Portland Tigers sharpen claws for second Hampden league season

PORTLAND coach Jake Myles believes the Tigers’ tight Round 1 win will fuel improvement in his players.

Midfield master: Portland Tigers recruit Luke Crane in action for SANFL club Sturt last s

NEW Portland coach Jake Myles believes the Tigers’ tight Round 1 win over Terang-Mortlake will fuel further improvement in his playing group.

Myles, who relinquished his assistant coaching role at fellow Hampden league club North Warrnambool to join Portland last October, said the Tigers would look to build on Saturday’s three-point victory.

“I think it will give the boys that confidence factor that what we’re doing and how we’re going about things is actually working,” Myles said.

“I know it’s only Round 1 but it’s definitely good to get the four points, especially in such a high-pressure game.”

Portland led by 26 points at three-quarter time but had to fight off a determined Terang-Mortlake, which kicked with the wind in the final term.

The Tigers held on to post a 13.20 (98) to 14.11 (95) win.

Myles, who rotated through the midfield and forward line on Saturday, admitted the ­Tigers were “a bit inaccurate” in front of goal.

“But in saying that, it’s always good to generate that many opportunities,” he said.

Portland finished sixth on the 10-team ladder with eight wins last season, its first in the Hampden league after switching from the Western Border competition at the end of 2012.

The club has added some high-profile recruits and is expected to be a finals contender this year.

Midfielder Luke Crane has joined the Tigers from SANFL club Sturt, where he won a Magarey Medal in 2008. Crane is a close friend of Myles, who also played at Sturt before making his coaching debut with Western Border club Hamilton Imperials in 2012.

Hamilton Imperials have since merged with Hamilton to form Hamilton Kangaroos and the new entity also joined the Hampden league last year.

The Tigers have also added former Northern Territory Thunder midfielder Jake Dignan, who played a handful of games for Mooroopna in the Goulburn Valley league last season.

Myles said the playing group was still adapting to the different style of footy played in the Hampden league.

“We’re trying to keep control of the footy, hit a lot more targets and spread a little bit better from the contest,’’ he said.