TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE

TIGERS NEWS April 2006
100 1st Grade games for Jon Elias

It was a young 17 year old that joined the Tigers Club in 1997 and played in the Under 21 Grand Final team that was defeated by Tuggeranong under Coach Paul Walshe.

10 years later Jon Elias will become the 70th player to have played 100 1st Grade games for the Tigers Organisation when he takes the field this Sunday against Tuggeranong at the Margaret Donoghoe Sportsground.

Now 28 years old, “Jonboy” has been a magnificent club person during this time having participated in five 1st Grade Grand Finals being a member of the triple premiership teams coached by James Dore during 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons. He missed the 2003 Grand Final through injury.

Known for his tremendous determination and athletic ability, he has represented AFL Canberra on two occasions during his senior career after being a participant of the NSW ACT RAMS team during 1997 and 1998. Unfortunately serious knee problems combined with illness has robbed this talented player from further representation honours and more senior grade games for the Tigers Club but his loyalty and dedication through some difficult injury plagued years has seen him finally reached the 100 1st Grade game milestone.

Loyalty runs in the family with father Felix, a longtime volunteer of the Club having served as the home ground gatekeeper for the past ten years – the last three has seen him travel each home game from Robertson on the Southern Highlands to assist the Club in this capacity.

Johnnies contribution to the Club has been exceptional and as an organisation we are proud to have been associated with such an outstanding young man in his sporting attributes and in his personal development in a career with the Canberra Trophy Centre. Thanks to Robyn and Darryl Jenkins of this business for their ongoing support with the employment of many young Tigers.

Who will ever forget the 1998 Grand Final against Belconnen when a young Jon Elias stormed down field from his backline position in the dying moments of the match to kick to another hero of the match Michael Niesen who kicked truly to put the Tigers in front and on their way to a premiership victory.

Congratulations “Jonboy” and may you have many more games for the Tigers Club. Recognition of this achievement will be made at the Tigers 100 Club Dinner on 2 September 2006.

Pictured: Jon Elias takes a spectacular mark as a defender in front of goals against Eastlake last season.