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TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE
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Blast From the Past
23rd February 2005
The year 1971
Headlines in the then “Canberra News” -‘Australian
Rules dying where it was born – Queanbeyan in trouble’
This headline refers to the co - founder of the game of Australian Rules
- Thomas Wentworth Wills who was born in the Queanbeyan District
(Molonglo) on 19th August 1835.
Queanbeyan could in some way claim to be the foundation birth
of our great game due to Wills being born in the area. It certainly has
a charm and allure about it being a sentimentalised interpretation of
the games origins if only the birth of its founder.
Hence the above headline in 1971.
The Tigers Club were yet again in trouble both on and off the playing
arena, with very little support from the community. It was doubtful if
the Club would continue let alone ever be successful again.
The President’s report at the Annual Meeting echoed the desperate
situation Australian Rules Football had fallen into in Queanbeyan. The
meeting held on 16 November 1970 saw the outgoing President Dave Imrie
criticise the general lack of support from the townspeople and urged them
to get behind the Tigers as it was in serious danger of again folding.
From the Annual Meeting the following were elected:
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PRESIDENT Ken Campbell snr
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Vice President Frank Hopkins
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Secretary Alan Hunt
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Treasurer Bruce Bailey
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Tentative Committee: Bob Hungerford, John Edwards, Max Gibbs,
Dave Imrie, Klaire Klepiak and Jerry Nadurak.
The “tentative committee” discuss and subsequently appoint
a coach for the 1971 season. Treasurer Bruce Bailey moved a motion that
Max Gibbs be reappointed as Coach in addition to being the clubs recruiting
officer at a fee of $600. This was carried unanimously.
Although efforts over the summer by an enthusiastic committee to raise
funds and recruit players progressed at a satisfactory level the club
was flabbergasted when the Canberra Australian National Football League
raised the affiliation fees to $800 for the season. The Club had notified
the League they could not afford to pay the previous years fees of $400.
(Note – in 2005 affiliation fees are $33,000)
The newly appointed Secretary Alan Hunt spoke to the sporting editor
of the Canberra News Barry Rollings about the plight of the club.
The article emphasised the problems of competing against the more wealthy
Canberra Clubs and the zoning rules which favoured clubs such as Belconnen
and Acton.
Tigers search for a home
In light of the Clubs plea for assistance the CANFL president Jack Dorman
joined the Tigers Club Committee in an attempt to find a permanent home
for the Club in terms of a licensed premises.
The selection committee for the season was; Max Gibbs, Renato Res, Frank
Hopkins and Ken Campbell snr with the following players named in the opening
game of the season:
Hugh Baddams, D McFarlane, Iggy Rzepa, Noel Buckly, Ron Hopkins, Renato
Res, Peter Winch, Col Imrie, Dennis Hopkins, T Schumacher, J Simpson,
C Flynn, Mick Kon, G Holden, Barry Beales, D Setton, J Cashmore, Ken
Campbell jnr. 19th James Black 20th Max Gibbs.
The Reserve Grade Squad included:
Jerry Nadurak, George Skurowski, R Lea, M Jenkins, N Barnett, Rob McInnes,
Steve King, Alan Williams, W Lempa, Brian Hopkins, Paul Dent, J Dougall,
J Singleton, John Byrnes, Peter Cross, Ben Skurowski, Jim Peterson,
N Smith. 19th L Anderson, 20th K McAulay.
(Note: Of the above mentioned players the following went onto play
100 plus 1st Grade games: Ron Hopkins 144, Renato Res 150, Col Imrie 161,
Dennis Hopkins 158, Ken Campbell 100, James Black 191 and Brian Hopkins
146.
Jim Black would eventually win four best and fairest awards whilst
Dennis Hopkins would win three. Ken Campbell returned to the Tigers this
year - 2005 - as Assistant Coach.
The Tigers Club along with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos Rugby League Football
Club submitted applications to the Queanbeyan Municipal Council for development
of Freebody Recreation Reserve in 1971 for the purpose of developing a
new ground and licensed club. All applications were refused.
Following its failure to gain development approval of Freebody Reserve,
the Club lodged a request with Council to extend the existing Queanbeyan
Park Oval as it was not the required standard length for Aussie Rules.
The Council denied the request stating it would cost $14,000, however
furnished details of a possible new development in South Queanbeyan which
would include a new Australian Football field. Note: This would eventually
be known as the Margaret Donoghoe Sportsground – the current home
of the Tigers Club and opened some eight years later.
Another lean year
It took until July 10 for the Tigers to register their first win of the
season when they defeated Acton 18.10 (118) to 15.20 (110) at Narrabundah
Oval. Best were Col Imrie, Ron Hopkins, Alan Imrie, Dennis Hopkins and
Sid Dumbrell. The Club finished on the bottom of the ladder in 1971.
Jim Black had an active year. Commencing the season as 19th man for 1st
Grade he ended up being Runner up in the First Grade Best and Fairest
whilst also winning the Under 19 Grade Best and Fairest for the League
and his Club. In addition Dave McAulay (who would also go on and play
114 1st Grade games) won the CANFJL Under 15 Best and Fairest award.
Awards for the Season included Ron Hopkins as the 1st Grade
Best and Fairest winner. As mentioned James Black as Runner Up, Renato
Res as Most Consistent and also Clubman of the Year.
Alan Bailey won the Reserve Grade Best and Fairest with Arnold
Thomson as Runner Up and Brian Hopkins as Most Consistent.
The Under 19s was won by Jim Black, Runner Up Col Imrie and Most
Consistent George Skurowski.
The Under 17’s Best and Fairest was won by Eric Syne, Runner
Up Alan Imrie and Most Consistent Marty Messina, the later also wining
the Best and Fairest Under 17 title for the CANFJL competition.
Six Life Memberships were awarded in Season 1971. These being
to: Joe Clift, Col Wheeler, Frank Hopkins, Norma Hopkins, Nola Imrie and
Maria Cross.
Mesdames Hopkins, Imrie and Cross had given their time in providing
amenities for players, officials and spectators at home games quite often
voicing their opinions from the sideline especially Mrs Cross with her
familiar umbrella.
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