The Tigers’ Koby Withers puts the Sherrin through for a major.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
The Cobram Tigers met a dominant Shepparton Bears side for a practice match on Saturday, March 15, at Scott Reserve.
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With a little over two weeks until the Tigers’ round one clash with Finley next month, organisers brought play forward to a 10.30am start to beat the worst of the heat.
Despite some displays of brilliance from the Tigers, the GVL runners-up pulled away early and managed to make a serious lead.
The match was called after three quarters.
By then, the Bears had managed to post 15.6 (96) to the Tigers’ 6.4 (40).
Goal kickers for the Tigers were Luca Allen, Harry Beasley, Hunter Hardwidge, Ben Ryan, Brodie Wren and Lucas Roberts.
Kyle Coates launches in the ruck.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
Tigers coach Mark Meyland said there were plenty of positives to take out of the match.
“Today we could see the level we need to get to,” Meyland said.
“They were a lot better than us, in a lot of areas, so it was a good opportunity to experience that.
“Coming up against such a good opposition gave us a good chance to sit back and see the level we’re aspiring to.”
It was skill errors that cost the Tigers in the end, Meyland said.
“They continued to have the ball in possession for a lot longer, and we were just coughing it up at different stages that hurt us,” he said.
Maintaining possession under pressure - a key part of the Tigers’ training regime across the pre-season - was steadily improving, Meyland added.
“Each week we’re getting a little better with it, but there’s still a long ways to go,” he said.
It comes as the Tigers face Seymour in another friendly at Seymour on Saturday, March 22.
Later, round one of the Tigers’ Murray Football League campaign kicks off on Saturday, April 5, when Cobram faces Finley at Finley.
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