‘Underdog’ a new tag for the Tigers
‘‘ IT’S THE FIRST TIME IN PROBABLY FOUR YEARS THAT WE’VE HAD THE UNDERDOG TAG. TIGERS COACH NEVILLE JERICHO
Toowoomba has set the benchmark across women’s Aussie Rules on the Downs for the past three seasons. However recent form suggests that their dominance is in grave danger heading into this weekend’s preliminary final against USQ. The Cougars are the hottest team in the Westpac Cup at the moment, winning their past seven games in their first year in the competition, leading Tigers coach Neville Jericho to label his side as outsiders. “It’s the first time in probably four years that we’ve had the underdog tag,” he said. “They’ve beaten us in our last two meetings and have won seven in a row. They’ve hit form at the right time. “Uni have been building
throughout the year and getting better and better.
“Since our last game we have had two weeks off which is difficult to maintain consistency.
“In saying that we haven’t had the consistent group of girls getting onto the field all year, so it will be interesting to see come finals.”
The ledger is split at two games apiece between the two top sides in 2018, however USQ will have their tails up after reigning supreme in the latter pair of encounters.
“(In the last game) we had a number of players unavailable,” he said.
“The game previously was a very good contest (USQ won 29-22), and is probably what I would expect this weekend.”
Toowoomba has taken home the last three titles, and despite the chance to create further history by adding a fourth successive flag, Jericho said it isn’t the driving force motivating them for a shot at glory in 2018.
“We’re concentrating on getting into the grand final and then once we’re there, concentrating on winning another,” he said.
“But winning four isn’t what we are focusing on.
“We only have eight players from last year’s grand final, and we don’t have a lot of girls backing up from the first one, only three or four players.
“A lot of these players will be in their first finals and hopefully their first grand final.”