Veteran Tigers go for more flag glory

THE all-conquering Kingborough Tigers will be gunning for a 10th AFL Masters premiership in 11 years when they take on Lauderdale in a gala day of action tomorrow.

Appearing in their 11th straight grand final, the Tigers face a Bombers outfit looking for its first title since the early 2000s, but if the two meetings between the sides this year is any indication it will be an engrossing encounter.

The grand final is one of five matches on show at Blundstone Arena, with third and fifth-placed Masters matches to also unfold as well as two women’s games — an SFLW clash between Lindisfarne and New Norfolk and the Round 15 TSLW showdown between Clarence and Launceston.

“We have always had a good core group of players and been able to attract local guys who have been solid footballers or some people who have played in the statewide over the journey,” Tigers onballer Todd Pepper said of the club’s dominance.

“Guys like Kyle Wilson, Andrew Scott and more recently Stuart Probert and Michael McGregor. This year we had a real influx of players that had just come out of senior and reserves footy who are still quite fit, which makes a big difference in our age group.”

The two sides were only separated by a couple of goals in their most recent clash, and Pepper said the Tigers would need to be on guard to keep their record rolling.

In the past 10 years the only decider the club has lost was in 2014 against Lindisfarne.

“Anything can happen on finals day. I have seen plenty of sides who have gone through undefeated and then not got the job done on the last one of the year,” Pepper said.

“They are a big, strong side, which on Bellerive Oval is something we are going to have to be very mindful of.”

Action starts at 9am with the grand final starting at 3pm. Admission is $5 for adults.