Tocumwal’s decade of ups and downs

Tocumwal Football Club had arguably the most interesting decade of any Southern Riverina football side in the 2010s, with plenty of ups and downs.The Bloods started the decade as reigning premier in the Murray Football League, winning the flag in 2009, before ending the 2010s on the bottom of the ladder in the Picola & District League.After winning the premiership 2009 the Bloods fell from grace, managing just three wins in 2010.The following seasons saw Tocumwal continue to struggle, with five wins in 2011, one win in 2012 and no wins in 2013.With the Bloods struggling across all grades it was decided that a move to the Picola & District League would rejuvenate the club.In August 2013, 90 per cent of Tocumwal’s members voted in favour of the move, which prompted club officials to seek a clearance from the Murray League.The move saw the Bloods join the north west division of the PDFL in 2014, where they got back that winning feeling.A strong season saw Tocumwal finish the year third on the ladder with 10 wins, however Tocumwal would go on to be knocked out of finals in straight sets.The Bloods again made finals in 2015 and 2017 before falling down the ladder in 2018 and 2019.Despite the lows, there were still plenty of shining lights for the Bloods, with a small committee put together to choose the club’s team of the decade.A panel of six club members formed the team which is as follows:B: Luke Chapman, Scott Baldwin, Kieran Andrews.HB: Dave Farrell (captain), Nathan Tresize, Michael Hare.C: Jacob Hore, Sean Logie, Tim Garlick.HF: Michael O’Riordan, Keith Baron, Trent Boglis.F: John Shiels, Aaron Finlay, Sam Boake.R: Darren Atkinson, Lucas White (vice-captain), Lee Warnett.Interchange: Oliver Rennie, Ash Pollard, Jeremy Cardillo, Ben Phelan.Emergencies: Dalton Sanderson, Michael Morgan, Dylan Flanagan, Eli Boyer.Coach: Lucas White.Player profiles for each player selected are as follows:Eli Boyer: Quick off the mark, reads the play well and good user of the ball.Jeremy Cardillo: Hard working backman, prepared to put his body on the line and do his job on his opponent. Life member.Dave Farrell: Renowned for his attack on the ball and enormous work rate. Prepared to back into packs or meet them head on. A major contributor, leader and mentor over the past decade. Life member.Lucas White: Had an amazing ability to be able to play in any position. Key position forward or back, as a ruckman or ruck rover. A true leader, plays hard but fair and gets plenty of it.Lee Warnett: High possession player and gets hard in and under is his trademark. One of the toughest but fair players that’s been seen at Tocumwal. Two-time O’Dwyer medalist in the 2000s.Nathan Tresize: A player with a lot of higher level experience who reads play as good as anyone in country footy, with exceptional skills on both sides of the body.Sean Logie: Smart footballer with silky skills. One of the highest regarded players to ever play at Tocumwal with five best and fairest wins.Jacob Hore: A tough customer who has always got his head over the ball and is a real ball winner around the packs. 2019 B&F.Ollie Rennie: Skilled player who seems to have plenty of time. Good at reading the play.Keith Baron: Big man who can go forward or back, very good above his head. 2015 B&F.Mick O’Riordan: Fast running on baller who racks up possessions and doesn’t look like tiring. 2014 B&F.Luke Chapman: Plays either back or forward and loves a challenge no matter how big. Normally plays on a larger opponent.John Shields: Highly skilled centreman who has played a lot of high level footy, goes in very hard.Michael Hare: Lightning fast left footer who can use his pace for defending or attacking.Scott Baldwin: Ever reliable backman. Strong one on one and a 500 game club legend. Life member.Kieran Andrews: Played at Tocumwal as just a pup but was in best players most weeks. 2012 B&F.Tim Garlick: 2009 premiership player at age 15. A strong leader who works tirelessly up and down the ground. Work rate second to none. 2018 B&F.Trent Boglis: Recruited from Melbourne. Super professional and great club person. Tough as nails and works hard all day.Aaron Finlay: Versatile and hard big man who always played with passion. Dominating player in a tough year. 2013 B&F.Sam Boake: Local boy who travelled back from Mildura. Highly respected. Fantastic skills, low centre of gravity.Darren Atkinson: Travelled from Mildura also. Huge man who dominated the ruck.Ash Pollard: Super quick winger. Local boy who played with great skillBen Phelan: Tough onballer who broke the lines. Tough man to defend against.Dalton Sanderson: Super skilled. High possession gatherer.Michael Morgan: Local boy who played good footy across half back. Good overhead and terrific user of the ball.Dylan Flanagan: Spearhead for most of the decade. Magnificent set shot. Fantastic club identity.