Tigers Fall Just Short In Edinburgh

 

Consider this: The Edinburgh Bloods are the reigning AFL Scotland premiers. They’ve actually lost count of the number of times they won the flag over the years, they’re undefeated so far again in Season 2024, and they’ve got an enviable playing depth and versatility, such that in the two matches the Tigers have already played against them in 2024 they have beaten us by 67 and 124 points respectively (and pretty much clobbered every other opponent they’ve come across as well).

 

Against that backdrop, the question becomes: ‘Can the Tigers count yesterday’s 33 point loss to the Bloods in the Qualifying Final up in Edinburgh as the best game they’ve played as a team in the past three years?’

 

The answer is a proud and resounding ‘YES!’.

 

Justifying this answer, you could just look at the numbers. In previous games over the past few years the Bloods have either dominated the scoreboard early, or rolled over the Tigers in the fourth quarter to achieve heavy victories as Tiger fatigue started to set in.

 

But not yesterday. Yesterday the Bloods knew it was ‘game on’ for the entire game, with the margin at quarter time just 3 points in favour of the Bloods, 4 points in their favour at half time, and just 10 points their way at three quarter time. 

 

And – even though the Tigers had to restructure their forward line to cover the loss of key forward David Hodgson in the fourth quarter of the game - there was to be no uncontested  blow out in the final score line either. The Tigers continued to run and contest fiercely for the ball all day, and this was reflected in the fact that the final margin was only a very respectable 33 points in favour of the Bloods.  

 

But there was also something else about the Tiger performance yesterday that is probably even more important than the numbers, and – for want of a better word - that ‘something else’ was ‘spirit’!

 

The Tigers – like any other sporting team – are a team that consists of players with differing personalities, differing backgrounds, differing ages, and differing levels of experience with Australian Rules Football. 

 

But yesterday, every single player, in their own individual way, was united in their commitment to their team. 

 

Yes, there were many examples of courageous individual efforts. Some guys were playing under the duress of illness. Some guys had to battle through knocks and bumps inflicted in an at times heavy physical contest. And others readily understood that their on field role or playing or opportunities had to revolve around what the team needed at any given stage of the game.  

 

But every single Tiger willingly embraced those challenges, and it was very evident that every single player was playing was playing for his team mates as much as he was trying to get the best from himself.  

 

That is gold, and they all they all did themselves, their supporters and their club proud.

 

And that is why it was the best game the Tigers have played in the past few years!

 

Because the team effort was so obvious yesterday I’m really reluctant to draw attention to the efforts of any particular individual player, but on the drive back home last night I knew there were two players I had to dip my hat to.

 

Big man Kieran Lafferty played an outstanding game and showed that us all that he can be an exciting and dominant force in ‘aussie rules’ footy, and captain Roy Brannigan showed us all again what leadership and commitment really look like. Total respect to you both!

 

But – as ever – all of that was yesterday. Today is about beginning the recovery process, and our thoughts now turn to next week and our home Preliminary Final against the Glasgow Sharks next Saturday at 13.00 at GSA, with the right to a place in the Grand Final at stake.

 

We know that the Sharks are always a tough opponent. They bundled us out of the finals at this stage of the competition last year, and we know they’ll be hungry to do the same again this year. 

 

We’ll see what plays out, but as this upcoming game will be our last home game at GSA for Season 2024 we’d love to see as many of our supporters as possible there at the game on Saturday, because ‘Team Spirit’ is an intangible thing and your energy feeds into it as well. 

 

Come along to watch the contest, and then stay for a great pie, drinks and banter afterwards. And don't forget your sunscreen!

 

Carn the Tiges!