April 9th 2012: Bunnings Fundraising BBQ
Get down to the Thomastown Bunnings store, located on Dalton Rd in Thomastown on Easter Monday to help support our fundraising effort, so that we can equip our junior squad for the 2012 junior season. Bring your family and friends and buy a sausage and drink on the day.
Hope to see you all there.
Hope to see you all there.
Feb 20th 2012: Congratulations to our very own Geoff Woollard.
Raiders Defensive coordinator Geoff Woollard was officially inducted as a Life Memeber of Gridiron Victoria at tonights GV AGM. Geoff has been around the leage since day 1, with over 200+ games, a league MVP and 5 Vic Bowls under his belt. He has also represented Victoria and Australia on many occasions. He began his carrer in the mid 1980's with the Brighton Outlaws and was instrumental in founding and developing clubs such as the South Yarra Rams, Banyule Panthers, Northern Blackhawks, Baycity Buccaneers and The Northern Raiders. Congratulations once again Geoff.
Feb 2nd 2012: World Team beats USA at their own game.
Training back in full swing.
We've had lots of new faces show up to practice this year, with some very talented individuals amonst them. Many of these new breed of Raiders have already committed financially, and have bought their gear already, this is promising to look like anther good year for The Northern Raiders Gridion Club.
Training Times are 6-9pm Tuesday, and 10am-1pm Sunday.
If you are interested in being a Raider, come down to practice and give it a go. See below for Pre-Season ground location.
Training Times are 6-9pm Tuesday, and 10am-1pm Sunday.
If you are interested in being a Raider, come down to practice and give it a go. See below for Pre-Season ground location.
Jan 2012: Training Resumes.
Merry Christmas, and Happy new year to Raider members, fans and supporters.
The Raiders will be resuming practice again at our summer training venue this Tueday 3rd of Jan. The ground is located at William Ruthven Primary School on Glasgow Ave in Reservoir, Melway Reference: Map 18 E2.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps/place?q=william+ruthven+primary&hl=en&cid=4814001127083754086
Sunday sessions are at 10am at the same ground.
Hope to see you all there.
The Raiders will be resuming practice again at our summer training venue this Tueday 3rd of Jan. The ground is located at William Ruthven Primary School on Glasgow Ave in Reservoir, Melway Reference: Map 18 E2.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps/place?q=william+ruthven+primary&hl=en&cid=4814001127083754086
Sunday sessions are at 10am at the same ground.
Hope to see you all there.
5th Nov 2011: Raiders Presentation night.
The Raiders all turned up to to the Stolberg Hotel in Preston last night to finish off the 2011 Season in true form. It was a sensational night with lots of laughs, Great food, Great speeches and Great awards presented to each and every Raider for both on and off field efforts this Season. We will post images of the night once we collect them all. Below is a list of our major award winners for the evening, Congratulation to all recipients on the night, And a Big Thank you to Coach Mario for doing an outstanding job with the yearbook, and Coach Mike for organising the Trophies.
• The Geoff Woollard MVP Award – #28 Paul Keating.
• Rookie of the Year – #11 Matt Freestun.
• Offensive MVP – #10 Kris Philpot.
• Defensive MVP – #55 Victor Utumapu
• Offensive-Line MVP – #59 Matt Grikepelis
• Defensive-Line MVP – #99 Ritchie Noue
• Special Teams – #77 Vu Nguyen
• Play of The Year - #28 Paul Keating and #21 Brad Hall
Outstanding Club Members
• #55 Victor Utumapo
• #27 Stuart Yap
• #84 Greg O’Brien
• #58 Geoff Woollard
• #87 Matt Dobson
• #57 Gareth Leach
Raider Spirit Award
• Kirsty Maii Austin
• Sarah Parkes
• Hannah Parker-Richards
• Cameron Esler
• Kelly McAvoy
• Rebecca Ray
• Max Fisher
• Adam Fisher
• Conroy Warr
Novelty Awards
• #22 Ange Mammoliti – Most Invaluable Bladder
• #61 Daniel Bruder – Light Someone Up Award
• #69 Rob Randal – Take a Chill Pill Award
• The Geoff Woollard MVP Award – #28 Paul Keating.
