Canada Bay Cannons Youth AFL Yearbook 2015

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2015 YEARBOOK

Canada Bay Cannons

INCLUDES TEAM REPORTS AND GAME PHOTOS

All Fired Up!

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CANADA BAY CANNONS CLUB ALLIANCE BOARD REPORT 2015

2015: Canada Bay Cannons

Something to play forTHE Canada Bay Cannons Club alliance has given the Under 12 to 14 year playing groups greater options for participation and performance in 2015.

In the third year of the Drummoyne Power and Concord Giants partnership we have made great strides in:

Team performance, including one semi-final team (U13/2), and the first Grand Final appearance by a Cannons team – our U14/1s Stronger parent engagement and active volunteerism; and

Above benchmark participation rates from Under 12s to Under 14s from both partner clubs.

Our goals from the outset have focused on performance and participation options.

The alliance sought a club playing

culture that includes strong leadership, discipline, endurance and physicality with clean and decisive skills. The Cannons delivered on that.

We are proud of the performance of all our five teams but especially the two teams that have made it to the 2015 finals in 2015, the Under 13/2s and Under 14/1s. And we must acknowledge Under 14/1s’ James Loughnan who was named Best and Fairest runner-up in the Sydney Harbour Awards.

The Under 12s had a hard-fought 2015 so we are ensuring we have two Under 13 teams next season with an emphasis on true-age team play.

It is likely that Under 14s will have one team in 2016, while we aim to recruit well to field two Under 15 teams, and position ourselves for elite and participation options in Under 17s.

PARENT ENGAGEMENTIn driving sustainable parent engagement, the contributions of Vicky Caulfield (Events, Parent Engagement/Canteen), Michelle Hauschild (Communications/Website) and Mamie McLean and Leanne Hart (Canteen) have made a massive difference in 2015.

We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the Canada Bay Cannons board members including Andrew Baxter (Concord Giants President), Dean Lee (CG representative), Adrian Walton (Drummoyne Power Vice-President) and Jeremy Stanwix (DP President) who have maintained the momentum of the club alliance.

PERFORMANCEThe Cannons’ drive in fitness and training reaped considerable gains in 2015.

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We’ve invested in Level 1 coaching training through the AFL, additional training equipment, improvements to Five Dock Park lighting and green space access through Canada Bay Council.

Strong emphasis on pre-season training and coaching capability have created more fitness elements throughout the season.

But we have room to improve the fitness of our players in 2016. This will include additional training, late season access and wet weather options. We will leverage additional arrangements from AFL NSW/ACT next season.

PARTICIPATIONWe strongly believe the Club Alliance is important for both the Concord Giants and the Drummoyne Power players going forward. As such, an Operational Committee is being established and will have operational control of the alliance’s function in 2016 and beyond.

We will address recruitment and sustainable team sizes; expand the arrangement to include Under 15 and Under 17 next season; and expand the role of Operational Committee with overseeing CBC Board.

THE YEAR AHEADPlanning for 2016 has begun with strategy sessions in July and August and the establishment of the Operations Committee to support the Club Alliance Board.

Improvements include: Locking in a five-year licence agreement for Drummoyne Oval, in addition to our existing Five Dock Park agreements through Drummoyne Power JAFL and Queen Elizabeth/Goddard Oval access through the Concord Giants;

Support and mentoring of coaches, including AFL and club-funded support mechanisms and an active Expression of Interest (EOI) process for Coaches/Managers and Operations Committee;

Improved transition of 2015 Under 11 players to Under 12 Canada Bay Cannons players in 2016 through appointment of Mike Andrews as the Under 12 Age Co-ordinator;

Strong retention of players, “mate gets mate” recruitment of new players and potential partnership with local clubs with older age players and senior pathways;

Early engagement of parents with social functions and AFL experiences in addition to player fun and game attendance;

Robust leadership and governance including our board and operations committee with strong emphasis on training and game day execution.

