By Tallon Smith

The community of Eden is celebrating one of the most remarkable seasons in their club history after both their First and Reserve Grade sides claimed the Minor Premiership in Group 16 for 2023.

After a lean run over the past decade, including a period where the side wasn’t even in the competition, the Tigers have successfully re-established themselves as the dominant sporting force in the region, edging out arch-rivals Merimbula-Pambula for top spot in the top grade, and going undefeated throughout the regular season in the seconds.

Eden First Grade Captain-Coach Adrian Purtell said that whilst the Tigers were “pleased” to finish with the Minor Premiership, the side remains focused on achieving the ultimate glory in 2023.

“We are pleased to finish with the minor premiership,” he said.

“It is a result of the hard work the boys have been putting in since January.

“That being said, our focus is on performing in the finals series.”

After bowing out in straight sets last season via consecutive finals losses to Bega and Tathra, a key to the side’s step up to the next level this season was the acquisition of former Canberra Five-Eighth and Italian national team captain Terry Campese from Queanbeyan Blues.

Purtell, a former teammate of Campese’s at the Canberra Raiders, said he has been “exceptional” in for the Tigers in 2023 as they look to go deeper into the finals this season.

“Terry has been a positive influence on the footy side,” Purtell said. 

“He has an exceptional understanding of the game and is able to pass on that knowledge to our younger players.

“He is still a competitor and plays to win while still enjoying the game which is good for team dynamics.”

Although his Tigers have been the standout team, particularly in the back half of the year, Purtell remains wary of the other sides who make up the final five, with Merimbula-Pambula, Tathra, Snowy River and Narooma all having sides who could beat any of the others on their day.

“The finals should be tight,” he said.

“The ladder shows how close the competition is and anyone in the top 5 can compete with each other on their day.

“We look forward to the challenge and can’t wait to play a semi in front of a big crowd at home in 2 weeks.”

As Minor Premiers, the Tigers now have a bye through to the second week of the finals, where they will meet the winner of Saturday’s clash between second-placed Merimbula-Pambula and third-placed Tathra.

Meanwhile, the Snowy River Bears play host to Narooma in Sunday’s Elimination Final.

Cover Photo: The 2023 Eden Tigers First Grade side (Supplied: Adrian Purtell)