Tigers show their stripes

THE Tigers have emerged as the team most likely to challenge reigning premier Launceston for the TSL title this year but coach Trent Baumeler says flag talk is premature.

Since their loss to North Launceston in a rain-sodden match in round seven, the Tigers have beaten finals contenders Lauderdale and Clarence to cement their place in second on the ladder.

A win over North Hobart at North Hobart Oval on Saturday would send the Tigers into their bye on a three-game winning streak before their date with Glenorchy at the Twin Ovals in round 12.

“When you’ve got momentum you want to cash in and keep winning,” Baumeler said.

“Our win over Clarence takes us to 6-2 and that’s a really good start to the season.

“It’s too soon to start thinking about finals and what might happen at the end of the season.

“One thing we have spoken about over the past two or three weeks is about focusing on the week-by-week

“Last week was all about Clarence and what we needed to do in that game and now we’re focusing on what we need to do against North Hobart.

“We are really making a firm point on just focusing on the next game and the next moment so that we are not getting too far ahead of ourselves.

“If you do all of those things right, the bigger picture will unfold.”

Young gun Max Collidge left the field on crutches after injuring his left ankle but Baumeler said he might play against the Dees. “He’s a pretty decent chance to be right for the weekend,” he said.

“There were no breaks on the X-ray and he’s doing all the right things in terms of his recovery so we’ll see how it is late in the week when the swelling goes down and he gets a bit more movement in it.”

North Hobart has won only one game but remains as a threat to most teams.

“They only went down by a goal to North Launceston at UTas Stadium, and a lot of clubs don’t get that close to them up there,” Baumeler said.

“They’ve got a lot of really good, young kids, so they are a good team and they’ll be a real challenge.”

The round starts on Friday night with the cross town clash between North Launceston and Launceston at University of Tasmania Stadium, while on Saturday while the Demons and Tigers duke it out at North Hobart Oval, there is another derby on at Blundstone Arena as Clarence hosts Lauderdale in what is expected to be a fierce and firey game.