Rested Tigers set to pounce
WITH the ledger tied at 1-all and a North Launceston outfit fighting for a spot in the top four, Tigers coach Trent Baumler knows the enormity of Saturday’s clash with the Bombers at the Twin Ovals.
After the Tigers pinched a victory the last time the side’s clashed in Launceston, Baumler sees this weekend’s game as the first challenge on the run home to finals.
“We’ve been able to freshen up with the bye last week and prepare for what’s a really challenging run home for us with the four teams that we play,” Baumler said.
Along with the Bombers, the second-placed Tigers face fellow top-four sides Launceston and Lauderdale in the remaining four rounds, while they’ll also do battle with cellar dwellers Glenorchy.
With Jordan Lane’s afterthe-siren goal the only thing separating the two sides in round 13, Baumler expected another quality contest between the two.
“When you come up against a team for the third time, you know what the other is going to do and you’re familiar with their personnel,” Baumeler said. “It’s all about executing what you want to do but also being able to have awareness of what the opposition wants to do and who their good players are.”
The Tigers will welcome back key forward Tyler Carter from hamstring tightness along with defender Brady Rees, but Noah Clifford (broken ribbs) didn’t make it..
“We had to make some tough decisions to make as to whether all three of them came back in,” Baumeler said.
“We want to make sure everyone is fit and firing, and we are playing our best footy heading into the finals series.”
Fellow top-four contender Clarence will also be looking to further cement its place at the top-end of the ladder when the Roos host an injury-ravaged North Hobart at Blundstone Arena, with the Demons losing a host of players in last week’s win against Glenorchy.
Hugh Williams jnr has a broken jaw and will miss the rest of the season, while Sam Caswell (shoulder) and Dom White (hamstring) were also ruled out.
“We had no bench after half-time, but I felt we played some pretty good footy and moved the ball really well,” Demons coach Clinton French said. .
The Roos regain Mitch Rainbird, while ruckman Sam Greenhas been named, despite pulling up sore from last week’s clash against North Launceston.