THEY are hardly a recognised footy club around the city of Queanbeyan, but the Harman Hogs Australian Football Club kick off their AFL Canberra campaign this Saturday against Eastlake at Hughes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Hogs are based at the Harman Navy base just outside of the Australian Capital Territory border, making them part of the Queanbeyan district.
And while they play second fiddle to the Queanbeyan Tigers Australian Football Club, there is a positive vibe at Harman where players range from a wide variety of age groups.
Player turnovers have been very high for the club over the years with many serving in the military, but in recent seasons non-military player numbers have been much higher, giving the club a better chance at stabilising its playing roster.
Hogs stalwart Aaron Foud said only a handful of players at the moment still serve in the Navy.
"It's very much a civilian club. A lot of mates bring down mates, and as the word gets around we get a few more," he said.
"They're predominantly Queanbeyan locals, but we get a few from Canberra as well."
The Hogs play in the AFL Canberra second grade and third grade competitions, where the Queanbeyan Tigers do not field teams.
Col Imrie will head coach the club this season, while George "Muz" Antonakos will captain them in second grade.
Froud was confident the second grade side could make the finals for the first time since their last title in 2011 given their playing roster was looking to be more consistent.
"Last year in our roster we had over 100 different blokes that played for the club," he said.
"If you can bring that down you can get that continuity and blokes understand how they can play with each other."
"We have about 50 on the books at the moment.Sixty would be as many as you hope to play in a year."