That were the words of newly signed 2012 Tigers NEAFL Coach Kade Klemke when the club was set to sit down and discuss signing Josh Bryce!
Twelve years later, no truer words were spoken about a guy who has the upmost respect of everyone at the club and community by way of his unselfish on field actions, leadership both on and off the field and family values and commitment to both his footy club and family.
This Saturday, Josh Bryce will run out for his 150th 1st Grade Game for his beloved Tigers.
This number should have come earlier with an ACL injury, 2 years of Covid and a year back at home club Jerilderie playing with family since he made his debut with the Tigers.
"I remember sitting in Crowne Plaza Hotel back in late 2011 with Chook, the late great Darrly Jenkins and Kade when this big young bull with afro curly hair walked in and simply said g'day fella's" GM Adrian Pavese said.
"It took 10 minutes for Brycey to say look I love what I'm hearing and I'm fully in" he added.
"And fully in he was, his first preseason run in November he accidently knocked out a teammate in a 4v2 handball drill and straight away his fire, intensity and want to show the way was evident".
More than a decade on, Josh comes into his 150th game a 3-time Premiership Player / 2-time Tony Wynd Medallist and captain from 2017 to 2022 which included 2 of his 3 flags. He also tied for the Mulrooney Medal in 2017 but was ineligible due to a 1 match suspension in the last round of that season - a suspension that to this day was questionable.
Josh's on field success and contribution led him to be recently named on the bench for the Tigers Team of the Century announced on the 6th of April this year at the Gala Dinner.
Brycey has truly invested into Queanbeyan life now, marrying local girl Chelsea Marolt and they have two beautiful children and to cap it all off he also runs a very successful gardening business.
To top off Joshua's journey with the Tigers will see him taking on the role as Head Coach for the club in 2025 & 2026. Congratulations Brycey, you continue to set the benchmark for the younger players and push our great club forward into an exciting next 100 years of existence.
The Tigers 100th Season in local football was certainly celebrated over the weekend 5 – 7 April 2024, culminating with over 460 guests attending the official Gala Dinner Function.
Former associates travelled from all over Australia to attend planned events held over the three days. In addition, Paul Briedis (Czech Republic) and Tony Wolski (England) made extraordinary efforts to be in attendance.
Pictured above is the biggest gathering of 100 Club Members in the Club's History.
It was an enormously successful commemoration of the oldest “Aussie Rules” club in the district having been founded in 1925 by the Mason Brothers Wal, Stan, Fred and Joe. Incredibly the Club has descendants of Wal Mason actively involved with the organisation with his great, great grandson Aaron Tape in his tenth year as runner of the 1st Grade team and great, great, great grandson Jack Carroll – Tape, a playing member of the senior grade club.
The only “dampener” of the whole weekend was provided by mother nature who decided the region needed rain and in doing so provided plenty of it with minor flooding of the ground on Saturday morning which threatened the game day activities.
Friday – Book Launch and Jumper Heritage Display Opening
On Friday evening, a large gathering of former associates enjoyed a few hours on the growlers deck with two main events occurring, the first being the launch of Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright Edition 3 – a publication covering the period 2000 to 2022.
The history book includes 1000 photos, pics of memorabilia items, facts of games played for both men and women including every player who has played a 1st Grade game for the club since 1925 plus information on all the Wall of Fame recipients and interviews of former and current players and officials – recently released through the clubs Facebook pages.
All three History Books are available from the Tigers Club Office at Aulich Park
The second event launched the Tigers Hertiage Jumper Display which is a comprehensive acknowledgement of the various jumpers worn by the Club since 1925 and was officially opened by former Member for Monaro the Honourable Nicole Overall.
The club applied for a grant through Nicole's office at the time of her duties to the state which we were fortunate to win. Massive thanks to Nicole for being there to open the display. Following those two events attendees were then invited to the Tigers Licensed Club for refreshments.
The new Tigers Hertiage Jumper Display
Saturday was a huge day for the club with both Men’s and Women’s 1st Grade teams playing Ainslie. A large crowd gathered in miserable conditions to witness the games.