• Rookie of the Year – #11 Matt Freestun.
• Offensive MVP – #10 Kris Philpot.
• Defensive MVP – #55 Victor Utumapu
• Offensive-Line MVP – #59 Matt Grikepelis
• Defensive-Line MVP – #99 Ritchie Noue
• Special Teams – #77 Vu Nguyen
• Play of The Year - #28 Paul Keating and #21 Brad Hall
Outstanding Club Members
• #55 Victor Utumapo
• #27 Stuart Yap
• #84 Greg O’Brien
• #58 Geoff Woollard
• #87 Matt Dobson
• #57 Gareth Leach
Raider Spirit Award
• Kirsty Maii Austin
• Sarah Parkes
• Hannah Parker-Richards
• Cameron Esler
• Kelly McAvoy
• Rebecca Ray
• Max Fisher
• Adam Fisher
• Conroy Warr
Novelty Awards
• #22 Ange Mammoliti – Most Invaluable Bladder
• #61 Daniel Bruder – Light Someone Up Award
• #69 Rob Randal – Take a Chill Pill Award
28th Aug 2011: Raiders are Division 2 Vic Bowl Champions
The Northern Raiders finished their inaugural year in the best way possible, by taking out the Gridiron Victoria Division 2 Vic Bowl.
Our opponents on the day were the Gippsland Gladiators who put up a great fight on the day. The game was a great spectacle of “smash mouth” football, with the Raiders pounding the middle all day, and despite fumbling the ball 5 times during the match we moved the ball with relative ease. At half time the score was still 0-0. This setup a great second half by the raiders as we marched down the field, getting first downs again and again, finally putting a score on the board. The Gladiators also managed a score shortly after which tied the game up again. But with the help from our sideline and a vocal home crowd, the Raiders continued their dominance with the run and put 2 unanswered touch downs on the board. This was enough to break the back of the Gladiators and saw us run out victors 18-6.
The Raiders wish to thank everyone that has supported the club in our first year in the league and promise to come back better and stronger next season.
Our opponents on the day were the Gippsland Gladiators who put up a great fight on the day. The game was a great spectacle of “smash mouth” football, with the Raiders pounding the middle all day, and despite fumbling the ball 5 times during the match we moved the ball with relative ease. At half time the score was still 0-0. This setup a great second half by the raiders as we marched down the field, getting first downs again and again, finally putting a score on the board. The Gladiators also managed a score shortly after which tied the game up again. But with the help from our sideline and a vocal home crowd, the Raiders continued their dominance with the run and put 2 unanswered touch downs on the board. This was enough to break the back of the Gladiators and saw us run out victors 18-6.
The Raiders wish to thank everyone that has supported the club in our first year in the league and promise to come back better and stronger next season.
19th Aug 2011: Raiders clean up at GV presentation night.
