Above: “The Great Wall of Gippsland" (as one Gladiators player dubbed their defensive line) in action in their 28-0 win against the Monash Barbarians. 65412 Right: Buck Buchanan preparing the team before the clash against the Barbarians at Sydney Pargeter Reserve.
By Jarrod Potter
THE Gippsland Gladiators gridiron team has started the season strongly, winning two of its first three games in Gridiron Victoria’s second division.
Head coach Buck Buchanan and assistant coach Paul Tindall have watched a team grow around them, as people from far and wide across Gippsland have become involved in the sport.
“We put an ad in the paper and people started popping out of the woodwork,” Buchanan said.
“There have been a lot of guys come to the team saying they’ve wanted to play the game.
“We had a lot of guys who were really keen; some haven’t stayed with us, but others have come on, so we’re still this day having people showing up to practise, calling us or sending emails weekly to show interest.
“We’re looking good through this year and into the future because there’s a lot interest out there.”
The first win for the Gladiators came last week against the Melbourne University Royals at home, with Gippsland emerging victorious 17-0.
“Our first win at home was a big boost to the team and the community is talking about us,” Buchanan said.
“We’re based out of Morwell at Marysville Recreation Reserve, but we have 42 registered guys who are from eight to 10 different towns in Gippsland, so when we called ourselves the Gippsland Gladiators, we meant it.”
Buchanan, who lives in Stratford, has been in Australia for 11 years and been heavily involved in gridiron since childhood.
“I started playing tackle football from the time I was in fourth grade,” he said.
“I played through high school, then in City league in Colorado, then played some flag football in the air force and college. Been playing or coached for about 18 years.”
The team is starting to mesh well, with preparations putting the Gladiators to their limits.
“We’re going to go well and be competitive,” Buchanan says. “I tell the guys to prepare every game like they’re going against the hardest team in the league, whether we are or not.
“So we come out with that attitude, we’re not overlooking any team, but we’re also not giving any team too much respect. We’re out here to play and if they’re going to beat us they’ll have to earn it.”
The Gladiators capped off an excellent weekend with a 28-0 win over the Monash Barbarians at Sydney Pargeter Reserve in Endeavour Hills.
