Bergman wins Eagles’ 2009 Best and Fairest Award
Dane Bergman is the winner of the 2009 Burnaby Eagles Best and Fairest Award. Dane polled 133 votes to win the award. Runner-Up was Rowan Tilley.
Many other awards were handed out throughout the night. Here is the compete award winners.
Best Clubmen - Steve Gibson & Shane Burgess
Coaches Award – Conor McDonlad & Gary Barone
Best Non Australian’s – Justin Connie & Matt Piljek
Players player – Steve Harper
Leading Goalkicker – Rowan Tilley
Best & Fairest – Dane Bergman
Runner Up B & F – Rowan Tilley
Life Membership – Evan Ozirny, Chris Freeman, Pete Taylor, Steve Harper, Shane Burgess, Colin Hilton
Burnaby Eagles AGM – October 24
Saturday 24th of October at Nathans Grill @ 3pm
This is a very important day for the Burnaby Eagles as it shapes the club for the 2010 season. If you’re interested in the club and want to have your say and want to be involved please make the effort to be at Nathans on Saturday.
Positions needed to be filled include:
President
Coach
Media/Marketing manager
Finance Officer
Recruitment Officer
Football Operations manager
Web Designer
Extra member
So You Think You Can Dance Canada – Tara-Jean VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
Show your support for your favourite dancer Tara-Jean Popowich in this season’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada!!!
Tara-Jean is in the Top 20 Dancers in Canada this season, and she needs your support! It’s up to us to vote for Tara-Jean to keep her in the competition and help her on her way to becoming Canada’s Favourite Dancer!
Since the age of 3 years old Tara-Jean has dedicated her life to dance and has the heart, talent and technique to go all the way. She’s the small town girl with big dreams and it’s up to us to make her dreams become a reality! No-one deserves it more than her and this is our chance to show her how amazing she really is! Tara-Jean has been living and teaching dance in Vancouver for the last 2 years, and is an avid fan of our beloved game of AFL!… Most of the guys (and girlfriends/wives) at the club have met Tara-Jean and can attest to how amazing she is! So lets support her as one of our own!
She needs our votes… so make your votes count every Tuesday night after the performance show, 8pm on CTV. Voting is free from landlines and you should vote as many times as you can! We only have the 2 hours immediately after the show to vote, so please vote as many times as possible in this time!!!
So spread the word to everyone you know, organize parties, put up posters, send out emails, but most importantly….. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, and VOTE again!!!
You can check out her profile and keep up to date on the So You Think You Can Dance Canada website at http://www.ctv.ca/mini/dance2009/
Also a word from Tara-Jean’s partner Che… Here’s a poster of my girl that i’ll kindly ask you all to print out and put up at your workplaces, car windows, social hangouts and anywhere else you could think to put them up! 
) … Also, pass it on to anyone else that might be able to put a few up. All your support is greatly appreciated and Tara-Jean wants me to thank you all immensely.
She’s doing real well so far… so lets keep voting and keeping her in the competition!!! Make use of that redial button… and it’s free to vote! I’m sure the wives and girlfriends will help out!?!?!
Tickets and Cherrie plus 1
The Burnaby Eagles would like to congratulate Dale and Cherrie Wakefield on the birth of their daughter Kirra. More details to follow….
Coley’s making waves!!
Check out what Coley’s doing this summer!!!!
Eagles have new gun midfielder!
With the Eagles running their 6th 3km time trial this season, a new player has emerged and put their hand up to play in the middle.
Pete Taylor arrived at training on thursday night full of confidence. With his bike shorts, triathlon stopwatch & his Bono style sun-glasses there was a spring in his step only seen when Paula gives him the wink!
With most players many years his junior Taylor quickly roped them in during the 3km handicap. Not only did he chase some of the young guns down but not many were able to catch him in a spectacular display of guts and determination.
Taylor, an ex horse trainer spoke after the race claiming it reminded him of his first horse – Archer – winning the Melbourne Cup.
With a few Eagles on-ballers heading home back to Australia, Taylor is quickly becoming the favourite to run through the midfield as the season draws closer to a close.
With his football experience, his intimidating size, his superb marking ability and his inconsistent foot skills some have likened this move to be similar to Richmond’s Matthew Richardson.
