By Chris ‘Yeendy’ Yeend
Noosa launches into its second season in the premier competition in AFL Queensland after joining the in season 2021.
The Tigers launched its journey in the QAFL in style when it played host to Wilston Grange in a stand-alone game at home over the Easter weekend in 2021 as one of the main attractions to the region with a blockbuster game.
There was signs of potential in that game with Aaron Wilson firming as a key player in the competition and Mav Pettigrove was one of those who showcased his potential as an emerging star to watch and admire in the future. Riley Buntain was a phenomenal defender with his ruthless spoils and Tyler Stack showed great movement through the middle.
These were just a few small pieces of the puzzle that started to come together from the opening game. Despite failing to win a game across its maiden season in the QAFL; there was still a lot to like with the development of its list with solid starts across most games; and that given a full season together and a few additions that it could indeed compete with the heavyweights in 2021.
While this may be a big statement for a team that failed to win a game; it showed a tremendous determination to compete and outsiders looking in could see that there was lots of potential to coincide massive room for growth.
SEASON 2022
The Tigers will be led by first-year coach Chris Rourke whose credentials jump off the page as a tremendous coach across the ACT and Victoria. Rourke is a legend of the Ainslie Football Club in Canberra having coached the team to the 2010 premiership; and then a hat-trick of flags from 2017 – 2019 in the top grade at AFL Canberra.
Rourke has also enjoyed coaching stints at North Shore, Echuca and Echuca United. If you don’t believe that the Tigers will be a team-to-watch in 2022, then do so at your peril as getting the buy-in by a new coach of the calibre and success of Rourke is a massive get, not only for this club, but the competition.
Rourke will be supported by Simon Rourke and Shane Davis as his assistants.
KEY RECRUITS
Jono Freeman – ex Brisbane Lions and Aspley in VFL – athletic ruck man who can go forward, good leader
Tom Templeton – super fit mid who loves the contest
Tom Rourke – strong bodied mid with a penetrating kick
Jai Fitzpatrick – silky skilled h/back, very smooth mover with good pace
Will Spence – dynamic small mid, a tackling machine
KEY OUTS
Brett Meredith – retired
Jack Harper – returned to NSW for work
Riley Rickard – Caloundra
Young players to watch coming up through the Colts that could play Senior football
Shadeau Brain – strong mid
Jackson Smith – smooth moving mid who is a good decision maker
X FACTOR
Maverick Pettigrove – exciting small forward with good speed and excellent skills who has reached a new level of fitness
Expectations on the season ahead
“To be far more competitive than the previous season, we go into the season with the attitude to compete across four quarters of every game which will be helped by our much-improved fitness in the off-season. We will not set a ceiling on what we can achieve this season.” – Chris Rourke
Opposition to watch and why
“All clubs seem to have made lots of exciting signings ahead of this season, so the competition will be very strong. From where we are coming from every club looks very strong but Broadbeach, Labrador and Maroochydore are all looking like the pace setters at this early stage and Aspley coming down from the Victorian Football League will certainly be strong.” – Chris Rourke
Team/s looking forward to play the most and why
Maroochydore as it’s a great rivalry
Player to watch from your team
Aaron Laskey
SUMMARY
With Rourke taking over at the helm as Senior football coach, and lots of talent crossing to the club in the off-season, this team will definitely cause plenty of headaches for opposition teams.
There is something exciting about Riley Buntine rebounding off half back, finding Aaron Laskey sprinting through the middle of the ground and looking up to find potentially the best key forward combination in the competition with Jono Freeman and Aaron Wilson in front of him; both who can kick long goals from outside 50 and take towering marks.
This team has the makings of roaring up the QAFL ladder in 2022 and will no doubt surprise the best in the competition; making this team one of the must-see acts of season 2022 as it presses for a place in the finals.
