Groote Eylandt Barracudas

/Portals/0/User%20Images/NewFolder/groote.jpgWelcome to Groote Eylandt
The Region Groote Eylandt archipelago is situated in the Northern Territory on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, approximately 640km east south east of Darwin and some 50km off the Arnhem Land coast. The Warnindilyakwa people are the Traditional Owners of the Groote Eylandt archipelago region and are referred to by their language name Anindilyakwa.
The Groote Eylandt airport is a 25 minute flight south from Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula. Groote Eylandt is Australia's third largest island; named by explorer Abel Tasman in 1644 and is Dutch for Large Island”.
There are three Indigenous communities in the archipelago - Angurugu and Umbakumba on Groote Eylandt and Milyakburra located on Bickerton Island. Groote Eylandt archipelago is unique and has a very diverse environment - with pristine beaches, spring water swimming holes, open woodland, rainforest, red sand dunes, aqua waters and rock art which is thousands of years old.
A Brief History of Groote Eylandt
The Anindilyakwa people were brought to Groote Eylandt on a series of song lines which created the land, rivers, animals and people and which named everything pertaining to the region, laid down rules of marriage, Kinship and [Ceremonial] Law.
The island also has a rich non-indigenous history. The first non-traditional visitors were the Macassans who travelled to the region for hundreds of years in search of trepang. The earliest formally recorded visitor was a Dutchman named William Van Coolstrurdt on the ship The Arnhem” in 1623. Van Coolstrurdt was followed by Abel Tasman in 1644 and then by Matthew Flinders in 1803 during his circumnavigation of Australia.
Main Communities
The Warnindilyakwa people primarily reside in the three townships of Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakburra. There are also a number of outstations/homeland centres including Ananja, Bartalumba, Emerald River, Leske Pools, Little Paradise, Malkala and Yenbakwa.
The Angurugu township has a population of about 835 and is located on the banks of the Angurugu River on Groote's mid-west coast.
The Umbakumba population is approximately 581 and is located some 65km from Alyangula by road, 47km of which was unsealed until a major upgrade of the road between Angurugu and Umbakumba was completed in 2012.
Milyakburra has a population of about 176 residents and is situated on the central eastern part of Bickerton Island; east of the mainland, between Groote Eylandt and Blue Mud Bay, and west of Groote Eylandt.
Groote Eylandt Football Club 'Barracudas'
The Groote Eylandt Football Club Barracudas” was established in early 2013 as a result of the amalgamation of the Alyangula Swans and the Angurugu Crocs. During 2013 has seen the appointment of the Chairman, CEO and the Coaching staff.
The formation of the Barracudas into the Eylandt has brought with it a wave of excitement amongst the communities, and has given the people of Groote Eylandt a long awaited chance to play and cheer the nation's number one game in the Outer Regional Fantasy Football Union (ORFFU).
Much like other Remote football clubs, success relies heavily on working closely with key stakeholders on ensuring the football club and programs are run well. In 2013, the Groote Eylandt Football Club engaged with the communities of Angurugu and Alyangula in the amalgamation.
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The local Indigenous community support has been tremendous. The love of football, need for an engaging club, and the Chairman's ability to form very close relationships with community members, all contributed to the clubs establishment. Looking into the future, the clubs recruitment in the ORFFU'S inaugural draft is building with discussions on a daily basis with prospective players.
2014 will see the first games in the ORFFU for the Barracudas in what should be an exciting spectacle of remote community football for all to enjoy.

 

All thanks to the man 'Sheedy' when he came and seen the boys at their first training session for theCudas. /Portals/0/User%20Images/NewFolder/Sheedy%20in%20Groote.jpg

 

The board of GEFC has taken the commissioners & the ORFFU admin's comments very seriously and is currently discussing a possible name change to Big rock discovered by the Dutch with no respect for the conventions of the local indigenous or English language”.

 

Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO), a BHP Billiton subsidiary, operates a large manganese mine near the community of Angurugu have put their support behind GEFC in its induction to the ORFFU with a helping hand in getting our club oval into shape for 2014. /Portals/0/User%20Images/NewFolder/footy%20oval.jpg
More announcements to come from the Cudas” as the ORFFU finalises its union structure, logo and draft rules.

 

Before the first bounce,the trade period or the player draft the Cudas can say they have landed a whopper. GEFC can proudly boast the services of the newly appointed midfield coach Andrew 'Bunji' McLeod, one of NT's greatest footy stars. /Portals/0/User%20Images/NewFolder/bunji.jpg The board is still out fishing and hope to have further announcements soon.

 

The board have couple of lines out in their fishing expeditions this time for free agency. The free agency period officially begins on Friday the 4th October 2013 with over 20 players from across the competition eligible to become a free agent. Heath Scotland, Paul Chapman, Brent Guerra & Daniel Cross just to name a few who have been on our expeditions.
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School Holidays have come and gone but what a week with our footy clinic. We owe our success to the man with the moe 'Dipper'. /Portals/0/User%20Images/NewFolder/dipper%20and%20young%20barracudas.png

 

The 'GUS' Wanganeen Medal
After much consideration (and fishing) the board have decided with a unanimous vote that the clubs Best & Fairest award will be named in honour of Gus Wanganeen, one of Northern Territory's first Hall of Famers. /Portals/0/User%20Images/NewFolder/The%20GUS%20Wanganeen%20Medal.jpg

 

No. 1 Club Supporter Under the Christmas tree at the 'Cudas' a present in the form of our number one supporter for our inaugural year 2014 ...... Rex Hunt /Portals/0/User%20Images/NewFolder/rex%20hunt%20fishing.jpg]</img> There's nothing like footy & fishing! As Rex would say 'Folks, it doesn't get any better than this!'

