TIGERS LOOK OUTSIDE FOR EDGE
REVENGE is a dish best served cold and if the Tigers expect to beat North Launceston in their return bout at UTAS Stadium on Saturday, they must overcome an opposition forward line bolstered by the return of Tom Bennett and the Bombers’ plan to grind down their midfield.
The Northern Bombers beat the Tigers in an Antarctic blast at the Twin Ovals in round 7, when they choked the home side’s attack and kept it to a mere two goals.
Tigers coach Trent Baumeler said his side was keen for payback, while acknowledging the task ahead.
“They are still one of the top teams in the comp, they are still really strong, they build their team around contest and they’ve got one of the best ruckmen in the competition, Alex Lee,” Baumeler said.
“They’ve got a lot of experience, they know how they want to play and they play well together, so you know what you’re coming up against.
“UTAS suits us because we’ve got some space to work into, so spread from stoppage will be important and hopefully we can space out their defenders so we can get some one-onones for Tyler Cater and Jordan Lane, who are playing good footy at the moment.”
North Launceston had the bye last weekend and coach Brad Cox-Goodyer said the break and return of Bennett from a bout of flu was important.
“It’s massive for us. It was quite obvious against Clarence we missed his presence and leadership up forward,” Cox-Goodyer said.
There will be no comparison between the game at Twin Ovals and the Launceston contest.
“It’s supposed to be a pretty good day, so the game will be completely different,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“They will try to get their forwards isolated, knowing they have got a bit of an edge with their talls one-on-one.
“We have got to restrict the footy going into their forwards.”
Baumeler believes the Tigers’ game style is suited to the wide open spaces of the AFL venue.
“We’re not too worried about their ability on the outside, I’m more worried about their contest work and being able to win stoppages — they are a very good stoppage team,” CoxGoodyer said.
“They have got some very good players in there, but our ability on the outside is very good, so we think our players have an advantage there.”
While the Tigers are wary of CoxGoodyer’s ability to influence a game, he had his own concerns.
“When you look at their mids you’ve got (Kieran) Lovell, (Lachie) Clifford and (Eddie) Cole, who I think is underrated, especially with his tackling pressure and stoppage work,” Cox-Goodyer said. “It’s about being accountable for their players in the midfield and being able to make sure our players match them around the contest.”