The Northern Raiders took home some serious honours and trophies at the Gridiron Victoria Presentation night this year, showing the league that we are a team to watch out for in future. Congratulations to the following Raiders:
Division Two – All Victorian Team
QB: Vincent Scheffer (Rangers II)
RB: Victor Nguyen (Royals)
FB: Kris Philpot (Raiders)
WR: Noel Petracca, Travis Browning (Rangers II)
TE/SR: Adrian Hector (Gladiators)
RT: Scott Schenk (Raiders)
RG: Gareth Leach (Raiders)
C: Larny Pasene (Royals)
LG: Damian Roach (Rangers II)
LT: Terry Hambidge (Raiders)
R: Matt Pitt (Rangers II)
P: Andrew Bell (Gladiators)
K: Andrew Bell (Gladiators)
DT: Matt Jenkins, Richie Noue (Raiders)
DE: Nick Murray (Barbarians), Vaea Tuuu (Raiders)
LB: Victor Utumapu (Raiders), Simi Aiono (Raiders), Craig Backman (Gladiators)
CB: Jake Millman, Liam Fordham (Rangers II)
FS: Paul Keating (Raiders)
SS: Rob Aston (Rangers II)
Coach: Warren Gephart (Raiders)
Offensive Lineman of the Year
Michael Santinon (Raiders)
Defensive Lineman of the Year
Richie Noue (Raiders)
Defensive Player of the Year
Paul Keating (Raiders)
Overall MVP – Division Two
1st Place: Vincent Scheffer (Rangers)
2nd Place: Victor Nguyen (Royals)
3rd Place: Kris Philpot (Raiders)
Division Two – All Victorian Team
QB: Vincent Scheffer (Rangers II)
RB: Victor Nguyen (Royals)
FB: Kris Philpot (Raiders)
WR: Noel Petracca, Travis Browning (Rangers II)
TE/SR: Adrian Hector (Gladiators)
RT: Scott Schenk (Raiders)
RG: Gareth Leach (Raiders)
C: Larny Pasene (Royals)
LG: Damian Roach (Rangers II)
LT: Terry Hambidge (Raiders)
R: Matt Pitt (Rangers II)
P: Andrew Bell (Gladiators)
K: Andrew Bell (Gladiators)
DT: Matt Jenkins, Richie Noue (Raiders)
DE: Nick Murray (Barbarians), Vaea Tuuu (Raiders)
LB: Victor Utumapu (Raiders), Simi Aiono (Raiders), Craig Backman (Gladiators)
CB: Jake Millman, Liam Fordham (Rangers II)
FS: Paul Keating (Raiders)
SS: Rob Aston (Rangers II)
Coach: Warren Gephart (Raiders)
Offensive Lineman of the Year
Michael Santinon (Raiders)
Defensive Lineman of the Year
Richie Noue (Raiders)
Defensive Player of the Year
Paul Keating (Raiders)
Overall MVP – Division Two
1st Place: Vincent Scheffer (Rangers)
2nd Place: Victor Nguyen (Royals)
3rd Place: Kris Philpot (Raiders)
Northern Raiders take out Minor Premiership Div 2: 2011
13th Aug 2011: Round 15: Raiders v Rangers (2)
31st Jul 2011: Round 13: Gladiators v Raiders
24th Jul 2011: Round 12: Raiders v Crusaders
10th July 2011: Round 10: Miners v Raiders.
The Raiders took on the Miners, at the Miners home ground in Endevour Hills today. It was Cold, Wet and windy all day, and the ball slippery as soap. Our Defense stood tall once again, shutting down The Miners in the first Quarter and a half. However we gave them the ball time and time again in great field position, and with the sheer number of attempts the managed to capitalise on it. Offensively we managed to move the ball on our opening drive, but faultered on every drive after that. Miners ran out victors 26-0.
3rd July 2011: Round 9: Raiders v Pioneers.
The Raiders took on the much improved Pioneers at home today at home in Reservoir. With the Raiders running out winners 19-3. The Pioneers have improved since last we met, but our defense was able to hold them to a wind assisted field goal.. Offense had a great first half, but failed to score in the second, with the only score coming from a kick return by Brad Hall.
25th June 2011: Round 8: Raiders v Rangers.
Division 2 leaders The Northern Raiders encountered the Division 1 leaders The Croydon Rangers in our second crossover game for the season. The Raiders went into this game severly depleted by injuries incurred over the last 2 games, as well as missing a few key players. The Rangers received the ball and wasted no time in moving the ball down field and scoring early in the game. The Rangers showed us first hand why they are the Division 1 leaders on both sides of the ball, completely shutting down our offense on the day. Our defence worked tirelesly the entire game, but were out done by a far more experienced team. We played hard football all day and certainly let them know we came to play out every down, no matter the result, gaining their respect and forcing adjustments to their game based on our defensive pressure. Once again a great measuring stick for us, this is where we need to get to, so lots of work ahead of us. Big thank you to Rangers who displayed great sportsmanship on the day. Final score Raiders 0 Rangers 53.
