Tigers best start to a State League season has club finally delivering after years of promise
For several seasons the Tigers threatened to emerge as a legitimate contender, only to disappoint. But after their best ever start, 2021 could finally be the year. ROUND FOUR VOTES>>
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A COMPLETE buy in from the playing group has the Tigers purring nicely after the opening month of the TSL season — and arguably finally delivering on years of promise.
Since joining the State League in 2014 the Kingborough-based club has at times threatened to emerge from a rebuild or development phase, but has just a solitary finals appearance in 2019 to its name.
However after defeating Glenorchy on Anzac Day to improve to 3-1, 2021 may finally be the season the black and yellow army transforms into legitimate contender.
“The team has been probably the best I’ve ever been part of, we have all bought in as a whole this year,” said young gun Elijah Reardon, who was awarded the Anzac Day medal for a best field effort against the Pies, which also netted three votes in the player of the year race.
“Everyone is playing their role and it is working out well.
“Nothing has really changed in a game style sense, it is more just a buy in from everybody, there were more players at pre-season than there had been in previous years.
“I reckon that is a big thing, we have been together as a group since November working hard.”
Reardon, who has transferred himself from a crumbing forward to a high-flying, electric rebounding defender, continues to perform on the big stage, but said he is determined to just produce consistent football on a weekly basis.
His Tigers now face a blockbuster clash against Clarence this Saturday at the Twin Ovals in a battle between the south’s two rising forces.
“I am just trying to step up in every game, not just the big games but I guess if something kicks in to play a good game on those special days then that’s great.
“It’s another big game this weekend, it should be a good game to watch and a good game to play in, two in form teams.”
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Round 4 votes
Lauderdale v North Launceston
3 Jay Foon (NL)
2 Brandon Leary (NL)
1 Will Edmunds (NL)
Tigers v Glenorchy
3 Elijah Reardon (T)
2 Lachlan Clifford (T)
1 Marcus Gardner (T)
North Hobart v Launceston
3 Dylan Riley (L)
2 Jay Blackberry (L)
1 Michael Musicka (L)
LEADERBOARD
6: Jake Hinds (Lton)
5: Baxter Norton (C), Elijah Reardon (T), Lachlan Clifford (T)
4: Jay Blackberry (Lton), Jay Foon (NL)
3: Callen Daly (G), Nat Franklin (Ldale), Dylan Riley (Lton)
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