Arrivals: Cameron Douglas (returning from a year off), Drew Murden (under 16 player from 2006), Michael Falsie
Departures: Marcus West, Tristan Reincke, Hamish Day (Graham Nuttall Medallist in 2008), Ash Cruickshank, Brent Harris, William Gleeson, Michael Lawerance and Daniel Flint
Retirements: Tony Bishop, Geordie Ackeroyd and Brett Douglas
Coach: Tony Bishop (continuing)
Captain: Tim Cotter (new)
The 2008 Country Energy TAFL Premiers, the Tamworth Kangaroos, will go into their 2009 season minus a few of their Grand Final stars.
The Kangaroos have had their Captain,Geordie Ackeroyd, Coach, Tony Bishop, and Brett Harris hang up their boots on the high of the 2008 Premiership. Bishop will, however, continue on as non playing coach but I am sure he will quickley pull the old boots back on if they require his steadying influence down back as it is always hard letting go in the first couple of years of retirement. Their other big loss for 2009 is Hamish Day, Day only had one year of AFL but what a year it was, equal 6th in the Tony Gillies Medal, second in the Kangaroos best and fairestaward and Graham Nuttall Medallist as the best on ground in the 2008 Country Energy TAFL Grand Final. Day has joined the Navy and will be greatly missed by his coach and team.
On the upside though, is the return of Cameron Douglas, from the famous Douglas clan at the Kangaroos, after a year off working in Queensland's North. Douglas is a prime mover in the Kangaroos mid field and a previous Tony Gillies Medallist in 2006. Douglas will be welcomed back with open arms by coach Bishop. Michael falsie is a 6'7" ruckman who played 2 games in 2008 and will take over from Hamish Day. Falsie is still learning the game, but there is an old saying in Aussie Rules "Tall men do not get shorter the further the game goes" meaning that you can always put the ball up high to them. Anyone his height will also be hard to beat in a centre ruck contest and if he is fit and mobile he will be a huge asset to the Kangaroos all over the ground. The Kangaroos havel aslo promoted Tim Cotter to the captaincy after only one year at the club. It was a very good year though Premiership medal, club best and fairest and Tony Gillies Medallist.
I am tipping that the Kangaroos will be in fight for a top 3 spot but it will be hard to replace such a big drop in Grand Final players in one year. But I won't be surpised if they struggle early.
In other news Kangaroo's President, Craig Abbott, said the Kangaroos are trying to oranise a match between a Tamworth old boys (over 35 and not on the current players list) and Newcastle City old boys to be played at a date to be set. this match would be a curtain raiser for a Kangaroos v Swans match.
Abbott also added that in 2009 the Kangaroos will be holding their after match functions at NO.1 Oval. Abbott said "No achohol is to be brought into NO.1 Oval due to their liquor licensing requirements.
Last Modified on 27/05/2009 08:45