THANK YOUWe thank everyone for their contribution to a great year for the club in 2015.

Providing great opportunities for players, parents, volunteers and sponsors has been at the core for all of us.

And ensuring sustainable growth and strong performance in Canada Bay Cannons Club Alliance is critical for 2016, 2017 and beyond.


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IT was about participation and development for the U12/2 Cannons in 2015 and the late season match against Ramsgate showed just what this team could do.

Okay, there were a few losses, but we never let our heads down. We kept trying and this is what life is about. As the saying goes: “It’s not how many times you get knocked down that count, it’s how many times you get back up”.

To its credit, the team showed this. What they didn’t get on the scoreboard, they made up for in sheer passion and perseverance. The players gave it their all – week in, week out – improving with every game. As coaches, we could not be prouder.

Thank you to all our parents who were such great volunteers for team duties… you know who you are! It’s a group effort that keeps the club alive.Joshua Arnolda: A classy player who showed a steely focus throughout the season.

Daniel Feneley: With a determination and a leap that Nic Naitanui would be proud of, Dan showed his class and willingness to work hard for the team.

Jeremy Fallon: Started the season slowly, but this boy is fast. Once we realised that he loved the challenge of playing on the best opposition players, he never looked back.

Louis Pribula: Skilful left footer. Put him somewhere and the ball just comes to him and he does not let it get past.

Cameron McLean: Skilful right footer. On the wing creating space, running through the middle at pace or chasing down an opponent, Cam was one player the opposition wanted to keep away from the ball.

Anton Demark: Classy goal sneak with skills on both feet. Once he learned that standing behind the tallest opponent was not conducive to taking great marks, he created opportunities in the forward line for all.

Gabriella Stanwix: What else can we say other than she repelled more invasions that the great Wall of China? She stopped so many attacks.

Gabriel Willis: Young Gabe became a regular back pocket flanker, showing his developing football brain to out position and out think his taller and stronger opponents.

Patrick Chrystie: Trying to get Pat to play in the backline was the greatest challenge of the year which was generally fair as Pat created so much movement up forward with his power leads and great hands.

Tynon Scroggie: He rucks, he marks everything, he runs, he kicks it a mile. What else can we say about Tynon? This year, he used his skill to create opportunities to involve the rest of the team as well.

Nathan Wrigley: Try to get past him and he rips the ball from your hands and sends it forward. Kick it near him and more often than not, he marks

DIVISION 2

COACHES: Charles Gorman Tim Clark

TEAM MANAGER: Melanie Willis

A season marked by passion, perseverance

TEAM REPORTS CANADA BAY CANNONS

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it and sends it forward. The heart of the backline but occasionally blasted forward to create havoc for our opponents.

Bailey Newham: Big, strong and skilful, he played ruck, halfback and half forward. As the season went on, Bailey showed more of his talent. Can’t wait for next year.

Jack Mayne: As the season developed so did Jack. He started to use his strength and positioned himself to stop the ball, the opposition and even the occasional passing wildebeest.

Luca Mulcahy: If anyone illustrated the development the team seeks, it was Luca. As the season progressed, so did Luca’s kicking; as the season went on, fewer balls got past him.

Against Ramsgate, Luca stopped at least four goals.

Rory Eggleton: Wanted to play rugby but taught us all a little about playing strong, tough footy. There’s no player a team would rather have in the middle of a pack than Rory.

Magnus Wood: Committed. Focused. This quiet achiever showed us the value of persistence. Kept trying and by the end of the season, he’d developed into a key support.

Tom Connell: Tough, focused and committed. Feared by the opposition, loved by his team. Send him forward for a goal or back to plug a hole.

Pat Van Der Wel: ‘Don’t get Pat mad’ is a lesson some opposition teams learned. Once the fuse was lit, Pat’s speed and

determination showed, something we hope returns next year.

