AFL Report Round 8 – 15/6
Tigers Building Nicely Thank You
They are a pretty relaxed bunch up in Tiger land and none more so than coach Adi Campbell. Fresh from a four week fishing hiatus at Kakadu the dual premiership coach was not fazed by the fact that the premiers sit in third position with a number of key players either injured or unavailable. "We’ll be right" was his response. "It’s only early and the boys will be fine at the pointy end of the season". Works for me! Despite the absence of top talent including Justin Darby, Josh Sheather, Jarrod Meade, Dale Beaver and Kelly Thompson the super coach could not be happier with the build up. He rates Port Macquarie as the danger side although he admits that he has not personally sighted either Sawtell or Port this season.
On the other hand today’s opponents are not feeling so relaxed and coach Mick Young has had a nightmare start to the season. In a year that promised so much as the club united in memory of club champion, the late Nathan Harris, the wheels have clearly fallen off. From the very first game when they lost star recruit Daniel Elsome with a broken jaw, the club has lost momentum. Clearly the senior players at North Coffs have dropped the ball and lost enthusiasm. The junior side is holding the club up at the present. This can partly be put down to some bad luck with injuries but more importantly some poor attitude from some senior players. You learn a lot about people when things are tough and I reckon Mick Young has learned a lot about the character of a few people at the club. Come on boys your club needs you!
In other games Sawtell are at home to Camden Haven in what should be a couple of very close games and the Coffs Swans travel to Port Macquarie.
AROUND THE TRAPS with ‘Rocket’ Rod Macpherson
AFL Board to Review structure
The local AFL Board has embarked upon a review of its competitions and operations and appointed a sub committee to specifically hold feedback sessions with stakeholders with a view of refreshing the game on the north coast. A preliminary meeting of senior club delegates was held last week where some innovative big picture ideas were discussed. Conditions are tough for all sports in our area at present and this is seen as a positive move to sure up the growth of the game in the region.
Local Boys Shine
What a fantastic effort by Sawtell junior Jonty Neaves to be selected in the NSW all schools state U15 side. Jonty had a fantastic carnival at Broken Hill recently where he rucked tirelessly against much bigger opponents. He will be off to Darwin for a state carnival in August and is seeking financial support to offset the cost. Contact the Sawtell club for details if you want to help this future star fulfil his dream.
Coach Lands the Big One
Grafton Tigers coach Adi Campbell is one typical Aussie bloke. He loves a beer, footy and fishing and all the other things that Australian men are know to like. On his recent fishing trip to Kakadu he had more beers than bites but still managed to land a 20kg barramundi which is now sitting in his freezer at his place in Grafton.
Last Modified on 14/06/2013 17:38