Coaches Comments – Men’s Division One
Great start to the 2022 season with a very solid win over the Figtree Kangaroos.
Game got off to a good start with the midfield creating a great contest against a more experienced opponent. Big Max was playing an unfamiliar role in the ruck, but was hugely supported by Grant, Kelly & Costain who provided plenty of drive out of the centre.
The forward line also had some new blood which gave the opposition plenty the think about. Jared & Jace created plenty of opportunities for the small forwards which saw Lonergan & Priest build scoring pressure for the Tigers.
The backline was solid all day with the old warhorse McCann marshalling his troops with great direction. Ex juniors Halls & Angilley were outstanding in their first taste of Div 1 football.
Exciting times for the club with possibly 8 of our players under the age of 21.
The second half saw the Tigers totally dominate all over the ground with some exciting passages of play. Some great 2nd, 3rd & 4th efforts enabled the Tigers to continue creating scoreboard pressure which lead to the Kangaroos becoming frustrated.
The only negative to take from the contest was some poor discipline late in the last 1/4 which allowed the Kangaroos to gain some momentum late & kick the last 3 goals of the game.
Bomaderry 15 – 4: 94 defeated Figtree 8 – 4: 52
Goals: F. Priest 5, J. Stallard 2, T. Larkins 2, J. Wetzel 2, J. Wright 2, C. Warrington & K. Lonergan 1 goal each.
AWARDS:
North Nowra Tavern and Crofty’s Auto & Tyre Vouchers – Max Hughes
Kel Campbell Caltex Card – Fergus Priest
Zest Café & Catering Voucher – Ryan Kelly
Tuscany Wood-Fired Restaurant Voucher – Oliver Halls
Scruple’s Hair & Beauty Award – Taidgh Larkins
Mamma’s Italian Kitchen Voucher – Charlie Rodden
Dunn & Williams Coaches Cup – Jace Stallard & Jaryd Wetzel
Coaches Comments – Women’s Premier Division
For the Bomaderry AFL women it was great to finally get out on the field after a preseason disrupted by rain. Seven players were playing their first seniors game in the Tigers colours. Special mention to Rhiannon Taylor, Grace Guthrie, Erin Porritt and Amy Abbey who were playing their first AFL game ever.
From the opening bounce it was obvious that the Figtree side, despite being down on numbers, were much better prepared for the first game of the season. They dominated the centre clearances and were able to drive the ball deep into their forward line for multiple scoring opportunities. The Tigers defenders were quickly back to their best form and made sure that Figtree had to earn all of their goals.
Despite giving their best for the remainder of the match, the Tigers struggled to hold out against the more experienced Figtree team. The best Tigers were defenders Jess Wardale and Grace Hughes who never stopped trying, often against multiple opponents.
This season is not so much about scoreboard results, but playing a competitive brand of Tigers football. The young Tigers women will be much better for the experience, and we now know the benchmark.
AWARDS:
North Nowra Tavern and Crofty’s Auto & Tyre Vouchers – Jess Wardale
Zest Café & Catering Voucher – Erin Porritt
Tuscany Wood-Fired Restaurant Voucher – Rhiannon Taylor
Scruple’s Hair & Beauty Award – Grace Hughes
Mamma’s Italian Kitchen Voucher – Rhianna Nelson
Dunn & Williams Coaches Cup – Shaye Cruickshank
After what has been a fairly disruptive and uncertain few months, it was just great to finally see the ball get bounced and some football played. Whilst the girls battled hard they clearly have a lot of hard work ahead of them, but with good numbers and so many young girls, I have no doubt we are heading in the right direction. Well done boys, still plenty of room for improvement, but the signs were good.
Special thanks to the boys on the sideline (Glenn, Gazza, Les & Dukesy) and to the people that helped out in the canteen. Just need a few more people to put their hand up especially this year while we are situated down the bottom and unable to see any football.
