Tigers Left Wanting Against Hungry Dees
Goalkicking troubles and poor ball use inside forward-50 cost the Tigers on Sunday, as the club missed out on what many expected would be their second win of the season against a rejuvenated North Hobart, writes TSL Digital Reporter Josh Duggan.
The return of captain Hugh Williams and TSL debut of former Melbourne star Colin Garland gave the Demons the jump in the first quarter, as they kicked the game’s first two goals and reached halftime with a surprising 16 point lead.
Though the Tigers dominated general play in the second half, they never quite closed the gap, finishing with 5 goals and 12 points, while several more shots missed the sticks entirely.
Coach Trent Baumeler was left to rue his side’s inaccuracy in front of goal, with the Tigers having more than enough opportunities to hit the front in a match they were expected to win.
“We were plus-12 in inside-50’s and had four more scoring shots for the day, but you have to reward yourself for that work – North Hobart did that far better; they got their inside 50’s and were able to put scoreboard pressure on through goals,” he said.
With the Tigers’ only win this season coming in round one over the Demons, and the club suffering six consecutive defeats since, it’s vital that the Tigers register a win sooner rather than later to revitalise a faltering year after being predicted by many to be the season’s big improver.
“Every side at this point needs four points, especially with the bottom half of the five being close,” Baumeler said.
With Lauderdale going down in the Eastern Shore Derby to Clarence on the same day, the Tigers missed an opportunity to draw level with them on points and put the pressure on the Bombers for a spot in the top five.
While the Tigers were left to ponder what might have been, North Hobart enjoyed a historic win, with this victory the club’s first since moving back to the North Hobart name.
Williams and Garland were hugely influential for the Demons, while Trent Millhouse also impressed.
The Demons will be hoping that this win can kick-start their own season; however, Coach Richard Robinson isn’t getting ahead of himself, and nor is the club.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do – age demographic-wise we’re a long way off, but it’s reward for effort, they [the playing group] work very hard”
After a turbulent offseason and rough start to the season, there are few clubs that deserve reward more than North Hobart.
“It was just good to see the smiles on the boys’ faces, and I said after the game ‘this is a feeling you want to experience more often’,” Robinson said.
Tigers 1.4, 2.6, 4.9, 5.12 (42)
North Hobart 2.3, 5.4, 6.6, 7.8 (50)
GOALS
Tigers: T. Carter 2, L. Clifford, W. Poland, L. Graham
North Hobart: C. Garland 2, J. Steele, C. Murfet , J. Clifford, P. Walker, S. Willis
BEST
Tigers: M. Carter, R. Matthews, W. Campbell, C. Sawdy, L. Clifford, B. Donnelly
North Hobart: H.Williams, T. Millhouse, M. Woods, H. Williams, N. McCulloch, S. Caswell
