WXV: New Delhi Tigers

[elephants]

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[elephants]

NEWS HEADLINES

NDT Appoints New Head Coach                                                NDT Appoints New Head Coach                                                NDT Appoints New Head Coach
As the sun rose one warm New Delhi morning, news broke that the cities major sporting team had announced it was to be under new management.

There was a strange feeling in the air. The club had often been treated like that girl sitting in the corner of the bar who is so mentally scarred from being used and tossed aside and only someone or something very special can help her see its not her fault and thus, aid her in moving on with the rest of her life.

That mentally fragile girl was the New Delhi Tigers outfit. That special someone was Elephants, an experienced, handsome and very cool XV's coach who is known for his aggressive trading nature. He had this to say at his first press conference:

"Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for coming. It's great to be here and great to see so many fresh faces around the place. It is a great privelge to be accepted into the WXV competition and I am very excited about what the future may hold for the Tigers. I am aware of the fact that NDT have struggled for stability with a number of coaches coming and going over a very short space of time. This, in my mind, can not be good for the morale of the playing group. It is therefore my intention to stick around for as long as possible looking to fast-track the development of this team and make it a powerhouse."

He went on to state:

"Over the coming weeks I will be assessing the squad, getting to know the players and ensuring we are looking forward with a fresh new coaching panel to be constructed. There is no doubt in my mind that, along with my imminently formed coaching panel, we will bring joy to the die-hard supporters of NDT. They have suffered for a long time now and it is time to bring them the glory they deserve."

What will be in-store for the Tigers beyond this year? Only the big man upstairs knows that, but if Elephants is true to his word, it may just be starting to turn around for those incredibly dedicated supporters of NDT.





Rick O'Shay (Ricochet) To The Rescue                                                Rick O'Shay (Ricochet) To The Rescue                                                Rick O'Shay (Ricochet) To The Rescue
Shortly after being appointed himself, Elephants has taken the liberty of installing a very capable and experienced XV's coach in Ricochet to play a major role in helping him bring NDT back from oblivion and amongst the best where it belongs!

When queried on why he took up the job despite being assistant to a seemingly more developed team Rico replied with:

"My partnership with head coach Elephants played an enormous role in bringing me to the Tigers. We have worked together across the other XV competitions and are looking to build on the foundation laid by this experience. I also struggled to ignore the time and effort put in by Elephants to pry me from my previous club. This, in conjunction with the increased money thrown at me made it almost impossible not to acknowledge and admire how much the club wanted me to help fast-track their long term development. I really is an honour to be working with the people here."

Rico was also candid when responding to questions regarding his role and the clubs future:

"My contract states that I am the clubs senior assistant with a substantial role in seeking out and negotiating trades. From previous working experience, there is a lot of back and forth between myself and Elephants. I am extremely happy to have secured such a major role with an XV team and to be again given the opportunity to work with such genuinely amazing people like Elephants. With our aggressive trading plan, we hope to be competing for a finals placing within the next 1-2 years."

Ambitious? Yes. But over my long-spanning journalism career one thing has really stuck out to me. Ambition is essential.

All in all, Ricochet will likely prove to be an incredibly wise signing for NDT given the work he has done with Elephants in the past. I am but a humble newspaper columnist but I would issue a warning to all other coaches in the Worlds comp as these two really do mean business.

Ricochet has since been promoted to co-coach, welcome to him!

