TATHRA SEA EAGLES 2017 REVIEW
Tathra Sea Eagles FC
It was a year of growth for the Sea Eagles with the club adding a junior side for the first time since 2013 with an under 11’s side. With works being done to the amenities at Lawrence Park, a strong auskick center, solid senior sides and a women’s side which has gone back-to-back minor premiers, 2018 looks like it will be another big season for the Sea Eagle’s faithful.
Seniors
2017 Prediction: Runners Up
2017 Finish: 3rd
Review: The 2017 season petered out for the Sea Eagles in this year’s preliminary final against Pambula where Tathra were soundly beaten by the 2017 premiers. It was tough going for the Sea Eagles in the finals with key forward Dean Gartside struggling through the two matches with his ailing shoulders whilst club best and fairest Louis Coulton was hurt early in the preliminary final limiting his impact on the match. Some of the highlights of the season for the Sea Eagles was the teams round 2 win at home against Pambula in a 23 point win and claiming a six point win against the Breakers in what was one of the matches of the season in their semi-final. Tathra worked their way back from as many as 30 points down in the third quarter to claim the thriller. Along with solid seasons from Coulton (49 goals) and Gartside (68 goals) the Sea Eagles got solid seasons from familiar faces in Chris Dwyer, Luke Taylor, Richard Spink and Troy O’Loghlin (46 goals) who all rotated through the middle. Danyon Pilbeam was one of the big surprises of the season for the Sea Eagles with the 17-year-old playing a key role for the club down back often taking the oppositions best forward.
Key Player: Louis Coulton, it is hard to go past Coulton who claimed the clubs best and fairest in 2017. Coulton looked the clubs most dangerous player week in and week out playing off the half forward line or on the win. With his ability to run all day and out leap his opposition, Coulton dominated for 49 goals for the season.
Women’s
2017 Prediction: Premiers
2017 Finish: Runners Up
Review: The Sea Eagles will be bitterly disappointed with how the 2017 season finished with the club falling to Eden in the grand final. The Sea Eagles are starting to amass a record of 0-2 in grand finals which the side will not be happy with considering the Sea Eagles went into their two grand finals as favourites, and were strong favourites in 2017 after defeating the Eden Whalers in the major semi-final by 106 points. Tathra’s only blemish in the regular season was a loss to the Whalers in round 1 before the minor premiers reeled off 13 straight wins in the regular season with solid wins against top four opposition Eden, Pambula and Narooma, whilst the side took care of business against the bottom four sides with convincing wins against Bega, Bermagui and Merimbula whilst winning a tight battle against the Giants. With the Sea Eagles without the services of 2016’s star players Tyjanna Blacka and Lindsay McLeod in 2017, the Sea Eagles were able to fill the void with the recruitment of new star players in Samantha Crowley who kicked 29 goals for the season and Brea Williams whilst the continual growth and improvement of key players Elouise Sherwin-Russell and Cymmon Parker among others helped to fill the void.
Key Player: Tarni Evans, Evans missed a couple of games in the 2017 and for a worthy cause. Evans was in WA with the NSW under 15 school girls team playing in the national championships. One of the best prospects in the state, Evans was a key contributor for the Sea Eagles in the ruck and was severely missed in the grand final, out with an ankle injury.
Development
2017 Prediction: Runners Up
2017 Finish: 3rd
Review: The Tathra development side saw several changes in 2017 after claiming the premiership in 2016. The Sea Eagles went 6-6 in 2017 finishing 3rd with Tathra defeating Broulee/Moruya in the minor semi-final in an entertaining match before falling to finalists Narooma by 27 points in what was a ripping contest for three quarters before Narooma outscored Tathra 25-0 in the final quarter. The Sea Eagles got solid contributions from Ben Parker, Michael Parker, Kiah Beruldsen and Matthew Langley while Craig Matthews was the key guy in the Sea Eagles push at making the 2017 grand final.
Key Player: Wayne Flinn, the Sea Eagles had a number of players that could have been named here although we have chosen Flinn for his solid ruck work for the Sea Eagles in season 2017. Flinn was crucial in the middle for Tathra providing his midfielders with first use of the ball.
Under 11’s
2017 Prediction: 8th
2017 Finish: 8th
Review: 2017 saw the Sea Eagles first junior side since 2013 and the young Sea Eagles improved each week. Although Tathra finished as wooden spooners the side was able to pick up a win defeating Eden in Round 9. The round 9, 19-point win was the Sea Eagles highlight of the season while the teams last round 5 point loss to premiers Bermagui will give Tathra confidence going into 2018. With several of the Sea Eagles playing competitively for the first time, Tathra received solid contributions from the likes of Toby Parker, Lochie Ellard, Liam Chandler and Jardy Palmer. Jardy Palmer led the way with 11 goals for the season whilst the trio of Cook’s in Cleo, Flynn and Indiana were key additions to the Sea Eagles line-up midway through the season providing the club some additional fire power. With a number of players to remain in the under 11’s look for the Sea Eagles to improve on their 2017 season and challenge for a top 4 position in 2018.
Key Player: Tom Barnes, Barnes was named the Sea Eagles club best and fairest in 2017 playing a starring role in 10 of Tathra’s 2017 matches. Playing in the ruck and in midfield, Barnes impacted the contest at every opportunity.
