Aussie rules insiders from the Tathra-Bega Sea Eagles have been hard at work compiling the low-down on the entire senior line-up this week.
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The club will contest premiership flags in the seniors, women’s and reserve grade fixtures at Merimbula’s Berrambool Oval.
Here is the skinny on the entire roster:
Brad McBain, Macca (Coach): In the Alpha Male deck of cards that Tathra has produced in the past 30 years Macca would be an ace in the leading hand. There won’t be a stone left unturned prior to 5.30pm on Saturday afternoon and you get the feeling he’ll be missing it big time by this time next weekend. Lists his coaching highlight as being named 2016 SCAFL Coach of the Year, his lowlight was that the trophy wasn’t a clock.
1-Troy O'Loghlin: Gouda, Goutye or Roy Rogers: The man of many nicknames is also the man of many kicks. Reputedly the quietest of the O’Loghlin brothers, he will be desperately hoping to find his voice to encourage teammates to a premiership – especially if partner Elo has skippered the women to one earlier in the day. Club B&F in 2016 and a true class act.
3-Finn Crowley, Crowls: Has made the most of the step up to seniors this year and will chase and chase until his legs go no more. The same applies to his relentless pursuits in the snowfields where his craft and skill are as admired as his handiwork in the backline or mid-field.
4-Tom Lipsham, Lippo: Defined in the Oxford dictionary under the word “tough”. What other player do you know who picked up an apprenticeship from his footy coach boss and then called in to work 4 days into his career and said “Sorry boss, can’t come to work this week, broke my collarbone at footy.” He’ll be leading with the collarbone again this Saturday.
6-Luke Taylor, Bruza (Co-Captain): He is the new Mr Football, the apprentice Frog Little. At each mealtime he asks the family to bow their heads and pray to Jesaulenko. Centrebet has installed a special “tear gauge” this week. After an Eagle victory you’ll get $1.86 on Bruz shedding 49mm or under of tears, and $1.01 of him shedding 50mm plus. Knows his way around a premiership since 2010.
7-Richard Spink, Spinksy: There are many ways to describe Spinksy, no there’s not, there’s just one … he’s BIG. A product of the Albury Bulldogs, the biggggg man has taken to country life out in Candelo where he hand-picks full grown gum trees as kindling for the fire.
8-Kel Evans, The Freak: Kel is thinking of entering in the 2020 Olympics in whatever sport he wants. This high school student with the world at his feet is in his first year of senior footy and has made every post a winner including winning Best On Ground at the senior rep game. He lives by the adage: “see footy, get footy”.
9-David Little, Croc: Plenty of high superlatives for this bloke have been floated around this year – and recently he was christened as GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) by his teammate. That’s a big wrap when you consider what the Littles have done but it would not sit uncomfortably on this man’s shoulders. Was going to play forward where he can kick four goals but coach Macca has chosen to use him down back where he saves six goals a game.
10-Cam Burns, Burnso: Plays the fleet-footed crumbing role in the forwards where he tackles hard and hits the goals regularly when AB spills any. Had bigger work commitments this year but has been a contributing member of this strong senior list.
11- Hayden DeSilva, Hayds: A player who came along with limited footy knowledge but made every post a winner with his senior selections this year. At his most comfortable in the half-back line and pretty handy on the cricket field as well.
14- Ryan Dakis, Daics: Thank heavens Dakis Senior saw the light and transferred his family from Merimbula (back in the day) to Tathra where young Daics is making a name for himself in the backline. Went back on to the ground last year with a popped shoulder and proceeded to win best on ground. Macca is considering the merit of taping one of his arms down for this weekend’s blockbuster. Also the ladies pic as Mr January for the Footy Calendar!
15- Will Dickinson, Dicko: Still learning his craft but has a long, penetrating left foot kick and is extremely coachable. Rumoured to now be favouring an Aussie rules career over his motorcross endeavours.
16- Josh Wilkinson, Wilko: Another hard as nails product originally from Pambula. Does his best work across the half-back-line but there are some that say his very best work comes when the song ”You Can Leave Your Hat On” plays. Keep an eye out for him as a back-up dancer on Australia’s Got Talent.
