.jpg)
Tigers Rising Stars Men's coaches finalised for 2022
The old will shape the new and in doing so will develop players for many years to come with the appointment of four former 1st Grade Premiership players to roles with the Under 18 Grade Rising Stars coaching team for 2022 and beyond.
Heading the list is four-time Senior Grade Premiership player (1991, 1998, 1999, 2000)
Jason Gilbert who will coach the team.
Gilbo has secured the services of fellow premiership teammates Guy Mertz and Rod Gisik as Assistant Coaches as well as 1985 premiership star Steve West who successfully guided the Tigers Under 17 Grade team last season to the Minor Premiership (Competition COVID result).
In total there is a combined 550 1st grade games between them with 242 of those credited to Jason Gilbert. Along with his premiership medals, Jason also won a 1st Grade Best and Fairest in 2000 and was Captain for three season 2002 – 2004.
These achievements were along with a stint with West Adelaide in the SANFL.
Rod Gisik played a total of 213 Club games, 163 of those being 1st Grade games which includes being a member of the triple premiership years of 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Guy Mertz has 130 1st Grade games to his credit collecting a 1st Grade Best and Fairest in 1999 along with premiership titles in 1998 and 1999. Mertzy has been head coach of the Marist Rising Stars the last two seasons and now reunites with his beloved Tigers.
Steve West was a youngster at just 17 when he obtained a premiership title in 1985. He played a total of 25 1st grade games before transferring to VFL Club Sandringham.
The Coaching group has an impressive list of players at their disposal for 2022 after the Under 18’s struggled for numbers in 2021 – at times no less than ten players were backing up each week after playing Under 17’s then Under 18’s or vice versa depending on the respective draws.
Several players are expected to press for senior grade selection in 2022. They will be encouraged by the fact that former junior Josh Fahey was selected by the GIANTS in the AFL draft for season 2022.
This in addition to Sam Frost who will line up with the GIANTS in their VFL team. Both debuting with the Tigers 1st Grade team as youngsters.
Training for the Tigers Under 18 Grade Rising Stars are on Tuesday's & Friday's at Aulich Park from 4.30pm until otherwise notified. New players most welcome.
