthony Stanguts anthony.stanguts@afl vic.com.au Contributors: Adrian Dunn, David O’Neill, Gabe Sorrentino, Nick Ciantar 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: Brett Bewley from the Western Jets Talent Operations Coordinator: Sophie Timms 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 TAC Cup Radio match of the week. Join Phil Crooks, Rick Morris and Gabe Sorrentino as they bring you a weekly TAC Cup match throughout the season. Saturday August 3 – North Ballarat Rebels vs Dandenong Stingrays Listen live on the Red Time Sport iPhone App or www.taccup.com.au Next game: Sandringham Dragons vs Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup Future Stars TAC Cup Future Stars is back on Channel 9 for season 2013. Join Craig Hutchinson, Kevin Sheehan, and Terry Wallace as they keep you up to date with results and information from AFL Victoria’s TAC Cup competition. Tune in this Sunday August 4, at 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 #taccup www.facebook.com/taccupfooty 2 www.afl vic.com.au RACE TO THE FINALS RACE TO THE FINALS CAN anyone catch Geelong? Can Dandenong Stingrays and Western Jets fi nally shake the monkey from their back? Can reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers make a late charge for the eight? All these questions and more will be answered over the CALDER CANNONS coming weeks as the TAC Cup gets down to the pointy end Position: Eighth of the season. Record: 7-7 With three home and away games left in the season only Percentage: 111.98 Geelong and Eastern are assured of playing fi nals with Story so far: After a season that has ebbed and fl owed, Calder has gained momentum heading into the business eight other clubs vying for the remaining six spots. end of the home and away season. Signifi cantly, Calder’s Here is a look at those clubs’ season, what confronts them trip to Wangaratta last week proved decisive as not only and where they’ll end up. did its nine goal win keep them in the eight, but kept alive an outside chance of moving into the top four. What’s Ahead: Sandringham (Neutral), Geelong (A), Eastern (H) The equation: For Calder to earn the double chance they’ll have to extend their current winning streak to a season-high fi ve. While the Cannons will regain its private school players for the fi nal two home and away games, so, too will everyone else. Victory against Sandringham will go a long way to ensuring they seal a spot in the eight. Defeat against the Dragons will make the Cannons vulnerable. DANDENONG SOUTHERN STINGRAYS Position: Fourth Record: 8-6 Percentage: 124.2 Story so far: It’s all been about streaks for the Stingrays. Dandenong has either won or lost games in bunches. The Stingrays dropped two, won fi ve, lost four and now are on a three game tear. For veteran coach Graeme Yeats the most pleasing aspect is that the Stingrays are hitting form at the right time of the season. The concerning thing is that Dandenong has lost to all those clubs above them – Geelong (65-points), Eastern (10) and Gippsland (23). What’s Ahead: North Ballarat (A), Gippsland (H), Geelong (N) The equation: Dandenong will play fi nals, but whether they will seize a double chance is dependent on how long its latest winning streak lasts. The Stingrays would need to defeat North Ballarat and Gippsland to lock away a top four spot before they face the daunting prospect of ending the home and away season against ladder leader Geelong. www.taccup.com.au 3 RACE TO THE FINALS EASTERN RANGES GIPPSLAND POWER Position: Second Position: Third Record: 10-4 Record: 8-6 Percentage: 128.1 Percentage: 125.5 Story so far: After seasons mired at the wrong end of the Story so far: With eight wins from its fi rst 11 games, ladder, Eastern has emerged this season not only to be Gippsland Power had every reason to think they had a lock certain fi nalist, but also legitimate Grand Final contender. on a top four position. But, the landscape has changed The Ranges have ridden to the top tiers of the ladder on dramatically in the past three rounds as Gippsland has a combined team performance, but it helps when Mitch dropped three straight. Admittedly, they were against top Honeychurch, Ben Cavarra, Michael Apeness and, of two clubs Geelong and Eastern and a surging Western, but course, Tom Boyd, the hottest property in the TAC Cup, in the losses mean that the Power faces a fi ght to keep in the the team, even if it’s only been for little cameos. Highlight top four. of the season was an 18-goal win against Geelong What’s Ahead: Northern (A), Dandenong (A), Bendigo (H) Falcons. The equation: Gippsland will know after the next two What’s Ahead: Murray (H), Oakleigh (H),Calder (A) games, both on the road, just where it will sit come fi nals. Losses against the Knights and Stingrays, both clubs that The equation: After injuring himself in the NAB AFL Under also hold aspirations of top four fi nishes, will puncture the 18 Championships, Boyd is expected back before the end Power’s double chance aspirations. of the home and away season and that will bolster the Ranges. Eastern have enough credits to indicate they will hold down second spot and gain a double chance. GEELONG FALCONS Position: First Record: 12-2 Percentage: 156.8 Story so far: Geelong has been the benchmark from early in the season.