Football Club

2009/2010 Armstrong Academy Concludes!

The Tigers 2009/10 Armstrong Academy concluded this week with approx 40 participants being part of Generation “T” – our senior players of tomorrow.

Under the guidance of all the Tigers Coaching staff but in particular Paul Campbell and Adrian Pavese, the players have been involved in various activities including weight training, fitness levels, Ball skills and life management.

There is an impressive amount of talent currently at the Tigers Club with the current Generation “T” being the backbone of future senior grade teams.

The age group of the Armstrong Academy targets players from the Tigers & St Edmund’s Under 16 Grade teams through to the Tigers Under 18 Grade players.

Congratulations to all who participated in particular those who attend every session.

Thanks also to the Coaches involved: Mark Armstrong, Adrian Pavese, Paul Campbell, Doug Daniel, Steven West and Rohan Langford plus sports trainer Judy Mustard.

Neely Returns to Tiger Land!

After seven years away from the Tigers Den, former duel premiership player and 2001 Best and Fairest player Bill Neely is set to rejoin the organisation for Season 2010.

The midfielder has been on a journey that has secured him a further four Best and Fairest awards in three different states / territories including two at Glenelg in the South Australian National Football League – the Club he joined when departing Queanbeyan in 2002. 

Following a three year stint at Glenelg he transferred back to AFL Canberra for a stint with arch rival Ainslie during which time he won a further Best and Fairest and two AFL Canberra Player of the Year Awards.    Last season he joined Lavington in the strong Oven and Murray League – highly regarded as one of the best country leagues in Australia winning another B & F award.    Winning this award is even more creditable as he travelled from Adelaide via Melbourne each week  to Albury to play for the Panthers. 

Bill was a member of the successful AFL Canberra Representative team that won the Australian Country Championships in Shepparton in 2008 gaining an All Australian Jumper for his efforts.

Business opportunities in Adelaide as a Personal Trainer has now seen those opportunities become available in Canberra.  This will enable the dynamic onballer to play in the Tigers colours of which he played 95 1^stGrade games during the period 1997 through to 2002 when joining the Tigers as a 17 year from Yarrawonga. 

 The lieu of being admitted to the Tigers 100 Club has been a major factor in his decision to rejoin the Tigers.  This on top of playing alongside brother in-law Neil Irwin and the fact that he regards the Tigers as the “best club” he has been with on his colourful journey.  

Wife Debbie was a former masseur of the Club and the granddaughter of Tiger Legend, the late Stan Anderson and niece to Robert and Ian both former players of the Club.  Robert played 229 1^stGrade games for the Tigers during a long and illustrious career which included a stint with Footscray.  

His signature along with that of Toby Conroy (Frankston and Sandringham of the VFL)  provides the Tigers with a strong mid field when mixed with 2009 Mulrooney Medallist Mitch Daniher.

“2010 Season Fast Approaching”

Training has stepped up a gear in February as players gradually become that “little bit fitter”.

There are a number of new faces in attendance mixed with a few former players returning. An average of 50 players are in attendance most evenings with Conditioning Coach Paul James putting the guys through a tough session in warm conditions.

The potential for many of the Tigers young players to play 1st Grade football this season has left an air of excitement in the camp particularly so with Coach Mark Armstrong.

He is now in his 18th year with the Tigers, nine as Coach and still warms to the occasion of doing his best at each training session. “The legs (and there’s not much of them) are starting to feel the pain, but the heart is still there to succeed. I love playing and as long as I think I can contribute on the field, the more I want to be involved with our younger playing group – and they are exciting to watch as they progress”

“There are a number of players who should take the next step in 2010 in particular Tigers Under 18 Grade Best and Fairest Sam Daniel along with youngster Sam Jensen who at just 16 could really make an impact this year at senior grade level.

