Tigers’ true test awaits

THRASHING his former team was the perfect start to Trent Baumeler’s career as a senior coach, but he says it’s too early to say if the Tigers can make the finals for the first time in TSL history.

Baumeler believes the Tigers’ clash with North Launceston at UTas Stadium on Saturday would be a stronger indicator.

“It’s hard to say where we sit based off one game,” Baumeler said. “We will get a pretty fair gauge this weekend.

“There’s probably no bigger challenge at the moment than going to play the reigning premier on their own deck.

“They’re in pretty good form and had a 56-point win against a quality outfit [Launceston].

“Once we have played everyone once we will know where we are at.”

The Tigers will be without scrapping forward Connor Bryant, who kicked two goals in the 53-point win over North Hobart on Good Friday, but injured his shoulder in time-on of the final term.

Defenders Nick Hutchinson and Cam Woolley are expected back from injury.

It will be difficult for Baumeler to change a winning formula.

“After having a look at the vision I’m pretty happy with the way we went about implementing the stuff that we’ve been working on over the summer,” he said. “We did a really good job of holding the ball in our half of the ground, which was a big focus for us, and our ball movement was good, although there are a few things to improve on.”

Former Hobart City Demon Jake Doran impressed in his debut in yellow and black.

“He ended up being our player behind the footy and he did a really good job of that,” Baumeler said.

“He’s come along way with his hands and reading of the play and leadership. I was really impressed with the way Blake Grant has gone about it over the summer.

“He’s got the potential to turn himself into a senior TSL midfielder so we will start to expose him more through the midfield group as the season goes on.”

The TSL has three games on Saturday — Glenorchy plays Lauderdale at KVG and first-round losers Launceston and North Hobart meet at Windsor Park.