2003 Kurt Harnett

2002, 2004, 2005 Brett WIlson

2005 Kade Munday

2006 Mathew Smith

2007 Who will it be???

 

Robert Gilligan

Mathew Smith

Nick McKenna

At the midway mark of the season the ladder would suggest that our team is competitive at times, but maybe unable to defeat teams in the top bracket of the competition. Results are hard to ignore and excuses rarely carry any weight, especially with the opposition.

To put into context exactly where I see our teams are positioned at this point in time, ignoring the scoreboard and looking at a different angle to judge our performance leads to a genuine sense of optimism for the second half of the year heading into the Finals.

Firstly I strongly believe that we have a terrific group of talented footballers representing the club more than capable of being effective senior players.

So far this year we have played 41 players in the Senior team, far too many in terms of developing consistency and understanding within the team, however fantastic for giving guys a taste that hopefully reinforces their desire and resolve to be playing at 2.00 pm rather than earlier in the day.

Unfortunately when promoting players into the Seniors we have often found that not many, at times none have filtered back into the Reserve and Third grade teams due to being either injured or unavailable which has severely tested our depth across the board. Given a change in this pattern and with most players being available for selection I believe our confidence will grow and hopefully our results may reflect that.

Our priority as a group is that by the end of this season every player can honestly say that they have individually had pride in both their performance as a footballer and as a person that has adhered to standards, namely turning up to training and attending social functions that all add up to an environment with a solid foundation to facilitate development and on field success. This is our absolute key for continued ongoing improvement. Every player needs to have a look in the mirror and decide if they are doing this or not, we do have an element not sharing the load at this stage but overall most need to be complimented. On paper, if we can select our best groups in all grades we will be very hard to beat and some exciting footy should be displayed by the boys, however if we can honestly say we have put in and done the preparation as should be expected, walk off the ground with our heads up and sore due to our effort, that is what I am looking for as coach.

Being new to the club and having had time to witness everyone first hand and assess the environment I am very pleased to say that the future looks bright on all levels. On the back of winning 5 premierships the club has now gone past that era and it is important that everyone understands this, especially the players. That was a great piece of history for all to enjoy, now the challenge lies in the hands of new players that need to step up and make a name for themselves. Munday, The Strettons, Archer, Riley, Gounas, Smith and Davis have given us a base to work with and are proven. Time now for the others to stamp themselves and if we can, what a great ride this second half will be.

Finally to Shane Walker and the board, you guys have been a soft target for going on two years now, your direction is clear and leadership is strong. The vision for the future sustainability of the club has been the priority, as has the efforts surrounding junior development within the community. As leaders you have planned for the future as should be the case and are a pleasure to work with. The one thing that stands out to me at the club is that the administration, volunteers, trainers, China and Xavier with the seconds and thirds, Darren with the U/17's and supporters all seem to want the players to have a great football life and are there to help them achieve that.

Lets stick together, remain positive and enjoy the boys efforts to earn a spot to play finals footy.

Kind Regards

Rod Keogh

 

As this is the first newsletter for the 2007 season I would like to congratulate our club coaches Rod Keogh, Lawrence McCall, Xavier Williams and Daryn Weller for the wonderful job they are doing. On speaking with the coaches they are very pleased with the efforts of the players and believe with the development of some of the younger players in our club we are going to have some exiting times over the next few years.

I would like to make special mention to all the clubs new and existing sponsors.Our sponsor numbers and dollars have increased this year and I thank you all for your support. Sponsors are the lifeblood of most clubs and organisations and the Burnie Dockers appreciate your support and vote of confidence.

Once again we have had a number of volunteers offer their support this year, to each and every one of you thanks for your efforts, you are very much appreciated.

The early part of the season has seen the club continue to support local schools within our community.
In March, Fremantle Football Club Community Development Manager David Crute visited our club. As part of ours clubs partnership with Fremantle we were able to donate 6 sets of new jumpers to primary schools within our community. These jumpers were presented at our season's launch. The Dockers Cup for primary schools kicked of in April.

