Doubts dispelled

Veale praises coach for big season

FEW pundits gave them a chance.

And most felt Colac was destined for another September holiday.

Not veteran Lochie Veale, who had full faith in first-year coach Kane Leersen.

“Early, there were reports that we were going to finish ninth or 10th, but internally we knew that Kane and (president) Matt Gibson and the administration had done a really good job,” Veale said.

“With the list that Kane put together early, it was exciting and I can really see the improvement in the players from the start to the end.

“Leigh Gorwell is only 18 and he’s a genuine GFL midfielder, so that progressing and improvement has got us over the line in a lot of games.”

The Tigers ended Leopold’s dreams of back-to-back flags in Sunday’s elimination final and now they are one step away from a preliminary final.

The challenge ahead is Bell Park, a team that “beat them up” less than a fortnight ago.

“I didn’t play that game and it was hard to watch at times,” Veale said.

“They play their home ground really well, so hopefully a change of scenery will really help us because we were able to get out in space and run the footy (against Leopold).

“I think we learned a lot about Bell Park last time, and from what Tim Sheringham said, they steeled themselves to play us, so we’ll do our homework this week and hopefully get a good result.”

Veale believes the method to defeating the Dragons is relatively simple.

“It comes down to contested footy,” he said.

“If you can win the ball in the midfield, you will go pretty close to winning the game.

“Again, if we can match them with our hardness at the footy, I think we can push them all the way.”

Colac is brimming with confidence, while Bell Park’s belief took a major hit following the loss to St Mary’s.

“But, at the end of the day, Bell Park finished second for a reason,” Veale said.

“They will be hard to beat, but when you talk about momentum, the first quarter will be pretty big and if we can be in that contest in the first 10 minutes I think that will put us in good stead.”

One man the Dragons must stop is exciting Tigers forward Luke Hillman, who is proving to be an x-factor this season.

“And he’s still learning his trade,” Veale said.

“He’s played a couple of years in the ones and this year Kane has changed the game style and it really suits him.

“He’s kicked 60 goals and he’s very dangerous and hard to matchup on. He’s 6’3 (190cm) and runs like a midfielder. His progress this year has been huge, his contested marking has got better and better each week.”