Border Mail |
RICHARD Quinn has watched Thurgoona tick the boxes one by one.
As the Bulldogs prepare for next month’s 25th anniversary celebrations, Quinn looks back and marvels at the way the Tallangatta and District league club has grown to 500 members, fields 11 teams each Saturday, has built a $450,000 social room facility, new netball courts and extended its ground to similar dimensions to North Albury’s Bunton Park.
There have also been premierships in reserve grade and under-14 and 17, along with a swag of netball flags.
“The changes have been unbelievable when you look back at it,” Quinn said yesterday.
“It was a bit rough in the early days.
“It’s just grown on and off the ground and is that much more professional.
“These days the first thing you look at is character when recruiting, but back in the old days you got what you got.”
About the only piece missing in the Thurgoona jigsaw is a senior premiership and Quinn, a 300-game life member, is confident the Bulldogs are tracking in the right direction after making the last two grand finals.
They are sitting second on the premiership table after seven rounds and unless things go horribly wrong in the next couple of months, the league’s most northern club could well have another date on September 14.
“We’re going all right,” Quinn said.
“We have the players, we just need the mind-set to be right.
“The reserves have only lost one game in the last 2½ years so the depth is there.”
Thurgoona has had 16 coaches since forming in 1988: Dale Mastenbroek, Wayne Styles, Andy Whitsed, Ray Mack, Paul Bradbury, Tony Way, Peter Macklin, Hayden Miles, Craig Mannagh, Allan Bradbury, Brendan Roberson, Brett Wightman, Danny Hargreaves, James Gunn, Leigh McGlynn and Jason Sheather.
Rod Taylor is the only player to have won three best and fairests while Thomas Stead holds the goalkicking record after booting 103 in 2011.
Many of Thurgoona’s former players be returning to the club for its clash against Wodonga Saints at Thurgoona on June 15.
A function will be held that evening with further information on the Bulldogs’ website or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