17- Chris Dwyer, Linguine Arms: Made the step up to rep footy this year and deservedly so. Burst onto the scene with two eye-catching performances to start the year and one more up his sleeve for Berrambool on Saturday. An attacking back pocket who doesn’t just stop the ball, he turns the play around into an Eagle advantage.
20- Tom Marshman, Moosh: He’s been out of footy for a few years but his consistency at training this year has reaped rewards on the paddock. Is equally looking to share a beer afterwards with his clubmates and close friends and possibly a lemon squash or two on the footy trip.
22- Jessie Meaker, Big Jess: Has returned to the club like a new recruit and senior gem after a couple of years away up north. The Meaker family name is synonymous with Tathra land and Big Jess is carving out his own piece of history which could be significantly added to with victory on Saturday. He’ll take a big clunker or two.
23-Scotty Hay, Horsey (Co-Captain): Easily a 15metre longer kick than anybody in the club and oozes class. He is a genuine on-baller in every sense and has been consistently named in the best players all year. A plumber by trade, he looks even happier now having landed his dream job at the cheese factory.
28- Ian McBain, Boog: Coach Macca’s little big brother has added another dimension to the Eagle go-forward this year. He knows where the goals are and rarely gets knocked off his feet. The hardest task for coach Macca will be topping a sizeable 2017 contract offer from the Leongatha Parrots.
29- Chris DIckinson, Big C: This man can take a mark and would be a key position player in any of the great Tathra outfits. Impressed last start in the ressies but is ready for the step-up onto SCAFL’s biggest stage.
31- Nick Forester, Nicka: Has had good Aussie rules upbringing at both Tathra and Bega and is primed to develop into a centre-half-forward or even further up the ground. He has the best “set-shot” routine since Matty Lloyd and has offered to give AB some lessons which could turn his 100 goals into 130.
34- Dennis Paratene, Rioli: They call Shaun Burgoyne “Silk” and it could just as easily apply to Dennis who has earnt the equally flattering nickname of Rioli (as in Cyril). Can be spotted staying back after training practising his trick shots and when it all comes together for this teenage star, it will be a video highlights package well worth purchasing.
36- Adam Blacka, AB: Kicking 100 goals in a season speaks for itself but in many respects AB had to kick them. His fiancé TJ has been breathing down his neck as the women’s leading goalkicker, club best and (after last week’s SCAFL presentation) League best and fairest. The trophy mantelpiece is leaning slightly TJ’s way as the soon-to-be newlyweds battle for bragging rights this weekend, hours apart on the same oval. #powercouple
41- Jarrod Palmer, JRod: In the late 90s he was a handy reserve grader but these days he’s a seniors mainstay and still searching for that elusive first grade premiership flag. Saturday represents a great opportunity for JRod and he has been an integral part of every game in 2016 … one step left.
69- Ricky Woods, Woodsy: Woodsy is the showman. You can’t bottle his unpredictability, nor should you. From the number on the back to the long sleeves and goal celebrations, he is as passionate as any teammate about his footy and has many special reasons to put that medal around his neck and raise his fist skywards on Saturday afternoon. I reckon there’ll be a tear or two here as well.
18- Lindsay Mcleod: If the GWS women’s franchise were looking for gun recruits in their first year of business then they could start by looking right here. Lindsay is deadly on her feet, attacks the ball hard and has a smile and positive attitude to go with it.
8- Tarni Evans: One of the stand-out performers and consistent vote-getters. Tarni will tackle and kick her way to the top of the AFL pile if she chooses this as her sport.
10- Hannah Mullens: One of the club’s young guns who has grown to be a big part of the inaugural year challenge. Hannah has a bright career ahead.
3- Maddie Keevers: Can play in the ruck or across half back as long as SCAFL works the starting times in with her work shifts please. Tough competitor who has played on in pain this year as well.
2- Elo Russell (Captain): Skipper is one of the hardest competitors and, at the same time, one of the most nervous. She needn’t worry as she always leads by example and is well respected amongst her peers.
6- Molly Carroll: Comes from great footy bloodlines and plays just as determinedly. Molly has found a home in the forward line and if the marks stick this weekend she might outscore her old man’s goalkicking records.
21 - Crystal Vas: Has given plenty on and off the field this year. Getting better with each game, she has also been tireless at work plugging AFL on Power FM and dobbing in water runners who contributed to her dehydrated state at Bermagui. The big task for Crystal will be interviewing herself on Monday if the Eaglettes salute.
