Tigers look to make leap forward

THOMSON will only focus on itself as it prepares to bash down the door on the GDFL’s top three.

The Tigers finished the 2017 season fourth, falling short in the semi-final against Bannockburn.

The top three had run away last year, leaving the Tigers with a significant gap to jump.

Coach Reece Holwell said he was confident his side could make in-roads this season.

“We have definitely put in some harder yards this pre-season,” Holwell said.

“We are looking forward to Round 1 and winning early games, and hopefully that helps us out towards the end of the year.

“We don’t want to focus on other teams and wait for them to drop back. We want to get to their level and those three sides have been the benchmark. We’re working as hard as we can to bridge the gap.”

The Tigers will be without former captain and star Jackson Macleod, who has followed his brother Brent to CDFL club Apollo Bay.

It leaves a big hole in Thomson’s forward line with Macleod one of the league’s most reliable goalkickers.

The Tigers have, however, brought in some experience with Corio’s Brad Huhn, Queenscliff’s Andrew Hodgson and Portarlington’s Paul Davis all adding to the strength and depth of their best 22.

“We thought last year we were a little bit on the younger side,” Holwell said.

“We made sure our recruits were older heads, more experienced players to complement our younger guys. They have a lot of senior experience.”