Linde Is Butchers' Best And Fairest, While Ostwald Reappointed Coach
Illawarra Mercury
Monday October 1, 2007
THIRROUL Butchers have reappointed Phil Ostwald as their head coach for the 2008 Illawarra Carlton League season.
This will be Ostwald's seventh season coaching Thirroul since 1998.This year, Thirroul finished on equal competition points with minor premiers Dapto and premiers Collegians at the completion of the home and away season.However, the Butchers were disrupted with injuries throughout the year and they were eliminated in the minor semi-final despite a courageous effort.Ostwald coached Thirroul to the Illawarra premiership in 1999 and to grand final runners-up in 2000, 2001 and 2006, and to the final in 1998.The Butchers have appointed club stalwart Ben Couchman as second grade coach for 2008, with Jeff Hurd as his assistant and Gavin Dengate as under 18 coach.Thirroul captain and hooker Ben Linde took out the club's best and fairest award last Friday night, while James Corrigan was adjudged best and fairest in second grade and captain Dean Guimare won the under 18 award for the second year in a row.A tribute to former long-serving frontrower Couchman was a feature of the awards night.The Butchers' first grade players' player award went to frontrower Jay Van Meegan and clubman of the year to lock Aaron Beath.Thirroul's chances for next season have received a tremendous boost with the return of St George Illawarra Dragons Premier League captain Ryan Powell.
© 2007 Illawarra Mercury
