Shattock joins Tigers in massive coup
The challenge of lifting Labrador to their first ever AFLQ finals series was the clincher for the Tigers in signing former Brisbane Lions premiership player Aaron Shattock.
Labrador last night announced that the fierce utility would wear the black and gold for the next three seasons in a massive boost for the Gold Coast club.
"I didn't have any ties to any particular club because I had played for the Lions Reserves when I was up there and it was a hard decision to choose," said Shattock, who was interviewed by several clubs including reigning premier Southport.
"Labrador offered the opportunity to hopefully build something special over the next few years."
Shattock spent five years on the Brisbane Lions' list and played in the 2002 premiership side.
He could never quite nail down a permanent berth in the ultra talented team and moved to Port Adelaide seeking greater opportunity for the 2005 season.
However, injury conspired against him and he was delisted at the end of this season.
Shattock starred in the 2001 AFLQ finals series and was one of the Lions Reserves' best in their come-from-behind win over Southport.
His application and attack on the ball - and relative youth at 26 - make him one of the prize recruits to the competition of recent years.
"The challenge of helping the club up the ladder was something that I was looking for," he said. "I want to be able to help make a difference.
"I don't think we should necessarily be aiming to make the grand final in the first year, but making the finals should be our number one aim."
While Southport have played in 19 of 23 grand finals since entering the state league and Broadbeach have been knocking on the door of a grand final berth for the last five years, Labrador have spent most of their 10 seasons in the State League closer to the cellar.
But Shattock has plenty of faith in the direction set by president David Loft and showed his own commitment by signing for the three-year period.
He is also hopeful that several prospective recruits that the club has been talking to will now commit to the club, while he also has a couple of players he knows that he will be approaching.
Despite that, he believes strongly in fostering local talent and wants to play a part in cultivating a vibrant pool of youth for the club.
He will be an assistant coach to newly appointed club stalwart Byron Donnellon and will have a hands-on role with the club's junior academy that was launched by Shattock's former Lions captain Michael Voss last month.
"All of the young players are really behind Byron and I will help him out wherever I can," Shattock said. "We want to build ourself a good young talent pool which produces a number of 100-game players for the club."
Shattock still has commitments in Adelaide until January, but will visit his new teammates for several days before Christmas.
Last Modified on 24/11/2006 15:25