General News
22 April, 2021
New faces aplenty in Tigers big win
WOORNDOO Mortlake coach Damien Pemberton admits his club’s depth has the side in a strong position for the remaining rounds of the Mininera and District football league.
WOORNDOO Mortlake coach Damien Pemberton admits his club’s depth has the side in a strong position for the remaining rounds of the Mininera and District football league.
The Tigers unveiled 10 new faces as it opened the season with a thumping 33.37 (235) to 2.1 (13) win over Caramut.
Tyson Hogan, Byron Loader, Shaun Henry, James Coghlan-West, James O’Shea, Will Templeton, James Templeton, Lloyd Meekes, Jesse Horan and Nathan Doonan all played their first senior games for the club, while Corey Mifsud made his return to Woorndoo having last played for Swifts.
Tigers coach Damien Pemberton was thrilled to welcome his side’s new additions and delighted it started the season on a winning note despite its inaccurate goal kicking.
“Obviously our kicking efficiency wasn’t too good but when the ball is coming in as hot as it was it probably led to us rushing our opportunities a fair bit,” he said.
“All in all you never know what will happen in your first game and how things will roll out but it was definitely good to get back out there playing footy.
“This is probably the most enthused the group has been going into the season as I’ve seen which is creating a great atmosphere around the club.”
With new-found depth a luxury for the Tigers, Pemberton said he would be able to tailor the side’s make-up and game plan to suit its opponents each week.
He said the club’s influx of players would allow for greater rotations within the top side, which would also strengthen it’s reserves team as well as create pressure for spots.
“The likes of Isaac Templeton, myself and two or three others we put through the twos are still to come in so its good to have a number of guys with the ability to come up and put pressure on for spots,” Pemberton said.
“We now need to focus on getting everyone to gel and once we get to know each other better, our footy is going to improve.
“It’s half a side (of new players). Obviously a few of them were last year’s recruits but unfortunately we didn’t get to the year because of COVID so we didn’t have the chance to play together and gel.
“A few more recruits have come in (this year) so we haven’t played a lot of footy together so it will be about getting to know each other and learning how each other plays as quick as we can.”
The Tigers are now set to welcome SMW Rovers to Woorndoo this Saturday.
Pemberton said his side would adopt a “week-by-week” approach through the early rounds as it attempts to find where it sits in the competition’s pecking order.
“We’ll take it week by week for a start because with a new group we’re still working each other out,” he said.
“But as I said it’s hard to get a gauge on ourselves and other teams just yet and we probably won’t get one until we’re four to five rounds in.
“With the year off there’s been a lot of change. Like look at Ararat, they knocked off Lismore Derrinallum which is a complete turnaround so we’re not too sure what clubs will dish up.
“I honestly think the league itself in general will be a lot more even in terms of competition this year which will be good.”
The Tigers’ A grade netball side also started the season in strong fashion.
It defeated Caramut 71-8, with new recruit Chloe Woods impressing in a best on court performance.
Renae Reynolds was also important for the Tigers at goal defence, while Sarah Cameron (50 goals) and Ash Spokes (21 goals) combined well in attack.