[elephants]

New Delhi Tigers Squad Breakdown

Best XV

B: Bachar Houli, Jeremy Howe, Hamish Hartlett, Jake Lloyd
M: Robbie Gray, Steele Sidebottom, Marc Murphy, Matt Crouch
U: Jack Ziebell, Seb Ross
R: Stef Martin
F: Jack Darling, Jack Martin, Travis Cloke, Jeremy Cameron



Current Reserves

B: Nick Vlastuin, Adam Oxley, Nathan Krakoeur, Phil Davis, Nick Robertson, , Aaron Mullett, Harry Morrison, Mitch Hinge, Simon White
M: Dan Rich, Darcy Tucker, Jake Barrett, Brady Grey, Blake Grewar
R: Archie Smith
F: Nakia Cockatoo, Ed Langdon, Harley Balic, Liam Sumner, Riley Knight, Paddy McCartin, Brandon Jack, Brayden Sier, Nick O'Kearney

Rookies: Dallas Willsmore, Jordan Foote, Jordan Dawson, Cameron Loersch, Sam Murray

[elephants]

NDT Best & Fairest 2013

Round 1

A heavy loss to the Berlin Brewers first up had NDT well and truly on the back foot early. Despite this, two of our forwards managed to shine. Veteran Daniel Giansiracusa was excellent working in tandem with James Podsiadly. The pair combined for 5 goals and gave their under-siege midfield something to aim for. Youngster Aaron Mullet was also industrious in running through the guts. He was efficient by foot making him a constant danger when sending the ball inside-50. He also added a goal to his stat-sheet.

3 votes: D.Giansiracusa
2 votes: J.Podsiadly
1 vote:  A.Mullett

Round 2

A much more narrow loss to eventual wooden spooners the Wellington Warriors had morale understandably low. To put up such a good fight, only to fall short was shattering for many. The team just needed to pick itself up and go around again. Aaron Mullet was once again outstanding and worked well with partner in crime Ryan Bastinac. Both player gathered a lot of the footy and were damging in their disposal. On top of this, both players pushed forward to impact with a goal apiece. Veteran backman Ben Rutten held down a key defensive post with great aplomb, gathering 15 possesions and 9 marks while keeping his direct opponent very quiet.

3 votes: A.Mullett
2 votes: R.Bastinac
1 vote:  B.Rutten

Round 3

A thumping win for New York left many Tiger fans pondering just where the season was headed. The Tigers were taken apart by a very strong Revolution side but Captain Leigh Montagna stood at and did everything in his power to force a result. Joey's 30 possesions and a goal was not enough unfortunately. Aaron Mullett and Jarryd Blair were other solid contributors with games producing 26 touches and 6 marks and 23 touches an a goal respectively.

3 votes: L.Montagna
2 votes: A.Mullett
1 vote:  J.Blair

Round 4

A very much improved performance from the team against the PNL Reindeers but again the team was unable to manufacture a result. Captain Joey was typically sensational with his ball accumulation abilities (29 possesions) while youngster George Horlin-Smith (23 possesions and a goal) and veteran Dom Cassisi (18 possesions with a whopping 9 tackles) did a lot of the grunt work and provided excellent support through the middle of the park. Once again it was the forward line that was struggling to fire for the Tigers.

3 votes: L.Montagna
2 votes: G.Horlin-Smith
1 vote:  D.Cassisi

Round 5

A win at last! Despite some heroics from Beijing Bears captain Harry Taylor, the Tigers were able to topple their opponents and record their first win of the season! In a very close affair it was Rhys Palmer and Leigh Montagna who got the job done from the middle of the park. Funnily enough, both players racked up the same aount of disposals (22) while slotting two goals each. Garrick Ibbotson came in for his first game of the season and was admirable down back with a 24 possesions, 11 marks and a couple of tackles to top it off.

3 votes: R.Palmer
2 votes: L.Montagna
1 vote:  G.Ibbotson

Leaderboard After Round 5:

8 votes - Leigh Montagna
6 votes - Aaron Mullett
3 votes - Daniel Giansiracusa & Rhys Palmer
2 votes - Ryan Bastinac, James Podsiadly & George Horlin-Smith
1 vote  - Ben Rutten, Jarryd Blair, Dom Cassisi & Garrick Ibbotson



Round 6

Another solid performance but yet another thumping. The Tigers outfit team is starting to come together but they are just lacking the class to match it with the best at this stage. A very strong showing from the Toronto Wolves bought the Tigers crashing back down to earth after registering their first win of the season the week prior. Leigh Montagna (30 possesions) was again outstanding but he was on his own with the only other notable showings coming from Ryan Bastinac (27 possesions, 5 marks) and Garrick Ibbotson (22 possesions, 9 marks).

