Pre Season Draft Extends Overseas for Cougars

Pre Season Draft Extends Overseas for Cougars!
Old is New in Cougarland!

In what can only be explained as an act of desperation it is confirmed through very reliable AFL sources that the VAFC Cougars have officially conducted training camps in Australia in an effort to recruit players for the 2009 NWPAFL season.
Clearly evident over the Christmas period has been the Cougar’s lack of scheduled Pre Season training. All other NWPAFL clubs including the Saints, Eagles, Delta Hawks and ISSC Harps have embarked on heavy Pre Season training schedules in the Vancouver area and advertised openly on the www.bcfooty.com website for new players.

However, the Cougar’s have, up till now, been extremely secretive regarding their preparation for the 2009 season. Brad Jorgensen, Cougar’s Senior Coach stated, while shopping at a FlightCentre location in Kitsilano, that ‘there has always been a expectation for players to complete their own fitness training during and throughout the year. If players head overseas to specialised training camps then that’s their prerogative”.

We have now confirmed that secretly the Cougars have been training – albeit in Australia.

‘It was peculiar that Stu Grills took an extended holiday to Australia while ensuring his employees (Ward Frost (WCAFC) and Brendan Coleman (ISSC)) were mandated to clear snow for 18 days straight. And I don’t think that [Stu] accidently had several other NWPAFL people covering his butt during that time”, commented Scott Sheen (WAFC Senior Coach) via telephone yesterday. ‘It all smells like a typical bloody S W Grillswald scheme to throw all the other teams off guard. I know our veteran Campion is still recovering from mild Hypothermia and Excessiveworkitis symptoms during Grills’ absence. We are not happy and will be contacting BCfooty to discuss the restriction of trade conditions”.

BAFC Eagles’ President and Coach were equally as suspicious regarding the Cougars’ approach. While attending a BAFC player retreat and team building camp in Whistler, Chris Freeman stated ‘its crap” and Coach Matt Bell emphasised ‘focusing on veterans may buy a flag in the short term but its not a very strong long term approach is it?”.

Past players were apparently the target of the Cougars and specifically some well known and well respected individuals. Names to be thrown around involved – Jason Bencich (2007 runner up B&F Cougars), Will Vanderlou (The 2007 Dooner), Tim McGrath (ex Cougar President), Doug Vargo (NWPAFL forward sensation), Josh Lappin and even veteran James Lay – all who have been in direct contact with the Cougars’ Management team recently. However sources could only confirm that both Peter Fidelli and Scott Fleming were officially invited to return for the 2009 season.

Of perhaps greater interest to the football followers in this neck of the woods was the fact that local notable, David Miller (WCSAFC) was also being courted by the Cougars. Saints officials denied this speculation but did confirm that Miller was in Australia at present and was currently not returning any Saints texts and emails. WCAFC
Communication Manager Jake Benson released a very detailed Press Release from his
Down town 2010 Penthouse summarised as ‘Miller is in Australia. He has seen some old friends. He is still under contract with the Saints. He is still valued as a Saints player and there is no need to be concerned about his contract renewal”. However, Benson did not comment on whether the Cougars had been in negotiations with Miller.

Fidelli and Fleming have confirmed an interest in playing for the Cougars in 2009 and are currently optioning their contracts. It does appear that they have been trying to influence Miller to join them!

Expect to see some new faces in the Cougars camp that may indeed be ‘not that new after all” remarked VAFC President Tony Cooper.

The 2009 NWPAFL season is hotting up already and not a ball has been bounced!

The Whisper!