As most would be aware our Under 17 team is off to Perth in July to play the curtain raiser to the Fremantle / Kangaroos game and fundraising is well under way for this trip. The Fremantle Football Club has put together a wonderful itinerary for the group. Judith and Daryn Weller and their support group are to be congratulated for their support this year.

Judith has been very busy supplying player's teas and counter meals over the last month, in addition to other fundraising activities within the club.

The club has been able to supply two sets of jumpers to the Burnie High School, this has been very well received and the boys look great running around on Saturday mornings in the Dockers colours.

Some of you may be aware that Kurt Young has been appointed as part time General Manager, Kurt will be working 15 hours a week at the club. I wish him every success.

The Board continues to work with members of Burnie Sports & Events to reach a suitable outcome for the Burnie Football Club. Over the last few months the Board has initiated three meetings for members & supporters. The Board will continue to keep you updated.

Good luck for the rest of the season.

Shane Walker

In the days leading up to my visit to Fremantle I was contacted by three mainland newspapers wanting my thoughts on Premier Paul Lennon's comments about him not wanting the Fremantle Football Club playing games in Tasmania. Fremantle CEO Cameron Schwab was very upset about these comments and asked the Burnie Football Club to make people aware of the support our club was receiving and in particular the local community, which we did.

I was very pleased to be able to represent the club along with fellow Board members Jamie Boag & Claye Young. Having arrived in Perth at 1am on Friday morning it was straight to the motel for a few hours sleep before day long meetings with the Fremantle management including Cameron Schwab. Our meetings were very fruitful and not only has it strengthened our relationship with the FFC it will give the BFC the tools to enhance and strengthen it's ties with the local community and business sector.

There may be people in our community and around our club that believe the FFC support stops at jumpers for our teams. It has been much more than that this year and will be much more in the years to come. The FFC now have three aligned clubs in Australia the Balmain Dockers in NSW, Templestowe Dockers in Vic and ourselves. The FFC has made it quite clear that they are seeking a partnership in each Australian state. They have also made it very clear that they have expectations from all aligned partnerships and in our case the BFC will be required to supply information moving forward that demonstrates our club's support in a number of key areas. From our meetings I have been able to secure FFC support in the areas of sponsorship, marketing and promotion to name just a few, and this will strengthen the BFC standing in this community. I will be able to expand further on some of these areas in the weeks to come and will give a full presentation at our Annual Dinner.

On Saturday our group was given an opportunity to get up close with the players at training and was shown through the clubs facilities at Subiaco. Coach Chris Connolly made us feel very welcome and spoke of the brief time he spent with us before the Launceston game earlier this year. That afternoon we were guests of the Claremont Football Club at an official luncheon before their clash with East Fremantle. A number of Claremont's initiatives were warmly embraced by us and some of these will be implemented at the BFC.

On Sunday we were off to Subiaco Oval for the clash between Fremantle and Melbourne. We were very fortunate to be guests of the FFC at the official luncheon hosted by Cameron Schwab. Over 250 prominent guests heard Cameron speak warmly about the relationship between the BFC & FFC and I am very pleased to be able to include part of Cameron's address to the gathering in this newsletter. I would like to thank him for this gesture.

As a copy of this newsletter goes to the FFC I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cameron for the invitation to visit the club and the management group, particularly David Crute, for their time considering how busy they all were preparing for the game on Sunday. The BFC warmly embraces your support and believes our alignment will go from strength to strength over the years to come. I have asked my Board to implement measures were future Board's are committed to enhancing our relationship.

In news on our GM position, two interviews were conducted whist we were in Perth. Interviews are continuing. Although John's wife is ill he has indicated he is happy to remain on until a suitable replacement is found.

In closing we have had a number of players reach milestones recently:

Kurt Harnett 200 games and automatic Life Membership - Congratulations Kurt on your life membership it is very well deserved.

Brad Davis 150, Craig Stretton 100, Kade Munday 100 and Nathan Riley 50 - congratulations to you all.

