Match of the Round – AFL CW Tier 2: Orange Tigers vs Bathurst Giants

The Giants Tier 2 Men's Side ready for Round 1 action. The side ultimately went on to record their first win that day, defeating Dubbo Demons

Orange Tigers vs Bathurst Giants

Time: Saturday, 15 May, 11am

Ground: Waratah Sports Club

Competition: Men’s Tier 2

 

In Round 3 of the AFL Central West Tier 2 competition, the Orange Tigers play host to the Bathurst Giants. The Tigers enjoyed the bye in Round 2 whilst the Giants were defeated by the Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels.

Look for the Giants to bounce back against a Tigers outfit that will be looking to come out strong from the bye.

This match is the Tigers first chance in season 2021 for their Tier 2 side to play in front of the home fans, and with all three grades at Tiger Park this weekend, expect a quality side to take the field.

 

Orange Tigers

For the Orange Tigers, the side will be enjoying their first home game of the season after enjoying the bye last week. For Tigers coach Tyson Hannus, the side can’t wait to play in Orange.

“It is honestly unreal, I can’t wait until the game and I’m really excited with the squad I have selected,” he said.

“The side is looking strong for the game, we will have a full side, and a lot of young players coming into the side along with some older faces.”

This is the first week of coaching for Tyson Hannus, so he used the week to get familiar with the players.

“It was my first week as a coach at training, so I wanted to get around and meet all the players and make sure the boys knew who I was,” he said.

This week’s clash against the Giants will be a real litmus test for the Tigers, and Hannus is keen to see how the Giants side fare.

“I’m really keen to see how their reserve sides goes this year, It’s exciting that they could field a reserve grade side, it adds more teams to the competition,” he said.

“I’m excited for the game and I would like to see a good game.”

Hannus believes that for the Tigers to win on Saturday, the middle of the pitch is where it will be decided.

“I really think that if we can lock it down in the midfield, use the wider opportunity on the wings and flankers can bring it into the forward line, then that’s the aim,” he said.

 

Bathurst Giants

For the Bathurst Giants, the team will be looking to bounce back after a 58 point defeat to the Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels last week. For Giants coach Andrew Collins, experience was the key in last week’s loss to the Rebels.

“I thought we stuck with them for most of the game but they were just a bit more experienced than us,” he said.

“It was a hard fought game and the Rebels are a really good side. They will go close to winning it this year.”

The Giants have been hit by the injury bug early this year, with multiple players already getting hurt. So for Collins, recovery was the focus this week at training.

“We picked up a few injuries last week, so we have been trying to get the boys right,” he said.

This week’s clash against the Tigers will be the sides first away game after playing in Bathurst for the first two weeks of the season, and despite the side dealing with a number of injuries, Collins still believes the side can leave Orange with the win.

“They are probably around our mark, so I’d love for the side to come away with the win, but with our injuries, 4 points would be great if we could come away with it,” he said.

“We will probably be a little light on numbers, but we will still be having a red hot crack.”

Collins believes that for the Giants to win on Saturday, center bounces will be key for the team.

“Who ever wins the center bounces, are probably going to get more scoring shots on goal,” he said.

 

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