Premiers
THE Marble Range Football Club, under back-to-back premiership coach Glyn “zoomer” Owen, will continue their tradition of blooding and introducing their talented group of young players to the league team.
Glyn has been a Marble Range coach for the past six seasons with his astute assistant coach Davin Murphy.
In their six-year period the duo have taken part in six consecutive grand finals.
In 2002/03 they coached the under 14s to both grand finals to win a premiership.
They then took on the coaching role of the B grade to again make the grand finals in 2004/05 to again win another premiership.
Glyn and Davin were then appointed to take on the top mantle of the league team.
In 2006 and 2007 they continued with their success to coach the league team to back-to-back premierships. A remarkable coaching success, in making six grand finals to win four premierships.
Unfortunately this remarkable combination comes to an end this year when Davin Murphy moves back to Elliston to coach the A grade, Elliston’s gain and Port Lincoln’s, and the Rangers’ loss.
Glyn Owen said Davin will be missed and wishes him and his family the best of luck.
Wade Smith has been appointed B grade coach and will assist Owen in all aspects of coaching the seniors.
Leadership group
Glyn Owen said a team meeting will be held on Wednesday night before the Anzac Day clash with Mallee Park, when the leadership group will be elected, with player input.
No doubt the popular Hayden Parker, along with Chris Brooks, Jason O’Brien and Jarrod Doudle look the ideal leaders; all top line players and the ability to lead on and off the field.
Rangers lose six
Glen Schreiber has signed with the Port Adelaide Magpies, and Matt Parker has signed with Eyre United, and left on good terms, extinguishing any rumours of ill feeling.
Dan Keeley, Ben Hurrell and Steven Tokarski have moved on, but there is talk Steven could return during the season.
The good news
Zac Tiller from the Lock club, who is under 18 years, makes up for some of the club’s major losses. Zac plays in the mid-field and has all the skills and his leg speed is well documented.
Colts to seniors
Marble Range keeps on finding gold in the Ranges and they have a group of under 17s and 18s ready to make their presence full time in the league team.
Jake Sampson looks set to play up forward and in the mid-field mix, and put in an outstanding display in the trial against Cougars.
Logan Dennis, Boyd West and Peter Baldock, all back half and on ballers, add much lustre to the new look Rangers.
Landon Gregory will add bite to the forward half and could be marked down as a key forward.
Callum Skinner is all class and supporters can look for this player to give his team plenty of run out of the back half.
Another outstanding performance by 15-year-old Tynan Keeley against Cougars in the trial game at full forward when he kicked three goals.
The above list is just part of the gold strike in the Rangers’ list and they will go a long way to ensure the tradition of giving their young guns a shot in the league team continues.
Players to watch
Carl Semler the forward on roller skates is in one of the top chances to feature in the Mail Medal count, and the harvester of the mid-field Hayden Parker, another Mail Medal chance, will ensure his mate Carl and forwards will get a truckload of the ball.
Players that are ready to make their mark and play important roles are Matt Harradene in the mid-field mix; Adam Vasey, a player that leads in the hard ball contest is worth his weight in gold; Phil Hargans is another tough resolute back half player that’s always their when the chips are down; and the Mr likable of football, Craig Nielsen, a fast leading forward that has a good set of hands, and is a straight shooter when lining up to get the two flags waving.
Glyn Owen said the club is looking forward to a strong challenge from Mallee Park on Anzac Day.
The Anzac Day clash has all the signs of being an epic, and Old Blue is also looking forward to this classic to open the season for 2008.
Trial game change
The scheduled trial game between Bostons and Tasmans has been rescheduled from Friday night to tonight.
The match will start between 6.30pm and 7pm at Ravendale.
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