TAC Cup
From MedBib.com - Medicine & Nature
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition in Victoria, Australia.
In 1992 the VFL/AFL Under 19 competition was disbanded. A new competition, sponsored by the Transport Accident Commission was formed as an avenue to where many young under-18 players make their transition to the Australian Football League. It has since acted as the most common feeder league to the AFL, at a similar level to the college system in the USA.
Non-Victorian clubs NSW/ACT Rams and Tassie Mariners entered the TAC Cup in 1995 and 1996 respectively, but both left the competition in 2002.
Although, the Gold Coast Football Club will join the competition in 2009, playing 13 home games at their home stadium, before their expected promotion into the Victorian Football League in 2010, followed by their expected debut season in the Australian Football League in 2011.
Current Season
2008 Ladder
[Edit The Ladder]
Finals
Will be held at Visy Park (Princes Park), but the grand final will be held at the Telstra Dome.
Quarter Finals
Semi Finals
Grand Final
History
The TAC Cup competition was established in 1992 following the disbandment of the VFL/AFL Under 19 competition due to metropolitan and country zoning ceasing for AFL clubs.
The TAC Cup is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with a team representing each of the 12 Victorian regions.
In 1992 the competition consisted of five metropolitan teams and one country team. The initial teams were the Northern Knights, Eastern Ranges, Dandenong Stingrays, Western Jets, Central Dragons and Geelong Falcons.
In 1993 an additional four country teams were included - the Murray Bushrangers, Bendigo Pioneers, Gippsland Power, and North Ballarat Rebels. In 1995 two additional metropolitan regions were established with the Oakleigh Chargers and Calder Cannons teams included in the competition. The Tassie Mariners also commenced in the competition in 1995. Finally, in 1996, the NSW/ACT Rams were admitted to the TAC Cup. The Mariners and RAMS both exiting the competition at the end of the 2002 (have been played 4 games a year from 2003-2004 and 3 game a year since 2005) resulting in the current 12 team competition.
Other Non-Victorian clubs Queensland and Northern Territory played 2 games a year in 2003 and 2004 and 3 games a year since 2005.
Since 1992 the TAC Cup has become the major source of AFL Draftees with more players recruited to the AFL from the TAC Cup than from any other competition throughout Australia.
The TAC Cup has also been very successful in providing an opportunity for talented country players to play in a very high standard competition without having to relocate to Melbourne and for providing quality young players, not only to the AFL, but also to the senior VFL competition and local country and metropolitan football.
Clubs
Clubs History
TAC Cup Premiers
| Season |
Premiers |
GF Score |
Runner-up |
Best-on-ground |
| 1992 |
Geelong Falcons |
18.16 (124) - 12.10 (82) |
Western Jets |
Daniel Fletcher |
| 1993 |
Northern Knights |
32.10 (202) - 18.11 (119) |
Western Jets |
Shannon Gibson |
| 1994 |
Northern Knights |
16.21 (117) - 15.17 (107) |
Geelong Falcons |
Anthony Rocca |
| 1995 |
Northern Knights |
12.20 (92) - 7.21 (63) |
Eastern Ranges |
Brent Harvey |
| 1996 |
Northern Knights |
15.15 (105) - 14.6 (90) |
NSW/ACT Rams |
Matthew Harrison |
| 1997 |
North Ballarat Rebels |
16.15 (111) - 10.16 (76) |
Dandenong Stingrays |
Adam Goodes |
| 1998 |
Murray Bushrangers |
17.18 (120) - 12.12 (84) |
Geelong Falcons |
Michael Stevens |
| 1999 |
Sandringham Dragons |
16.8 (104) - 8.6 (54) |
Gippsland Power |
Dylan Smith |
| 2000 |
Geelong Falcons |
18.16 (124) - 15.12 (102) |
Eastern Ranges |
Amon Buchanan |
| 2001 |
Calder Cannons |
16.14 (110) - 10.13 (73) |
Bendigo Pioneers |
Jordan Barham |
| 2002 |
Eastern Ranges |
10.5 (65) - 9.10 (64) |
Calder Cannons |
Stephen Dinnell |
| 2003 |
Calder Cannons |
16.14 (110) - 2.6 (18) |
Murray Bushrangers |
Brock McLean |
| 2004 |
Calder Cannons |
19.20 (134) - 9.10 (64) |
Eastern Ranges |
Jesse D. Smith |
| 2005 |
Gippsland Power |
12.9 (81) - 10.6 (66) |
Dandenong Stingrays |
Dale Thomas |
| 2006 |
Oakleigh Chargers |
19.16 (130) - 16.7 (103) |
Calder Cannons |
Dean Kelly |
| 2007 |
Calder Cannons |
14.20 (104) - 7.12 (54) |
Murray Bushrangers |
Ashley Arrowsmith |
| 2008 |
Murray Bushrangers |
21.16 (142) - 9.7 (61) |
Dandenong Stingrays |
Steele Sidebottom |
Age eligibility
Although primarily a competition for 18 year olds, exceptions are made for bottom-aged players—16 or 17 year olds—and since 2007, over-age players—19 year olds—to participate in the competition.
Since the beginning of the 2007 TAC Cup season, club's have been granted permission to select up to five over-age players permitted on their lists.
Nonetheless, age eligibility requirements remain for the AFL Draft, where players must have turned 17 by April 30 of that draft year to be eligible for selection by an AFL Club.
Awards
The Morrish Medal is awarded to the best player in the competition.
Coverage
The Match of the Round is broadcast live on Rumble 103, an internet radio station based in Melbourne.
The TAC Cup is also covered in the Melbourne Newspaper the Herald Sun.
External links
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TAC Cup |
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