Last seasons Reserve Grade League Best and Fairest Daniel Jabornik fitness levels are way above any previous year he has been with the Club – he should really step up this year. Michael Redmond is another as is Jake Oram. It’s a great time at the Club and I am looking forward to the challenge”

Captain Ryan Quade (white singlet) leads a strong group of last season’s senior grade players in a testing run around Dairy Farmers Park. Also in the photo is new recruit Toby Conroy (red singlet).

If ever a bit of “luck” sprang to assist the Tigers then there is more than a strong probability the Tigers will be contenders in 2010.
“Luck” has not been in favour of the Club for the past few years.

Injury concerns have certainly been to the forefront of each campaign. Without listing them, it would be fair to say “enough is enough” says Coach Mark Armstrong!!
When the 2010 AFL Canberra Competition commences over the weekend 10/11 April the Tigers will hopefully provide supporters with much optimism for the Season ahead.

The Club has lost a number of players including outstanding youngster Kaine Stevens to the Greater Western Sydney team. Player stocks have been bolstered with the signing of former VFL player of the Sandringham and Frankston Football Clubs in Toby Conroy.

The return of Tom Hollis and Brendan Ward – who rejoin the club after two years overseas – plus an enormously talented group of players graduating from its Under 18 Grade ranks should see the Tigers thereabouts come September 2010.
Liam Wilkinson also rejoins the Tigers with promising youngster Michael Moss signing to play after being with the Club on permit from Nowra two seasons ago. He played a number of games with the Sydney Swans Reserves last year.

Armstrong is preparing for a new look Tigers combination to commence the season. “It’s been pretty well documented that we have lost a number of players, but the guys the club has signed are quality players and should be great for us” Armstrong said.

“Our Reserve Grade team won the premiership last year with an average age of 20. They will be given every opportunity to play at senior level given the players that may not be available early in the season and from there who knows! It’s a young group and it’s bloody exciting”

Likely to be unavailable for the commencement of the season will be Roy Jaques and Renee Ioppi who are recovering from off season surgery. The Tigers ruck man Scott Dickinson will miss most of 2010 with shoulder surgery after playing only 7 games last year. Brother Todd could be with SANFL Club Glenelg if he concludes a successful preseason with that club.

Armstrong admitted it had been a tough and somewhat gruelling off season shoring up players for the Tigers list but he was somewhat buoyed with the fact that many youngsters wanted to join the club from the local region and from interstate.

The Tigers may have had a few forced departures for Season 2010 but their player stocks have been strengthened with that of the recruitment of Toby Conroy from VFL Club Frankston.

Conroy was a regular attendee at the Tigers training sessions during the later part of 2009 and he has put pen to paper recently confirming his playing intentions with the Tigers next year.

Toby was a member of the NSW/ACT Rams in 2001, he also played for Ainslie during this period in 2001-2002 playing 15 senior games alongside the likes of Joel Feuerherdt and James Kavanagh before transferring to the VFL.

Three seasons playing in the VFL with Sandringham (2003-2005 with 30 1st Grade Games) and four seasons with Frankston (2006-2009 with 60 1st Grade Games) the former Leeton lad brings a wealth of experience to a young Tigers outfit and with some familiar faces of a few former Ainslie team mates who have joined the Tigers in recent years Toby’s addition to the Tigers will be a massive boost to the club.

A prolific ball winner with excellent skills, he is an important addition to the Tigers line up that will be missing a number of players for the entire 2010 season due to injuries requiring major surgery over the summer of 2009/2010.

Ruckman Scott Dickinson and youngster Paul Franchi will both miss the entire 2010 season with shoulder surgery as will Dane Miller who suffered a knee injury in the Reserve Grade Grand Final. Off season surgery to Captain Renee Ioppi and Roy Jaques will limit their appearance’s early in the year as will the appearance of Jeremy Kirkwood who had ankle surgery during the Tigers finals campaign.

Training for the Tigers 2010 onslaught commences on December 1 from 6.00pm at Dairy Farmers Park.

Swannie Selected to Play for the CATS!

