Colac secures comeback win over Bell Park as recruits outshine former St Kilda star Seb Ross in Tigers debut

The crowd was there to see ex-St Kilda star Seb Ross, but it was two other Colac recruits who stole the show in the Tigers’ come-from-behind win. But Ross still played a vital role.

Colac debutants Micah Robb, Oskar Smartt, Jack Skinner, and Seb Ross. Picture: Colac Football Netball Club

All eyes were on former St Kilda star Seb Ross in his first game as playing co-coach for Colac in the Tigers’ blockbuster season-opener against Bell Park on Saturday evening.

However, it was two other recruits who stole the show for the Tigers in their 13-point comeback win over Bell Park at Central Reserve, as the home side kept the Dragons scoreless and piled on four goals themselves in the final term.

Young talent Micah Robb took out the Colac & District league’s rising star last season after a dominant season for preliminary finalist Alvie and made the call to challenge himself at Geelong league level.

In his first game as a Tiger he was adjudged as their best player, while fellow recruit Oskar Smartt – an Essendon VFL player who was tracked by clubs ahead of the 2024 mid-season draft – also shone with two goals alongside his uncle Kane.

Meanwhile, Ross copped plenty of attention in his Colac debut with multiple Dragons playing run-with roles on the 211-game Saint throughout the match;

Former Geelong and Carlton forward Darcy Lang provided his usual class and chimed in with two goals.

Prized Bell Park prized recruit Jett Bermingham – a dual best and fairest winner in the Hampden league, led the charge in the midfield as Dragons defender Stephen Bensted was an unstoppable force down back.

Jett Bermingham in action in the Hampden league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Colac co-coach Jason Armistead, who joined Ross at the helm as another off-season addition, lauded Robb and Smartt’s impact and their response after three-quarter-time .

“We were pretty disappointed with our third quarter efforts, really. It was just a matter of obviously just going for it,” Armistead said.

“The midfield sort of started getting back to work (in the fourth quarter) and Micah Robb in his first game was fantastic down forward.

“He’s taken that step up. He’s a really clever, classy player.

“And Oskar Smartt really showed his class as well, but overall the last quarter it was just a really good team effort in the end.”

It was the dual St Kilda best-and-fairest winner Ross who embodied that team-first mantra, using the heavy attention to help benefit the team.

“He’s quite smart, even when he’s getting tagged, he kind of helps the other guys like Benny McCarthy and Oskar was in there as well, and he sort of makes it a two-on-one against him and blocks for them guys. So even when he’s getting sat on, it’s an advantage to us anyway.

“But it’s not necessarily how many touches he’s going to get, it’s how he sets up the rest of the guys around him as much as anything.

“But then when he does get it, he just gets them critical touches every now and then – just a little flick out handball or whatever that really sets up some play.

“I’m sure he would think that he can play better as well, he was a great contributor on the day, but I’m sure he’s got even more in the tank moving forward.”

Seb Ross after signing as playing co-coach. Picture: Supplied

That’s a scary thought for opposition sides.

A senior regular at St Kilda over his 13 seasons at the club, Ross was delisted at the end of last season as the Saints looked to youth.

Armistead said Ross has brought valuable experience and knowledge to the Tigers over the off-season.

“To me, there’s no reason why he couldn’t have stayed on an AFL list, but you can sort of understand where St Kilda were as well,” Armistead said.

“From a GFL perspective he’s going to fit right in and hopefully the big ground at Colac he’s going to be able to use his running power.

“That up-to-date knowledge that he can pass on and then we can implement at training.

“He’s a really approachable bloke as well, so all the players feel really comfortable around him and talking to him.”

Bell Park snuck into the finals ahead of Colac last year by one win, but the Tigers certainly aren’t getting ahead of themselves after their round one victory.

“It’s great to get the first win on the board but yeah it’s a long way to go to be worrying too much about what’s happening in September,” Armistead said.

Originally published as Colac secures comeback win over Bell Park as recruits outshine former St Kilda star Seb Ross in Tigers debut