Coburg Tigers prepare to roar
Greg Gliddon
Moreland Leader
31Mar08
WITH AFL lists constantly changing, it is hard to gauge how VFL sides will stack up going into the season.
But this year there is reason to be optimistic at Coburg Football Club.
A senior Grand Finalist last year and runaway winner in the reserves last year, Coburg will head into the 2008 VFL season with an enviable amount of depth.
With new coach Jade Rawlings taking over from Andy Collins, who has departed to the South Australian National Football League, and a stream of top AFL draft picks to choose from most weeks, Coburg would likely expect at least another top-four finish.
The Tigers boast one of the strongest VFL-AFL club links.
They have already produced two AFL-drafted players.
Richmond picked up Jarrod Sylvester and, most notably, Jake King.
King was widely regarded as best on ground in Richmond's opening-round win over Carlton.
This year, the club's connection with TAC Cup powerhouse the Calder Cannons has also allowed it to add a host of the region's top juniors to its squad.
The club is so close to Calder that 16 of its players on the list have previously been involved with the Cannons at under-age level.
Among those are Natale and Fortunato Caruso, Andrew Horne, Shaun Huy, Nick Cattapan, Travis Dulic and Christian McErlain, while Dean Putt and Angus Graham will line up for the Tigers, having already secured places on Richmond's senior list.
The club is also developing a close relationship with the North Coburg Saints in the Essendon District Football League, with a host of Saints players expected to push for selection in the Coburg VFL side.
Tigers general manager Ryan O'Connor said the club was gaining momentum off the field, signing two new major sponsors in the off-season.
"We have had a very big pre-season to top off last year's results and we are very excited about what lies ahead," Mr O'Connor said.
"We have also confirmed Moreland Mayor Joe Caputo will be our No. 1 ticketholder this season."
The Tigers will this year host the annual Anzac Day blockbuster against Box Hill, while the club has also secured a clash with Collingwood on Mother's Day when no AFL games will be played.
Coburg hosted the Cats in the Grand Final re-match on Saturday after Moreland Leader deadline.
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