TAC CUP ROUND 16 AUGUST 2-3, 2014 $3.00 BBigig wwinin fforor PPioneersioneers CCalderalder CCannonsannons 112.13.852.13.85 d OOakleighakleigh CChargershargers 66.11.47.11.47 Photos: Dave Savell Calder Cannons 12.13.85 d Oakleigh Chargers 6.11.47 DDandenongandenong SStingraystingrays 99.10.64.10.64 d SSandringhamandringham DDragonsragons 22.10.22.10.22 AFL VICTORIA CORPORATE PARTNERS NAMING RIGHTS PREMIER PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS APPROVED LICENSEES EDITORIAL Big few weeks ahead in the race for a finals spot Eleven doesn’t fi t into eight nor does twelve or for that matter, thirteen, but these are the current scenarios as the Peter Jackson VFL season enters the business end of the home and away season. With four home and away rounds remaining in the 2014 The fi ght for a fi nals berth will provide an additional season, no fewer than 13 clubs still have a mathematical incentive of the next few weeks for not only the players chance of fi nishing in the eight and participating in the and their clubs, but also for members and supporters to VFL Legendairy fi nals series. attend games to lend their vocal support. It is not only a battle for clubs making the eight, but also The race for the TAC Cup fi nals is also intense with all those clubs within it that are jostling for a top four fi nish. clubs mathematically still in the race to play fi nals. A top four fi nish can bring the coveted double chance and What provides added interest to the fi nal few rounds of the possibility of a home fi nal in the opening week. the TAC Cup season and fi nals is the availability of the Selection of fi nals venues for the fi rst week - outside of many talented players who have missed games during the two games at North Port Oval, Port Melbourne as per the year due to national championship duties or school our agreement with ABC TV - have yet to be fi nalised. football commitments. Certainly, the full time return of: Reece McKenzie In recent years, clubs who fi nish with a higher position (Northern Knights), Ed Vickers-Willis (Sandringham are rewarded with a home fi nal. No club can lay claim Dragons), Jordan De Goey (Oakleigh Chargers), Corey Ellis at this stage to fi nishing in a particular position and that (Western Jets), Jayden Laverde (Western Jets), Daniel certainly adds to the interest of the concluding rounds. McKenzie (Oakleigh Chargers), Hugh Goddard (Geelong It reinforces what has been a highly competitive VFL Falcons), Charles Curnow (Geelong Falcons), Patrick season with just three games separating fi fth through 12 McCartin (Geelong Falcons), Lukas Webb (Gippsland on the ladder. Power) along with Daniel Capiron and Jacob Weitering It underscores the depth of talent that plays each and (Dandenong Stingrays) will be welcomed. every week as well as highlighting how just about any These emerging players will gain further opportunities to club on any given day can prevail regardless of their showcase their ability, push their club’s claims to win the ladder position. TAC Cup premiership and enhance their claims to impress Such competitiveness is what strengthens and adds to AFL recruiting staffs ahead of the various forms of the AFL Draft later this year. the appeal of the Peter Jackson VFL. An exciting month for all concerned at the Peter Jackson Every match over the coming four weeks will be pivotal in VFL and TAC Cup awaits. not only whether a club makes the fi nals, but where they will sit within the eight to launch their bid for the 2014 Grant Williams Peter Jackson VFL premiership. 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: Samuel Harper, Bendigo Pioneers 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 1:45pm 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 2: Western Jets v Sandringham Dragons Listen live on the Red Time Sport iPhone App or www.taccup.com.au Next game (Saturday Aug 16): Geelong Falcons v Oakleigh Chargers 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 3, 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 6 59 Paige Cardona 3 58 Gabe Sorrentino 7 56 Phil Crooks 2 53 Northern Knights Northern Knights Northern Knights Northern Knights Geelong Falcons Geelong Falcons Geelong Falcons Geelong Falcons Calder Cannons Calder Cannons Calder Cannons Calder Cannons Oakleigh Chargers Oakleigh Chargers Oakliegh Chargers Dandenong Stingrays Eastern Ranges Eastern Ranges Bendigo Pioneers Eastern Ranges Western Jets Sandringham Dragons Western Jets Western Jets Gippsland Power Gippsland Power Gippsland Power Gippsland Power North Ballarat Rebels North Ballarat Rebels North Ballarat Rebels North Ballarat Rebels 2 www.afl vic.com.au TAC CUP FINALS Race to the fi nals There is just three rounds left in the 2014 TAC Cup home and away season and the battle for a top eight position and the coveted double chance is heating up. With the completion of the National Championships continued to improve each game and get the results on the and school football, teams are back to full strength. The board. Currently third, they will need to be at their best in remaining rounds look set to be full of tight and hard fought the remaining rounds to hang on to the top four spot as the contests with fi nals spots on the line. face a tough run home that includes Geelong Falcons who Let’s take a look at the run home for the teams in contention: are just one game behind them. OAKLEIGH NORTH CHARGERS BALLARAT Ladder Position: 1st (160.93%) REBELS Won 12, Lost 2 Ladder Position: 4th (107.68%) Remaining Games: Dandenong Stingrays (home), Geelong Won 9, Lost 5 Falcons (away), North Ballarat Rebels (away) Remaining Games: Tasmania (home), Calder (home), Oakleigh (home) The Chargers have been consistent all season which considering the amount of players coming through the team After losing their fi rst four games, the Rebels turned their due to school and championships commitments, is a credit season around with an outstanding eight game winning to the program. They face a tough run home, playing the 3rd, streak. The streak was ended by Eastern Ranges with a six 4th and 5th placed teams. It will be a big test for the playing goal defeat in round 14, but the Rebels bounced back to win group to take out the minor premiership, but so far they have on the road against Queensland. They face the toughest shown they are more than capable of stepping up to any run home with games against the 1st and 2nd placed teams challenge. which they will need to win at least one of to maintain a top four position. CALDER GEELONG CANNONS FALCONS Ladder Position: 2nd (136.44%) Ladder Position: 5th (102.90%) Won 11, Lost 3 Won 8, Lost 6 Remaining Games: Murray Remaining Games: Queensland (home), Bushrangers (away), North Ballarat Oakleigh (home), Dandenong (away) Rebels (away), Northern Knights (away) After weathering the storm of National Championships and The Cannons are hot on the heels of Oakleigh, with just school football commitments the Falcons are back to full one games difference separating them on the ladder. With strength and an imposing outfi t for opposition teams. It’s no consecutive road trips to Wangaratta and Hamilton against easy run home, but capable of beating anyone on their day tough opposition, the next few weeks will make or break the the Falcons look certain to fi nish in the eight, and possibly Cannons top four aspirations, but they have shown all year sneak into the four if they can remain undefeated for the rest that they have the mental fortitude and ability to win the of the season. close games. SANDRINGHAM DANDENONG DRAGONS STINGRAYS Ladder Position: 6th (99.90%) Ladder Position: 3rd (116.61) Won 8, Lost 6 Won 9, Lost 5 Remaining Games: Western Jets Remaining Games: Oakleigh (away), Western Jets (home), (away), Gippsland Power (home), Geelong Falcons (home) Eastern Ranges (home) After a slow start to the season the Stingrays have Another team that is heavily affected by school football www.taccup.com.au 3 TAC CUP FINALS commitments, the Dragons are primed for a strong run home weeks of the season with away games against Eastern and with their remaining games all against teams below them on Bendigo, both of which are must win matches if they wish the ladder.