April 11, 2015, 4 a.m.
Tony Bishop returns to lead the Tamworth Kangaroos in a new Tamworth AFL season that promises plenty for the club.
Bishop is far from worried about playing TAFL powerhouse New England Nomads on their home turf today.
The Nomads have won the last three TAFL flags and remain strong again.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,”Bishop said.
“I believe we would have given them a run for their money last season, would have done better than Inverell, but our problem was we couldn’t get past the Saints to get a crack at the Nomads.
“I think if we’d have got there we might have given it a big shake.
“We didn’t get that opportunity and that was our problem.”
Bishop coached the Roos for five years from 2006, winning one flag and then another as a player.
He did “hang on” and play before finally retiring from playing last season.
Enough is enough, he thought.
It was about time the Roos found some younger and committed troops.
Now back in his second term, he’s delighted to find an abundance of numbers.
“We registered our 33rd player last Thursday,” Bishop said.
“I told him ‘you’re a bit late’ but the kid has got some talent and it might be just a matter of weeks, if he keeps training like he is, before he gets a run.”
Bishop is prepared for a big season.
“We’ve been training since the week after the Melbourne Cup,” he said.
“We had 20 plus from then.
“We didn’t pick up a ball until after the Country Music Festival either.
“All they were doing was running.”
Two-time Gillies Medal winner Matthew Hodge will be Bishop’s assistant coach while stalwarts such as Ben Coombes, Daniel Johnson and Dan Overeem will be big parts of the club.
Johnson is also captain of a side which has “a bit of brawn” this season.
“We’ve been lucky enough to keep Ryan Painter in the ruck but also pick up another ruckman in Ben Mitchell.
“He’s from WA and looks pretty handy too.
“Dean Hoy is also back after playing just six weeks of last season.
“He’s rehabilitated well and will be good at full forward.
Roos assistant coach Matt Hodge won the Gillies Medal last season and kicks for goal here for the Roos. Luke Robinson (back) has been training the house down according to his coach and looks on. They will be key men against the Nomads in Armidale today. Photo: Barry Smith 260714BSF11
“Brad Rees is also back.
“He was our best and fairest last season and is a quality player.
“Daniel Leon, Rhett Graham and Alex Hudson are also back.”
The three talented youngsters are ready for big seasons, Bishop said.
“Rhett was a revelation last year,” he said.
“With that season under his belt, he’s bigger and stronger and ready to go.”
The Roos tackle New England Nomads at Bellevue Oval today where Dave Richards will skipper the Nomads.
Coach Zac Econoou said Weston Whitby was back for another season while having former coach Tom Granleese on the playing roster is a major bonus.
“It’s Tom’s fourth year with the club,” Economou said.
“He won two premierships as coach and played last year as well.
“He’s a good footballer too and very handy having him around.
“It’s great for me and the club.”
While the two heavyweights slug it out in Armidale, Inverell Saints head to Moree to tackle a resurgent Moree and Tamworth Swans are at home to Gunnedah Bulldogs. Narrabri Eagles have the first-round bye.
Source: Northern Daily Leader 11th April 2015