 

2014 Groote Eylandt Football Club Initial 20 Players

Back: Robert Murphy (32, 237), Shaun Burgoyne (31, 220), Jack Watts (23, 73), Thomas Murphy (27, 105), Tim Mohr (25, 35)
Mid: Trent Cotchin (24, 107), Luke Ball (30, 189), Jordan Lewis (28, 179), Ben Cunnington (23, 73), Bryce Gibbs (25, 150), Daniel Hannebery (23, 91), Patrick Cripps (19, 0), Marcus Bontempelli (18, 0),
Ruck: Tom Nicholls (22, 9), Jake Spencer (24, 24)
Fwd: Adam Goodes (34, 286), Dayne Zorko (25, 38), Jeff Garlett (25, 92), Jack Darling (22, 63), Ben Kennedy (20, 12)

Games: Average 99, Max 286, Min 0
Age: Average 25, Max 34, Min 18

 

Great to hear from you Starlo, love your work.
Looking forward to our next big fishing trip.

Here's to the Lefties in 2014.


Signed

Your biggest fan - Greg Anderson (aka yadman)

 

Groote Eylandt Football Club would like to welcome the players of their inaugural team as the Cuda’s enter the ORFFU for 2014.

Our arrivals during our inaugural draft in 2014 are:

Defenders:
Robert Murphy – 32yo D, average 99.1ppg in 19 games
Shaun Burgoyne (M) – 31yo, average 85.2ppg in 20 games
Jack Watts (F) – 23yo, average 76.2ppg in 18 games
Thomas Murphy – 27yo, average 71.1ppg in 17 games
Tim Mohr – 25yo, average 69.5ppg in 22 games
James Frawley – 25yo, average 67.6ppg in 17 games
Will Langford – 22yo

Midfielders:
Trent Cotchin – 24yo, average 106.0ppg in 21games
Luke Ball – 30yo, average 97.1ppg in 12 games
Jordan Lewis – 28yo, average 96.6ppg in 21 games
Ben Cunnington – 23yo, average 95.8ppg in 20 games
Bryce Gibbs – 25yo, average 95.4ppg in 19 games
Daniel Hannebery – 23yo, average 95.3ppg in 21 games
Tendai Mzungu – 28yo, average 79.9ppg in 22 games
Patrick Cripps – 19yo
Marcus Bontempelli – 18yo

Rucks:
Tom Nicholls – 22yo, average 91.6ppg in 8 games
Jake Spencer – 24yo, average 77.5ppg in 8 games
Tom Derickx – 26yo

Forwards:
Adam Goodes – 34yo, average 84.2ppg in 12 games
Dayne Zorko (M) – 25yo, average 82.9ppg in 22 games
Jeff Garlett – 25yo, average 78.2 in 20 games
Jack Darling – 22yo, average 76.6ppg in 21 games
Ben Kennedy – 20yo, average 40.9ppg in 12 games
Dean Towers (M) – 24yo
Shane Kersten – 21yo

 

Team Write up

The Barracuda’s are well set for 2014 and beyond, with our depth chart revealing our average age is 25 years old and that a number of young players holding down first 15 positions across most lines.

Defence: Robert Murphy and Shaun Burgoyne are the lynchpins and leaders of the Cuda’s defence. Youngster Jack Watts, Tim Mohr and James Frawley will have key roles during 2014. The wildcard in the pack is Will Langford with his NAB Challange performance should see him push for inclusion during 2014 and will provide some real depth in the defensive zone.

Midfield: Spots in the Cuda’s midfield will be hotly contested in 2014. Veterans Luke Ball, Jordan Lewis and Tendai Mzungu will provide the foundation as a bevy of young stars continue to shine. Youngsters Trent Cotchin who has been name captain, Ben Cunnington, Bryce Gibbs and Daniel Hannebery will endeavour to stake their claim for a first 15 spot.

Future stars Patrick Cripps and Marcus Bontempelli will grow under the careful eye of both coach and leadership group.

Ruck: The Cuda’s rucking stocks are young, full of strength and agility. They are all specialist in their chosen field as hit out kings. The names Tom Nicholls, Jake Spencer and Tom Derick will be a force all around the ground against any opposition. The club is looking forward to the tall timber smashing it out and setting the tone for the Cuda’s in 2014.

Forward: The Cuda’s forward line, with the trio of young guns Dayne Zorko, Jeff Garlett and Jack Darling will from a formidable unit this year and for years to come at the club. Youngsters Dean Towers and Shane Kersten potential will be carefully managed to provide the club with future goal kicking supremo’s.

 

Team Structure

Defence:Robert Murphy, Shaun Burgoyne, Jack Watts, Thomas Murphy
Ruck: Tom Nicholls
Forward: Adam Goodes, DayneZorko, Jeff Garlett, Jack Darling
Interchange: Luke Ball, Jordan Lewis
Emergencies: Tim Mohr (D), TendaiMzungu (M), Jake Spencer (R), Ben Kennedy (F)

Reserves:James Frawley, Will Langford,Marcus Bontempelli, Patrick Cripps, Tom Derickx, Shane Kersten, Dean Towers