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From the Moreland Community News.
Tigers strengthen their forward line.
by Lance Jenkinson
COBURG Tigers have their new leadership in place
and are 'itching' to take on the Bendigo Bombers
in the VFL season opener at Queen Elizabeth Oval,
7pm on Saturday.
Eric Kuret (captain), Vinnie Randello (vice-captain)
and Brad Rayson (deputy vice-captain) will be the
faces of City Oval in 2005.
Coach David Flood says the senior team has undergone
cosmetic changes over the summer, with the club
shedding "mighty-midget" status following an influx
of imposing talls.
"Last year we had a lot of on-ball type players
whereas this year we've been able to strengthen our
forward line," he said.
Michael Rix was wooed to the club via the Hawthorn
rookie list as a strong marking tall forward.
Richmond-listed draftees Dean Limbach (from Calder
Cannons) and Adam Pattison (Northern Knights) are
expected to serve their apprenticeship in the VFL.
Adam Houlihan is undoubtedly the prized signing of
the summer.
The former Richmond player will stay on at City Oval
and is expected to be a 30-plus-possession-a-game
ball-winner for the Tigers.
Houlihan's younger brother, Josh, an ex-St Kilda
player, has also committed to the club.
"He's [Adam] a really good person to have around
the club," Flood said.
"He's enthusiastic, energetic, good with the young
guys, and I think it's a good sign the Coburg Tigers
have been able to hold on to a Richmond player when
their Richmond AFL careers had finished. That's a bit
of a feather in our cap. To get a player of Adam's
calibre is a real coup for us.
"He could have got a lot more money elsewhere but
decided to stay with us. We're rapt to have him."
Big man Ryan O'Connor re-signed, but 2004 skipper
Leigh Carlson will play limited games after receiving
a dream job as No. 2 producer of Fox Footy Channel's
new show 'Saturday Central'.
"It's a great opportunity for him," Flood said,
"The worst scenario was he wasn't going to play footy
at all, but we've been able to accommodate him. He's
a quality guy and I'm happy to do it."
Youngsters Rob Young, Jarrod Silvester and Travis
Jorgensen will be looking to improve on their solid
VFL grounding.
On a sad note, ruckman Nick Bruton has retired from
football after re-injuring his troublesome knee.
"He had surgery a week-and-a-half ago and was advised
not to play footy again. Retired at 23 - it's a sad
story," Flood said.
