Growthbuilt Sydney Uni Australian National Football Club is proud to announce the captains and leadership groups of the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) and AFL Sydney programs for the 2019 campaigns.
The NEAFL Leadership group was announced on Monday following a players vote. The group will be headed by co-captains Sam Fong and Sam Tagliabue. Fong joined the students in 2015 migrating from Western Australia. Since then, Fong has become an integral part and highly respected member of the NEAFL program. “It’s a massive honour to be chosen to captain the Club alongside Tags. There have been some great leaders over my time at here, including club veteran Tim Barton, so it does mean a lot to be given the opportunity to lead.”
Tagliabue, hailing from the country town of Temora, also embodies the qualities of a Student and during his three year stint has proved to be a consistent figure within the group. Tagliabue, the runner up in last year’s Driscoll Medal (Best & Fairest), is excited to take the next step in the 2019 season noting, “although we’ve lost some experience players over the offseason I feel that whole group has stepped up in driving the program. Morro (Coach Tom Morrison) has a great plan for the club and it’s a real privilege to be asked to help lead with Sam Fong”. Fong mirrored these sentiments, “We have seen a flood of new faces into the program and that has brought a huge amount of excitement and enthusiasm to the group. It’s been a really tough but enjoyable pre-season and I believe the group has really connected and shown some great signs for the season ahead.”
Supporting Fong and Taglibue is a leadership group consisting of the 2018 captain Tim Barton, senior player Jack Dimery, and emerging leader and Harvey Gordon Scholarship holder, Nick Foster.
At Premier Division level, familiar face Allister Clarke returns to the fold as captain. Clarke continues in this role after also being named the captain in 2018. Clarke is well known across the club, and led the side to a grand final in 2018. New head coach Mike Bassett is excited by Clarke as the captain once again, “Al is the heart and soul of this Premier Division team. He encapsulates everything a captain and a Student should be, he is a true leader for this group both on and off the field.”
Joining Clarke in the Premier Division leadership fold as the 2019 vice-captain is Dixon Wight. Hailing from WA, Wight made the move east and settled with the Students. In 2018, as a new player, he quickly earnt a spot in the leadership group. Wright will continue alongside Clarke in 2019 to strive to take their group one win further and finish with the premiership.
Both the NEAFL and Premier Division sides commence their 2019 football campaigns this Saturday 6th April.
NEAFL: Sydney University vs. Aspley @ BISP, 12:00pm
Premier Division: Sydney University vs. St George @ Oval No 1, 3:30pm