What a fantastic few weeks. We’ve got three in a row now and are certainly looking like a team who is stirring or even roaring! We have beaten quite reputable teams, beating Fremantle who placed in the eight last year and now are sitting at sixth position, although they are considered a top four contender this year. The win this week really cemented the view that we ARE a contender for the eight, we ARE a finals chance.
I’m not by any stretch claiming we are anywhere near the standard that some of the top few sides such as Collingwood are setting. However the team is growing and strengthening and no longer are they being talked about as ‘certain wooden spooners’. The Tigers are regaining their roar.
The thing that really impressed me over the last few weeks is the spirit of team work and sharing that the boys displayed. Gone are the days where there were a few good players to comment on. Instead now I find myself overwhelmed with praise to write about almost everyone in the squad. In the Fremantle game we had ten goal scorers, including six multiple goal scorers. This style of play of sharing the ball around not only makes it difficult for the opposition to stop goals being scored, as they don’t have to just focus on a few key forwards, but also shows just how classy many of our boys really are. Riewoldt continues to be a dominant presence in the forward line, kicking multiple goals week after week.
However we now have other options to look for. King, Houli, Nahas, Cotchin and Vickery all kicked two or more goals in the Fremantle match, which creates a much larger group which the opposition’s defenders have to cover. This is how we win matches.
The backline have certainly gelled very well over the last few weeks, perhaps because of there being few changes to the team line up each week so the boys are learning how each other’s games work and how best to play together. This is great to see and if this continues we will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.
Another thing which struck me over the last few matches is that everyone on the team is stepping up. Nahas’ effort over the last few weeks has been amazing. He was really on the cusp of his career in football, not always named in the top 22 in last year’s matches. So he put in a really strong pre-season, and is seeing the benefits of this now. Another player who impressed me during the Brisbane game was Foley. Foley hasn’t really had an easy ride with his AFL career, plagued by injury season after season.
Yet in the Brisbane match he stood up for his club, racking up 40 touches in a match winning performance which was outstanding to see.
Dustin Martin is another player whose performance in the Brisbane game could be described as ‘match winning’. Martin put in a great effort for the game and is even causing some commentators to draw parallels between him and Chuck Norris, a comparison I whole-heartedly agree with! I mean, have you seen Martin’s fend off? It has got to be one of the best in the league.
This week, Martin and Foley had fairly quiet matches. But instead of this being a problem, other players stepped up. One example is Trent Cotchin. Cotchin had one of the best matches I’ve seen in his career. 25 disposals, four goals and many assists. The man was on fire. As well as being a fantastic player, Cotchin is an amazing team leader, always urging the boys on for the win. To say he is a future captain would not surprise anyone I’m sure.
Finally, the game this week. It’s another big one against the Dogs, who were a top four side last year and although haven’t gotten off to the strongest of starts this season, will certainly challenge the boys. If we can continue to play as a team and utilise all the talent that has began to show through, we should be able to make it four in a row and find ourselves in the eight, where we belong.
Although it’s not a home game, I urge you all to get down to Etihad to cheer our boys on, as I know our previous wins were spurred on by the Tiger faithful and their might roar.
Until next time, Go Tigers! Meg.
