sydneytigers.org.au

Merry Christmas to all Tigers Supporters and hope for a Happy New Year.

We look forward to the Tigers climbing up the ladder in 2008.
We will continue to watch the Tigers games at the Camelia Grove Hotel or Major Sponsor.
The Hotel has undergone renovations and now has an outdoor area,so it is certainly a good venue to watch the games.

So have a great Christmas,a safe and prosperous New Year and get ready to get behind the Tigers in 2008.

MARK MAUNDER

Richmond Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Bond, one of Australia’s leading sports psychologists and corporate trainers to the new position of General Manager – Learning and Development.

Jeff Bond has had extensive experience working with elite athletes and coaches in a variety of sports for more than 30 years.

From 1982 until 2004, he was Head of Sports Psychology at the Australian Institute of Sport, where he worked particularly closely with the highly successful Australian swimming, equestrian and rowing teams.

Richmond have also announced a commitment to support a $10 million recreational facility at Craigieburn’s Highlands community, 27km north of Melbourne’s CBD.The project includes a large ground with grandstand, a smaller secondary oval and a rectangular multi-purpose playing field.

Richmond will not fund the project, but has agreed to train at the proposed ground “regularly” during the pre-season and “periodically” during the competition season.

The main oval will also host Richmond intra-club practice matches, VFL games and community football clinics from November 2008.

The announcement comes just six weeks after Richmond unveiled plans for a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of Punt Rd Oval.

Tiger coach Terry Wallace said the club would maintain its player facilities at Punt Rd, despite the new commitment to Craigieburn.

He said the proposed oval at Craigieburn would provide his players with a suitable and safe playing surface during the summer months.

These projects are the result of a very steady board and the good work done by Stephen Wright who has been great for the Richmond Football Club.

This along with what many consider to be a very successful draft gives all Tigers supporters great hope for 2008.

For those of you who have received this year’s Annual Report you will notice the Centenary Dinner will take place on Friday June 2007.
So plan ahead,those who are interested we will be arranging to get together for this weekend and try and arrange accomodation together.

Don’t forget Christmas Drinks this Friday at Harbourview Hotel and also a casual drink at our sponsor Camelia Grove Hotel on Saturday late afternoon the 22nd of December with perhaps a bit of cricket at the park across the road.
For those of you who can’t make these events have a Great Christmas and A Happy New Year.
Up the Tigers

Mark Maunder

THE LOWDOWN ON THE TIGERS’ 2008 RECRUITS

TRENT COTCHIN: Draft pick No 2

Recruited from: Northern Knights/Essendon Grammar
Born: 7/04/90
Height: 185cm
Weight: 79.5kg

Could easily have been the No. 1 pick in this year’s National Draft, and the Tigers were absolutely delighted to grab him at No. 2. Exciting, versatile, medium-sized midfielder, capable of influencing games with his ball-winning ability, explosive pace and superb disposal. Has an excellent understanding of the game and is a quality decision-maker. A penetrating kick, who has rare ball skills on both sides of his body. Dominated with 37 possessions in the Northern Knights’ 2007 qualifying final against Gippsland. Possesses fine composure and a maturity far beyond his years. An outstanding prospect, who seems set to thrill the Yellow and Black faithful for many years.

ALEX RANCE: Draft pick No 18

Recruited from: Swan Districts
Born: 9/10/1989
Height: 192.3cm
Weight: 87.6kg

Strong, hard-running, tall defender, noted for his dash out of the backline. His father, Murray, played 97 matches with the Western Bulldogs and West Coast from 1986-1990. Alex spent the majority of the ’07 season with Swan Districts Colts, but made an impressive senior WAFL debut in Round 10, gathering 22 possessions and taking eight marks against Perth. Was a standout for WA at the 2007 under-18 championships, leading the team in rebound 50s, averaging 17 possessions per game, and being rewarded with All-Australian honors. Rated as the best pure full-back in junior ranks Australia-wide. Is excellent overhead and can hold his own in a one-on-one contest.

DEAN PUTT: Draft pick No. 51

Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Born: 10/4/89
Height: 202.5cm
Weight: 89.7kg

Athletic tall with good speed and endurance combination, highlighted by 2.93 seconds for 20 metres and a 14.1 beep test at the recent AFL State screening session. Showed significant improvement during the second half of the ’07 season and was the Cannons leading goalkicker. Proved very hard for opposition sides to match up on during the finals series because of his size, agility and skills.

JORDAN McMAHON: A trade period pick-up

Recruited from: Glenelg(SA)/Western Bulldogs
Born: 27/05/83
Height: 185cm
Weight: 78kg
Guernsey No: 13
AFL debut: 2001
Games: 114
Goals: 37

Fleet-footed runner, who joined Richmond during the recent AFL trade week after a seven-year, 114-game career at the Western Bulldogs. The Tigers won the race with Port Adelaide to secure his services when he opted to leave the Bulldogs’ kennel (traded for pick 19). At 24, he’s in his prime, and looking forward to the fresh challenge at Tigerland and playing again under his original league coach Terry Wallace. Is the archetypal modern-day AFL player, with his ability to run and carry, as well as his quality disposal. Looks likely to play a key sweeping role in defence, much like another ex-Bulldog player in Leon Cameron did so successfully during his stint with the Tigers early this decade. He can also be used effectively in the midfield or up forward, making him a most valuable acquisition for the Club.