36- Tyjana Thelan: Has done it all this year. Plays in the packs, under the packs, on the flanks and up forward. Her bruise-ometer is ranking off the charts. Won both the club and League best and fairests for the women’s in a historic year but something tells us she won’t be smiling until the medals are handed at full time on GF day.
Hannah Centra – A true livewire who does her best work off half-back. The club had her for the start of the season and luckily for the big games at the end of the season and she’ll play a huge part in those flashy yellow boots.
1- Chloe Pellow – Should be another one on the GWS radar. Leads from the back and never gets beaten in a one-on-one contest for the footy. Her bursts through the centre could well determine the outcome of the biggest game of 2016.
4- Poppy Beruldsen: Poppy has transformed her soccer skills to AFL and made a great fist of limited game time this year. Probably best suited to the forward line, she will be looking to get under the feet of the forwards and crumb critical a goal or two.
12- Issie Jones: Issie is definitely one of the quiet achievers in the team but one of the most valuable. She plays as a tall but has good endurance and has definitely been one of coach Col’s big improvers and most pleasurable to coach.
11-Bec Foster: Bec wins hearts and minds with her wholehearted effort. She isn’t happy until she’s run to the point of exhaustion and she will throw her body in without fear. A valuable team member who plays in exactly the right spirit.
5- Nat Coman: Nat enjoys time on the field to help her get away from the mountain of work she does off it. Has been the focal point of the forward line in 2016 and would love a bag of goals to celebrate GF day – deserves one too.
7- Cymmon Parker – A picture of fitness and determination, Cymm also has the smarts to adapt to the AFL’s range of challenges and she plays hard all day long. Often warms up by building cupboards, bridges or spare rooms in the hours before game day – just to keep busy.
14- Elly Burhop – The angel-faced assassin will be on the hunt for a GF medal this Saturday and has been building form in the lead-up to the year’s decider. Even sharper on the half-forward line than she is on the dance floor.
23- Casey Mathews –Arguably the biggest improver of the whole playing roster. Casey is very good at getting over the footy and winning the ground ball contest and she has developed excellent footskills to promote the ball upfield. Watch for her to be a big contributor on Saturday.
17- Sharri Manning – Mrs Fitness will not be suffering the after-effects of life in the 30s and, after starting out with the humble aim of kicking a goal, she has gone on to be a key contributor and one of the team’s most uniting forces. A real players’ player.
Maddie McEnaney: Maddie Mac does things with a smile but is equally capable of knocking her opponent off their feet. Plenty of good years of footy ahead for this pocket rocket.
Amy Nicholson: Injury and family commitments have robbed Amy of a chance of making the GF team but she should be extremely proud of her efforts this year and justifiably a part of any success that comes the team’s way.
Bittany Meers: The lure of the ski slopes and work came calling for Britt who was developing as a member of the Eaglette elite.
Sarah Funston: Last seen running multinational companies and applying for jobs at Google, largely on the back of plaudits gained from her early season form with the Eagles.
Jane Andrew: Will be a key contributor next year and adapted to the game seamlessly. Did not qualify for finals but has maintained her support on the sidelines with a water bottle and loud voice.
Mariana Cross: If you picked one person from the team to tackle for your life it would be Mariana. As she became more acquainted with the rules, the more opposition players got to feel her rather ferocious cuddles as they were tackled in the packs.
Nakayla Rootsey: Another young gun who came late to the game but has been a sponge at training sucking up all the knowledge and using it wisely. Look out for her in 2017.
Rosie Coman: Rosie has been like all other Comans, a true clubperson and team champion. Whether it’s playing, running water or the bench for the coaches, Rosie is there every week assisting.
Col Funston (coach): The Super Coach was honoured with a volunteer of the year nomination at the SCAFL presentation night but his biggest reward would be to see his girls represent the club and themselves with pride and distinction on GF day. He’s already a winner in our books – as are the girls.
21- Kiah Beruldsen (Coach): The Big Unit has had a season to remember gathering not only the club’s Development Grade B&F,but also a runner-up medal in the SCAFL Development race. Goes in hard and has juggled the seniors/ressies mix beautifully with coach Macca this year.
