Tigers on cusp of clean sweep
IT had taken Thomson cocoaches Brent Taylor and Reece Holwell almost three years to defeat one the GDFL’s “big three”.
Now, they are just one week away from potentially knocking off all three, after Saturday’s workmanlike victory over Bannockburn at Godfrey St Oval.
And just weeks after breaking through for a win over reigning premier Bell Post Hill, the Tigers will make it a clean sweep against the top sides if they beat premiership contender Inverleigh this weekend.
The Tigers ended a fiveyear drought against Bannockburn on Saturday, even with stars Travis McGuire (wedding), Alex Bowles (back), Jack Spokes (ankle) and Jared Matheson (meniscus) unavailable.
After two years of semifinal exits, Taylor believes his side is on the cusp of something special.
“Today wasn’t a sensational win or a flashy display,” Taylor said.
“It was a showcase of all the things we had implemented in the opening weeks.
“As a whole team we played the role, whether it was in the aerial contests and intercepts or on the possession count, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Thomson made a flying start, kicking six of the opening seven goals of the game, with James Menzies booting three in this period.
And while Brendan Wall may have only recorded six kicks, his economical return of four goals, a behind and a goal assist was enough to fill the void of Matheson, who may not return until July.
“Gravy (Andrew McLeish) was also good, he just worked hard from start to finish,” Taylor said.
It wouldn’t have been a modern-day Tiger clash without the mandatory Holwell act of bravery.
Last year, the courageous Holwell suffered a sickening head clash before running back on the ground to finish with four goals and 32 disposals.
While he was not as prolific on this occasion, a two-goal haul proved just as heroic after he copped a painful knee to the back from Tiger ruckman Kieran Fulton.
Still, Thomson’s shock 80-point loss to Winchelsea in Round 3 has still shielded the side from the premiership favourite title — at least until after Saturday’s blockbuster.
“We didn’t back up our Bell Post Hill win very well, so that’s what I said to the fellas after the game, we need to remember that week,” Taylor said.
“If we bring our best against Inverleigh, then our best will be good enough if we’re willing to work hard.
“Winchelsea was simply really good that night.
“We’re not taking anything away from their performance because we still had high expectations of the side we fielded that evening.”