3 votes: L.Montagna
2 votes: R.Bastinac
1 vote:  G.Ibbotson

Round 7

Again, the Tigers look like really lifting their game and threatening to become somewhat of a force in the future. Unfortunatlry though, their best at this stage is just not quite consistent and good enough. Another promising showing only to fall short; this time to Cairo. Garrick Ibbotson posted a mammoth score in his third game for the club after amassing 29 possesions to go with 12 marks and 5 tackles. Nick Vlastuin was also very good in just his third game racking up 23 disposals and 11 marks, definitely one for the future. Jarryd Blair showed good tenacity and intensity up forward for the Tigers.

3 votes: G.Ibbotson
2 votes: N.Vlastuin
1 vote:  J.Blair

Round 8

Another week, another loss. This one however was much more narrow and with some absolute blinders coming from some the Tigers younger players you would think they are looking good toward the future. Fourth gamer Nick Vlastuin had a ripping match across half-back with 25 disposals an enourmous 16 marks and a goal proving he can do it all over the ground. A cracking game was also played by Captain Leigh Montagna. He showed he meant business with an outstanding 34 possesions and 9 marks to land him among the best on the day. James Podsiadly was also influential in the forward 50.

3 votes: N.Vlastuin
2 votes: L.Montagna
1 vote:  J.Podsiadly

Round 9

The Tigers went into round 9 with a pretty terrible 1-7 record but after a quality match against fellow cellar-dwellers the Pacific Islanders they were starting to look up. Still far from the benchmark, the Tigers moved up out of the lower doldrums of the competition with this vitally important win. Leigh Montagna was again the standout with a 27 possesion, 6 mark, 6 tackle and 2 goal effort he really did it all. Second and at times third choice ruckman Max Bailey really stood up for this one with 15 possesions and 33 hit-outs to go with a goal and a very respectable effort for the injury prone big man. Garrick Ibbotson again held his defensive post down well and attacked whenever possible.

3 votes: L.Montagna
2 votes: M.Bailey
1 vote:  G.Ibbotson

Round 10

The Tigers bigger name players hit their straps this round but it was the middle-rangers that really held the team back and ensured an 8th loss in 10 games was heading back to New Delhi. Youngster Aaron Mullet racked up 31 touches to go with 11 marks and a goal, a very handy performance from another of the Tigers young midfield brigade. Ryan Bastinac also did his part with 27 touches, 6 marks and a goal. Simon Black and Nick Vlastuin were equally as industrious with 33 possesions and 6 tackles and 16 possesions, 6 tackles and 3 goals respectively.

3 votes: A.Mullett
2 votes: R.Bastinac
1 vote:  N.Vlastuin

Leaderboard After Round 10:

16 votes - Leigh Montagna
9 votes - Aaron Mullett
6 votes - Ryan Bastinac, Nick Vlastuin & Garrick Ibbotson
3 votes - Daniel Giansiracusa, Rhys Palmer & James Podsiadly
2 votes - George Horlin-Smith, Jarryd Blair & Max Bailey
1 vote  - Ben Rutten & Dom Cassisi



Round 11

A very narrow win against Tokyo on the back of a much improved team effort had Tigers fans starting to brighten up with the season starting to look less and less like a complete waste. Particularly impressive was the fact that Tigers prime mover Leigh Montagna who has largely carried the team over the past few weeks, was much less relied upon. Garrick Ibbotson was aggressive out of the back 50 with 28 possesions and 11 marks, James Podsiadly chalked up a lovely 5 goals straight after moving into the forward line in the 2nd quarter while superstar Leigh Montagna was consistently great with 29 touches and 5 tackles.

