Five Talking Points… Tigers v Glenorchy
The Magpies were far too strong for the Tigers at the Twin Ovals on Saturday afternoon, strengthening its tilt for a top two finish. We take a look at five of the key talking points out of the 75-point Glenorchy win.
1. How far can the Magpies go in 2018?
The Magpies mean business in 2018, and if this wasn’t clear already, Saturday’s 75-point rout of the Tigers at the Twin Ovals went a long way to alleviating any doubts.
Glenorchy’s transition with ball in hand was breathtaking, with Paul Kennedy’s side playing some of the best football it has played all season.
The Magpies set the game up with a blistering six goal to none opening term, putting the Tigers on the back foot from the outset.
From Daniel Joseph and Josh Arnold out of defence to Ben Kamaric, Mitch Rainbird and Rhys Mott in the middle and into Jaye Bowden and Callen Daly inside 50, this Glenorchy side is full of some of the competition’s top shelf players, and with Zac Webster and Jack Stevenson still to return, this is a team that has what it takes to challenge the very best.
Glenorchy has now recorded wins over North Hobart and the Tigers by a combined total of 219 points in the last fortnight, conceding just 10 goals and kicking 43. Although these two sides are out of finals contention, there is no doubt that Paul Kennedy’s side will take plenty of confidence into the final two rounds against Clarence and Launceston and then into the finals beyond that after such comprehensive performances.
“We have a confident group,” Kennedy said post game.
“The games where we don’t win, they know why and they are mad keen to address it and fix it.
“It’s a tough run but it’s a good run into Clarence and Launceston, it’s a good preparation for finals – we can now put ourselves in a position to get a double chance if we are good enough.”
2. Jaye’s Still Got It
Ok, we didn’t exactly ‘learn’ this on Saturday, but the Magpie stalwart gave another example of why he is one of the best going around.
Whether it be soaring above packs three-deep, dancing around opponents before lowering his eyes and driving the ball inside 50 or outworking his direct opponent to set up opportunities in front of goal, Bowden did it all on Saturday afternoon.
Kicking three goals, all in the second term, Bowden was critical in ensuring the Magpies backed up an explosive final term and put the result well and truly beyond doubt.
Equal second in the race for the Peter Hudson Medal and equal fourth for the RACT Insurance Player of the Year Award, there is no doubting that Jaye Bowden is as important to the team from KGV as ever before.
3. Elite Mott Leads Deep Midfield
Another ‘lesson’ that we probably already knew, Glenorchy gun Rhys Mott was at his devastating best on Saturday afternoon, breaking clear to find plenty of the football, kick two goals and use his laser-like kicking ability to set up his teammates.
The Tigers struggled to find an answer to Mott’s dominance.
“His [Rhys Mott’s] role today was to get the Sherrin and he did it well. His ball use was very good. he was part of an overall midfield unit that functioned well,” Kennedy said.
But one could argue that if they did, another headache would emerge.
From Ben Kamaric; arguably the competition’s most improved player; to skipper Brayden Webb, who looks to be finding some form after a long lay-off with injury and Mitch Rainbird, an X-Factor in this Glenorchy outfit, the Magpies have enviable midfield depth.
Stalwart Jaye Bowden is just as dangerous in the middle as he is up forward, while Ryan Banks-Smith, James Webb, John Geard and Callen Daly are all capable of having an impact on the ball.
“James Webb works incredibly hard and pops up at contests and then he is at a contest at the other end of the ground – it’s like he has a tardis or something,” Kennedy said.
With silver service from Cameron Duffy, last season’s state representative ruckman, the Glenorchy midfield got on top on Saturday afternoon and are likely to do so between now and whenever their finals run comes to a close.
Add the currently injured Zac Webster to this mix and you have a midfield group that can mix and match it with anyone in the competition.
4. ‘Pies Defence As Good As Any
Josh Arnold, Josh Grant, Daniel Joseph and Harrison Gunther may just be the best defensive quartet in the competition, with all four capable of being defensive blankets and offensive weapons.
The Tigers’ mid-sized forward group entered this match full of confidence after a barnstorming finish against Lauderdale last weekend, and although the Glenorchy midfield got on top in the middle of the ground to minimise the damage in defence, the Magpies’ Fab Four were resolute in their defensive efforts.
All four can play small or tall, with the rebounding offence of Joseph and Gunther matched by the watchful defence of Grant and Arnold.
Having conceded just 10 goals in eight quarters- four of which have been goalless and a further two with just one major – Glenorchy’s defensive unit is clicking superbly and is the backbone of this side.
Kennedy has heaped praise on all four throughout the season so far, but was particularly glowing of Arnold.
“The times our midfielders and forwards did let them slip and the Tigers got out with some fast ball movement, Josh was there to shut it down. He plays great every week but today he was exceptional.”
5. First Term Hurt Tigers
The Tigers have shown in patches throughout the season that their best footy can trouble the competition’s best, as evidence by a barnstorming finish to last week’s clash with Lauderdale.
But unfortunately for the home side, things just didn’t click early on the weekend, with Glenorchy getting off to a fast start with six goals to none in the first term.
“Our start crucified us,” Baumeler said post game.
“We got taught a lesson in work rate – they set up really well. I’d hate to know how many intercept marks they had in the first half and we probably didn’t help ourselves with our ball use.”
Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy was pleased with the ruthless nature of his side’s performance, especially considering how dangerous the Tigers can be.
“In the middle of the year they [Tigers] had three bad losses and you wondered whether they’d fall away but they didn’t – they came back and really tested teams.
“I was really pleased that we never gave them an opportunity to give us a trouble.”
Baumeler, although disappointed that his side couldn’t string together significant patches of competitiveness, isn’t fazed by the task of finishing the season against Launceston and Clarence.
“The pleasing thing was that we did play the game out. Some of our ball movement was pretty good in the second half – when we did play a bit faster we did transition the ball quite well but we only did it in five minute patches here and there.
“It gives us incentive to not drop away and prepare well. We know that they will be preparing well before finals. With the nature of the closeness of the top five, a win here or a loss there could affect the double chance sceanrio. We have to embrace the challenge and see if we can cause another upset before the end of the season.”
Glenorchy 6.0, 11.4, 18.8, 21.11 (137)
Tigers FC 0.3, 4.5, 5.6, 9.8 (62)
GOALS
Tigers : T. Carter 4, O. Burrows-Cheng, L. Graham, W. Campbell, M. Carter, C. Bryant
Glenorchy : J. Bowden 3, B. Kamaric 2, M. Rainbird 2, R. Mott 2, J. Webb 2, C. Salter 2, C. Daly 2, B. Bester, J. Grant, A. Roberts, M. Walker, W. Atkin, J. Geard
BEST
Tigers : W. Campbell, H. Johnston, O. Burrows-Cheng, L. Graham, T. Carter, B. Gordon
Glenorchy : J. Arnold, R. Mott, C. Daly, M. Rainbird, J. Bowden, D. Joseph
