Tigers' historic Wheelchair AFL Premiership
Redcliffe Tigers AFL Club made history last weekend, when its Wheelchair team claimed its first Grand Final.
Co-captain Tristan Orchard says the 91-73 win – against last year’s Premiers Morningside – is particularly sweet because it coincides with the club’s 50th birthday year.
It’s also only the second year of the Queensland Wheelchair Football League, with Redcliffe among the foundation teams last year.
“The buy-in from the club has been fantastic and to win in the 50th anniversary year, there was a little romance in that in a way,” Tristan says.
“They were in the Grand Final last year, but this year five of the eight on the team were new to the sport.
“We took a bunch of rookies and learnt along the way.
“For a lot of the team it was the first Grand Final they’ve been part of – and they’re in their 40s.”
Tristan says the win was even sweeter because Redcliffe toppled last year’s Premiers – Morningside – and had a tough campaign to make the final match of the year.
“Three teams going into the finals were on the same points and we were third on percentage.
“We had to win those final three games to get the premiership and during the regular season we’d played Morningside twice and won one and lost one.”
Powerful support
Tristan joined the Tigers from Beenleigh this year after a talent shuffle to make the competition more even.
“The club’s been amazing – I knew from the moment I went in to introduce myself that this is home in a way,” he says.
“When I went into the club for the first time, they made everyone feel equal with the rest of the club – it was not some sort of token. It’s been a joy to be a part of.
“I made it known that I wanted to bring the Premiership here and they gave us everything we needed.”
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Tigers president Gayle Wetzel-Fitgerald says winning the Wheelchair Premiership was testament to the hard work and commitment of the team.
“It was extra special being our 50th year,” Gayle says.
She says the club has plans to introduce another team next year so people with other disabilities can play AFL.
“We’re hoping to have an Inclusive team next year so that people on the spectrum or who are unable to play a long season can play too.
“We just want to be a place where everyone can be part of it,” she says.
Looking to the future
With the Grand Final behind him, Tristan says his focus – and that of three Redcliffe teammates – is now on the two-game Pathways to Care Q-Clash series between the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns AFL Wheelchair teams that will pave the way for selection into the Queensland squad to compete at the Toyota National Wheelchair AFL Championship.
“Half our Redcliffe team has made the representative squads – and for two of the people who made the rep teams it’s their first year playing,” he says.
Tristan is the Suns’ captain-coach, joined on the team by Redcliffe co-captain Stephen French.
Fellow Redcliffe players Josh Boyle and Dan Scott have been selected to play for the Lions in the Q-Clash series.
Tristan’s sporting success extends beyond AFL – he also plays wheelchair tennis and has his eye on a spot in the 2028 Paralympics Team as a rower.