General News
13 April, 2023
Tigers prepare for season opener
ROUND one of the Mininera League season kicks off this weekend, with Woorndoo Mortlake to take on SMW Rovers.
ROUND one of the Mininera League season kicks off this weekend, with Woorndoo Mortlake to take on SMW Rovers.
With the Rovers ground still under maintenance, a venue change announced earlier this week will see the Tigers head to Willaura on Saturday.
Senior coach Isaac Templeton said his playing group was looking forward to its first round match-up after a productive pre-season.
“This weekend will give us some indication of where we’re at,” Templeton said.
“We’ve had a good preseason, with each of our groups (Geelong, Warrnambool, Camperdown and Mortlake) working to improve their fitness and hone their skills.
“We have retained all but probably three blokes from last season’s group which is a huge positive, and we’ve recruited well so it’ll be good to get everyone out there on Saturday and see how we go.”
Finishing the 2022 home and away season in third, but being knocked out in the preliminary final by Ararat by 13 points, the Tigers will be looking to go that one step further this year.
“Like all clubs we’ll certainly be aiming to play finals once again. We’ll just build on what we had last year and go from there.”
Now in his fourth year at the Tigers, Templeton is looking forward to his first season as senior coach.
“It’s certainly an honour to be appointed coach and I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve also appointed two senior captains, Keilan Webster-Bamford and Damian Pemberton.
“They lead from the front, work hard on and off the ground and both are well respected within the playing group.”
The Tigers’ netballers are eager to take to the court for round one, however, both the 18 and under and 15 and under teams will have a bye due to Rovers being unable to field teams in those age groups this season.
Senior netball coach Sarah Cameron said players were looking forward to getting back on the court for another competitive season.
“We’re all pretty keen for round one – although the weather isn’t looking that favourable,” Cameron said.
“I’m excited to see how some of our younger senior players, who will again line up in A grade, progress with some on-court guidance from some of our more experienced, returning players.”
Cameron said the likes of Elise Killen and Mia Richie, who played in the senior side and the Tigers’ premiership 17s team last year, will again have a regular spot in the A grade team.
“Both Mia and Elise are extremely talented and really show their abilities on the court and train hard,” Cameron said.
“With some of our more experienced A graders returning this season after having babies – including Renae Reynolds, Ash Spokes and Georgia McCormick – they will be able to mentor and guide our young ones in the side.”
Versatile mid-courter Nicole Anderson, who spent last season in B grade, also looks set to return to the top grade after a strong preseason.
“Nic has worked really hard on her fitness in the off-season and deserves a spot in A grade,” Cameron said.
“It will be good to have her out there too.
“It will be a week to week scenario as our teams settle early in the season and it will be very much performance based as to where people play each week. With strong senior numbers overall, we all need to earn our spots on the court.”
In other Mininera round one games, Caramut will host Glenthompson Dunkeld, Wickliffe Lake Bolac will be home to Hawkesdale Macarthur and Lismore Derrinallum will host Moyston Willaura.