43- Shannon Shepherdson: One of the future stars in Eagle land. He has all the skills. After packing away the rugby league referee’s whistle last weekend he’ll be looking to blow full time on a premiership medal this weekend with his speed, courage and tackling ability.
38- Matt O'reilly: Mazda is a great fit up forward and has a great set of hands. Whilst he claims he is “too pretty” to be in the ruck, he may contribute in the centre in bursts to help the team out.
41- Tim Price: Relatively new to Aussie rules, this bloke has a tremendous ability to impact on the “hard ball gets”. He loves the physical contests and has recently bought a GPS to help find the goals making him doubly dangerous.
30- Craig Dooley: Dools is a fantastic clubman and survived a major injury scare in the scratch match against the women’s team lately, to be a big contributor for the “ressies”. Dools has a tremendous vertical leap and also some AFL bloodline royalty being related to the great Brendon “BJ” Goddard.
12- Will Murphy: Smurf may look small but he plays tall. A tenacious competitor and regular of the team, he’s one of the first picked and will be fired up for premiership glory.
26- Shannon Williams: One of the club’s stalwarts at still a tender age. Just oozes class and skill across half-back and has also been a consistent vote-getter this year. Fatherhood and footy and certainly agreeing with this champion.
33- Mick Gallagher: He is the archetypal clubman – there for every second of training, and putting in 100 per cent for every second of match day. Just loves his footy and if the Eagles get over the line this Saturday he’ll be looking for a Centrebet premiership double-up on his beloved Melbourne Storm.
27- Gordon Wiegold: Held together by sticky tape and strapping, this re-born Eagle will be looking for his first SCAFL silverware since one day in September, back in 1993.
44- Harry Price: The H-Bomb has exploded onto the scene this year and has been one of the key figures in the “ressies” success. He is hard at it and loves running through packs like a “wrecking ball”, hence the reason he listens to Miley Cyrus pre-game as a rev-up.
49- Wayne Flinn: One of the real silent achievers in a strong team. Flinny can take the ruck duties or back up as a leading option through the centre of the ground and he is as enduring as the Energizer bunny – he just never stops working.
5- Matt Langley: Much of the team’s success this year has stemmed from the leadership, action and voice that Langers has provided from the back. He nearly always gets the opposition’s best player and he never lets the team down. He will save his best for the big dance.
25- Peter Cross: Crossy Has found another gear this year and rumours are that a Brazilian diet and the extra fitness gained chasing toddlers around is agreeing with him completely. He is a vital link across half forward and has also been a vital link off the field in the admin team.
40- Lachie Gordon: He produces flashes of brilliance that could make the difference this weekend. Wearing the headband in the hope not only that it keeps the hair out of his eyes, but also gets him Brownlow votes in a quest for “best on” in the GF.
32- Baz Manning: If bruises count, Baz will be the measuring stick of success this weekend. He is on the bottom of every pack and when he’s not, he’s going 1000 miles an hour in his quest for the footy. He is as critical as any player in the premiership quest. His comeback has been a blessing.
29- Ryan Cassidy: Big Ryano shares the duties in the ruck and whilst he looks mild mannered off the field, he can play up a storm and kicked the winning goal earlier this year in a tight one against the Diggers.
22- Matt McCambridge: Moosh is a gentle giant that is still growing. He has been heavily involved in getting players into the Eagle fold and has also been a regular on the disco scene with his brother’s music business. He’s hoping to spin up solid gold this weekend and wear it proudly around his neck.
Dave Larkins: He is one of our “in and under” fleet and loves the thick of the action. Still searching for those elusive Tathra shorts but President Greg assures him if he gets the silverware this weekend, he can keep his jumper.
24 - Neil Rainbow: A talented up and coming player whose best years are ahead of him. The Benjamin Buttons of the club, you won’t meet a more pleasant gentleman or sporting competitor on the field. Ready for a knighthood should he kick the winning goal this weekend.
19 – John Harney: Moona is as equally at home in the seniors but such is the talent crush he has been promoted to the “twos” to add his flair and craft. Pure class and footy smarts. Will play a crucial in all thirds of the ground on Saturday.
Ben Harrop: Blue Dog will save his last emotional speech for GF day and he will give his all as usual for the mighty Eagles. Has kicked a few handy goals this year and may lead the rendition of Eagle rock back at the Bowlo if the club is successful in any grade.