We can do the double
‘No pressure’ on Grovedale
GROVEDALE captain Barry Tsitas is adamant there’s no extra pressure on his beefedup side to win back-to-back premierships.
Having signed the GCA’s best batsman Glen Talarico and lured star bowler James Fisher back to the club, the Tigers are raging favourites for another title.
But Tsitas said his team, which charged from fifth to a grand final win last season, was not feeling the heat ahead of a new season.
“It’s been a really good preseason so far and the guys know what we can do when we work hard,” Tsitas said. “Everyone’s pulling their weight and we’re going in the right direction.
“Adding Glen gives us more depth and more class to our side but there’s no easy ride for players to get into the ones.”
The Tigers have failed to win back-to-back flags on two occasions, having lost the 2008-09 grand final to Geelong West after its 2007-08 triumph and bowing out in the semi-final in 2012-13 after success the previous season.
“In my time at Grovedale we’ve won three flags, so I know what it’s like to try to defend a title,” Tsitas said.
“We know it’s hard to get to the grand final and there have been times where we’ve challenged for back-to-back titles the year after and we’ve gone down. I’m not feeling any pres- sure and I don’t sense any pressure from the guys. I certainly know the guys are motivated and are looking forward to the season.”
Fisher, who crossed to BPCA club Barrabool last season, returns to the Tigers. He will be joined by brother John.
“He (James) was a great bowler for us in the ones. He had a year off at Barrabool while he was getting an arthroscope on his knee and he’s come back and he’s looking really good,” Tsitas said.
“Time will tell where he starts but he’s definitely a ones player.
“I’d be surprised if he didn’t start in the ones and his brother will be a handy bowler as well. It’s his first year playing turf and it’s great to have him across.”
Tsitas is expecting plenty of competition for spots, with the entire turf division of the club retained for the 2016-17 season.
“We’re looking for natural development in a lot of the young guys,” he said. “A few guys made some inroads in the twos last year, so hopefully they can take the next step and push their case for the ones.”