Promising future for Swans
September 10th, 2008
THE future looks bright for the Curra Swans after they swept to AFL
Townsville premiership glory in the junior grades on Saturday.
Curra claimed both the under-15 and under-17 titles with convincing
victories over the Hermit Park Tigers at Tony Ireland Stadium.
Led by Michael Roverts, who kicked six goals, the under-15 Swans cruised to
a 39-point victory, while the 17s were equally convincing, winning 11.19 (85)
to 2.10 (22).
Having gone through the season undefeated, Curra under-17s team manager
Steve Sim said the premiership was a just reward for his team.
"We were a little nervous they might go through the whole season
undefeated and then in the one game that counts let it go, but they stood tall
and did very well," Sim said.
"And it was also very good to be the first under-17 team to win a flag
on Tony Ireland Stadium, that's a bit of history for the boys."
The win spoiled the party for the Tigers who were appearing in their 10th
consecutive under-17 premiership decider.
But with Adam McDonald, in particular, and 15-year-old Taylar Webb
controlling the midfield Hermit
Park were always on the
back foot.
On-baller Webb has already been dubbed a star of the future, being recruited
as a member of the Brisbane Lions' development squad.
Sim predicted McDonald, the junior competition's best and fairest, would
follow in the footsteps of his brother Jack, who plays for Redlands
in the Brisbane
league.
He also praised coach Glenn Faulds for the team's success.
Following a disappointing season for the club at the senior level, Sim said
the performances of the 15s and 17s boded well for coming years.
About six players from the under-17 team will step up into the senior ranks
in 2009.
"The seniors were off the boil this year, we are in a rebuilding phase,
and we're just happy that we have got two squads that are coming through,"
Sim said.
"That will stand us in good stead for our senior playing stocks in the
future."
In the under-13 competition, Tigers Black continued the theme of one-sided
deciders when they overpowered Bulldogs Red by 33 points.
Results:
Under-17: Curra 11.19 (85) d Hermit Park
2.10 (22).
Curra goals: J McGregor 4, J Sim 2, T Dennis, A Parker, S
Bowman, C Baira, J O'Donnell 1.
Hermit Park goals: J Johnston 2.
Best on ground: Adam Mcdonald (Curra).
Under-15: Curra 10.7 (67) d Hermit Park
4.4 (28).
Curra goals: M Roverts 6, T Dennis 2, K Goodman, S Lindgren 1.
Hermit
Park
goals: Z Clements 4.
Best on ground: Michael Roverts (Curra).
Under-13: Tigers Black 8.5 (53) d Bulldogs Red 3.2 (20).
Best on ground: Ryan Agita (Tigers Black).