TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE

Monday October 3rd 2005

THE YEAR THAT WAS

1st Semi Final action against Belconnen Magpies.

The 2005 AFL Canberra season is one the Tigers would like to forget.

 Even though it maintained an unbelievable record of consecutive finals participation - now 24 years - 2005 has had few highlights for the Club.

Here is a list of events to put the season into context:

• Few Recruits: At the conclusion of Season 2004 and after all three teams had competed in their respective Grand Finals a decision not to actively recruit players was taken in preference to using the many promising youngsters within the organisation.

• Off Season Blues: The movement of Assistant Coach / Club Administration Manager Keith Miller to Eastlake as its Football Manager.

• Surprise Player Losses: Lewis Roberts to Noble Park, Kris Thompson to Werribee, Ryan Quade to Sydney Swans,  Michael Wescombe and Anthony Roy were all unexpected losses. Other losses included Tony Wolski, Jamie Andriske, David Lepavoux and the worst of all being the unfortunate death of our hugely popular “Friend” Michael Haddock on Christmas Eve in a car accident.

• Injuries: No one would expect a list of injuries to Senior grade players that would unfold throughout the season which would eventually have an enormous effect on all three teams as they played in their respective 1st Semi Finals.

  1. Last years Best and Fairest Jack Charton breaks his ankle

  2. Ruckman Neil Irwin breaks his thumb and then on return six weeks later suffers concussion and then in the last match breaks his jaw.

  3. Replacement ruckman Jordan Longmore breaks a bone in his foot

  4. Anther ruckman - Scott Dickinson returning from compartment syndrome operations on both legs mid season, suffers further complications.

  5. Steve MacPherson breaks ankle.

  6. Mid field player Matt Liddle having his best season breaks his leg

  7. Former League Leading goal kicker Luke Ellis succumbs to knee injury

  8. Brett Daniher returning after shoulder operation mid season damages ligaments in ankle.

  9. Coach Mark Armstrong and former Captain Jason Gilbert break legs in same match against Wagga at Wagga.

  10. Promising youngster Tom Hollis dislocates shoulder.

All the above just to name a few.

• Worst Loss: Undoubtedly, the loss to Belconnen at home in Round 3. A losing streak of 17 matches was expected to be broken against the Magpies - but it was not to be. Further losses to the same Club during the remainder of the year stretches the losing streak to 20.

• Best Win: Against Wagga in Wagga in a must win game for the Club. With Coach Armstrong breaking his leg in the first tem minutes, ruckman Geale being sent from the field and Jason Gilbert also breaking his leg, the Tigers were under the pump against Wagga's best team of the year. In a remarkable game, the QTigers won the match with emotional scenes after the game.

• What Went Right: The appointment of former Footscray player and Coach Terry Wheeler to the position of Specialist Coach early season will have added benefits in years to come.

• What Went Wrong: Injuries, Injuries, Injuries and to complicate matters even more - Injuries, Injuries, Injuries.

• Best Comeback: James Geale returning to the field after suffering a stroke prior to the 2004 Finals series.

• Biggest Surprise:   All three teams making the finals considering the player losses through injury.

• Who Stepped Up: After a dismal 2004 season riddled with loss of form and subsequent relegation to the Reserves, former Premiership player and ACT Representative Chris Davis proved he still has what it takes to play 1st Grade footy having one of his best seasons in 2005.

• Best Feelgood Moment: Singing the Club song with all the 1985 Reunion Premiership players after the Tigers scored a must win match against Tuggeranong at home in the last home and away match of the season.

• Best Function:  The Tigers 100 Club Dinner incorporating the 20 year Reunion of the 1985 1st and Reserve Grade premiership teams.

• Best Diet - “not”:   Kayne Bull on his return to pre-season training.

• Ugliest Moment: The distress Coach Armstrong was in after breaking his leg and then waiting for an ambulance to arrive - which did not have morphine on board !!!!!

• 2006 Shopping List: Eight new quality players to be injected into the Club. The problem is where from !!!!!!!

• What the Coach Wants: Eight new major positional players. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - interesting that !!!!

• What's Bright for 2006: Our youngsters including Mitch Daniher, Andrew Lieschke, Luke Whatman, Matt Liddle, Paul Williams, Trent Balding, Dave Corcoran, Chris Haddock, Tom Hollis, John Murphy, Brett Ormston, Tony Stevens, Ben Woodall and Daniel McGavin.