SHANE WALKER

In what was going to be the rematch of the season, a match where not only players but officials and supporters reputations were on the line the Dockers meet Penguin at Penguin on Saturday.

The Dockers were pumped, wanting to turn around the 80 point thumping at West Park 12 weeks ago. But it was penguin that drew first blood kicking 7 straight goals in the first quarter to the Dockers 2 (even though Burnie scored the first goal). Five minutes into the second quarter and it looked to be another 80 point thrashing as Penguin kicked the first 2 goals and were leading by 43 points.

Then the Dockers finally woke up. That and a couple of great positional changes (Clinton Stretton moved back on Joey Cotton and young gun Nick McKenna moved up forward) saw the Dockers bang on the next 9 goals for the quarter and went into half time 3 points down. McKenna did most of the damage up forward kicking 3 for the quarter.

The Dockers then started to dictate the game in the 3 rd quarter kicking 4 goals 5 points to Penguins 2 goals 3 points and was winning major possessions all over the ground and going in to the last change 11 points in front.

The last quarter was a brilliant one (from both sides), with attacking football, hard contests and 13 goals being scored in total. It was the Dockers however that caused the most damage on the scoreboard (led by Matthew Wooldridge marking everything and kicking 3 very important goals) kicking 7 goals to Penguins 5. The end result was Burnie by 21 points.

It was a great day for the club winning all three grades and a day that silenced a lot of critics.

Highlight: Dare I say it; Matthew Wooldridge took yet another hanger just 5 minutes into the game.

Also the determination of all players to come back from 43 points down and to win in the style they did was just brilliant.

The Dockers won there second hard fought victory in the last two matches by beating Wynyard by 10 points at West Park on Saturday. In what was a very cold and windy day the Dockers started slow allowing Wynyard to hold them to 2 goals kicking into an 8 goal breeze.

The Dockers turned it around for the better part of the second quarter holding Wynyard until a couple of late goals saw Wynyard go into half time leading by 4 points (33 to 37). The Dockers came out firing after a stern half time address from Brad Davis. Unfortunately they weren't able to convert there intensity on the scoreboard kicking 2 goals 6 points to nothing, had the Dockers converted better during the second and third quarters (where they kicked 4 goals 10 points) they game may have been over much sooner.

But it again was up to the Dockers to fight it out against the howling breeze and a very determined Wynyard side. To the Dockers credit they again played an inspiring last quarter and came out winning by 10 points.

The game was also marked by the milestone of Kurt Harnett's 200 th game, Kurt has been a great player and captain for the club leading the Dockers to 3 of the 5 premierships and winning the west park medal in 2003.

Highlight: Matthew Wooldridge rising above the pack yet again to take another screamer, his third the year against Wynyard and about the sixth for the season, brilliant to watch!!!

Burnie scored it's 4th win of the season by beating East Devonport at at East on Saturday. In what was a good day for the club (getting wins in both the Seniors and Reserves also) the Dockers started off well going into half time with a 37 point lead and were all over there East Devonport counterparts.

But just when it looked like it could turn into a 100 point thrashing, East finally woke up. The 2nd half was a much closer contest and although East out scored the Dockers in the 2nd half Burnie held on by 17 points.

Burnie was served by James Dawson, Matthew Wolldridge and Brent Archer and Matthew Smith who finished with 4 and 3 goals. Youngsters James Lovell and Max Fisher also had serviceable games and are growing with confidence and experience each week.

Highlight: James Dawson winning a 1 on 4 contest by giving a 2nd, then 3rd, then 4th effort early in the last quarter when the game was in the balance. the effort seemed to lift his Docker teammates who in turn scored 2 vital goals over the next 5 minutes.

Highlight: The effort from the Reserves earlier in the day to get their first win for the season, it was a credit to how they played and how they continually battle the odds of numbers and injuries week in and week out. the club is very proud of each and every one of them!!!

Burnie chalked up its 3rd win for the season and 2 nd in a row after beating South Launceston convincingly by 65 points at west park on Saturday. Burnie lead from the start kicking with a strong breeze and piling on 10 goals 5 points to 1 goal 1 point in the first quarter.

