Tigers coach Baumeler truly humbled by peers’ accolade
THE Tigers were the first team sent packing from the TSL finals race but the rise of the club has been well and truly confirmed with Trent Baumeler named coach of the year.
Tipped in some circles to be a contender for the wooden spoon, the Tigers defied the critics to have their best regular season in their history.
Their 10 wins was easily the most in a single campaign, while the club also set new milestones for biggest single match score and biggest winning margin.
Leading the charge was Baumeler, who was selected as the competition’s premier coach for 2021 by his peers, over the likes of reigning premiership coach Mitch Thorp and Brad CoxGoodyer, who in his first year in charge of North Launceston has speared the Bombers into the grand final.
“Definitely when I take some time to reflect on it over the next few days, something I’m very proud and honoured to be coach of the year and coaching this team of the year of great talent,” Baumeler said.
“Especially as well being voted by your peers, something I am very humbled and honoured by.
“For me, I always have that mindset where I think every other of the six coaches are better than me, and that is my work ethic and it always
puts that chip on my shoulder, like I guess I’ve always asked our team to have as well, to try and do the best job that you can and work the hardest that you can.
“Winning this award or having this accolade, the pressure is on me now, I’ve got to find another level to keep working harder and keep growing the Kingborough Tigers as a footy club but also our competition as a whole as well.”
The Tigers were also well represented in the 2021 team of the year, which arguably represents a changing of the guard with eight first time players.
Among those are Tigers ruckman Marcus Gardner and pressure midfielder Eddie Cole, with North Launceston trio Brandon Leary, Jack Avent and Michael Stingel, Launceston duo Cody Thorp and Alex Wright and Clarence key defender Zac Buechner the other new faces.
Cox-Goodyer earned his seventh team of the year gong, while fellow
Bomber Jay Foon, one of seven North Launceston players selected, was named captain.
“We’re super proud of Marcus. Sometimes those big fellas take a little bit longer to develop but he played his 100th senior game of TSL footy and to see him get that recognition is just fantastic for him,” Baumeler said.
“We all know what Eddie Cole did this year, he’s probably statistically the best pressure player in the competition with his tackling and even he finds the footy as well.
“He’s been a great addition to not just our club but the league. And Luke Graham, Luke’s a special one for us. It’s I think, his second time in the team of the year.”