TSL Football: 2018 Club guide — Tigers

THERE is a real Demon flavour to the Tigers with their new coach coming from North Hobart and bringing seven Dees with him. This is the year they must improve says BRETT STUBBS.

TSL Tigers new coach Trent Baumeler, left, Lachy Watt, Mitchell Carter and captain Sam Rice at their home ground, Twin Ovals, Kingston. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

THERE is a real Demon flavour to the Tigers with their new coach coming from North Hobart and bringing seven Dees with him, creating a fascinating round one clash against their old club. Height will be an issue for the Tigers but they will have pace.

After five years in the league, the TSL’s southernmost club can no longer claim to be the newbies and must show improvement.

Senior coach: Trent Baumeler

Senior captain: Sam Rice

Last year: 7th (four wins, 14 losses)

Last senior flag: 2011 (Kingborough SFL)

2017 best and fairest: Mitch Carter

2017 leading goalkicker: Brandon Bachelor (23)

Gains: Ryan Matthews (North Hobart), Will Campbell (North Hobart), Nic Hutchinson (North Hobart), Blake Grant (North Hobart), Heath Thompson (North Hobart), Jake Doran (North Hobart), Sam Duigan (North Hobart), Heath Thompson (Hutchins), Luke Graham (Huonville), Edward Burrows-Chang (Hutchins).

Losses: Hugh Dixon (Fremantle AFL), Brandon Bachelor (Aspley NEAFL), Mitch Walker (Glenorchy), Chris Nield (Clarence), Marcus Gardner (University Old Scholars), Braden Livingston (University Old Scholars), Tim Peterson (retired), Callum Rawson (Huonville).

Season fixture

R1 v North Hobart (North Hobart), March 30, 3.05pm

R2 v North Launceston (UTas), April 7, 2pm

R3 Bye

R4 v Lauderdale (Twin), April 20, 7.15pm

R5 v Glenorchy (Twin), April 25, 3pm

R6 v Launceston (Windsor), May 5, 2pm

R7 v Clarence (Twin), May 12, 1pm

R8 v North Hobart (Twin), May 20, 2pm

R9 v North Launceston (UTas), May 26, 2pm

R10 Bye

R11 v Glenorchy (KGV), June 9, 2pm

R12 v Lauderdale (Twin), June 16, 2pm

R13 v Launceston (Twin), June 23, 2pm

R14 v Clarence (Blundstone), June 30, 2pm

R15 v North Hobart (North Hobart), July 7, 2pm

R16 v North Launceston (Twin), July 14, 2pm

R17 Bye

R18 v Lauderdale (Lauderdale), July 28, 2pm

R19 v Glenorchy (Twin), August 4, 2pm

R20 v Launceston (Twin), August 11, 2pm

R21 v Clarence (Blundstone), August 18, 2pm

Tigers' Sam Rice kicks forward.

Three to watch

Lachy Clifford: The former Mariners captain will have his first full season in the TSL. A future leader of the club, Baumeler has great hopes Clifford can have an impact on the young Tigers, especially with some help from new recruits Ryan Matthews and Will Campbell.

Sam Rice: The Tigers time-trial king is now a permanent fixture at the Twin Ovals since moving down from Burnie where he played in a TSL premiership as a Docker. Like so many, he has had an excellent pre-season and the Tigers will be looking to him to be key cog in their development.

Ryan Matthews: The reigning two-time Demons’ best and fairest and last year’s state rep is a massive coup for the Tigers. Does his best work in and under packs and could be the ideal pick up for the fleet footed team in yellow and black. If he can continually shovel the ball out from the coal face, the Tigers could cause more than a few headaches.

Coach says:

“We are just trying to become a more professional club in everything we do on and off the field. In terms of wins, losses and finals, it is really hard to say the way the competition is, so we just want to get better in everything we do and the regard we are held in the competition. We won’t be tall in the old-fashioned sense, but our strength will be speed and the pressure that brings to the opposition. — Trent Baumeler

Prediction

The Tigers may improve this season and not win as many games as 2017. Confusing? Maybe, but with Burnie and Devonport out — last year’s two bottom teams — the Tigers may struggle to chalk up victories. However, there is no doubt they should be more competitive in 2018 but could fall short of the top five even in a competition of just seven.