South made a slight comeback in the second quarter reducing the margin to 25 points at half time. The dockers again kicked away in the third kicking 3 goals 9 points to 1 goal and went into the last change 46 points in front with the task of holding South which had a still strong breeze behind them for the last quarter.

But it was in the last quarter that Burnie really stamped it's authority on the game out scoring the bulldogs 9 goals 4 points to 5 goals 2 points and ran out winners by 65 points.

Matthew Smith, Jason Howard and Luke Shackelton were dominant in the midfield and were all high possession winners. Adam Leatherbarrow and Brent Archer were lively up forward kicking 4 and 3 goals respectively, Ben fisher was ever strong in defense and young gun Tom Hislop was also very good particularly early when the game was there to be won.

The dockers will now travel to Ulverstone in what should be a tough encounter against the 3 rd placed robins.

Burnie won its second game for the season on Saturday by defeating the Northern Bombers in a hard fought slog at a cold and dingy west park.
In what was a close tussle all game the Dockers went into the final change 20 points in front but was kicking against a good 4 or 5 goal breeze and it was still anyone's game.

But it was the Dockers determination that got them over the line, winning by 3 points.
Former premiership captain Kurt Harnett Played his first game for 2006 and added some much needed experience to the side. Jason Howard Matthew Smith and Kade Munday all worked hard in the midfield and Coach Brad Davis hardly lost a tap all day.

The Stretton boys again showed why they are considered 2 of the best back men in the competition in what was there best game for the 2006 season.
Hopefully the Dockers have now turned the corner and should be a really strong chance to record another win against South Launceston at West Park this week.

Highlight: The fighting spirit of the Dockers (which had been missing a bit up until recent weeks) and the dominant display from the more experienced senior players including Brad Davis, The Stretton's, Matthew Wooldridge and Kurt Harnett (they led the way for the younger players).

Burnie posted its first win for the 2006 season by defeating Wynyard by 42 points at Wynyard on the weekend. The Dockers played a more physical and better running game than there Wynyard counterparts and dominated most of the game.

Kade Munday, Matthew Smith, Kurt Young and Matthew Smart were instrumental in the midfield dominating at most stoppages and winning many hard contested possessions. Nick McKenna was also great on the wing and Matthew Wooldridge and James Dawson strong in the back line. Brent Archer also showed why he got the nickname "the Vice" by marking everything that came his way.

It was good to see the Dockers finally playing to there potential and it should be a real confidence booster for the young side.

Highlight: The Dockers hardness at the football and the 3 spectacular marks by Matthew Wooldridge (all three could be a chance for mark of the year).

After another disappointing loss on saturday at the hands of Latrobe the Dockers a now regrouping, training harder and determined to turn there bad start to the season around.

Burnie has not been in a situation like this since joining the NTFL back in 2001 but is it all bad? No and far from it.

there have been many positives that have come out of the last two weeks, especially round one against Devonport where for a good part of the game the dockers showed they could match it with this years flag favorites. another positive has been the amount of younger players at the club who with the right guidance should keep the club strong for future years. Due to injury and lack of more mature players the Dockers last week looked more like an under 21's side with only 5 players from last years grand final winning side playing.

The younger boys that have stepped up should be commended for there efforts not only in the seniors but in the reserves and in the under 19's also.

The dockers will get better every week and supporters should look forward to seeing the best of the dockers in the second half of the season.

On tuesday night the Burnie Dockers held their annual sponsors night, this was a night where all sponsors got an official thank you from the Burnie Football Club. The night was started with special quest David Parkin taking a sharp 40 minute training session which was a great experience for all the players. Then it was over to the clubrooms where over 200 people enjoyed a lovely meal and all sponsors were given a Burnie Dockers pack (including 2006 Poster, Dockers bag, Home Game Pass, Stickers, etc) and was officially recognized and thanked. Everybody was then entertained by guest speaker David Parkin which capped off a very enjoyable and successful night for players and sponsors alike. The Burnie Football Club would again like to thank all who attended.