Sport
20 April, 2022
Tigers ready to fire in season opener
AFTER remaining unbeaten through the abandoned 2021 season, the Woorndoo Mortlake Tigers are approaching the new season with a sense of purpose and belief as they head into their first game against Lismore Derrinallum this weekend.
AFTER remaining unbeaten through the abandoned 2021 season, the Woorndoo Mortlake Tigers are approaching the new season with a sense of purpose and belief as they head into their first game against Lismore Derrinallum this weekend.
The side that was so dominant last year has seen a few changes to its list, but coach Tyson Hogan said the club had been able to replace the small number of players that had left reasonably quickly.
“We lost a couple of blokes who have moved away, but we’ve replaced them straight away,” he said.
“We’ve recruited a few blokes who have moved into the area, so we’ve done pretty well there.”
Hogan said after the long break due to COVID shortening last season his players were keen to start the new campaign.
“We’ve had good numbers at training during the pre-season and everyone’s pretty keen to kick off, that’s for sure,” he said.
“They’re all hungry to get out there, our season’s starting a bit later than the other leagues, so everyone’s itching to get the season underway.”
Despite last year’s unbeaten run, Hogan said his players were focused on their own football and couldn’t take anything for granted going forward.
“We’ve got to come into games ready from the first bounce, everyone’s restarting this year so you can’t just take teams on the merits of last year,” he said.
“There’s been a fair bit of movement, players coming and going, so we’re going to have to start fresh, play our style of footy and see where that gets us.”
Hogan has concentrated on ball work and fitness throughout the pre-season and wants his players to control games through possession and effort.
“We got to remember that when we’re playing our brand of footy we’re going to beat most sides,” he said.
“We need to move the ball, be attacking and take on the middle of the ground.”
Against Lismore Derrinallum the Tigers will look to do just that in hopes of starting the season with a win at home.
“We want to control the midfield, if it doesn’t get to their forward line they can’t kick goals,” he said.
“They’ve got a few new players that we’re aware of, and we can match up pretty well with them.
“The key will be winning contests around the ground.”
Woorndoo Mortlake’s season starts this Saturday at the Woorndoo Recreation Reserve at 2.15pm.