Shared a cup of coffee with Trompfy recently to learn more about this big, friendly, larger than life bloke who leads the Tigers ruck division each weekend.
Trompfy is steeped in Noosa tradition with his dad Ashley coaching the club and his uncle (Grumpy) coaching the Tiges to their last flag in 1997. The Big Man himself started with the Tigers in the Auskick program and remembers being in the under 9's as a 5 year old with Garry Wallace and Jarryd Bates who both would have been 8 or 9. He played in the under 10's with Zac Smith and Sam Jefferys in the under 12's.
After years of playing AFL on a Sunday whilst playing Union with his mates on a Saturday, Trompfy finished school and took up an offer from the Brisbane Lions and played reserves footy for them as a 17 year old learning more about the game and rucking. A whole batch of current days Lions such as Merret, Adcock & co all came through so it was a great time to be a part of it all.
Not that it has all gone Trompfy's way. In 2004 he missed half a season with a fractured hip, 05 saw an athroscope sending him to the sideline for 1/2 the year and in 06 he was struck down by Golden Staff from another athroscope and was in hospital for 2 weeks fighting serious infection.
2007 saw Peter moved to Warnambool when he shifted down South to find out more about the place his parents had lived with 2008 seeing our favorite number 29 back in Tigers colours and a stella season resulting in him winning the B&F and then on to Darwin to play for Palmerston and experience life in the top end.
Sipping on a cappacino it was interesting to hear of Trompfy's family building a house in Tewantin 14 years ago and how blessed he feels to be part of a wonderful family with mum, dad and 4 sisters. He loves meeting interesting people and sees all of his moves as a great opportunity to make new friends and experience new things.
He loves how tight the Noosa boys are when they are all out and when I said how I was amazed how all the boys seem such great friendly people he said "Noosa Tigers brings out the best in people" which I reckon sums up Trompfy. He loves people, thinks the best of everyone and when he makes a new friend they are a friend for life.
Life is a big adventure for Peter Trompf and I reckon in 20 years or so he will be the sort of bloke we all remember with a smile on our face.
Last Modified on 01/06/2009 19:17
