The Tweed Coast Tigers will head to Lismore tomorrow to take on the Swans in the final round of the home and away season and whilst this game will have no bearing on the Summerland League ladder the Tigers look like being at full strength for the first time this season.
The Tigers currently lead the ledger 2 to 1 this season against Lismore, with their only loss being at the hands of the Swans in Rd 8, but the Tigers were well undermanned for that game and since then have accounted for all comers including Lismore as they build momentum towards the finals.
Having already secured the Minor Premiership for the second straight year the Tigers are on track to defend their 2010 Premiership and this weekend see’s a bunch of the Tigers star players returning to the lineup. Coming back from serious ankle injury is giant youngster Nathan Wilson who will be used sparingly of the bench to test his ankle, whilst Jonathan Bevan, one of the Competitions best onballers comes back into the engine room for the Tigers. Up front sees a swag of talent come into the forward line, including leading goal kicker Ash Gemmill, small forward Josh Bones, and Centre Half forward Jacob Eldridge.
This will provide some welcome headaches as far as selection goes for Coach Shane Shallue and Captain Jai Purcell as the Tigers have a fully fit squad for the first time this season. Purcell commented “We will be at full strength tomorrow for the first time this season which should allow us to test our combinations prior to the finals. With such a bunch of stars returning into the forwards something has to give and unfortunately for Lachlan Earl , who kicked 10 goals last week, he will be moved to the wing to make way for Ash at Full forward, that’s a tough ask.”
The Tigers finals program includes a home major semi final at Tigerland, Pottsville on the 20th August, which if they are successful will then see them play in the Grand Final at Oakes Oval on the 4th September.
Tomorrow’s game at Mortimer Oval kicks off at 2pm.
Last Modified on 05/08/2011 18:48