AHEAD of a bumper day of major semi-finals at Country Club Oval on Saturday, Orange Tigers president Luke Whitton has praised the work of the Central West AFL club’s tireless committee
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Arguably the catalyst for the huge amount of on-field success currently being enjoyed at Tigerland - the club has won three senior minor premierships as well as the minor prize in the under 12s in 2014 - Whitton said the work of an 11-strong committee has helped ensure the black and golds rise to new heights.
“The current committee that’s been involved for the last few years has done a huge amount of work to get the club to where it’s at,” Whitton said.
“Kudos to the current committee that’s made all of this happen.”
Whitton saved special mention for both treasurer Nicole Pearce and registrar Kass Ings.
“Nicole and Kass have been the main drivers of the committee this year without a doubt,” he added.
But if the Tigers committee thought they’d been busy throughout the regular season, no doubt they’re gearing up for a mammoth day on Saturday.
The Tigers claimed the minor premiership in all three senior grades - under 18s, reserve grade and first grade - each by a margin of eight points and each over the second-placed Bathurst Bushrangers.
It means the Tigers and Bushies will go head-to-head in three CWAFL major semi-finals to decide which side progresses through to the 2014 decider first, with the winner of first grade ultimately deciding where this year’s flag will be won and lost.
Whitton believes there’s a distinct possibility all three teams will appear on grand final day this year.
“That’d be the ultimate goal, without a doubt,” he said.
“All three teams have performed really well throughout the season and I think 18s will have a tough battle on their hands with the Bushies and I think it’s going to be a big Orange (versus) Bathurst weekend, which is pretty much what it has been all season.
“Hopefully towards next season some of the other clubs can get a bit stronger and add a bit more to the competition as well.”
Whitton said the work of coaches Nathan Pearce (first grade), Andy McIntyre (reserve grade) and Tim Barry (under 18s) was also instrumental in getting the club to the top of the CWAFL.
“From a club perspective, I don’t think we could be much happier than where we are at the moment,” he said.
Saturday’s CWAFL major semi-finals begin at 11am with the under 18s.
Reserve grade begins at 12.45pm, while first bounce in the main game will be at 2.30pm.
All games are at Country Club Oval.