Tathra senior coach Luke Taylor said both he and Bombers senior coach Matt Fleet wanted to pay tribute to the Anzac troops by putting on a strong game. 

“The Ode and the Last Post will be played early and we’ll be out on the ground by about 2pm,” Taylor said.  

“We’ll be mimicking the Essendon and Collingwood Anzac Day match.

“Myself and Matty Fleet are quite close, we talk weekly about our clubs – we want this to be a really big day and ensure we get a good crowd every year,” he said. 

The Sea Eagles will also host the under 10s in the morning. 

“The under 10s will play before every home game - they start at 10am,” Taylor said. 

“There is no rego fee, it’s exciting, it’s a really important part of where we are at to get a few juniors through the club.

“We’re encouraging the parents to bring the kids along at 10am to get registered.

“It’s really about getting involved.

“There will be a free barbecue for the kids after the game,” he said.  

Meanwhile, the first grade game for the Sea Eagles is expected to see the return of some key players. 

“Week to week is going to be the thing for us,” Taylor said. 

 “[It is] still not confirmed at this stage, but we look like having a few guys back in, could be a reasonable side back on the park this week.

“Croc Little is available, he’s a massive part of our side and our club, Reggie [Ryan O’Loghlin] is back in, he’s a big part of forward line and integral in our structure 

“And the 2013 rookie of the year Jesse Meaker is back in the side.

“They’re significant premiership players.”

Taylor said after the call went out last week for players and supporters the club is already in better shape. 

A new initiative has been put in place by SCAFL to ensure the club can field a team (see story below). 

“At the end of the day, I think the awareness about where the club is out we can only make inroads,” Taylor said. 

“Now they’re aware, I think we’ll get a bit more continuity and consistency. 

“It’s absolutely key for the club, we’ve already people put their hand up and say they don’t want to see the club go down the drain.”

The squad will be unveiling its 2013 premiership flag and aims to play a strong game for its home crowd. 

“It’s a massive weekend.

“Hopefully we can put on a bit of a show and get the points at the end of it,” Taylor said. 

Turbulence 

for Bombers

THE Bombers could be in for a rough ride as a number of players will be missing on Saturday. 

Senior coach Matt Fleet said the squad would be down seven or eight players. 

“It’s the way it goes you know, they get a few in and we have a few out,” Fleet said.  

“The fat coach is out so that probably makes it better .

“It’s one less loose man in the middle,” he said with a laugh. 

However, Fleet said the squad had strong numbers and was relishing its underdog status.

“The boys will be confident, they believe that they can win which is the most important thing, 

“They’ll be fighting hard for it.

“They’ll be the underdogs no doubt about that, but you’ll be surprised.”

Fleet said recent training sessions had focused on players’ discipline and positioning. 

“We’ve worked really really hard on our accountability and our body contact.

“We want the guys on the field with their arms right up against a Tathra jersey this week. 

“They’ll be out to enjoy themselves, but they’ll be there to win the game,” he said. 

Fleet said it was hard to combat the experience in other clubs, but the Bombers are working towards it. 

“We’re still learning, we’re going to continue to learn.

“The discipline is another area that should improve this week,” he said. 

Fleet is urging Bombers supporters to head along to Lawrence Park, Tathra, on Saturday from 2pm to support the team. 

“We’d love to see as many Bega people go across to support the Bega boys – everyone loves an underdog, get down there and you just might get a surprise.”

Meanwhile, Fleet said the Bombers were more than happy to help Tathra with a new SCAFL initiative. 

“It keeps the footy strong and gives everyone a game,” Fleet said. 

“Tathra has really helped us right from the start.

“When Bega hopefully wins its first flag, we want to be playing Tathra, that mood is across the whole club.”

Fleet said the move might look silly, but his focus was on keeping football strong. 

“Hopefully we’ve made the right decision.

“Outsiders might think it could be a bit stupid, but to me it improves the competition and that’s what we need. 

“We can’t lose clubs,” he said. 

 Hearing the news about an arson attack on the kiosk at the Bega Rec Ground, Fleet said his club would help  any way it could. 

“Any help they need or require we’ll help out.

“If they need man power, we have 20 or 30 blokes that will go down and give them a hand,” he said.