TIGERS’ TEST: LAUDERDALE THE NEXT CHALLENGE AFTER WAKE-UP CALL

THE Tigers have spent the bye with the crosshairs fairly fixed on Lauderdale ahead of Friday night’s clash at the Twin Ovals.

First-year captain Samael Rice said the Round 2 loss to North Launceston was a wake-up call to the Tigers, but attention had quickly changed to what’s ahead, not what’s behind.

“We had pretty high hopes for that game and got a bit of a reality check going up there,” said Rice, 24.

“After the North Launceston game, some sides could take it that we were always going to lose, but we took it to heart, but then moved on quickly. We were chatting last night and the idea was Lauderdale would still be reviewing their game from last week where we have already got focus on them.

“Hopefully we’ve got a bit of an advantage that way.”

It might still be early in the season, but the game could be crucial with Lauderdale winless after three rounds and the Tigers a chance to go 2-1 up.

“We haven’t focused on that [the Bombers yet to win], we’ve tried to focus on who they have got at the moment and how we can we exploit the players they’ve got playing on Friday night,” he said.

With the recruitment of the likes of extractors Ryan Matthews and Will Campbell, Rice has slotted in nicely on the wing and is enjoying the leadership role.

“It hasn’t impacted my game at all,” Rice said. “I think it has made me think a little bit different on game day.

“Obviously I’ve got to speak to the boys and get them up, whereas the last few years I’ve taken a back-seat role.

“It hasn’t hindered me at all on game day, I think I’ve actually played my role a bit better these first two games than I have in previous years.”

Friday’s game starts at 7.15pm.