However, could he go one better than Richo and win the league medal at the ripe old age of 173?
Young Eagles get picked to play for Canada
Robin McDonald & Justin Oertel have been rewarded for their great form this year and been added to the Canadian National Australian Football Team – Northwind.
Both boys who graduate from grade 12 this month have shown the potential this year that many people in BC have seen over the past 3 years. It has been no coincidence that their BC Footy club – The Burnaby Eagles – have started very strongly this year with both lads having many standout performances.
McDonald – who has grown a few centimetres over the off season – has really shown he now plays both ends of the ground with competence. With some great jobs at Centre Half Back & Full Back on more reputable opponents, McDonald not only has held his own but completely shut out his opponents so they have little influence or were even moved off him. In the past he has been seen leading quickly and marking strongly from Full Forward whilst kicking bags of goals with his dependable kicking skills. He has also been seen playing as a tall midfielder this year.
Oertel – who has got a stack load of courage – is a hard in and under midfielder/backman. You will not see Oertel take a back step on the field with many times this year putting his head and body into packs that most people would not try. His sublime foot skills are also a real feature as shown by the licking of lips of the Eagles forwards when Oertel pumps the footy deep into attack. He has also shown a keenness to kick a few goals this season.
Mark Block – Northwind Coach – expressed his excitement about McDonald & Oertel when he was in BC last week. Block mentioned that these boys were the future of Canadian footy and the start of many young kids coming through the ranks here in BC.
These young Eagles get their first chance to play for Northwind when Canada takes on the USA in Ohio, August 1 and we can be assured they are not just there to make up the numbers!
Eagles add Kelowna Cup to their trophy cabinet
The Burnaby Eagles made a successful return to the BC interior by taking out the Kelowna Cup on Saturday in Kelowna. During the preliminary matches the Eagles defeated the West Coast Saints and Calgary.
The final was played between the Eagles and our Lower Mainland rivals Vancouver Cougars. The Cougars were desparate to knock us off and threw everything they had at us. The game was a rip-snorter, and at times firey, where the lead changed 6 times (in a 2×20 minute match). The Eagles pulled away in the last stages of the game.
Despite a many injuries it was a great achievement to win the cup. Well done team.
Match reports, goalkickers and photos to follow.
Pritchard & Eagles blitz the field
Not only did the Eagles have a great win over the Delta Bay Hawks but Che Pritchard blitzed his rivals in the club sprint.
Match Report and photos to follow.
Final Score: EAGLES 19.17.131 Delta Bay Hawks 2.4.16
Goalkickers.
3 – Dale Handley
2 – Stephen Wolfe
2 – Brenton Garth
2 – Chris Freeman
1 – Luke McKerrow
1 – Pete Taylor
1 – Mike Wennegal
1 – Steve Harper
1 – Ryan McKenzie
1 – Dale Wakefield
1 – Dane Bergman
1 – Jim Oertel
1 – Che Pritchard
1 – Chad Cook
Ex AFL player Brent Frewen recommends playing for Eagles
The Burnaby Eagles ‘Wingman’ caught up last week with star player Brent Frewen.
Thanks mate for joining me here in North Van, overlooking Vancouver and its beautiful harbour on a sensational spring day:
No worries mate
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Melbourne before moving to Mildura when I was 10. Spent a year in Bendigo before moving back to Melbourne when I was 18.
Tell us briefly about your journey from junior footy to the AFL and then the SANFL:
Growing up in Mildura I played junior football for South Mildura before being selected to play for the Bendigo Pioneers in the State U’18 competition. From there I was asked to train with Fitzroy for the preseason of the 1996 season and subsequently drafted in the February (preseason) draft as it was then. Fitzroy folded at the completion of the season and I was then drafted to Richmond where I spent one year before being delisted. I was then asked to play with Woodville West Torrens Football Club in the SANFL.
What great memories do you have from playing with Fitzroy, Richmond & WWT?
Fitzroy was obviously a turbulent time with the unknown up until the merger went through approximately half way through the season. Then it was all about speculation of who were the 8 players going to be selected as part of the merger agreement.
