Tigers go to tapes for tips on opponent

THOMSON co-coach Brent Taylor says coaching staff will delve through match footage of their side’s previous encounters with Bannockburn this week before Sunday’s semi-final.

The Tigers had little trouble disposing of North Geelong in yesterday’s 38-point elimination final win, setting up a knockout clash against a side that led the GDFL ladder for much of the season.

“We’ll have a look at those games but they’ve obviously got a few big players, so we’re going to have to look at ways around that,” Taylor said.

“I reckon it will be a really good game after being in this position last year.”

The city Tigers held off the Magpies yesterday thanks to a strong opening quarter from Jackson Macleod, who looms as a finals X-factor given he was absent when his side last played Bannockburn.

Macleod is building form nicely after an injuryinterrupted season that has restricted him to only six senior games.

“In the finals it doesn’t matter how you win them so long as you win,” Taylor said.

“I feel we could have put the game to rest at halftime (yesterday), but it was still a contest and even after threequarter time we hadn’t truly put them away.

“We squandered a few in front of goal but thankfully they just couldn’t get the score on the board.”

Macleod finished with the game’s opening two goals and dominated the contested marking duels throughout the afternoon.

“Obviously with the injury he (Macleod) had he hasn’t had a really good run this year and then he had a corky out there for a week or two, then another niggle,” Taylor said.