3 votes - G.Ibbotson
2 votes - J.Podsiadly
1 vote  - L.Montagna

Round 12

In what was not a particularly pretty display by either side, the Tigers went down in a sloppy low scoring affair against the Armadillos. In a round of little highlights for New Delhi, the over-reliance on star Leigh Montagna really showed this week with the club captain having one of his quieter performances and the team thus suffering. On the brightside, Ryan Bastinac really stood up through the midfield and had a blinder with almost all of his 22 possesions hitting their intended targets. Garrick Ibbotson continued his rich vein of form with 27 possesions and 10 marks down back while Simon Black chipped in well through the middle. This performace ultimately saw the coaching staff overhaul and a new coach being planned for next week.

3 votes - R.Bastinac
2 votes - G.Ibbotson
1 vote  - S.Black

Round 13

A solid team effort in the Tigers first game under new management but it was an enormous performace from their opponents in Dublin that left them reeling. More than enough was there however, for Tiger fans to be happy with the new man in charge. Jordan Murdoch came in for his first appearance of the season after impressing the new coach in training during the week. It was a 17 possession with 3 crucial goals that saw Murdoch get BOG honours. Ryan Bastinac racked up 21 possessions and 2 goals in the midfield providing great support to the ever-prolific Leigh Montagna.

3 votes - J.Murdoch
2 votes - R.Bastinac
1 vote  - L.Montagna

Round 14

Again, a promising performance from the Tigers with them expected to pull off a major upset against the Cobras at one point during the match. Unfortunately for the Tigers though, the experienced Cobras outfit ran over the top of a very youthful Tigers lineup. A highly effective game again from Garrick Ibbotson with 20 disposals and 8 marks saw him once again hold together the Tigers backline. Stalwart Daniel Giansiracusa was effective on a forward flank with 24 possessions and 7 marks to go with 2 goals while Ryan Bastinac continued to quietly go about his business in a busy 18 possesions, 8 tackles and a goal effort.

3 votes - G.Ibbotson
2 votes - D.Giansiracusa
1 vote  - R.Bastinac

Round 15

Once again, teams just seem to do the job against the Tigers no matter how well they seem to play! This time it was the Pumas who had the last laugh with a comfortable 27 point win. Time and time again, veteran Daniel Giansiracusa just bobs up a the right time for the Tigers, this time with a 28 possession, 2 goals effort that included 8 strong marks. The big fella may be getting a few greys but boy oh boy can he still play! New Delhi's main man Leigh Montagna was well and truly back to his best with 35 touches, 6 marks and 7 tackles to lead amazingly well from the front. Youngster Jake Melksham showed glimpses of what he could be one day with 23 possessions and 2 goals.

3 votes - D.Giansiracusa
2 votes - L.Montagna
1 vote  - J.Melksham

Round 16

With their season well and truly over, the Tigers were playing for price against Moscow and to be fair they were far from disgraced! A 21 point victory for Moscow condemned New Delhi to the potential of being granted a priority pick in next years draft, something that new Tigers head coach did not want to see happen. He claimed he did not need help from the WXV governing body. Rightly so? Time will tell. Leigh Montagna was the standout again with 34 possessions and a goal while Ryan Bastinac was exceelent rotating between the forward line and midfield with 21 touches and 4 goals. Sharrod Wellingham returned from a long injury layoff with a very handy game that saw him rack up 21 possessions and 2 goals from a half forward flank.

