Tigers take down Bloods in historic season-opener

What an exciting way to start the season off wearing our Heritage jumper to commemorate our 100 year anniversary against our first ever opponent West Adelaide. Glenelg Oval looked magnificent and the weather was significantly warmer than it has been, but this didn’t stop a wonderful crowd from coming to support the boys for their first hit out.

With four Glenelg Debutants and two of them making their League debut, the scene was set for a great start. Sam Durdin and Brett Turner made their Glenelg Debut, whilst Toby Pink and Liam Wisdom made their League debut. We started the game well with some promising signs from our midfield and forwards who worked well together to have nine shots from 14 inside 50’s. We knew at quarter time that West would regroup and come out fighting, which they did. They outscored us from their relentless approach at the footy and caused us to turn the ball over, allowing them to capitalise on our mistakes.

The third quarter was similar to the first, with us making the most of our inside 50 entries, having eight shots on goal to West’s four. The last quarter started with West capitalising on a free kick and scoring a goal in the first 20 seconds, which gave them a bit of a sniff. We then managed to get control of the ball again and we had four shots on goal, but were only able to kick the one goal during this time. By this time the weather was taking its toll, with us being limited on the bench to an injury to Billy Stretch in the second quarter, and West managed to get back another couple of goals and reduce the margin to 10 points. We managed to hold on in the end and came away with an 11-point win.

It was a great way to start the season with a victory at home and against an opposition team that kept coming at us all day, making us work for the win. I was pleased to walk away with the two points and was impressed by the standard of footy from both teams in my first hit out as a coach in the SANFL.

Thanks for everyone’s support that came out on Good Friday.  I look forward to seeing you all again this Saturday when we have a big challenge ahead of us against the reigning premiers.

See you Saturday.

– Brett Hand, Senior Coach

Goal kickers: Jack Kluske (3), Liam McBean (2), Darcy Bailey (2), Matt Allen, Jack Hannath, Lachie Hosie, Luke Partington, Luke Reynolds