William Gorman: The tackling machine, the goal sneak, the spirit of the team. Down forward for a goal or in the centre to stop the opposition run. Dogged persistence showed the team how it was done.

Harrison Dunlop: New to the game he may have been, and game he certainly was. May have started off looking to pass the ball backwards but by the end of the season his kicks forward helped us score. Put Harry up to chase down an opposition player and we were sure to help balance a game in our favour.

Jake Keogh: The smiling assassin. Always happy and ready to get amongst it. A couple of rugby passes early in the season were soon replaced with kicks and hand-passes. His improvement over the season was inspiring.

Alexander Judge: While he may have learnt his skills with a round ball, the odd bounce of the oval ball didn’t slow him down at all. Sweeping wide and creating space with his speed, Alex played AFL midfield to a T.

“IT’S NOT HOW MANY TIMES YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN THAT COUNT, IT’S HOW MANY TIMES YOU GET BACK UP.”


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“OUR coaches still tell us how important it is to have every contest,” were the words of GWS Giant Nathan Wilson during pre-season training and this became the theme for the Under 13 Division team in 2015.

During the season, the boys did their best to create contests and all the teams in the competition knew that when they played the Cannons, they were in for a tough game.

With a team that regularly included six or more boys who were under 12 players, we were almost always physically outsized and often outnumbered by our opponents. But this didn’t stop the boys competing fiercely for the ball.

At the end of the season, the Under 13 Division 3 boys had won three of their 14 games, lost two narrowly after having had more shots at goal and lost another three after being within two goals at three-quarter time.

“While we were competitive in most matches and we were not always rewarded on the scoreboard, I was thrilled to see the development of the boys’ skills and the spirit with which they played each week,” said Coach Nick Angelos.

Team manager Paul Sabine, agreed,

adding that “the team bonded really well during the season and it was really pleasing to see them enjoy both the football and each other’s company”.

Regular runner for the team, Manfred Robitschko said that he thought “the season ended just that little bit too early. In the last few weeks the boys were starting to peak.”

There were lots of highlights during the season, but the thing that impressed the coach most was the willingness of the boys to make contests and create opportunities.

“Looking back, I can remember lots of passages of play that started with one boy who was willing to take on an opponent. In some instances, I think the boys surprised themselves with what they were capable of on a football field.”

“Some moments do stand out, like Nick Sabine saving a goal at one end of Trumper Park before we moved the ball ‘coast-to-coast’ for a goal, Jordan Mastrogiannis’ solo efforts slotting three goals at Olds Park and the ferocious tackling of Riley Nelson against Heathcote.”

“Boys like Jake Williams, Oscar Van Hal and Nick Sabine developed their

A reputation for taking on every contestDIVISION 3

COACH: Nick Angelos

TEAM MANAGER: Paul Sabine

13TEAM REPORTS CANADA BAY CANNONS

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football skills and formed the basis of our ever-reliable defence, supported by Ben Chamberlain and Jacob Eller.”

“The midfield – Gabe Preston, Sebastian Robitschko, Riley Nelson, Damo Sullivan, Martti Zenos and Oscar Bowhill-Hayes – developed their hardness at the ball and showed they were capable of working with Jordan to win the majority centre clearances. Thomas Moussa made the wing his own and he was rewarded in the last game of the year with an intercept mark and spectacular goal from the boundary line.”

“Our forward line of Hugh McMahon, who proved to be a real warrior riding several heavy hits during the season, Maxim Angelos, Rohan Maurer and Liam Loughrey all made the most of their chances in front of goal. They also seemed to relish the opportunities on the ball or in the back line,” Angelos said.

“One boy who played some fantastic football in the second half of the season was full forward Edward Ford. After we lost Zayn Melhem because of injury we looked to Ed to help out in the ruck, but he also showed his versatility by holding up key defensive positions as well.”

During the season the team lost a few players due to injury with Damian Sullivan and Zayn Melhem both missing at least six matches. Support came from Under 13 Division 2 and U12 boys, who doubled up occasionally.

