TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE

TIGERS NEWS October 2006

Tigers Sign Powell

Queanbeyan have gained an enormous boost for Season 2007, with highly talented former Sydney Swans player Mark Powell agreeing to a three year term with the Tigers this week.

Powell a member of the Swans list from 2001 through to 2005, had been keenly sought after by Ainslie, Belconnen and Eastlake as well as the Tigers after he indicated a preference to play in the AFL Canberra competition some two months ago.

Originally drafted from Lavington Football Club of the Ovens and Murrey League, Powell played eight senior grade games with the Swans during a period of time which Sydney won their 1st Senior Grade Premiership Flag in 74 years.

At 22 years of age he is a major signing for the Club. He would have been a walk up start as a senior grade player with most other AFL Clubs whose lists are no were near as strong as the Sydney Swans.

Although delisted by the Swans at the beginning of the Year and then drafted by the North Melbourne Kangaroos, Mark lost some of his keenness to play in 2006.

Mark Powell after signing with the Tigers on Tuesday in Sydney.

Personal reasons forced him to take a year’s break away from the game, eventually returning to Sydney to be with long time partner Jessica.

The opportunity to play alongside former NSW ACT RAMS Under 18 Grade team mates in current Tiger players Luke Whatman, Ryan Quade and Andrew Lieschke plus with former mentor Terry Wheeler being the Tigers Specialist Coach were all reasons that held sway in a difficult decision for the youngster.

Mark and Jessica are due to arrive in Queanbeyan early December and are looking forward to being involved in the rebuilding of the Tigers Senior Grade team which missed the finals for the first time in 25 years this Season.

A premiership player with the Sydney Swans Reserve Grade team last year, Marks athletic ability and marking strength is sure to bring that extra edge to the Tigers team. He will be attending the Tigers Long Luncheon next Wednesday at which cricketing legend Kerrie O’Keefe is Guest Speaker.

To the right are scenes in the rooms after last week’s victory over Belconnen Magpies.

Meanwhile the Tigers Reserve Grade team continue in their quest for premiership honours this Sunday at Manuka Oval when they play Eastlake at 11.15am in the Grand Final. Although finishing fourth, they have demolished Tuggeranong in the 1st Semi Final and then accounted for end of season premiership favourites Belconnen last week in the Preliminary final by four points.