THERE are no changes to Taree City Rugby League Club’s executive following the annual meeting.
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Mal Dixon remains president with Jeff Haisell senior vice president and Troy Betts junior vice president. Taryn Dixon is the secretary and Helen Jacklin the treasurer.
Canteen committee is Tanya Bridge, Sally Murray, Brooke Murray, Robyn Goodwin, Sharon Northam and Renee Gisbourne
The general committee is Des Raward, Matt Mullen, Mick Clarke, Scott Jacklin, Ann Dixon, Kraig Cunningham, Robyn Goodwin, Graham Goodwin, Peter Jacklin and Todd Bridge.
However, the Bulls have a new patron, David Mitchell. He joins Bernard Hogan, Barry Ferrari, Eddie Loftus, Richard Clarke and Matt Adamson.
Coaches for 2017 were appointed (see story this page).
The Bulls had a successful 2016 with three of the four grades making the semi-finals while the under 18s won the premiership. Taree also carried out much needed improvements at the Jack Neal Oval, including new lighting and fencing.
Unfinished business for Bridge
GARY Bridge’s retirement from first grade rugby league coaching lasted a little over a month.
Bridge said after Taree City’s season ended when beaten by Wingham in the Group Three minor semi-final that his coaching days had come to an end. However, Bridge has been re-appointed by the Bulls for 2017.
“A couple of applicants we had for the job pulled the pin,’’ Bridge explained.
“And there’s a bit of unfinished business here yet. I thought we had a pretty good year considering the injuries we had, so I want to have another season.’’
The Bulls lost Mick Henry, Aaron Bayley, Todd Northam, Daniel Morris and Daniel Taupe to season-ending injuries in 2016 – Henry, a North Coast representative halfback, lasted just 50 minutes of his opening game with the club.
Bridge said it is unlikely Bayley or Morris will play again but he hopes to have the others back on deck next year. The Bulls met with the 2016 players last night.
“We won the 18s this year and were grand finalists in the league tag while the first grade made the semi-finals for the first time in a couple of seasons,’’ he said.
The Bulls also managed wins over premiers Port City and grand finalists Port Macquarie. Taree looked on track to claim a top three berth but a slump in the final month of the premiership saw the Bulls finish fourth. Taree then beat Forster-Tuncurry in the elimination semi before going down to Wingham in a closely fought minor semi at Wingham.
Bridge said a must for 2017 is to bulk up the reserve grade. The Bulls were forced to forfeit reserve grade matches at the end of last season, which Bridge said was ‘an embarrassment.’
Scott Jacklin has taken over the reserve grade job for next year. He’s previously had success with the club’s under 18s while he coached East Coast league tag to the Country championship this year.
Bridge revealed his son, Todd, could also be on the comeback trail in 2017. He sat out this year after undergoing a knee reconstruction in 2016. He coached the Bulls to the under 18 premership this season. Todd Bridge is a halfback or five-eighth.
“There’ll be a couple of under 18s who will be in line for a spot in first grade next year,’’ Gary Bridge said.
He used juniors extensively this year off the bench for first grade. Shannon Mullay played most of the season in first grade as a centre before heading back to the premiership winning under 18 side.
Bridge said the club will continue negotiations with Group Three player of the year Matt Everitt, who is known to be the target of at least one rival club.
Matt Mullen has taken the reins of the under 18s after steering Taree Panthers to the premiership in the Group Three under 16s this year. Troy Betts is in charge of the league tag squad.