Kyle Ramage has taken on the role of coaching for the Gundagai Tigers Reserve Grade for 2025, the regular Tigers’ Fullback is looking forward to taking the reins this year.
Kyle said “At the moment I will be coaching the team by myself and hopefully someone will tag along and manage the bench for me. Training kicked off on Thursday, January 30 and all the senior numbers look pretty good.”
“We’ve lost a fair few players from Reserve Grade last year, but I reckon we will be right and be able to field a team for sure. I’ve been at Gundagai since 2019. One of the seasons was called short with two rounds to go and one of them was a short year with only eight games due to Covid.”
“I love it in Gundagai. I love the people I’ve met. Some of my best mates I’ve met in Gundagai and it has all really been through football. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”
Ramage has just turned 28 and has played a mix of Reserve and First Grade during his career. He was an understudy to Mr football Mark Elphick in 2024 and no doubt learnt plenty of skills from the Gundagai stalwart.
Ramage noted that there is a visible difference between the Reserve Grade and First Grade in Group 9.
“Players get jammed a bit harder in the Reserve Grade you get jammed a bit harder, whereas in First Grade it’s more technique and slowing down the ruck and that sort of stuff.”
“Obviously First Grade is way faster and the games go for longer and fatigue sets in a lot more. In Reserve Grade there’s limited subs and more chance for you to get whacked really. It’s all fun and games.”
Ramage broke his collarbone in the semi against Albury in Young last year but still kitted up and sat on the bench for his side such is his commitment.
“I went up on the bench in case they needed me in the grand final, but they didn’t.”
He said his body is doing fine this year. “I played footy last weekend and honestly didn’t even think about my collarbone. You wouldn’t even be able to tell I broke it.”
As a coach you have to be really unselfish and put yourself where you have to be for the team, and Ramage says he has been fairly blessed with being versatile and has played nearly every position for Gundagai, something that will help him in the coaching department.
“My favourite position is probably Fullback, but I’m happy to fill in anywhere wherever they need me to play I will play. I’m happy to play anywhere, it doesn’t really worry me, never has.”
“I’m not sure about any trials at the moment, but I dare say we will be following First Grade if they do have a trial. I want to try and take on Mark Elphick cool head, he’s a very calm, collected person and he brings that to coaching as well.”
“I will probably take that direction and see how it goes. Sometimes I get a bit fiery on the field but not much will change from last year when Mark and I coached together. It will be alright because Mark is still playing and he will still be there as a leader within the group and that will help me out a bit.”
“Training is twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm. Aaron will be running most of the pre-season sessions.”
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