[span style='font-size: 16px;]Wagga Wagga presentation night: [span style='font-size: 16px;] [span style='font-size: 16px;][span style='font-size: 13px; color: #ff0000;]A big congratulations to the following players: Best and Fairest winner: Lance Franklin (18 votes) Best and Fairest runner-up: David Swallow (16 votes) Best and Fairest 3rd place: Dion Prestia (15 votes) *A special mention to Nick Malceski on his outstanding achievement. Nick polled 14 votes to finish 4th in our Best and Fairest from just half a season at our club. He has been a fantastic addition and we expect more of the same from him in 2015.* [span style='color: #ff0000;]Well done to the following players who also received awards: Coaches award: Lynden Dunn Most improved: David Swallow A 'massive' thank-you to Dean Cox who has decided to retire from the game. He has provided our club with magnificent service these past 2 years and will be remembered as one of the best ruckman to play the game. While it leaves big shoes to fill, we are very confident Scott Lycett can step to the plate as our number 1 ruckman with Nathan Vardy being able to provide support in his comeback from a major injury.
Time to bring this ghost town of a page back to life..... Somewhat belated 2015 season review: 2015 was an extremely challenging year for the Wombats. With a mix of poor form and long-term injuries, any chance of finals quickly derailed and finishing the year positioned 14th was a huge underachievement. Nonetheless, as always, there were plenty of positives and on that note here was the best and fairest for 2015... B&F winner: Robert Murphy. While all of his teammates were falling like flies, Murphy was one of the few regulars in the side and was a deserving winner of the award, playing 20 games at an average of 92. 1st: Robert Murphy 2nd: Dylan Shiel 3rd: Kurt Tippett
History of Wagga Wagga: Founded : 2013 2013 season: Ladder Position: 8th Best and Fairest: Brendon Goddard Finals: Eliminated first round 2014 season: Ladder position: 8th Best and Fairest: Lance Franklin Finals: Runner-up 2015 season: Ladder position: 14th Best and Fairest: Robert Murphy Finals: N/A
2016 SEASON: The Wombats management had a busy preseason at the trade table and on draft night with the aim of playing finals again in 2016. Not to mention the medical team working overtime to ensure better fitness of players leading into the season which should hopefully see less injuries. Player arrivals/departures OUT: Ryan Bastinac, Jasper Pittard IN: Jamie Cripps, Liam Picken, Andrejs Everitt --> Unfortunately, Bastinac wasn't able to produce the results we were looking for during his career at the Wombats. The straight swap for Cripps suited our needs for an extra forward, and Cripps is now at a good age with a solid history and we look forward to helping him progress at Wagga Wagga. --> A very tough decision to depart with Pittard, who was of great service during his time at the club. However, the trade allowed for more depth up forward with the experienced Everitt. We are also very excited to welcome Picken to the Wombats, who should slot in nicely into the midfield on the back of a great 2015. Draftees #5 - Clayton Oliver #45 - Jamie Sicily #46 - Ryan Davis #59 - Matt Jones De listings - Jake Melksham - Jobe Watson - Paul Ahern - Mitch Clark - Matt Jones (re-drafted) Full squad of 28 DEF: Robert Murphy, Jamie Macmillan, Brad Sheppard, Scott D Thompson, Nathan Van Berlo (D/M), Cameron O'Shea, Courtenay Dempsey, Jarman Impey MID: Dylan Shiel, Dion Prestia, Liam Picken, Ryan Griffen, David Swallow, Bryce Gibbs, Clayton Oliver, Ryan Davis RUC: Kurt Tippett (R/F), Billy Longer FWD: Lance Franklin, Jamie Cripps, Andrejs Everitt, Dom Sheed (F/M), Scott Lycett (F/R), Josh Jenkins, Lindsay Thomas, Ben Lennon, Matt Jones, James Sicily
ROUND 1 REVIEW: Selected team: D: Macmillan, R.Murphy, Sheppard, S.D.Thompson M: Gibbs, Shiel, Prestia, Griffen R: K.Tippett F: Everitt, Franklin, Cripps, M.Jones Int: Picken, Oliver Result: Wagga Wagga (1344) def Mount Beauty (1138) Ladder position: 3rd (1-0-0) B&F Votes: 3. Gibbs 2. R.Murphy 1. Prestia
