Tas Clingan

[one-eyed]

AFL dream alive
Henry Dalkin
The Ararat Advertiser
Monday, 20 November 2006

One of the Mininera and District Football League's most talented young football prospects will train with AFL club Richmond in the lead-up to the AFL national draft.

Wickliffe-Lake Bolac player Tas Clingan was approached by Richmond recruiting officer Francis Jackson and invited to take part in the club's pre-season training program.

"It was a huge surprise, I guess I'm a bit nervous," said Clingan.

"I'm not sure what to expect."

The 18-year-old back flanker will head to Melbourne this Sunday to begin a week-long training program with the Tigers.

"We'll train all week and we have a testing day on Sunday."

While he would be thrilled to hear his name called out on draft day, Clingan is happy just to have the chance to experience football training at the highest level.

"It's a good chance to learn more about footy," he said.

MDFL president David Watson said Clingan's recognition within the AFL ranks is good for football in the region.

"I knew AFL clubs were looking at Tas and a few other North Ballarat boys," he said.

"I thought he would attract some attention, he's a determined player and a fine individual.

"I think he has the right attitude and the ability to make the grade."

Watson described Clingan as a tall, athletic rebounding defender who runs all day.

He said his pace and ball skills are suited perfectly to modern day running football.

http://www.ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=general&story_id=532096&category=general&m=11&y=2006

[Ox]

I always thought we needed Clingon @ the club.

[cub]

Who  ???

This is good though as the recruiting has become too TAC centric for mine and there must be other good players out there if you go looking hard enough 

[WilliamPowell]

Who  ???

This is good though as the recruiting has become too TAC centric for mine and there must be other good players out there if you go looking hard enough 

Agree CUB - I think there are players out there maybe 20-22 who were not ready at 17-19 but have developed enough now to be worth a late pick or a rookie spot.

[mightytiges]

Clingan has been on a TAC list (North Ballarat Rebels) for the past 2 years.

D.O.B. 10/6/88 from Wickliffe-Lake Borac.

2005: #43, 182cm, 70kg
7 games, 44 KE, 26 HE, 13 Marks, 14 tackles, 1 goal, 1 behind.

2006: #17, 184cm, 73kg
20 games, 154 KE, 65 KIE, 44 HE, 12 HIE, 80 HR, 11 CM, 57 UCM, 24 tackles, 11 FF, 18 FA, 1 goal, 2 behinds, 5 times in bests.

http://www.sportingpulse.com/nf/team_info.cgi?player=Tas%20Clingan&action=PSTATS&pID=87140891&client=1-3020-0-40212-4413267

[one-eyed]

bump.

Welcome to Tigerland Tas.

[bluey_21]

Was initially disappointed we didn't get Grose, but Clingan is a very solid young talent. Welcome!

[one-eyed]

Clubs pick regional players
The Ballarat Courier
Wednesday, 13 December 2006    

TWO Ballarat region players were given an opportunity to have an AFL football career yesterday as rookies in the pre-season draft.

They are North Ballarat Rebels player Tas Clingan, 18, who went to Richmond .....

Clingin, who has just completed Year 12 at Lake Bolac Secondary College, is a running half back flanker/utility type who is a good kick and strong mark for his size.

Clingin played 27 games for the Rebels - seven in 2005 and all 20 games this year.

Ex-Rebels coach and new North Ballarat Roosters coach Gerald FitzGerald said Clingin "made very good progress" with the Rebels.

"He showed enough with seven games in 2005 to really push on with his footy in '06 playing good football at the end of the year," FitzGerald said.

"Richmond was looking for a running sort of defender and again they would be working on the fact he (Clingin) has got a lot more development in him," he said.

http://ballarat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=general&story_id=539278&category=General&m=12&y=2006

[one-eyed]

Tigers pick up Clingan
The Ararat Advertiser
Friday, 15 December 2006

Christmas has come early for the Lake Bolac community after talented young footballer Tas Clingan was picked up in the AFL rookie draft.

Clingan was selected on Tuesday morning in the first round by Richmond, eighth pick overall.

The talented half-back flanker said the call up from Richmond was a pleasant surprise and that he was looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"I couldn't believe it, I still can't really believe it," said a jubilant Clingan on Wednesday.

"I've been getting a few messages from mates and stuff who are all pretty rapt."

Clingan has spent the past few weeks training with the Tigers but the staff at Punt Road had kept tight-lipped about the club's plans to draft him.

"They hadn't really said much about it," he said.

The 18-year-old was a standout junior player at Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in the Mininera and District Football League before joining the ranks at North Ballarat in the TAC Cup under-18 competition.

He played in all 20 games for the Rebels this season after playing seven in 2005.

Clingan has enjoyed training with Richmond and said the players have gone out of their way to help him settle in.

He said the main advice he gets from the players and coaching staff is to work hard and focus on your goals.

While he would love to find himself running out for his first AFL game next season, Clingan is realistic about his development and is committed to improving himself during his time on Richmond's rookie list.

Footballers on AFL rookie lists are not permitted to play senior AFL games unless they are promoted to cover the loss of a player through long-term injury or retirement.

"I just hope I play good footy for (VFL side) Coburg next year," he said.

http://ararat.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=general&story_id=540352&category=general&m=12&y=2006

[mightytiges]

There's not much of Tas so smart of us to rookie him given the wraps Miller gave him on his skills and footy brain. Gives him 2 years on the cheap to bulk up quite a bit and reproduce his junior form at senior (at least VFL) level. 

As a club we're building a nice relationship within the Ballarat-Bendigo-Ararat triangle too with the drafting of Connors, Collins and Clingan after having our community week this year in the region at Learmonth. Obviously means alot to the small country communities these kids come from.

[one-eyed]

Tigers taken with Tas
9:52:48 AM Tue 16 January, 2007
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au

Francis Jackson's comments on Clingan:

“And we kept hearing from Tas’s coaches and teammates about his excellent work rate and hard running in games.

“According to the coaches’ reports, Tas was the surprise packet for the Rebels in the second half of the year, developing into a key, running back and outside ‘mid’, who was rarely beaten.

“There were even comparisons drawn to Dean Laidley, when he was in his prime as a player, due to Tas’s ability to hold his ground despite his lightly-built frame, his balance, and his competitive nature.

Full article at: http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=311843