The best start to a QAFL season in Labrador’s 14-year history in the top competition sees the Tigers sitting in third place and primed to consolidate.
Wednesday 9 June 2010
The best start to a QAFL season in Labrador’s 14-year history in the top competition sees the Tigers sitting in third place and primed to consolidate a top three berth over the second half of the season.
The Tigers have roared to a 7-2 record under second year coach Jarrod Field and look a very polished outfit.
Their only losses were to the sides above them – being comprehensively outplayed by Southport where only the Sharks’ poor conversion kept the score from being a blowout, and by seven points to Morningside after leading by 40 points early in the game and 25 at three-quarter-time.
While big-name recruits Tim Notting and Peter Everitt have been very good, Field has extracted the best out of other quality players Mat Clarke and Todd Featherstone, and overseen a step-up by a large percentage of the list.
“We were hoping to improve on last season and we have nearly matched the number of wins in the first half of this year,” Field said.
“We are happy with the position we are in and are going to have a good crack at things over the second half.
“We will try and win enough games to get into the finals and once we have done we will look up and see if we can go higher.”
The Tigers have been able to rest the majority of their team this week, with only Todd Featherstone and Todd Grayson preparing with the State squad.
Their first game out of the bye weekend is at Morningside in a replay of their clinking game a month ago.
“It gives us a couple of weeks to prepare for Morningside…we owe them one,” Field said.
The victor will take outright possession of second place on the premiership table.
The Tigers’ efforts to this stage have been more impressive considering they have been forced to make up to six changes every week due to injuries and unavailability.
Quality ruckman Trent Knobel and the dashing Clarke should be fit to return from injury after the break.
