Tigers still on top in face of talent drain
THE first bounce is finally here as a blockbuster AFL Townsville season kicks off today.
For the first time the league will have five teams at every level from juniors through to senior men and women and the on- field competition is expected to be fierce.
Reigning premiers Hermit Park have lost some talent with last year’s leading goal- kicker Leeroy Larson ( South Australia) moving on while young guns Ryan Gilmore ( Gold Coast) and Sam Tonks ( Canberra) are also pushing claims at a higher level.
But the Tigers have still looked the team to beat during the preseason after taking out the Blitz carnival before a tough hitout against Cairns champions Port Douglas in torrential rain.
High player turnover is expected in the Townsville competition, with a strong contingent from the defence force, and Hermit Park coach Jamie Fogg felt his club had recruited well.
“After playing the last few weeks in practice matches, all the new guys that I’ve seen are really good footballers,” Fogg said.
“We’ve definitely recruited really well, so obviously it’s a task for us now to get those players to gel with the remaining guys from last year and build up a solid squad.”
The Tigers and University had some intense battles last year, with two wins apiece in the regular season, but Hermit Park dominated the finals to run out 59- point victors in the premiership decider.
Hawks captain Jayden Lee said that loss still burns and they would use it as motivation heading into this afternoon’s grand final rematch at Neil French Oval.
“Obviously, after the loss to the Tigers last year in the grand final we’re keen to get out and hit the ground running with a win against the old nemesis,” Lee said.
“We had a fighting battle last year, each game ebbed and flowed, and we’re really keen to show them this year that we’re good enough to get over the top of them and win a premiership.”
Thuringowa will be out to restore their status as an AFL Townsville powerhouse after missing the first grand final for the first time in almost a decade last season.
Coach Chris Butcher said the Bulldogs had been able to keep their core group from last year while the club’s new recruits were ready to show what they can do.
“It’s been a long time since the club’s missed out on playing in a premiership game … we’re definitely looking to try and push ourselves again and get back up there,” Butcher said.
“We’ve improved a lot and we’ve got some good players that have come in to help strengthen the team so it’ll just be a case of what everyone else has got.”
The Bulldogs will open their season against the revitalised Curra Swans at Riverway Stadium today and Butcher expected a tough contest.
AFL Townsville, Round 1: Today: Hermit Park Tigers v University Hawks, 3pm at Neil French Oval; Thuringowa Bulldogs v Curra Swans, 3pm at Riverway Stadium.