Tigers clawing back
With memories of early2000s success firmly in their minds, the Pimpinio football department is poised to step its ascend up another gear.
Pimpinio finished the 2022 season ninth on the Horsham District league ladder and played hot and cold football at times.
Senior coach Clint Burdett will return for his second season behind the wheel of the improving Tigers side.
Club president Jock Baker said Burdett and his assistants had been on the recruiting front foot soon after the 2022 season finished, with successful results.
He said this season would be about keeping up the improving momentum the side offered in the back end of last season.
“We started to rebuild the club, perhaps a year-and-a-half ago with the intention to get the club back to where it was in 2005 and 2006,” he said.
“So far, so good, on that front. The senior team improved and we won two junior premierships last season.
“So, we think it was a success – on the field and off it, too.
“The club is in a really strong place financially.”
Mr Baker said he had noticed an uptick in volunteer numbers across the club, which was also a positive sign.
“Everyone knows how hard it can be to find volunteers, so when they are coming forward to offer their service to the club, it speaks volumes,” he said.
Burdett said off-season recruiting was targeted and position based.
“We set some targets on what kind of player we would need to keep the side moving forward, and we reckon we have filled what needed filling pretty well, with some high-class players,” he said.
He said former Southern Mallee Giants ruckman Reece Mcnally, of Donald, had crossed to the Tigers, while Natimuk United onballer Dylan Bates would play in the yellow-and-black in 2023.
“Mcnally is very handy in the ruck, and Bates has beautiful skills and is an explosive runner who can push forward,” he said.
Burdett said young Border Districts footballer Charlie Gardner had made the move to the Tigers for the new season, while Jason Westley, of Berri Football Club, would also join Pimpinio.
“We missed some polish last season. We really suffered on turnover, so it was key to have recruits who used the football well,” he said.
“Gardner is a nice kick and Westley is a great high half-forward type with great skills.
“With our young and exciting team improving every season, hopefully we can make our way to the edge of finals with the experience and polish we have brought on.
“Our recruits will gel nicely because there were existing ties between them all and the club – it was important to not rely on blow-ins.”