Tigers shut down Bloods in tough conditions

After a bye and an opportunity for our playing group to get away from football for a few days to refresh both mentally and physically, we headed to Hisense Stadium for our Round 10 game against West Adelaide. Pleasingly, our players had come back to training with a real spring in their steps and lots of energy, and our preparation was solid. We went into the game aware that West Adelaide had been playing impressive football and would present us with several different challenges.

Damp and windy conditions were the order of the day, and after losing the coin toss, we found ourselves into the wind during the first quarter. We were able to start with the energy and intent that we had seen during the week, and this allowed us to play the game in our forward half of the ground over the first period of the game. While we didn’t quite capitalise on our opportunities, to head into quarter time with a nine-point lead into a strong breeze was extremely positive.

Our focus into the second quarter was about challenging by foot and being brave to get the ball out to the open side at every opportunity, giving our forward group some space and clean opportunities with the potential that there could be lots of numbers behind the ball. The result in the game was set up through this period – our ability to dominate around contest presented the chances we were looking for, and our ability to finish the good work off gave us a 40-point lead into half time.

Rain and slippery conditions were on hand throughout the third quarter. A strong emphasis was placed on making sure we won the quarter, which, against a strong breeze in these types of conditions, was going to be a challenge. While we felt like we overused the ball by hand and brought on pressure through the mid part of the quarter, overall it was a solid effort to win the quarter and keep our position in the game leading into the last.

Our intent to play our method continued right throughout the last quarter, and while it didn’t turn into the scoreboard reward it could have, it was still pleasing to finish the game off reasonably well. As we’d spoken to the group about during the week, we certainly won’t win the competition over the next few weeks, but this period is where we can set it up to be able to give ourselves a chance when it gets to that part of the season. Our focus will stay firmly on how we can improve again day to day, week to week.

This week we get back to Statarama Stadium for our Round 11 clash with Central Districts. We look forward to seeing all our supporters here on Sunday afternoon to celebrate First Nations Round.

– Darren Reeves, Senior Coach

Goal kickers: Luke Reynolds (3), Lachie Hosie (3), Liam McBean (2), Will Chandler, Cole Gerloff, Riley Holder, Max Proud

Best Players: Cam McGree, Matt Allen, James Bell, Cole Gerloff, Brett Turner, Lachie Hosie