“I would like to thank Dave Sullivan who coached the team for the first few matches, Paul Sabine who was a fantastic team manager and all our willing parents. I would especially like to acknowledge the efforts of Marjo Punto for ensuring the Cannons had the cleanest jerseys in the competition,” Angelos said.

Go Cannons!

“…THE SEASON ENDED JUST THAT LITTLE BIT TOO EARLY. IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE BOYS WERE STARTING TO PEAK.”


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FOOTBALL can be a roller-coaster. Promise can turn to disappointment and when all odds are against you, the unexpected can happen to send dreams into orbit.

The Canada Bay Cannons U13s had a sluggish start to the season as they matched up against bigger, stronger opponents. And with so many new players to the club, it took half a dozen games and a few disappointments before they truly gelled as a unit.

From the half-way point of the season the Cannons’ U13 Division 2 team became unstoppable, winning their final six games straight to storm into the finals.

Their belief in each other became their trademark. But they backed this up with undeniable football skill to stamped their authority on the competition and become contenders.

Head coach Dean Lee said while there was always luck in football, his team had the heart to win the contests that mattered.

“They have skill, they have size and they have talent. But what the back half of the season gave them was confidence,” Lee said. They became very good at backing themselves when the chips were down. If an opponent got on top them, our boys just dug deep, they did the job and found a way to win.”

The Cannons became used to playing

under pressure. Every match of the season’s second half was a “grand final”, a must-win to stay in the race.

As every match passed, their confidence grew and they reached the elimination semi-final against Western Suburbs. Sadly, with key players out, the Cannons were seemingly spent and though they fought gallantly, they were unable to progress further in the finals.

The season at an end, the post-match meeting was nonetheless upbeat. Proud of their achievements, the Under 13/2 Cannons took a lot from the experience and vowed to return in 2016 to go even further.

With that promise, the coaches reflect on the season and run their ruler over the 2015 playing roster:

Aiden Bell: Fast, strong and athletic. An excellent midfielder who troubled a lot of opposition players. Hard to beat to the ball.

Joshua Billingham: A great option on the wing. Good attack on the ball and nice natural skills to back it up. Player to watch.

Oscar Bowhill-Hayes: Tough and determined defender not afraid to take a bump or give one off when needed. Played a very good season.

Jack Carroll: Strong player who uses his body well to get to the ground balls. Reliable defender but also good on the half forward line.

Jack Croll: Size doesn’t matter. Not the biggest player but plenty of courage. Backs it all up with good skills too. Good kick and good ability in tight contests.

Cassidy Cummins: Tall forward blessed with sized and good natural skill. Able to move into the ruck where he performed well.

Joel Ditcham: One of the most skilful players on the team. Gave us the X-Factor with his precision kicking and skilled handball disposals.

Jaden Fuata: A go-getter, Jaden brought a lot to this team. A genuine utility player with excellent ability.

Will Gibbs: Livewire utility player. Great in the centre but a real surprise packet

Season built on self-belief

DIVISION 213HEAD COACH: Dean Lee

ASSISTANT COACH: Tony Gillies

TEAM MANAGER: Mark Watmore


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in the forward line. Elusive and skilful, a great goal-sneak. Led the forward line.

Gus Gillies: Rugged defender, a backline leader. Plays his best during tight contests for the loose ball. Looking for a big 2016 as he develops his kicking strength.

Sam Gregoric: The Cannon Under 13s biggest player. An imposing forward with formidable natural ability. Injury free, Sam can be unstoppable.

Jack Hauschild: The heart and soul of the team. A natural leader who trains hard and plays his game hard. Backs all of this up with great skill – strong kick and mark.

Ethan Jamieson: We all became fans of Ethan’s work ethic and courage. Could put him anywhere on the field and even filled in well when called on to ruck.

Bodey Lambert: Fast, excellent reader of play. Key midfielder and small forward. A real asset for the team.