18th June 2011: Round 7: Raiders v Barbarians
After our humbling loss to the Warriors last week, we face the Warriors Division 2 team the Barbarians.
The barbs had all the info they needed from the warriors on how to take on the Raiders this week, and managed to score early in the game. To the Raiders credit and against all that we faced on the day, we managed to put up two scores to put us in front, However the Barbs threatened to score on all their drives, but our defense stood tall and held them out in the red zone with just seconds to go in the game. the Raiders ran out winners 12-6 in the closest game we have had to date.
The barbs had all the info they needed from the warriors on how to take on the Raiders this week, and managed to score early in the game. To the Raiders credit and against all that we faced on the day, we managed to put up two scores to put us in front, However the Barbs threatened to score on all their drives, but our defense stood tall and held them out in the red zone with just seconds to go in the game. the Raiders ran out winners 12-6 in the closest game we have had to date.
June 15th 2011: Round 6: Raiders v Warriors.
Great game of football this weekend. Our rookies got a taste of what the next level is all about. Our boys tried their guts out all day, did not give in, and played to win right up to the final whistle. It was great getting the first score on the board early in the game and taking the lead. Half time the score was only 16-6. However the experience of our opponents was far too great in the end, as they adjusted well to our offense, and found the holes in our defense, as a good club should.
Without these divisional cross over games the Div 2 teams will never learn to step up to a greater challenge. We took a lot out of this game and will use it to improve as a club. We Raiders are proud of our club, coaches, admin , players and supporters, and will strive to get to the top level. Our goal is to beat a Div 1 team this season.
Look out for the Raiders, as we are here to stay.
Go Raiders!
Without these divisional cross over games the Div 2 teams will never learn to step up to a greater challenge. We took a lot out of this game and will use it to improve as a club. We Raiders are proud of our club, coaches, admin , players and supporters, and will strive to get to the top level. Our goal is to beat a Div 1 team this season.
Look out for the Raiders, as we are here to stay.
Go Raiders!
4th June 2011: Round 5: Raiders v Pioneers
The Raiders played their first game at our home field in front of a huge crowd of family, friends and locals. Our opponents we the Ballarat Pioneers, who put up a gallant effort on the day, but were out beaten by a strong Raider defense and an offense that was firing on all fours. Final Score 32-0. Thanks to all who turned up to watch us play, and we hope to see you at our next home game in a few weeks.
22nd May 2011: First Game of Gridiron at Cotchin Reserve.
The Raiders hosted their first games of Gridiron at our home field Cotchin Reserve. We had a difficult start to the day with the council / workmen turning the water off to the field, But coach Gep found the main and we turned it back on just before the first game. First game saw the Monash Barbarians beat the Ballarat Pioneers 18-6. Yhe Second game was not so close, as the Croydon Rangers pounded the Berwick Miners to a pulp 49-0. We had many compliments about our field from all 4 team that played today, which we are so proud to have.
21st May 2011: Round 3: Raiders v Rangers (2)
Playing for outright top spot in Division 2 The Raiders faced the 2-0 Rangers (2) in Corio and clinched top spot with a 20-8 win in a hard fought battle. Raiders 3-0.
15th May 2011: Round 2: Raiders v Royals
The Raiders continued their great form and beat the Melbourne Royals 16-0
7th May 2011: Round 1: Raiders v Barbarians
The Northern Raiders started their innaugral season with a 24-8 win over the Monash Barbarians.
15th Feb 2011: Leader Newspaper
Here is our first entry in the local paper.