ROUND 2 REVIEW: Selected team: D: R.Murphy, Sheppard, Macmillan, Impey (late replacement for S.D.Thompson) M: Gibbs, Prestia, Shiel, Griffen R: Tippett F: Everitt, Franklin, M.Jones, Cripps Int: Oliver, Picken IN: Impey OUT: S.D.Thomspon (late withdrawl) Result: Wagga Wagga (1219) def Gundagai (1147) Ladder position: 3rd (2-0-0) B&F Votes: 3. Griffen 2. Tippett 1. R.Murphy Running votes tally: 3 - Gibbs, Griffen, R.Murphy 2 - Tippett 1 - Prestia
ROUND 3 REVIEW: Selected team: D: R.Murphy, Macmillan, Sheppard, S.D.Thompson M: Griffen, Prestia, Gibbs, Shiel R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Jenkins, M.Jones, J.Cripps Int: L.Thomas, Picken IN: S.D.Thompson, Jenkins, L.Thomas OUT: Impey (omitted), Everitt (injured), Oliver (omitted) Result: Wagga Wagga (1090) def Lovely Banks (1049) Ladder position: 4th (3-0-0) B&F Votes: 3. Franklin 2. Shiel 1. R.Murphy Running votes tally: 4- R.Murphy 3- Franklin, Gibbs, Griffen 2- K.Tippett, Shiel 1- Prestia
ROUND 4 REVIEW: Selected team: D: Macmillan, S.D.Thompson, Sheppard, M.Jones (late replacement for Van Berlo) M: Shiel, Griffen, Gibbs, Prestia R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Jenkins, Lycett, Sicily Int: Picken, Oliver IN: Lycett, Sicily, Oliver OUT: R.Murphy (knee), J.Cripps (omitted), L.Thomas (omitted) Result: Wagga Wagga (1166) def by Cradle Mountain (1168) Ladder position: 7th (3-0-1) B&F Votes: 3. Shiel 2. Griffen 1. Lycett Running votes tally: 5- Shiel, Griffen 4- R.Murphy 3. Franklin, Gibbs 2. K.Tippett 1. Prestia, Lycett
ROUND 5 REVIEW: Selected team: D: Macmillan, S.D.Thompson, Sheppard, Dempsey M: Shiel, Gibbs, Griffen, Picken R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Jenkins, Sicily, L.Thomas Int: J.Cripps, O'Shea IN: Dempsey, J.Cripps, L.Thomas, O'Shea OUT: M.Jones (soreness), Prestia (illness), Lycett (suspended), Oliver (rested) Result: Wagga Wagga (1085) def by Iron Knob (1237) Ladder position: 8th (3-0-2) B&F Votes: 3. Gibbs 2. S.D.Thompson 1. Shiel Running votes tally: 6- Gibbs, Shiel 5- Griffen 4- R.Murphy 3- Franklin 2- K.Tippett, S.D.Thompson 1- Prestia, Lycett
ROUND 6 REVIEW: Selected team: D: Macmillan, S.D.Thompson, Sheppard, Dempsey M: Shiel, Gibbs, Prestia, R.Davis R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Lycett, Jenkins, Sicily Int: Picken, L.Thomas IN: Lycett, Prestia, R.Davis OUT: J.Cripps (omitted), O'Shea (omitted), Griffen (back) Result: Wagga Wagga (1359) def Birdsville (1267) Ladder position: 6th (4-0-2) B&F votes: 3. Dempsey 2. Gibbs 1. S.D.Thompson Running votes tally: 8- Gibbs 6- Shiel 5- Griffen 4- R.Murphy 3- Franklin, Dempsey, S.D.Thompson 2- K.Tippett 1- Prestia, Lycett
ROUND 7 REVIEW: Selected team: D: Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Macmillan, Sheppard M: Shiel, Gibbs, Prestia, Picken R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Lycett, Jenkins, Sicily Int: Everitt, Oliver IN: Oliver, Everitt OUT: R.Davis (omitted), L.Thomas (suspension) Result: Wagga Wagga (1432) def Wineglass Bay (1249) Ladder position: 6th (5-0-2) B&F votes: 3. Jenkins 2. Gibbs 1. Franklin Running votes tally: 10- Gibbs 6- Shiel 5- Griffen 4- R.Murphy, Franklin 3- Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Jenkins 2- K.Tippett 1- Prestia, Lycett
ROUND 8 REVIEW: Selected team: D: S.D.Thompson, Macmillan, Sheppard, Impey M: Gibbs, Shiel, Prestia, Picken R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Lycett, Jenkins, Everitt Int: Oliver, L.Thomas IN: Impey, L.Thomas OUT: Dempsey (hamstring), Sicily (omitted) Result: Wagga Wagga (1279) def Whitsunday (1110) Ladder position: 5th (6-0-2) B&F votes: 3. Gibbs 2. Shiel 1. K.Tippett Running votes tally: 13- Gibbs 8- Shiel 5- Griffen 4- R.Murphy, Franklin 3- Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Jenkins, K.Tippett 1- Prestia, Lycett
