Tigers win three in a row and down Clarence for the second time this season
The TSL Tigers have set a new club record in their nail-biting clash against Clarence with the cliffhanger leaving the crowd on the edge of their seats.
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- Tigers win their first TSL game for 2020 with a mauling of the Roos
- Incredible ‘hanger’ taken by flying Tiger Elijah Reardon
THE atmosphere was finals-like and the excitement palpable at the Twin Ovals as the Tigers won a heart-stopper over Clarence and created TSL history by winning three games in a row for the first time since they joined the State League in 2014.
Just when it looked like the Roos would bound way with the critical round 11 contest, kicking with a three-goal breeze in the final term, the Tigers clawed their way back with a courageous performance that wowed the home crowd.
EXCLUSIVE MATCH STATS:
The Tigers, who hit the post three times in the first term took it by three points – 7.15 (57) to 7.12 (54).
It was unchartered waters for the Tigers, who have now beaten North Hobart, Glenorchy and Clarence in the past 10 days.
The players hugged and high-fived in the middle of the oval after the final siren, minutes before they were handed back the Gadomski-Riewoldt Trophy to return to their trophy cabinet.
In the change rooms after the game, coach Trent Baumeler could hardly be heard over the chatter and music pumping from a large speaker.
“It’s a fantastic feeling,” Baumeler said.
“The boys have shown over the past three games they are growing and becoming mature.
“Against Glenorchy we were kicking against the breeze in the last quarter and we were able to shut that game down, and it was the same scenario today so they had confidence in what they were doing.
“When you see the boys like this [enjoying the victory], that’s why they do the work, that’s why we put in the time as coaches, and it’s important to enjoy the wins.”
There was depth of flavour to the contest.
Clarence tried to stop Kieran Lovell, who put the writing on the wall early by kicking the first goal of the game, and former Gold Coast player Mackenzie Willis, who was all class in the cliffhanger.
“Our last three wins have been 10 points or under and it’s really pleasing that we are able to grind out close games where there is a lot of pressure,” Baumeler said.
The Tigers’ list of excellent players was long, topped by impeccable Elijah Reardon playing behind the ball.
In the final term, Tiger Cooper Sawdy took crucial intercept marks and stopped the Roos when they kicked long into attack. Zac Adams was composed with ball and Ollie Burrows-Cheng drove the knife in deep on the run home.
For the Roos, inside midfielder Ollie Davis was at his ball-winning best and Ethan Jackson was a close ally, with defender Keegan Wylie a standout in defence.
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