At Richmond I went through a similar scenario, Robert Walls was coach and then 4 or 5 games from the end of the season was sacked. The team didn’t have a very successful year but it was great to train and learn from players like Matthew Knights, Wayne Campbell and Matthew Richardson.
I was fortunate enough to spend 9 years at The Eagles (WWTFC) where I made life long friends. The team played in 5 grand finals in that time with one premiership. Unfortunately the numbers weren’t the other way round. I also had the fortune of working as the Marketing Manager for the Club, which created even stronger ties. I will always cherish my time at the Club and look back with many found memories. I still follow their progress with great interest.
Who was the greatest influence on your career?
That’s a tough one, my father, Denis O’Brien (a junior coach) and Gordon Casey (another junior coach). They shaped my early learning and created opportunities for me to play football at a young age.
Who was your toughest opponent and or the best player you played against?
Although I only spent two years in the AFL system, Matthew Allen from Carlton and I had some great battles. Another one, I didn’t line up directly against him, but I played against was Gary Ablett Snr in his very last game (in the reserves v Richmond). I remember one moment in the game that will stick with me forever: The ball was loose heading towards the boundary line, I could see Ablett coming out of the corner of my eye, (I was a lean young man) hoping the ball would go out of bounds….thankfully it did because I’m sure I would have come off worse for wear if there was a collision.
In the SANFL I had many great battles against a guy by the name of Stephen White who played for Sturt.
Who was your favourite coach and why?
A toss up between Jeff Gieschen (Richmond) and Mark Mickan (WWTFC). Jeff was a very honest and forthright character who displayed confidence in you and had an abundance of passion. Mark was a very well rounded individual who had a very intelligent football brain. He brought a level of professionalism to the club when he began as coach putting the club on the path to a very successful era.
Who was the best player you played with?
I have been fortunate enough to play with many great players some that haven’t been mentioned previously include: Matthew Primus, Chris Johnson, Brad Boyd and Jarrod Molloy all at Fitzroy. Although they were obviously great players in the AFL, the SANFL has and had some highly talented players never to get drafted. One of those being Gavin Colville who captained the club for many years and was an inspirational leader. I have the utmost respect for him both on and off the field.
Do you have any regrets about footy and what were they?
No! Of course I would have loved to have played more than 2 AFL matches but I gave it all I had at the time and that’s the way the dice rolled. I would also of loved to have played more than the 100 odd SANFL games that I played. In 9 years that’s not such a great ratio, but unfortunately I battled many injuries throughout my career. I loved every minute of my footballing days and still love to get out on the field now.
Do you have any advice to young footballers?
If you have the desire to play at a higher level, whether that be the AFL or your local senior side, work hard at your game, continually challenge yourself to improve any weaknesses you have and develop your strengths to an even greater level.
Who makes you laugh at the Burnaby Eagles and why?
Tills makes me laugh, ’coz he sells legal drugs for a living (isn’t that an oxy-moron)!!
What are your thoughts about the Burnaby Eagles & would you recommend new comers to Vancouver or to Aussie football to join the club?
The Burnaby Eagles have a tremendous bunch of guys both Australians and particularly the international guys who are new to the game. Matthew Bell (coach) has brought a great deal of knowledge, enthusiasm and professionalism to the team this season. The club has many passionate football lovers who work hard behind the scenes to make sure we as footballers can get out on the field and pull on the boots. I would recommend the Club for any new comers looking for mateship and a fun game to play.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m a whitewater raft guide here in BC but I also still have a strong passion and desire to continue to travel. I also recently started a business that I’m building to secure my future.
Well thanks mate for your time and good luck in whatever direction life decides to take you. The Burnaby Eagles have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and passion you have brought with you and we look forward to continue seeing you with that Eagles Guernsey on:
Been a pleasure.
If you think you might like to give Australian Rules Football a go or you are just travelling through and want to have a kick please contact coach Matt Bell on 778-230-4312 or at mattbell22@hotmail.com.
The Burnaby Eagles is a club for everyone. Families, kids, girlfriends, wives or even for those who just want to watch some footy and/or have a few beverages with some great people!
Please note: If you would like Brent to guide you through some rapids you contact Reo Rafting here: http://www.reorafting.com/