ROUND 9 REVIEW: Selected team: D: S.D.Thompson, Macmillan, Sheppard, Impey M: Gibbs, Shiel, Prestia, Picken R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Lycett, Jenkins, Everitt Int: Oliver, L.Thomas No Change Result: Wagga Wagga (1251) def Nunawading (1210) Ladder position: 4th (7-0-2) B&F votes: 3. K.Tippett 2. Picken 1. Lycett Running votes tally: 13- Gibbs 8- Shiel 6- K.Tippett 5- Griffen 4- R.Murphy, Franklin 3- Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Jenkins 2- Lycett, Picken 1- Prestia
ROUND 10 REVIEW: Selected team: D: Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Macmillan, Van Berlo M: Gibbs, Shiel, Picken, Prestia R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Lycett, Jenkins, Everitt Int: L.Thomas, Sheppard IN: Dempsey, Van Berlo OUT: Impey (omitted), Oliver (quad) Result: Wagga Wagga (1302) def by Foul Bay (1357) Ladder position: 5th (7-0-3) B&F votes: 3. Gibbs 2. Everitt 1. Shiel Running votes tally: 16- Gibbs 9- Shiel 6- K.Tippett 5- Griffen 4- R.Murphy, Franklin 3- Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Jenkins 2- Lycett, Picken, Everitt 1- Prestia
ROUND 11 REVIEW: Selected team: D: Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Macmillan, Sheppard M: Gibbs, Shiel, Prestia, Picken R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Lycett, Jenkins, Everitt Int: Oliver, L.Thomas IN: Oliver OUT: Van Berlo (omitted) Result: Wagga Wagga (1171) def by Gariwerd (1276) Ladder position: 5th (7-0-4) B&F votes: 3. Jenkins 2. Shiel 1. Prestia Running votes tally: 16- Gibbs 11- Shiel 6- K.Tippett, Jenkins 5- Griffen 4- R.Murphy, Franklin 3- Dempsey, S.D.Thompson 2- Lycett, Picken, Everitt, Prestia
ROUND 12 REVIEW: Selected team: D: Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Macmillan, Sheppard M: Gibbs, Shiel, Griffen, Prestia R: K.Tippett F: Franklin, Jenkins, Lycett, Everitt Int: Picken, Oliver IN: Griffen OUT: L.Thomas (omitted) Result: Wagga Wagga (1029) def by Marble Bar (1209) Ladder position: 6th (7-0-5) B&F votes: 3. Jenkins 2. Griffen 1. Macmillan Running votes tally: 16- Gibbs 11- Shiel 9- Jenkins 7- Griffen 6- K.Tippett 4- R.Murphy, Franklin 3- Dempsey, S.D.Thompson 2- Lycett, Picken, Everitt, Prestia 1- Macmillan
MID-SEASON UPDATE: Wagga Wagga de listed two players before the 2016 MSD, namely Billy Longer and Nathan Van Berlo. We thank them for their services and wish them luck for the future. This allowed us to draft two players in the MSD: #7 - Hayden Crozier, FWD Crozier has recently thrived in a new half-back role, using his strong kicking skills to his advantage. We are very pleased with his arrival and look forward to his career with the Wombats. #33 - Paul Ahern, MID/FWD We de listed Ahern at the end of the 2015 season due to an ACL injury, however we believe Ahern is tracking well and we are hopeful he successfully returns from injury in 2017 to showcase his talent. Full squad of 28 DEF: Robert Murphy, Jamie Macmillan, Brad Sheppard, Scott D Thompson, Cameron O'Shea, Courtenay Dempsey, Jarman Impey MID: Dylan Shiel, Dion Prestia, Liam Picken, Ryan Griffen, David Swallow, Bryce Gibbs, Clayton Oliver, Ryan Davis RUC: Kurt Tippett (R/F) FWD: Lance Franklin, Jamie Cripps, Andrejs Everitt, Dom Sheed (F/M), Scott Lycett (F/R), Josh Jenkins, Lindsay Thomas, Ben Lennon, Matt Jones, James Sicily, Hayden Crozier, Paul Ahern (F/M)
ROUND 16 REVIEW: Selected team: D: S.D.Thompson, Dempsey, Macmillan, Impey M: Gibbs, Shiel, Prestia, Picken R: Lycett F: Franklin, Jenkins, Crozier, M.Jones Int: J.Cripps, L.Thomas IN: Impey, Crozier, M.Jones, J.Cripps, L.Thomas OUT: Sheppard (omitted), Griffen (hamstring), K.Tippett (hamstring), Everitt (omitted), Oliver (omitted) NEW: Hayden Crozier Result: Wagga Wagga (1206) def by Larrikin Lagoon (1246) Ladder position: 7th (7-0-6) B&F votes: 3. Prestia 2. Macmillan 1. Franklin Running votes tally: 16- Gibbs 11- Shiel 9- Jenkins 7- Griffen 6- K.Tippett 5- Franklin, Prestia 4- R.Murphy 3- Dempsey, S.D.Thompson, Macmillan 2- Lycett, Picken, Everitt