As it should be, the men’s Over 35s competition is as enjoyable as it is filled with banter and will.
This year it’s been an all-in from the start with a dozen willing teams testing, probing, and facing each other once.
Cleaver came down – two divisions, and Coffs Coast Tigers went from seventh to first – in the newly hatched 2nd Division. Happy days were had.
“We were in the middle of the pack and then we were first. Managed to win a couple of games and hold on,” Coffs Coast Tigers manager Trent Lakeman said.
Crowned as premiers, the Tigers won a tight race – one point clear of Bellingen, two of Nambucca and four of Northern Storm.
“We’ve had mixed results and we’re a team of boys who’ve either not played for a long time, or not played at all,” Trent said.
“We’ve had some new boys come in who are fathers of players. It’s taken a while to find our groove.
“It’s been fantastic with all of the teams. End-to-end action, and we’re quietly confident about the finals.
“I think all of our outfield playyers have scored a goal this year, so it’s been good.”
Trent has been a Tigers clubman since moving to Coffs Harbour in 2007 – and is loving the Over 35s’ life since stepping back from reserve grade and injuries.
As team ‘manager’, Trent has embraced the many roles of getting the Tigers on the purr – not the least to ensure the refreshments are at hand.
“I’ve only forgotten twice and the boys have let me know about it,” he said.
