SIGGINS KEY AS BOMBERS TAKE AIM AT TIGERS
LAUDERDALE’S chances of taming the Tigers at the Twin Ovals on Saturday and making a move on the TSL’s top four could hinge on the form of the Bombers’ “reluctant forward” Sam Siggins.
Siggins has kicked nine goals in his past two games and Bombers coach Dan Willing says “Siggo” has been a star of the show in their three consecutive wins – plus a narrow loss to Clarence – all because he is spending more time inside the forward arc.
“He’s been an outstanding player over a long period and we are trying to find ways to make him better and in turn make us better,” Willing said.
“Part of that was him being able to spend more time forward. He was a reluctant forward last year and that had to do with him wanting to be around the ball and help the team as much as he could.
“It took a few weeks to get it right, find where he fits in our forward structure, but it’s starting to come through and he’s starting to get good results.”
Tigers coach Trent Baumeler knows his midfield must cut off supply. “We’re never going to completely stop Sam where ever he plays and I’m sure Dan would like two or three of him,” Baumeler said.
“When you look at his work inside the contest, his hands are probably the best in the TSL _ his ability to get the ball and give it to guys like Rhys Sutton on the outside is very good.
“He’s tall and athletic and very hard to spoil in a marking contest, so we need to make sure we’ve got pressure up the field to stop clean entries, because if he gets that he’s going to kill you.”
Willing has been frustrated by Lauderdale’s early season “yips” around goal but pleased accuracy had improved.
“It’s probably the most important stat in footy, being able to finish off your work,” Willing said.
“We do a lot of goal kicking not just our forwards but our whole group, both set shots and ground ball, and with a bit of pressure on them.
“’Siggo’ had a bit of trouble with it early in the year – he kicked a 0.6 and a 3.6. But he’s done a hell of a lot of work and over the past two weeks he’s kicked 5.1 and 4.2.”
The Tigers opened their season with a win over Lauderdale at Lauderdale Oval in round one, beat Clarence at North Hobart on round two and copped a reality check by losing to Launceston in round three.
That was followed by wins over North Hobart and Glenorchy, a bye and another reminder of the northern powerbase by losing to North Launceston also at home last weekend.
“We rate North Launceston as one of the better teams, a top four team in the competition, and although we prepared very strongly for them and we were reminded they are a very strong team,” Baumeler said. “It was important to get lessons out of it.”