RIVERINA FILES: WAGGA TIGERS

WAGGA TIGERS:

2014 Finish: 4th

Home & Away: 10 wins; 6 losses

Finals Form: Won elimination final against GGGM

Lost minor semi-final to Coolamon

Club Best & Fairest: John Anstee

Best First Year Player: Campbell Lovell

Telstra Rising Star: Campbell Lovell

Snapshot:

Close, but no cigar, just about sums up Wagga Tigers’ season. Yes, they finished fourth. Yes, they were outside the top three all season. But there were so many games where they went so close, and unfortunately that continued right until the bitter end. When the season ended for Matt Rava’s men they stayed out on the ground at Robertson Oval, trying to come to terms with the 7-point loss to Coolamon … having fought their way back into the contest in the second half and seemingly getting on top, before letting it slip. Days later Rava was still disappointed, believing they had blown their big chance.

With a young, athletic and talented outfit, Tigers had threatened to upset the order come finals. Close losses had haunted them during the home and away season… they’d been beaten by MCUE, Coolamon and Collingullie five times, but the margin was never greater than two goals. As the season wore on, they’d found their goalkicking feet, averaging 18 goals in the three matches before the Coolamon loss, including in the elimination final win over Ganmain. And their ability to spread and run had the three top teams wary.

When they were up and about, Tigers were a delight to watch and a nightmare to play but Coolamon’s experience proved the difference that Sunday in September. And Rava was left plotting for 2015, rather than sizing up Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka in a preliminary final.

The coach will be in his second season in charge next year, and with promising youngsters and some quality recruits – and assistance in the coaching department – they will be expecting a top three finish.

“It took a little bit for our boys to adjust to our style of football,” Rava says of their season. “When we do do it, we look really dangerous. If we’d had a genuine key forward for the majority of the year, I think we could’ve been a bit more successful. The boys know that and I think they’re keen to stick together cause they can feel success isn’t too far away.”

Highlights:

There was plenty to like about the 2014 version of the Tigers… from their style of play, to the rise of a crop of very talented teenagers, and their competitiveness against the top sides.

It suggested a team on the rise, and had they held on against Coolamon it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t have given Collingullie a run for their money in the preliminary final… a grand final appearance not out of the question.

The highlight of the year for the coach was helping his young players develop. “Tigers have had a young list for a couple of years, but the majority have got a few seasons under their belt now and are still young,” says Rava. “We’ve won three of the last four U17s titles and there’s one or two coming through each year that step up.

“There’s a really good young group there – they all want to be the best footballer they can be. They listen to everything. It’s really pleasing when you talk to young fellas and they take it on board… if it’s something they’re doing well, they enhance it. If it’s something they can improve, they work hard to correct it and make them a better player.”

And while first grade fell short, there was plenty for the club to celebrate, winning premierships in the Under 17s and Reserve Grade football competitions.

Lowlights:

The failure to close out the tough games against the top sides was an ongoing headache for Tigers. At the Crossroads Oval mid-season, they had the Demons well and truly on the ropes only to go down by seven points. The match was there for the taking, but they just didn’t have the experience to take hold of the game and put it out of reach. And months later, that minor semi-final against Coolamon – another match that should have been in the bag – slipped away … and so did their season.

“It was just disappointing that we couldn’t maintain the intensity,” says Rava. “Not just quarter to quarter… and even month to month. We had that great month leading into the finals [including beating GGGM in the elimination final] but then we got to the game against Coolamon and were really flat. There were a lot of boys that were really hurt by that. I think our boys really felt they let themselves down… when it comes to finals, if you don’t turn up for the whole game, it’s gone.”

Surprise Packet:

That Tigers had a good, young side was no secret. It was the depth of the emerging talent that was the most pleasing aspect.

Campbell Lovell was the club’s nominated Telstra Rising Star, and was again recognised at the club’s presentation night, winning Best First Year Player. Rava says Lovell was of great value throughout the season until injured late in the year. And alongside him were plenty of other young, key contributors for Tigers. Nathan Cooke came into his own in 2014 as well (and won most improved) while Brady Morton, Charlie Bance and Jackson Kelly all continued to develop throughout the season and played with composure beyond their experience.

Areas to improve:

Consistency, and the football-smarts to deliver that. Rava knows all too well the pain of going so close so often, and recognises that experience is crucial when it comes to closing out games.

“I think a lot of the time we just need to know when to really put the foot down and attack, and when to just get hold of the football and keep possession. With such a young team, they’re so flat out when you give them free rein. But for example against Coolamon, we got back to even, or a point in front, but then let them kick three quick goals. We just needed a couple of experienced heads in there to help us control the game. But that’s just learning the game I guess.”

Rava says his stats show the team consistently had more inside 50s than their opposition, but too often failed to capitalise on their opportunities.

What to look forward to:

Tigers have reinforced their leadership around Rava, with quality defender John Anstee promoted to an assistant coach position, as well as the return of Pat Delaney to Robertson Oval in the same role. Delaney also brings Belconnen player with NEAFL experience, Drew McGrath, with the pair likely to help provide that added experience the club needs. Rava isn’t getting too carried away about the ‘ins’ yet. “I sort of see them as just replacing Ben Davis and Jack Collins – who are both going overseas – off a back flank and a back pocket,” Rava says.

Tigers are on the lookout for a big target up forward, but Rava says his emphasis is on minor renovations within his squad, not a rebuild. “Pat and Drew, hopefully they’re really good for us, but I don’t think we’ve got further ahead. We’re still in talks with some people. A key forward would be idea; maybe another on-baller to complement our midfield but we don’t to recruit too many because we’ve got such a good group. I’ve let our guys know I’ve got great confidence in them, so we’re just looking for someone to reward our effort.”

That effort from a team of youngsters is the greatest cause for optimism around Robertson Oval. Rava says a lack of confidence was what cost them games early in the year but by season’s end, that’d had been eradicated. “That last month of football really built our self-belief. I’m really looking forward to next year and the boys knowing we’re capable and looking to build on that success.”

Pre-season won’t start until January, but Rava took the footies to Robertson Oval for a meeting last week and had a dozen blokes enjoying a kick afterwards. “They just can’t wait to get into it,” he says. Fitness will be a big focus, and the club is also preparing to lose access to some talent next year, expecting Charlie Bance and Jackson Kelly to spend most of the season involved in representative football with the Rams, or on duty with GWS or the Swans.