Joshua Lee: The skipper who lets his skills do the talking. Hard worker with a strong kick and good vision. A real “go-to” player.

George Maniakas: A first year player but the real surprise packet of the season. A strong forward who never gives in. Great reader of play who bags a lot of goals.

Mathew Maronese: The mainstay of the Cannons’ defensive line. Held tight and saved plenty of goals and turned defence into attack on many occasions.

Finn Murphy: A very exciting player. The fastest man on the team with great

athletic ability. Cannons were at their best with Finn sprinting down the flank in an attacking raid.

Michael Tannous: The smallest player on the team... but also one of the toughest. Also possesses the best sidestep we’ve ever seen.

Jonathan Titmarsh: Really developed well as a strong forward as the season progressed. Good tall target with so much promise.

Michael Tomarchio: Gritty but skilful defender who is equally adept as a midfielder. Plenty of talent and bulk to trouble plenty of defenders.

Ethan Watmore: Awesome athlete. Great size and ability and a key player. In the midfield or ruck he really controlled things but highly dependable defender when it counts.

“WE NOW HAVE SELF-BELIEF. PLAYERS GREW TO TRUST AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND IN THE END MOMENTUM WAS ON OUR SIDE.”


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A GROUP of still very inexperienced young men returned in 2015 combined with a couple of boys returning from other sports and who were playing the game for the first time to form a core group of 12–14 players that was to become the U14 Division 3 side.

Knowing that numbers were going to be tight each week, a plan was developed which incorporated U14 Division 1 and U13 players to underpin the Division 3 side to ensure that a team was fielded each week.

The side did not have a permanent coach and relied on the assistance of Andrew Hamilton and Adam Newport (2014 Division 3 coach) to guide the team through the season.

Being competitive and aspiring to play finals football was not the goal at the beginning of the season. Rather it was as basic as providing an opportunity for boys to play and keep playing the game that we all love.

No one could have predicted the highs that this team achieved nor their foray into finals contention with four games remaining in the season. While

the eventual outcome was that the team was not able to maintain its mid-season form and hold its position in fourth place, Coach Hamilton said he was “immensely proud – and the boys should be too – of their achievement to combine as a team and achieve the success that they did”.

“We witnessed a step up in the physicality of the contest with a number of boys experiencing broken arms and fingers. What started as a patchwork team provided so many individual and team highlights during the season,” he said.

Ben Wrigley’s four goals from centre halfback against top of the table Westbrook;

Jakob O’Loughlin’s three kicks and three goals against Easts in a well beaten side; Jackson Bursill’s three goals against Hornsby in the team’s first win of the season; Tom Keogh’s bustling defensive work against often much taller opponents; Bryson Hart’s stirring quarter break encouragement;

Luke Walton’s tackle and awarding of

The unexpected giant killers

DIVISION 314COACH: Andrew Hamilton

TEAM MANAGER: Sid Hewgill


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holding the ball against a much bigger opponent against Westbrook;

Ben Wrigley’s aggressive runs through the middle of the ground and long kicking; and

Hayden Bui’s dive across in front of his opponent to spoil against Easts in the last quarter.

From a team perspective, Hamilton lists the following highlights:

Winning of the last quarter against Easts when they were well beaten and clearly down on confidence; Foray into finals contention with four games to go;

Comprehensive win against second placed Forest after they beat us by 100 points in round 1; and finally and most importantly

Come from behind win against the unbeaten and top side Westbrook in what was one of the most physical and intimidating games of youth football witnessed for many years.

The team would not have walked across the white line each week without the considerable support of a number of key volunteers. Thanks are extended to the Team Manager Sid Hewgill for his tireless pursuit of players

and communication with parents each week and for fulfilling the responsibilities of Team Manager. To Garry Philips (U14 Division 1 coach) and Dean Lee (U13 Division 2 coach) for their co-ordinated efforts each week to enable players to back-up and underpin the side and to Adam Newport for stepping in to coach the team when I was not available.

