Body:
From the "Moreland Leader"
(obviously written before last Sunday :( )
Talented teens set to boost Tigers.
by Brad Bishop.
LOST in the talk of the Coburg Tiger's boon
recruits, Ryan O'Connor and Carl Steinfort,
has been the assembly of a talented group of
youngsters who will be the all-important support
crew for the 2004 VFL season.
The Tigers have picked up about 10 players who
are either teenagers or have recently celebrated
their 20th birthdays and assistant coach Steinfort
anticipates they would have some impact at senior
level this year.
Alex Isailovic is a 176cm 74kg wingman/defender
the Tigers have landed from Box Hill who will
astound Coburg fans with his athleticism.
Ryan Edwards has proven dangerous around goal
in a couple of the Tigers' practice matches,
while consummate team man Sean Bourke is out
to impresss after narrowly missing a spot on
Richmond's rookie list.
Enthusiastic young ruckman Sam Young is another
who narrowly missed a spot on the Tigers' rookie
list and he is keen to show what he can do at
VFL level, as will lightning fast midfielder
Nat Caruso, who Steinfort beleives has the
potential to play in the AFL.
A bonus is the signing of Terry Daniher's son
Stephen.
While the 19-year-old has the same laid-back
attitude as his father, now an assistant coach
at St Kilda, he isn't the marking key-position
player the former Bomber ledgend was. He will
slot in nicely on a forward or back flank.
Travis Jorgenson, a former Calder Cannons player,
will be a welcome addition from the Geelong
rookie list, while key position forward Russell
Laurie has talent to burn.
The Tigers have also picked up rugged on-baller
Leigh McDonald, from Queensland club Bonbeach,
aggressive on baller/forward Leigh Owen, from
Box Hill, and star goalkicker James Magee, from
VAFA club Old Melburnians.
Steinfort said the Tigers' list augured well for
a return to finals action.
"We haven't addressed that (finals) yet. We'll
probably take it as it comes, but we're certainly
confident of playing finals footy," Steinfort said.
"VFL footy's funny like that; if you can start the
season in good fashion and get your confidence
up the momentum can carry you on."
* COBURG Tigers' general manager Des Ryan is
urging all Coburg fans to get to Coburg City
Oval for this Sunday's clash with Springvale and
buy a membership.
"We've got a real strong take up of Richmond
members this year who just want to follow
their kids, but what we really need is Coburg
people to come along and buy a membeship so
we can show the VFL that we've cpome back
from the fire," Mr Ryan said.
"Our comporate money's up, corporate sponsership
is up, we've got a gat list, we just need the
local community to get behind us in the form
of coming along on Saturday and buying a
membership.
