After what has seemed like an eternity over this summer for avid AFL followers in the Tropical Nth, the AFL Mackay and Whitsundays season is to kick off today, with the rematch of the 2012 Grand Finalists, the Whitsunday Sea Eagles, and the Mackay City Hawks, staged at the home of the Sea Eagles, the Whitsunday Sports Park, Shute Harbour rd Jubilee Pocket , Airlie beach.
The game kicks off at 2.30PM and with the ground in tip top condition, and both teams champing at the bit to get a kick in anger for 2013, it should be a great opening game to set off proceedings for season 2013.
The only other game this weekend being the clash between the Eastern Swans and the Nth Mackay Saints, to be played at Rogers Oval.
The other three teams are starting with a bye in this 19 round, 7 team competition.
The Swans had a great pre-season winning the Grand Final game of the now famous, pre-season Carnival held at Airlie Beach on Saturday 23rd of March, and should carry that form into the opening round of the season proper.
Both the Hawks and the Sea Eagles have recruited some gun players for this season,( Hawks with seven and Sea Eagles with eight new players ) and both clubs are keen to continue where they left off last season, with the Sea Eagles declaring revenge on the Hawks for the character building and somewhat motivating defeat, they suffered during the last game, last year !
Mention must be made of the fantastic Pre-Season Carnival held a couple of weeks ago up at Airlie Beach, and hosted by the Mighty Sea Eagles.
What a great job they do and many plaudits must go to the hardworking team of Barb Adamson, Captain Dan Van Blarcom, Ian Hill, Troy Weller and Daniel Fletcher, ably assisted by Kelvin Agg, as well as some very dedicated committee members, and the many volunteers, all of whom worked tirelessly for a great result.
The day and proceeds were dedicated to the McGrath Foundation with many fabulous items up for grabs in the silent raffle, and it is pleasing to say a very tidy sum was raised for what is a very good cause.
There was some fantastic football played on the day and with great weather and a few super goals in the mix, the action was fast and furious, and a very high level of skill was displayed by all clubs, considering how early into the season it was.
With eleven teams competing, including Hermit Park, and the Thuringowa Bulldogs, as well as the Curra Swans, all from Townsville, and the team from Boyne Island Tannum Sands, as well as our own Under Eighteen Development Team, who acquitted themselves well against some much bigger and stronger opposition, as well as six of our seven local teams, including Moranbah, who were very unlucky, to have missed the Grand Final by a one point loss in the second semi.
The eventual Grand Final winners after fourteen games of footy being the Eastern Swans, who hung on to win over a fast finishing Whitsundays Sea Eagles, however it must be said that they (the Swans) played very well, and thoroughly deserved the win.
This carnival has grown each year and all credit goes to the hosting team, the Whitsunday Sea Eagles and their committee, and also thanks and appreciation goes to all the teams that take the trouble to attend, it certainly makes for a wonderful family day !
Last Modified on 02/05/2013 14:27