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The AFL Canberra Senior Grade Competition(s) kick off this weekend with the Tigers playing Gungahlin in four grades at Allinsure Park on Sunday.
The Under 18 Rising Stars commence the day at 9.30am followed by the Men’s Reserves and 1st Grade at 11.20am and 1.15pm respectively with the Tigerettes 1st Grade commencing at 3.45pm. the Tigerettes Reserve Grade do not commence their competition for another two weeks.
It should be a great day of footy with the Clubs Season Launch taking place during the afternoon in the confines of the Growlers Deck. NB: The deck is now heated !!!
The Rising Stars will hopefully have several players available this weekend after suffering a heavy loss in their opening competition games last Saturday to Marist. 6 players were involved with the GWS Giants Development Teams while three others were absent through injury of unavailability.
Seniors There have been a number of changes during the off season including new coaches being named for both the 1st Grade Men’s and Ladies teams.
2018 B&F Kel Evans has joined the Canberra Demons
Adrian Pavese takes of the Head Coaching position of the Tigers 1st Grade Men’s team with Paul James returning to the Club as one of his Assistant Coaches. Both were heavily involved with the Clubs 2012 NEAFL EC Premiership team.
The Clubs highly successful mentor of the Tigers Rising Stars team for the past three years Chris Clifton has taken over the reigns of the Tigerettes 1st Grade team.
The Men’s Senior Grade listing has had many changes. Most notably the loss of last seasons 1st Grade Best and Fairest and Mulrooney Medalist Kel Evans to the Canberra Demons. Other losses include premiership players Jeremy Kirkwood (retired) and Joe Tegart (overseas) and Rhys Pollock (Canberra Demons) with Mitch Gorman moving to Melbourne.
The Tigers have lost the following from last season’s Reserve Grade Grand Final Squad of players: Veteran Neil Irwin, Dan Lucas, Bill Reid, Jack Bowyer, Jack Murphy, Alec Coppinger, Sean Wilkinson, Matthew McKenzie, Vaughan Winnell, Hayden Kelly and Verma Narayan.
2018 Reserve Grade Grand Final side has seen some player changes
Joining the Tigers will be a group of talented players from last years Under 18 Grade Grand Final team alongside new recruits Lachlan Highfield (North Wagga), Ollie Hicks (Marist), Cambell Lovell (Wagga Tigers), Jayden Cutts (Upper Ferntree Gully) , Harry Peers (Balmain) and James Huntley (Rugby League).
Unfortunately a number of players are not available for 1st Grade men’s selection this weekend including Captain Josh Bryce (work related injury), Aidan Bowyer (injured), Mitch Price (overseas), Justin Galloway (injured), Lachlan Squire and Harry Grant (GIANTS), Ollie Hicks (illness), Marcus Lawrence (unavailable), Harry Straker (injured), Dean Lord (injured) and James Huntley (injured).
The Tigerettes have also lost several of last season’s 1st Grade Grand Final squad members including Teena Cambell (overseas), Laura Herring, Alana Bowyer, Myf Galloway, Tegan Hedington and Kate Reid whilst Hannah Dunn will miss the commencement of the season due to commitments at SANWFL level. Returning is triple Jill Bright Medalist Ella Ross after her strong showing with Richmond Tigers last season. There has been yet another strong batch of Ladies joining the Tigerettes for season 2019.
Matches Sunday 14 April. 9.30am: Under 18 Rising Stars v Gungahlin jets 11.20am: Tigers Reserves v Gungahlin Jets 1.15pm: Tigers 1st Grade v Gungahlin Jets 3.45pm: Tigerettes 1st Grade v Gungahlin Jets
2018 Women’s 1st Grade Grand Final side