Since joining the State league in 1997, 238 players have donned the horizontal blue and white hoops. That is a huge turnover and underlines the transient nature of football on the tourist strip. With the coming AFL franchise, the playing list may become somewhat more stable. As a precondition it appears that there is a migratory shift north by potential GC17/Gold Coasters recruits and/or those who slipped through the draft cracks, hoping to impress selectors through on-field performance with sides playing in the AFLQ. Given that and the expansion of the league including the Northern Territory, and NITV exposure, Broadbeach is competing to gain the services of quality local prospects, and possibly the most motivated collection of budding AFLQ players from interstate for some time. Bottom line is a reasonable turnover of players is on the cards again.
Broadie has won over our fair share. They have signed off on registrations and clearances at this point in time, and while Australia wide clearances are not finalised until 1 Feb 2009, we are hopeful that we have the following signed, sealed and delivered.
- Mark Harris, still only 24 and will prove to be like great red wine. Saddling up across the middle/forward lines and enhancing the running characteristic of the team, after a season in Tassie, Mark will be keen to don the 30+ suncream for a saturday afternoon once more. And he is looking as fit as.
- Ash Hockey comes under the tag of missed out in the draft. We are reliably informed that he was BOG in the TAC GF in 2007 and was expected to be picked up in the draft. Still looking to make the bigtime, Ash is AFL's loss, and our gain. A a super fit onball forward, still only 19, from Mooroopna in Victoria, who likes to get the hard nut. Ask him about stone fruits.
- A teammate in the Goulburn Valley league is also lining up for us in season 2009. Simon Russell, also only 19 was a standout for Merrigum last season as a running half back/winger. Simon was being chased by Zilmere before they dropped out of the comp - lucky Simon.
- Another Ash(ley) by name of Palmer, a 25 yo, from Packenham in the Mornington Peninsula league after a stint with Springvale/Casey in the VFL. Ash will contribute experience to a youthful list.
- Matty Fife, a 21 yo from Wagga Wagga, the home of the great Paul Kelly, via PBC. Hard running and skillful Matty represented Queensland in the Drovers in the national country championships in 2008.
- Linton Congram (Congo), a 22 yo from Finley in Murray League, north Victoria. Built like the proverbial brick outhouse with a couple of axe handles propping him up, Congo doubles up as a forward cum backman. Reminds us of a stampeding Plugger going at Peter Craven. Also had a season with Palmerston in the NT.
- Taylor Watts from Yepoon. Look that up in yer funkenwagnel. Taylor is just 17, tall and athletic, he has played only 6 games of true blue football. In the mould of trendsetting clubs, Taylor is on board as our project player. Special welcome to Taylor for having seen the light, and we look forward to watching your development under the astute eyes of development Coach-in-a-Box Boston.
- Colin Brown, BAppSC HMS (Hons) MAAES AEP, has the years to show for his successful study. Formerly a coach in the VAFA, Colin brings experience and acumen to the club as player/fitness coach, and at 32 years old, part of our youth policy. Not certain where Colin prefers to be on the deck but, as a fitness coach, he is bound to be a hard running type at the least.
- Lucky last, for the moment (more to come), is Nathan Ablett. He been on the track every session, and on time, and we are told, for a bloke whose last footy salary was likely more than our club salary cap, is treating life and football with the serious but jocular attitude required for the times. We haven't consulted with Smithy yet, but Nat can play wherever Nat wants to play. Coach Boston is a bit disappointed that Nathan has not yet asked to have his kicking style analysed.
Welcome to all of the above. We hope you enjoy your time with Broadbeach, on and off the field, and that all player and supporter hopes for season 2009 come to fruition. Watch this space for more recruiting coups.
Unfortunately, players are 'boned' and also move on or over the fence. Major 'offs':
- Ben Tindall is finished, kaput, too old, bad knees. Ben has played over 10 years with the club for a total of 108 games in the seniors. He is a member of the 1996 premiership team and the team of the decade. While Ben has called it a day, he showed on more than one occasion in 2008 that he has lost none of the football nous that has carried him to life membership. Congratulations on a fine playing career Ben.
- Mitch Andrews is off to WA for a couple of years. Mitch developed into the premier ruckman in the AFLQ over 2007-08 culminating in impressing WA opponents when representing Queensland, thus becoming a recruit target for WAFL clubs. You will be sorely missed by Broadbeach, the AFLQ, and Webby in that order.
- Dean Howard has settled for pulling a stick in a boat at Nth Burleigh while he awaits surgery to 90% of his broken body. A Broadie original in his youth, Dean retuned to Catland after a distinguished career in SA including runner-up for the Mageary medal.
- Scott Beatie, who believe it or not is a graduate of Lismore's fine aussie rules tradition, is off to the NT, SA and Victoria - take your pick.
Good luck to you all in your post Catland endeavours.
Last Modified on 28/11/2009 10:23