Congratulations to Andrew Swan who has been selected in the squad for the ACT/South Coast Cats in the U18 team to play at the Joss Stone Under 18 State Carnival in Coffs Harbour on 21st-23rd January 2010.

The Tigers Under 18 Grade Coach Paul Campbell is an Assistant Coach of the team.

The ACT/South Coast Cats will play against six other teams from regions throughout NSW, with the initial AFL NSW/ACTAMS squad to be selected from players at the carnival.

Pictured. Andrew Swan flies over a pack in this marking contest.

The Tigers dynamic on baller Mitch Daniher has been awarded the highest honour in AFL Canberra football by being named the 2009 Mulrooney Medallist.

He along with two other players Chad Gibson of Eastlake and Craig Healey of Tuggeranong shared the top honour which was announced on Monday evening at the Mulrooney Medal Count. He wasn’t the only Tigers player to gain an award with the J McNamara Medal for the Best and Fairest Reserve Grade player being awarded to the Tigers Daniel Jabornik. It was a fantastic occasion for these two players who have both been stand out performers in their respective grades this year.

The Mulrooney Medal presentation was held at the Belconnen Labor Club – Major Sponsors of AFL Canberra. The Tigers Coach mark Armstrong was also acknowledged for his 300th 1st Grade match.

The Tigers Legendary Player / Administrator the late Alan Muir was inducted into the AFL Canberra Hall of Fame along with another magnificent administrator during his time Bill Mahoney who had a long association with the Manuka Football Club and the ACTAFL as its President for 12 years. Two former players were also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Bob Franklin (from the now defunct Manuka Football Club) and Guy Cannon (Manuka and Eastlake Football Clubs).

The Mulrooney Medal last crossed the border in 1997 when Steve Vizy won the award. A two time Best and Fairest winner at the Tigers no one goes harder at the ball than Mitch Daniher. The award is a true indication of this mans ability to gain respect. His tenacious and often relentless attack at the football is unparalleled. Well done to one of the most respected young men in the Tigers Club. Daniel Jabornik is another who has outstanding abilities. As one of the bigger guys at the Club he has a strong future with the organisation as he gains experience and fitness at senior grade level of competition. “Jibba” joined the Tigers Club from Pambula Football Club some years ago through the SERAS program and now enjoys a strong association with the Tigers. Well done to another very welled liked youngster of the Club.

The Tigers were runner up in the Club Championship Award all three goal kicking awards being 1st, Reserve and Under18 Grades with Jake Orams being 4th in the Under 18 grade voting.

2009 – 100 Club Function

The Queanbeyan Tigers Club held their 100 Club Function last Saturday evening.

Gathered amongst the 100 Club Members and current players of the Queanbeyan Tigers Club were members of the Premiership teams of 1989 (1st and Reserves) and 1999 (1st Grade) who were attending a Reunion of the 10 and 20 Year achievements.

Approximately 170 people gathered at the Tigers Club culminating a wonderful day for the Club after the Tigers 1st Grade team defeated the Eastlake Demons in the final home and away match. This has enabled them to sneak into the final four of the AFL Canberra Competition joining the Tigers Reserve Grade team and Under 18 Grade team in the finals series.

The Tigers Annual 100 Club Function recognises achievements within the Organisation during the past twelve months. Amongst those achievements recognised were the following:

100 Club Games: Paul Williams and Luke Whatman

100 1st Grade Games: Matt Liddle, Ryan Quade and Neil Irwin

100 AFL Canberra Games: Roy Jaques

150 Club Games: Jon Elias

300 1st Grade Games: Mark Armstrong

100 Club Associate Officials: Kaye Parsons, Robert Cooke, Judy Mustard and Graham Harmer

A tremendous DVD presentation (courtesy or Rob Walker Media) showcased the many volunteers of the organisation in action on a match day. Master of Ceremonies was Paul Walshe who performed the duties with excellence.