JUST nine weeks after claiming back-to-back Central West AFL flags, the Orange Tigers are back at it preparing for a third.
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All Tigers grades have begun training at the Country Club Oval ahead of the 2015 CWAFL season, and returning two-time premiership-winning coach Nathan Pearce believes the black and golds’ quest for a third is on track as players, staff and officials follow a tried and true formula.
“We did the same thing last year,” Pearce said, training beginning last Wednesday night.
“The boys are really keen to do it, so we’ve got four or five sessions before Christmas then we’ll get into it again in the new year.
“I think it showed in our fitness level last season, it never really dropped.”
Ramping up preparations for a tilt at three consecutive first grade flags for the first time in the club’s history, Pearce said the club had 20 at its first session, including players from first grade, reserve grade, under 18s and even the club’s under 14 team in attendance.
He expected that number to rise as the pre-season warms up.
The long-time coach insisted the move for a massive pre-season is player driven, with a senior group of Tim Barry, Michael Rothnie, Leigh Turner and Josh Bubnich behind the November start date.
“We’ve got a really good group of players at the moment,” Pearce said.
“The club’s in really good shape.”
The Tigers claimed last year’s title thanks to a memorable 19.14 (128) to 10.10 (70) grand final victory over the Bathurst Bushrangers, with guns Murray Robotham, Barry, Bubnich and Justin Fong leading the way for the black and golds.
The Tigers do lose two of those stars next season, with Robotham and Fong moving on, but Pearce was confident the success of the club would ensure recruitment wasn’t an issue.
“We’ve lost a couple of guys from last year’s premiership team, but we’ve already gained a few back from the 2013 team. You lose a few every year but you always gain some as well,” he said.
Pearce said the club will finalise its coaching team for reserve grade and under 18s at its next meeting, and was thrilled to be handed the reigns of the club’s top grade team for a third consecutive season.
“I love it. While ever they want me to do it I’ll keep going,” he added.
Training is on Wednesday nights from 6pm at Country Club Oval.
