Collegian president Mick Schmiedel believes the key to the Warriors’ continued improvement in 2018 is sticking together.
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He’s been assured by the majority of the players they’ll be doing just that with captain and newly crowned club best and fairest Scott Berry the man Schmiedel wants to build the side around.
“He’s an exceptional footballer,” Schmiedel said of halfback Berry.
“Like most kids that age, he has some flaws in his game but he’s only 20.
“Scottie could go other places, he has family at Bendemeer but he keeps choosing to stay with us.
“He’s passionate about the Warriors and passionate about what we’re looking to do which was to fill a void for players. It was always going to take time and he’s on board with that.”
Schmiedel has always had a vision of building a strong side around Berry and early signs of that shone through this season.
For 2017, the club was re-branded the Collegian Warriors after being known as Oxley Diggers and racked up their most first grade wins in a season following two wooden spoons and a second last finish in 2016.
2018 will see the Warriors enter a new era with Nick Weir taking over the coaching reins from Schmiedel.
“He’s got a lot of energy which I think the guys need,” Schmiedel said of Weir.
“I probably got a bit run down myself and halfway through the year, Nick was doing a lot more at training and the boys were responding.
“He had a fair bit to do with us, he ran our water and looked after the side when I was in New Zealand [with representative teams].
“He’s got a good energy and I think he'll be good for the club.”
While the early seasons were tough for the Warriors’ first graders, the league tag side was successful from day dot with the side claiming its third grand final win this year.
League tag awards – along with 18s, reserve and first grade – were given out at the presentation night last Saturday with Aimée Diebold named the league tag best and fairest.
Schmiedel said the league taggers deserved more recognition.
“They’ve been in four grand finals and won three of them,” Schmiedel said.
“They have been the dominant team, with Norths and Gunnedah, since it [league tag] was introduced in First Division.”
AWARD WINNERS
50 OR MORE GAMES FOR THE CLUB
Timothy Slater
Scott Berry
Rachel Schmiedel
Abby Schmiedel
Aimée Diebold
FIRST GRADE DEBUTS
Jack Anderson
Fraser Evans
Josh Austin
Boston Saub
LADIES LEAGUE TAG
Coach's award
Bec Quick
Player’s player
Bronte Harris
Best and fairest
Aimée Diebold
UNDER 18S
Coach's award
Josh Austin
Players player
Boston Saub
Best and fairest
Jack Anderson
RESERVE GRADE
Coach's award
Aaron Condrick
Players player
Nathan Fuller
Best and fairest
Wayne Langenbacker
FIRST GRADE
Coach's award
Wayne Langenbaker
Player’s player
Michael Wright
Best and fairest
Scott Berry
Ray and Julie Woods club person of the year
Harley Manning and Richard Davis
Recognition for service to the club
Kirby-lee Woods and Mel Craigie
Presidents award
Ray Woods
