Valucava ‘good fit’ to get Tigers going
A COACH with experience at AFL powerhouse Richmond will lead North Cairns into the future after they collected the 2018 AFL Cairns wooden spoon.
Victorian-based Nemani Valucava beat out a three-man field for the Tigers job for 2019, which was announced at the club’s beat and fairest count on Saturday evening.
Valucava (pictured) last held a head coaching position in the 2017 season, coaching Clunes Football Club crop of teenage footballers.
With both SA teams fairly sure of landing their trade targets, the focus turns to advancing in the first-round calls for November 22-23 to be placed to secure Jack Lukosius, Connor Rozee or Izak Rankine. in the Central Highlands Football League, as well as recently holding assistant roles at North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup and Richmond’s Next Generation Academy Program.
North Cairns president Dave Lee is excited about the appointment with 2018 playing-coach Tait Giffard to return to a playing role in the coming campaign.
“Nemani’s qualifications stood out for us. He has got a
The chase for early draft picks will – for the first time – go beyond the AFL trade period for players that closes with player swaps on Wednesday, October 17. This year, AFL clubs can deal for draft picks until Friday, November 16. lot of certificates with administration and fitness,” Lee said.
“He is also ex-Army and spent time with Richmond as their next generation academy coach, up until January of this year. He has done a lot with administration as well.
“I think he will be a very good fit for our club.
“It is exciting for our club because we can only go one direction and that is up.”
A former Clunes junior footballer, Valucava won the Magpies’ senior coaching job and arrived at the club after a stint with the North Ballarat
Port Adelaide’s first call in the draft is at No.9.
The Power should gain North Melbourne’s firstround pick (No.10) for conceding uncontracted wingman Jared Polec, who has accepted a five-year, $3.5 million Rebels in the TAC Cup at the start of 2017.
He will be a non-playing leader with the new Tigers boss expected to land at Watsons Oval early next year.
He also previously lived in Townsville and Mission Beach, with Lee declaring his new coach had a sound knowledge of the competition.
2015 Crathern Medalist Tom Clough and Tasmanian recruit Brad Joseph shared the Tigers best and fairest award for season 2018.
“Hopefully Brad sticks around for next year,” Lee said. deal with the Kangaroos.
The Power today will learn how it might work.
Adelaide’s first call is No. 7. The Crows are already well advanced in talks with Carlton to trade contracted forward Mitch McGovern.
In other best and fairest counts at the weekend, longhaired flyer Corey Flint claimed the Manunda Hawks’ highest honour from defender Alex Carter.
In Port Douglas, veteran defender Wes Glass held off two late charges from runnerup Adam Gross and third place finisher Brett Meredith to win the Crocs best and fairest in a premiership year.
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