Mayne Tigers AFC

Training is set to resume on the first day back at school Jan 23rd at 6pm.  With terrific numbers on the training track before Xmas it will be exciting to see everyone back down and rearing to go.  In particular a number of players restricted to light duties up until this point will be relishing the opportunity to hit the track at full pace.

Part of the intrigue at this time of year is the number of new faces at each club in the competition with Mayne no exception.  The club is set to unveil the next batch of recruits in the coming weeks with one high profile name in particular set to get the competition talking.

See you on the track

The foundations have been laid for a Tiger resurgence in season 2012 with the return of three of our finest sons.  Caleb Brown, Luke Ferguson and Tom Falconer have made their way back to Mott St after successful forays in division one. All three will bring fresh ideas to the club and will be able to draw on their experience in showing younger players what it takes to be a quality performer.  Brown in particular was fortunate to play alongside some of the best players in Queensland when he represented his state against WA earlier this year.  Whilst Brown made his mark as centre half back at Morningside, Ferguson in the ruck and Falconer in the midfield at Aspley, new coach Mitch Ferguson has hinted that each player will potentially be playing different roles next season.  The return of the trio has ensured that other recruits know that the side is being rebuilt for immediate success.

The tigers will be hoping that new recruits Jack Collings and Corbin Sellen display all the attributes of another star performer from Goondiwindi in Gunsynd.  That Gunsynd went on to become one of Queensland's greatest thoroughbreds might be asking a tad much but nonetheless the signs have been impressive on the training track.

Collings - first cousin of 2 time club champion Caleb Brown, joins the club after 3 years at Morningside and looks a mirror image of his well credentialed cousin.  He will work through the midfield and bring that reknowned Goondi steel to his work.  Sellen, a junior star on the downs, returns to the club he played his first season of senior football at in 2008.  The 2011 version looks as good as Gunsynd did in the mounting yard with his customary dash across half forward sure to give the Tigers another dimension in attack.

The two Goondi boys will be on display at the Mayne Cup held in the new year at Eagle Farm over 2400m with both sure to attract plenty of support from the local punters.

Mayne AFC welcome Jack and Corbin back to the club and wish them every success for the season ahead.

The Mayne Tigers held its annual Club Champion dinner last friday night at the Victoria Park Golf and Function centre, the Mayne Tigers hit the carpet in style with many of the ladies looking fabulous in there frocks and the boys looking very dashing in suit and tie.

Congratulations goes to Luke Faulkner who has won his second consecutive Keith Beavis Medal in a thrilling finish to the count edging out hot favourite Sam Paterson by 1 vote that went right down to the wire.  Faulkner came home in a blaze of glory polling maximum 15 votes in the last game of the year, in a game were Paterson failed to poll a vote because he went down early in the second quarter with a quad injury.  3rd place was club stalwart Andrew Housego who had another stellar season.

Other award winners included Most Consistant Andrew Housego, Players Player went to Sam Paterson, Most Courageous Jimmy Gillett, Coaches Award John Seccull, Best First Year Player Bill Stephens, Most Improved Justin Moritz, Best Utility Daniel Weller and Encouragement award Blake Faulkner.

The reserves vote count was taken out by Tom Ditchburn, who edged away from David Martin in the last couple of rounds after he missed a few matches.  Both had excellent years.  3rd was Dan Evans who really came out of his shell and had his best year yet, unfortunately he missed most of the second half of the season to a finger injury but will be back better than ever next year.

Other award winners included Most Consistant Dan Evans, Players Player went to Tom Ditchburn, Most Improved Scott Vanderwolf, Coaches Award Christian Rollman, Best First Year Player Jack Morrison and Best Team Player Sam Ditchburn.

The club also recognised the tireless work by its volunteers by awarding the below awards, although it would like to thank anyone who assisted this year on match days and on the committee, without you the club simply would not function.

Team Support Person of the year Leo Dennis, Match Day helper of the year Brad Twartz, Coach of the year Paul Smith, Committee Person of the year Russell Ditchburn and the very prestigious Jack Kennedy Best Clubperson of the Year award went to a well deserved Guy Gardner.

The club would like to congratulate all award winners on the night and we really look forward to seeing every down the club in 2012 for another successful year.

The 100 club is up and running for another year.  Get it fast before your favourite number is gone.  You purcahse a number from 1-99, you are then entered into the draw for the year with a potential to win up to $1000 at the end of the season.

There is 8 draws worth $50, 2 draws for $250 and the big one at the end of the season for $1000.  Once a number is purchased you "own" that number for all draws.  Multiple numbers can be purchased if you wish.

Cost: $50 per number

Numbers can be purchursed from Tom Ditchburn ditchy87@hotmil.com or Richard Fell fellrichard@y7mail.com