Between the two 1st Grade games the Club honoured its Mulrooney Medallists in attendance for the 100 Year celebrations including Geoff Strang representing his father Merv (1938 recipient), Heather Schow representing husband Keith (1950 recipient) 4-time winner Tony Wynd, Steve Cornish, Steve Vizy, Michael Kennedy, 2-time recipient Mitch Daniher and Will Griggs, Bainrott Medallist, Jayde Hamilton was an apology.
Heather Schow had the honour of tossing the coin. Steve Cornish spoke to the Senior Grade Men’s team prior to taking the field and each player received their playing jumper by one of the Medallists in attendance.
There are some awesome photos of the games produced by Danny Webster on our Facebook page (1) Facebook
Saturday Night - Gala Dinner
Saturday evening was truly a Night of Nights.
The gala event hosted by former premiership player Troy Gray was a special event that will be remembered by the 480 that attended. The vibe and excitement that had been generated for months finally exploded with visual display via PowerPoint displays of days gone by through to the current day complimented with a 20-minute video of footage from the 40’s through to the most recent premiership years of 2022.
This production produced by, yet another former premiership player Marcus Lawrence gained wonderful comments for the time and effort afforded to its production.
Wall of Fame Member and long-time associate Paul Walshe interviewed the legendary Bobby Griffin – the oldest player in attendance at age 88 and the one and only Butch Hemming.
There are some awesome photos of the whole weekend of the events produced by Sam Franks on our Facebook page (1) Facebook
Pictured from the left: Tigers Legends Butch Hemming, Bobby Griffin & Paul Walshe
The Tigerettes Team of Legends covering the period 2010 through to 2023 was then announced by way of calling upon all 40 nominees – each receiving a token of their nomination. The following were selected in the Legends Team – each receiving a framed Certificate of Acknowledgement.
Pictured are all of the Tigerettes Legends Team members in attendance last Saturday Night.
A highlight of the night then occurred with the elevation of two Wall of Fame recipients into number #4 and #5 Legend Status with standing ovations being received for both Tony Wynd and Mark Armstrong.
There will be further recognition of both at the Annual Tigers 100 Club function in August.
Pictured from the left: Tigers Legends No. 4 & 5 Tony Wynd & Mark Armstrong
The announcement of the Men’s Team of the Century provided enormous interest from the 50 nominated players from the 962 players who have played in 1st Grade since 1925. Each nominee received a token of their nomination, The following were selected – each receiving a framed Certificate of Acknowledgement.
Pictured are all of the nominated Team of the Century members in attendance last Saturday Night.
Sunday 7 April – Time Capsule
On Sunday, a proposed old boy's game had to be cancelled due to the state of the ground however a Time Capsule buried at the ground after the 75th Anniversary in 1999 was opened revealing certain items of memorabilia including editions of Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright #1 and #2, plus membership cards, team photos and a banner with every person's signature that attended the 75th Anniversary dinner.
Appreciation
It was a fantastic weekend, enjoyed by everyone in attendance and sets the scene for an enormous year for the Tigers Club in 2024. Thanks to everyone who attended over the weekend and who gave their time and effort to make the weekend a huge success – too many to mention individually but our appreciation to each and every one of you.
Particular thanks to both Ian Muir and Lee Phillps and the Ainslie Football Club for agreeing to play a stand-alone game prior to the season commencing to coincide with the Clubs 1st Annual Meeting on 9 April 1925.
Pictured above are all of the Tigers 1st Grade Premiership winners for both men and women's teams who attended the Gala Event!
Our 1st Grade Men & Women's Coaches over the past 100 years in attendance pictured from the left:
Back: Chris Clifton (Women), Mark Armstrong (Men), Josh Bryce (Men), Robert Anderson (Women), & Brendan Roberson (Men)
Front: Adrian Pavese (Men & Women), Brian Quade (Men), James Black (Men), Bobby Griffin (Men), Dave Matthews (Women), Michael Kennedy (Men) & Kade Klemke (Men)
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