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From the 'Moreland Leader'
Coburg will be fit
by Brad Bishop
COBURG Tigers coach David Flood is unsure whether his side will
be a leading premiership contender this year but he is certain
the players will be rock-hard fit by their VFL season-opening
clash with the Bendigo Bombers on April 2.
Questions would be asked if they weren't, with the Tigers having
already played practice games against Williamstown, Bendigo,
Springvale and Sandringham, along with a solid intra-club hit-out,
and two more practice games to come.
"It's a lot of games but obviously not everyone is going to be
playing every game," Flood said.
"I'd like to think that most of the boys will have played four
reasonable games withing that six week period, which is a fair
preparation."
The added bonus of the hectic pre-season schedule is that it
gives Flood a chance to have a hard look at his youthful list.
The Tigers' leadership group took a hit when key position
defender Dean Talbot and gritty midfielder Ryan Pagan departed
to take up coaching positions at suburban clubs.
"It was very disappointing to lose those two but I can understand
their reasons for moving on," Flood said.
"Both of them are coaching now, which is a step up in their
development, but they have been great players and people to
have had around Coburg.
"It's taken a fair bit if experience from us on and off the
field."
Flood will again look to former Essendon and Sydney big man
Ryan O'Connor to lead by example, while former AFL brothers
Adam and Josh Houlihan will add experience.
The coach predicted nuggety on-baller Dale May would be the
pick of the Tigers' Calder Cannons TAC Cup graduates, of which
there are less.
"The Cannons had about 10 guys drafted last year when you count
rookies so that took a fair bit of talent away from us but I
was rapt to hear that Dale had come on board."
"We've got a young side but there will be a fair mix of
Richmond players in there," Flood said.
"I don't know that we'll be any world-beaters but I'm sure
we'll be competitive."