Thanks are extended to the U13 Division 2 players in particular Jack Hauschild, Josh Lee and Joel Ditcham and all other U13 Division 2 and 3 players and to the U14 Division 1 players who backed up week in and week out to play for the team.

Lastly, thanks to the mums and dads for entrusting us with your boys and to the parents of the boys who backed up each week to ensure that the team had sufficient players.

“NO ONE COULD HAVE PREDICTED THE HIGHS THAT THIS TEAM ACHIEVED NOR THEIR FORAY INTO FINALS CONTENTION WITH FOUR GAMES REMAINING IN THE SEASON.”


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COACHES: Garry Phillips, Vaughan Paul

TEAM MANAGER: Dani Corliss

“GOOD TEAM WORK, SKILFUL BALL WINNING AND DISPOSAL, SWITCHING THE PLAY AND A COMMITMENT TO BEST EFFORTS HAVE… CHARACTERISED THE TEAM’S PLAY.”

WELL played team. Falling short in the grand final was

not the ending we would have liked, but hold your heads high, Cannons. It was a magnificent season nevertheless so let’s reflect on the journey.

The team ventured to Canberra in the pre-season for some fun, team bonding, War Memorial tour and Giants game; somewhere in the middle of which two games of footy broke-out. Early signs were pleasing with the Cannons playing good team footy and dusting off their opponents. Jackson Hering an early stand-

out with his marking and left foot passing. Thanks to Noel Ford, Greg Baxter and Adrian Walton for their efforts in making it a great trip.

The season started with a fine win against the tall timber of St Ives, followed by a courageous last quarter comeback win against Manly, a disappointing loss to Mossman Willoughby, then a string of victories… and “whooshka” top of the ladder!

But it was a Friday night win at Drummoyne Oval against traditional rivals East Sydney that ignited the season.

Courageous Cannons had us cheering

DIVISION 114TEAM REPORTS CANADA BAY CANNONS

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Despite having some serious talent (four players) on the sidelines due to injury, the team stormed to a magnificent six goal win. A truly impressive team performance in which Jimmy Loughnan and Angus McNamara (the team Captains) and Tom Baxter showed terrific leadership, skill and muscle, Jordan Hill turned on the jets and Brendan Ford (seven goals) and Ely Corliss (three goals) provided the sharp shooting. A stirring rendition of the club song followed.

Thereafter, the team welcomed back the hard running and skilful Luke Gallen, Blaise McKee, Fraser Phillips and Ryan Shirlaw. Good team work, skilful ball winning and disposal, switching the play and a commitment to best efforts have

subsequently characterised the team’s play...along with Ben Wrigley’s inspirational dashes from half-back, Josh Paul’s hard running (even after the City to Surf) and Bodey Lambert’s on-field commentary (often when in possession). Yes, we do things a bit differently at the Cannons, except when it comes to Christian names…we have a fleet of very capable Joshuas.

It has been a pleasure welcoming Tom Baxter, Aaron Hawkes and Jordan Hill to the Cannons this season. They’ve excelled and complement a core group that has been together since Auskick.

Consecutive losses to finish the home and away fixture saw the boys slip to second place at the end of the minor

round. While not an ideal lead in to finals, no-one was about to panic and the real Cannons turned up in the semi-final after a call to arms from our spiritual leader Dani (and brilliant Team Manager). It was a courageous, come from behind semi-final victory against East Sydney that saw the boys become the first Cannons teams to make a Grand Final.

After a week’s break, the Cannons lined up against Easts, who had the second chance and this time it was Easts turn to take victory. While obviously disappointed, the boys can be proud of their performance this season – the Club certainly is.

U14 Division 1 team – a great group of boys and parents.


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Canada Bay Cannons 2015

Documents

Canada Bay Cannons Youth AFL Yearbook 2015