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Footy 201

News

Tigers Win at Nationals
The USAFL National Championships weekend was a fantastic carnival filled with good footy action, food, and excitement. The NC Tigers hopes were high after coming off a long and competitive home-and-away season. This year's side many considered the fittest, strongest and most disciplined squad in Tigers history. Placed in Division II, the Tigers were a relative unknown in the field because the majority of teams were coming from other conferences from around the country. This posed a challenge to the Tigers coaching staff, because little was known about each of the Tigers opposition. -> Full Report
Intra-Squad Action - Raleigh NC - A great day of Aussie Rules football took place recently when the NC Tigers held an impressive intra-club game. Over 35 participants enjoyed the fast pace, great skills, and trying conditions (heat) August 18th. The clash was between Black (wearing the traditional Black & Gold jerseys) and White (wearing the new alternate uniform with a White & Gold pattern). -> Game Report
Tigers Tangle with Magpies - North Carolina Tigers hosted the New York Magpies this past Saturday in Raleigh, NC. The Magpies have had the better of the Tigers over the past couple of years, so the club was looking for revenge. The Tigers fielded a strong line up, with a good mixture of experience and youthful exuberance. The New York traveling squad was over 25 strong.
Final score was Tigers 5.11 41 to Magpies 11.8 74. -> Game Report
Tigers return from DC - The Tigers returned from their first EAFL road trip of the 2007 season with the valuable experience of two games under their belt. While losing both games, the first against Baltimore/Washington Eagles, 17.7.(109) to 4.4.(28), and the second to Philadelphia, 11.16.(82) to 4.11.(35), every Tiger player learned what it meant to personally push beyond physical limits and run all day long. This will only make the Tigers stronger as the season unfolds. Full Match Report to come.
East/West All-Star Game - Wes McCallister and Paul Duncan recently participated in the East v West game last Saturday held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the all-star contest, both McCallister and Duncan featured prominently by taking the field and displaying their notable skills. McCallister scored a goal while Duncan got multiple touches to help the East team against their Western foes. -> More
Footy in Local Paper - Footy coverage in the News & Observer





Upcoming Events


Feb. 9th - Kick-a-Round
NC State's Miller Field - 11:00 a.m.
Feb. 16th - Kick-a-Round
NC State's Miller Field - 10:30 a.m.
Feb. 23rd - Kick-a-Round
NC State's Miller Field - 10:30 a.m.
Mar. 1st - First Practice / Try-Outs
NC State's Miller Field - 10:30 a.m.



Coach's Corner

Tigers Coach
Jason Heathcote

Utility PLayers:
Utility players in Aussie Rules football are an essential component for any successful team. Because of the fitness and tremendous skill it takes to play multiple positions during one game, there are few quality 'utilities' playing in the USAFL. Although many players want to be called 'utilities' (and want to play multiple positions) few can lay claim to the necessary skills it takes to be classed as one. A player needs to have the strength and determination to be a strong presence around the ground whilst providing a marking target for their teammates. Coupled with this is the necessary speed and endurance to play on ball and run all day gaining possessions. It stands to reason then that the utility must be able to play on ball, in key goal-to-goal line positions, and even the pockets and flanks. The term utility is a flattering term for an Aussie Rules footballer because it really means they have the ability to play multiple positions as effectively as those who solely focus on the one position. Teams need utilities but every player does not need to be so multi-skilled. We at the Tigers like to have players who specialize in one position and really try and learn everything about that position. The best advice I can give a new footballer is to really understand the game from the perspective of certain positions. Meaning, try to understand the game from a forward line perspective; realizing such things as the best way to score goals and/or when to play offensively as opposed to defensively. Alternatively, a new player can learn a lot from observing the backline and how they stop goals and rebound the ball into the forward line. Trying to stand on the sideline and observe and take in the entire game of Aussie Rules can be very daunting and difficult to accomplish at first. Really learning one position enables a player to dominate their opponent and it also provides greater freedom to do additional things on the field whilst playing in the position effectively. The Tigers happen to have two great utilities this year. -> Continue