Doc’s Debrief | Round 1

A great way to start our season with a strong win against our traditional rival Port Adelaide. While we are far from perfect, the ability to run out the game strongly and bring good defensive pressure across the four quarters enabled us to record a 47-point win.

Without a doubt the highlight of the day was the performance from our four league debutants, as well as our two club debutants in Will Patton and Joel Thiele. To see these players integrate into our group and contribute strongly was really pleasing. Rex Jones and Joe Fenwick in our back half attacked the ball strongly and provided some outstanding tackle pressure, saving goals on a number of occasions. Tim Alver demonstrated his composure and classy ball use through the midfield and Remi Brown provided both a target and strong defensive pressure in the forward half finishing with two goals. Generally, I avoid individualising when reflecting on a team performance but given it was their first game, I think it’s worth noting how well they all performed.

Early in the game Port Adelaide’s ability to use handball chain off half back caused us some issues but pleasingly the group was able to adapt and restrict our opponents as the game wore on.

In the third quarter some skill execution errors from both sides made for a scrappy contest which is not unusual in the first game of the season. Importantly however the group showed the ability to reset at three quarter time and improve both our contest work and our finishing. This enabled us to turn a three goal lead into a comfortable margin by the conclusion of the game.

I felt our leaders really showed the way not only with their own field performance but in the manner in which they kept the group composed during the periods where execution wasn’t at the level we would expect.

We now have a short turn around until our Good Friday match against Norwood, I know the group really looking forward to getting back to our home base now that the cricket season has concluded.

A big shout out to the Tigers faithful who showed up in good numbers at Alberton, we look forward to enjoying our first home match with you this weekend. Go Tiges!