MITCH MORTON: A trade period pick-up

Recruited from: Claremont(WA)/West Coast
Born: 28/01/87
Height: 185cm
Weight: 79kg
Guernsey No: 20
AFL debut: 2005
Games: 12
Goals: 11

Talented, young, medium-size forward, who was originally taken by West Coast under the league’s father-son rule. After only 12 games in three injury-riddled years with the Eagles, he decided to seek a transfer to a new club – and Richmond swooped, snaring him during the trade period in exchange for pick 35. The Tigers believe that at 20, he is the right age to develop with the many other quality youngsters on their playing list, and they have a high regard for his skill level – in particular, his kicking ability. Although predominantly a forward, the Club also feels he is equipped to play in the back half and, eventually, through the midfield.

PRE-SEASON and ROOKIE DRAFT PROFILES

DAVID GOURDIS: Pre-season Draft pick No. 1

Recruited from: Subiaco (WA)
Born: 14/3/89
Height: 192.4cm
Weight: 88.9kg

Strongly built, powerful key-position player with excellent pace and vertical leap. Showed outstanding athletic ability at the 2007 Draft Camp, ranking first overall for the 20-metre sprint (2.83 seconds) and in the running vertical jump (101cm). He also ranked in the top eight percent in the six-by-30-metre repeat sprints. Represented the triumphant WA team at the AFL under-18 championships this year, kicking three goals in a forward role in the match against SA. Was a surprise non-selection in the November National Draft after being touted beforehand as a possible top-20 pick. The Tigers invited him to train with them in the lead-up to the Pre-season Draft and he made a distinct impression with his athleticism and attitude. Played mainly as a key forward in junior ranks, but has the necessary attributes to also develop into a key backman.

CLAYTON COLLARD: Rookie Draft pick No. 1

Recruited from: Fremantle/South Fremantle (WA)
Born: 4/12/88
Height: 182cm
Weight: 90kg

Speedy, skilful forward, who represented WA in the 2006 under-18 championships and was an AIS-AFL Academy graduate. Was taken by Fremantle with its second-round selection (pick No. 31 overall) in the 2006 National Draft. Managed just the one AFL game with the Dockers during the ’07 season and was delisted by them at the end of the year. Was subsequently thrown a lifeline by the Tigers, who asked him to try out for one of their available spots in either the Pre-season or Rookie Drafts. Renowned for his silky skills and marking ability. Is a potential excitement machine.

JARROD SILVESTER: Rookie Draft pick No. 17

Recruited from: Coburg Tigers
Born: 31/1/85
Height: 191cm
Weight: 89kg

Had an outstanding year at Coburg, which was reflected in his second placing in the club’s Best and Fairest. Took the VFL’s best spearheads on and was rarely beaten in one-on-one contests. His physical strength and movement skills enable him to play on a variety of opponents. He kept two of the competition’s best full-forwards in Nick Sautner (69 goals for the season) and James Podsiadly, goalless, in vital performances for Coburg during the season. Was rewarded for his fine overall efforts with selection in the VFL’s Team of the Year.

TRISTAN CARTLEDGE: Rookie Draft pick No. 33

Recruited from: North Ballarat/Essendon
Born: 11/6/85
Height: 199cm
Weight: 93kg

Was cut from Essendon’s list at the end of 2006 after a four-game career with the Bombers. Spent the ’07 season with North Ballarat in the VFL and earned a reputation as one of the competition’s best ruckmen. The Tigers see him as ideal back-up for their big-man stocks, given he’s had a taste of football at the game’s highest level, but is still only relatively young.

CAM HOWAT: Rookie Draft pick No. 47

Recruited from: Richmond/Box Hill Hawks
Born: 30/1/85
Height: 182cm
Weight: 77kg

Has been retained as a mature-age rookie by the Tigers. Was promoted to the Club’s senior list during the ’07 season and went on to play 15 games, to add to the five he managed in late 2006. The hard-running left-footer was delisted at season’s end, but continued to train impressively with the Club and was rewarded with one of the four rookie spots.

The Richmond Tigers Sydney Supporters Group will be having Christmas Drinks at the Harourview Hotel 18 Lower Fort Street The Rocks (Corner George Street North) on Friday 14 December from 6-00PM.
The Harbourview Hotel is situated near the Harbour Pridge pylon.
This will be an informal gathering meeting on Level 2 for drinks.
There is a restaurant but we will just organize meeting for drinks,if you want to have a meal we suggest you book a table.
Travelling from Wynyard walk down York Street and then into Cumberland Street,follow this all the way to the end and it will bring you to the Harbourview Hotel.

Travelling from Circular Quay or George Street,turn into Argyle Street and take the stairs on the right hand side to Cumberland Street and as above proceed to the end.

Welcome.

This is the official website of the Richmond Tigers Sydney Supporters Group.

For those new to the group, we are a supporter-run organisation dedicated to the Richmond Football Club’s community of supporters and friends – particularly those in the city of Sydney.

We meet most regularly at the Camelia Grove Hotel in Alexandria(Formerly Sports Inn), when the Tigers are playing and their game is on live and is shown on either Free to Air or Fox Sports. The Camelia Grove Hotel is situated at 146 Henderson Road on the corner of Alexander Road Phone (02) 95165611 and it has been a great supporter of our organisation and it is always a great day or night (even if we don’t win).

When the Tigers play a game in the Harbour City, we organise and run a pre-game and a post-game function for all Tiger fans and friends. At each of these functions, we make an effort to have a representative player or coach from the club to speak to all those in attendance.