Tigers Co Coach Blake Dunn addressing his squad.
We caught up with Tigers Coach Derek Hay in our first edition and we have now caught up with his main man, Co Coach Blake Dunn. Blake is one of Gundagai’s favourite sons. Although not born or bred in the town, Dunn’s contribution to the Tigers since 2015 leap frogs him over the need to be there for many years to be considered a local, such are country towns. Dunn’s sheer number of Grand Final wins and appearances has made sure his name will be etched in Gundagai history forever. Originally from Dubbo, one of Rugby League and the NRL’s breeding grounds for talent, Dunn grew up idolising first graders before going on to carve out a successful career himself. He played at Dubbo Cyms and went through the U18s system, before spending two years in Sydney.
From there he went to Wollongong where he played at Thirroul. At 22, he joined Wagga Brothers after the departure of former NRL player Craig Field. He spent five years with the club before looking for another challenge. That challenge came in the Gundagai Tigers, a club which had a long and proud history, but one that had struggled to fill the trophy cabinet from a first grade perspective for a number of years. He said, “I was interested in winning premierships but I didn’t want to go somewhere that had already done that recently. It has been a real enjoyable 9 or 10 years. I’ve had a couple of kids in that time and they have grown up while I have been playing there. They have been some of our best memories. That’s what brought me to Gundagai, the town has always been behind the club.”
Blake studied a Bachelor of Business and has worked at Charles Sturt University for the last five years. Before that he spent a few years working with the PCYC. His role at CSU Wagga is Manager of First Nations Students Services, where he manages staff across the state and improves access, completion and experiences for First Nations people. His calm yet confident demeanour, mixed with a sound footballing mind where he has been there and done that in the game, will rub off nicely with the young squad. Blake spent the back end of his career in the Back Row but started off in the halves. The boots were put on the hook last year, in what will likely be his last run. He doesn’t have an intention of playing in 2024 and at 36 has long been a servant to the game and to the Tigers, delivering a premiership for Thirroul before he arrived at Brothers.
Four premierships for the Tigers followed. Dunn said, “The club has played a specific style of play on the field over the last few years. Derek is a mature player and Coach, we often challenge each other in what we want to achieve and how we go about it.” Some footy players, especially the big boys in the forward pack can be seen as battering rams, however, Dunn is a break out mould of his own. He will be great for the Tigers this year, as there are few Coaches who can talk to the backs and understand the skill-set needed, as well as how to take a hit, tackle and get an offload away. It wasn’t until he played first grade that he played in the second row. In juniors it was the silky skills of playing in the halves which shaped his game. Dunn has plans not just to help the players on the field.
He said, “I want to see us grow as individuals, grow as people, as football players. It’s easier said than done. It can be a never ending pursuit. I hope they feel like a better person when they have a good job and they can fulfil their capabilities as footballers. We have a lot of work to do, but there’s some work we need to do in a few areas, work from each player, Coaching staff to get better the leave ANZAC Park better than we came in. I think if we do that, we can be competitive in this year’s competition.” Dunn said, “We have a really young team this year to past years. We have one person over 30. Most are under 25. They are still learning about life, growing, professionalism, good work ethic. If we can help them along that path it will be a good thing.
The Tigers continue to train hard at their spiritual home in the lead up to this season’s games. If you would like to sign up with the club, make contact through Coaches Derek Hay or Blake Dunn.
