Balmain Tigers Premier League Report 2003
What is it about the first Tuesday in November? The Flemington roses, the sound of thundering hooves, the way a horse race can stop a nation or the realisation that kick off for the next years football season is only four short months away .It was on this day the Balmain Tigers gathered for there first session for 2003.
There had been movement in both the playing and coaching ranks. After a disappointing 2002 most players had moved on whilst in the coaching department nine year coach Peter Camroux was back assisted by Adam Gardiner and Rod Owens both who had worked with him for the past nine years .To complete this quartet former West hooker Cherry Mescia took over as club conditioner, a decision that was to become one of the most astute signings our club had made in many years.
New faces at the club included Saints grand final forward Joel Attenborough, Ryde Eastwoods Mick Hawkings and Tony wignell, Guildfords Ben Carney, Charlie Farah from the St George A grade and Daniel Harris from Old Bar. These players along with 100 club games veterans Leigh Bowman and Mark Luland, Jeff Lima, Jamie Small and Dene Halatau would form the backbone of the team. We would also be able to call on Wests Tigers players Steve Trindall, Joel Caine, Adam Tippett, Luke Milton, Chris Heighninton, Luke Isakka, Frank Samia, Luke O'Donnell and Troy Wozniak.
Another off-season development was the agreement between Balmain and Ryde Eastwood to share players, staff, training and playing venues this would prove to be a blessing and bring these two great clubs close together. As well as this we were lucky to have one of the strongest Flegg Cup teams seen in Tiger town for many years, in all the side would use 38 players this year.
After playing numerous trials due to the delayed start of the season round one came on the 11th April against North's. In torrential rain the Tigers jumped to a 30-0 half time lead and start the season with a 36-16 performance Two weeks later the long some say impossible trip to win to Newcastle took place In front of a near full Energy Australia Stadium the Tigers demolished the Knights 26-10 and after the first five rounds sat mid table with 2 wins.
June saw the reopening of Kogarah Oval, and we had a side decimated by injury hang in and record a great win against a star studded Dragons outfit which included Nathan Blacklock A strong win over Manly a week later saw the Tigers with 4 wins from the first 10 rounds of the competition.
The next five rounds were tough. Injuries and a tough mid season draw saw us go winless for a month and with 5 wins from 15 games the semi finals seemed an unattainable dream. With Flegg commitments now over a decision was made to give the young blokes a chance and coach Peter Camroux did so without hesitation.
August 9 2003 at Leichhardt oval against old foes South Sydney saw the birth of "Boo Boo's babies". With a team of kids coach Camroux's side demolished the Bunnies on reunion day in front of a boisterous tigers crowd!! Could the semi final dream still be alive? Momentum was important two more wins saw the season go on the line against Parramatta at home after the junior league grand finals After trailing early the tigers led 36-6 with 21 minutes to go only to trail 38-36 with a minute to go. The season was now surely lost. With the hooter sounding in the back ground a Adam Tippett bomb brought rain and the realisation of a dream as Mark Luland jumped high to score in the corner. Against the odds the baby Tigers had won 40-38 and all but assured themselves a shot at the semis.
A weeks a long time in football After the euphoria of the previous week the last round was at home against South's .A draw would assure the much wanted semi final spot. We jumped to a 24-4 half time lead only to crumble in what was there worst performance of the year and go down 44-24. To make the semis we would need Canberra to beat the Roosters, our destiny was no longer in our hands. Canberra Raiders scored on the bell to win 40-38, so that meant we were in the semis against the Canberra in Raider land.
The week leading up to the game was full of promise and hope with the motto being we've got a chance to redeem ourselves for that display last week. Once again due to injury the side was made up of babies, and the Raiders, who had only lost three games all year would start odds on favourites. Torrential rain was the case for round one and greeted the players in cold Canberra. Four errors proved costly with the Raiders going in 18-4 up, however with it all on the line and with a squad of 14 players left the Tigers put in one of the best second half performances of the year to narrowly go down .The effort these players put in could never be questioned.
So the season came to a close on a wet cold Canberra evening. There were many fine performances during the year but some should be highlighted
Dene Halatua's rise to first grade and earning a spot in the NSW residents team
Mark Luland and Leigh Bowman achieving 100 club games
Luke Milton scoring over 200 points
The rise of the Flegg players to starting Premier League players
The never say die attitude of the whole team
It was a pleasure to be involved with such a group and an even grater honour to know the Tiger spirit is still alive.
Adam Gardiner
