Landmark on Hobart Tigers roller-coaster
MUCH has changed in Sam Reeves’ 150 games with the Hobart Football Club, now he is determined to help make the club he loves successful again.
Reeves will reach the milestone today when Hobart takes on Dodges Ferry at Shark Park, but for the tall forward it doesn’t seem that long ago that he played his first game for the club.
“It has come around quickly,” Reeves said. “I came to Hobart when I was 15 to play in the under 19s competition. The next season I debuted in the seniors when I was 16.”
Now one of the co-captains alongside Liam Azzopardi, Reeves has seen the club go through a lot over the years.
“When I first started we were called the Lions because of some issues with Kingborough,” he said.
“Then we returned to the Tigers and entered the state league.
“After that there was the Hobart City issue and to be honest it took a toll on the club.”
Known as “Fish” by his teammates, Reeves can’t pinpoint a significant moment as his highlight at Hobart but rather sees the recent journey the club has been on as his favourite moments.
“My senior debut sticks with me and the State League experience was good, but I think being able to be a part of the recent group that is getting the club back on its feet is the best feeling,” Reeves said.
Close friend and teammate Luke Sullivan was also going to be celebrating his 150th game this round but will have to wait after breaking his toe at training on Tuesday.
Dodges Ferry has gained some valuable experience with Nathan Griffith, Jordan Dunn and David Hunt.
However, coach Brent Dolliver isn’t getting ahead of himself.
“We have picked up a few blokes over the off-season,” Dolliver said.
“David Hunt coming on board has been really good, particularly for me as a new coach.
“We have also lost a few so we are pretty much even with gains and losses.
“[We played] finals last year for the first time in three years so we are hoping to be there or about again.”
Boyer Oval will host the grand final rematch between New Norfolk and Lindisfarne today. It will be a different looking Eagles side, with 11 of its premiership team not playing for the club this year.
Former New Norfolk coach Matthew Smith’s Brighton will host Sorell and both teams will be looking to have better seasons after winning one game each last year.
In the other match of round one, last season’s third and fourth best teams face off at Cygnet Oval, as Cygnet hosts Claremont.
All games kick off at 2pm today and Huonville has a bye.