3 votes - L.Montagna
2 votes - R.Bastinac
1 vote  - S.Wellingham

Round 17

The final match of the season approached and the New Delhi Tigers were looking to finish on a real high-note. New Tigers head-coach Elephants made a very strong point of this all week and was very keen on setting themselves up for a positive pre-season and avoiding the priority pick. His team saluted their new boss and produced one of their best performaces of the season. The home crowd support clearly a deciding factor in this match! The one point win saw Sharrod Wellingham continue his good form with 23 possessions, 6 marks and a goal. Leigh Montagna finished his season in excelent fashion with 28 possessions and 2 goals while Aaron Mullett showed more improvement and with a move to the half-back line hinted at next season he'll almost certainly be a feature in this team for many years to come. His season ended on an extreme high with 32 touches, 7 marks and a lovely long-range goal.

3 votes - S.Wellingham
2 votes - L.Montagna
1 vote  - A.Mullett

1st - Leigh Montagna, 25 votes.
2nd - Ryan Bastinac, 14 votes.
3rd - Garrick Ibbotson, 13 votes.
4th - Aaron Mullett, 10 votes.
5th - Danial Giansiracusa, 8 votes.
6th - Nick Vlastuin, 6 votes.
7th - James Podsiadly, 5 votes.
8th - Sharrod Wellingham, 4 votes.
9th - Rhys Palmer & Jordan Murdoch, 3 votes.
10th - George Horlin-Smith, Max Bailey & Jarryd Blair, 2 votes.
11th - Simon Black, Jake Melksham, Ben Rutten, & Dom Cassisi, 1 vote.

Congratulations to Joey and cheers to all who attended this exclusive, invite only event ;)

[elephants]

More to come.

[elephants]

2013 Trading Wrap

• New Delhi trade: Jarryd Blair, Terry Milera and Pick 25
  Pacific trade: Shane Savage, Zach Williams, Daniel Talia and Pick 42

• New Delhi trade: Jake Stringer and Ben Jacobs
  Sao Paulo trade: Mitch Duncan and Pick 57

• New Delhi trade: Garrick Ibbotson and Pick 42
  Tokyo trade: Shaun Hampson, Ben Stratton and Pick 5

• New Delhi trade: Pick 43
  London trade: Tom Sheridan

• New Delhi trade: Nick Duigan
  Cairo trade: Rohan Bail and Pick 34

• New Delhi trade: Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 63
  New York trade: Andrew Gaff, Toby Greene and Pick 29

• New Delhi trade: Rookie 22
  Cairo trade: Andrew Raines and Pick 93

• New Delhi trade: Nick Vlastuin, Pick 34 and Pick 57
  Moscow/Toronto trade: Pick 11, Pick 14, Pick 31 and Pick 32

2014 Trading Wrap

• New Delhi trade: Matt White, Rhys Palmer and Pick 60
  Cairo trade: Clancee Pearce, Kyle Hartigan, Lewis Johnston and Sam Kerridge

• New Dehli trade: Mitch Duncan and Pick 24
  New York trade: Pick 10, Tom Nicholls and Ben Griffiths

• New Delhi trade: Leigh Montagna + Will Langford
  Berlin trade: Jack Trengove + Pick 24

• New Delhi trade: N42 + N78
  New York trade: Apeness + Sinclair

• New Delhi trade: Nat 10 + Nat 24
  SaoPaulo trade: Chris Masten + Liam Sumner + Blaine Johnson + Nat 38

• New Delhi trade: Jake Melksham + N38
  Dildos trade: Robert Warnock + N72

Trade Assessment (Ricochet):

"The big one was losing Mitch Duncan. But we've turned him into Chris Masten who is about a 100mid when WCE are up an about, Tom Nicholls who is that young gun ruck that we desperately needed, and a couple of young fwds (also desperately needed). So feels like a loss seeing Duncan go but definitely benefits the team going forward."

[elephants]

More to come.

[elephants]

More to come.

[elephants]

More to come.

[elephants]

More to come.

[elephants]

More to come.

[Ricochet]

More to come?

[ossie85]

More to come?

Couldn't possibly be any more!

[elephants]

Haha I'm working up to it :P

[Ricochet]

I'm waiting for my big welcoming article btw Ele
I gave you one