The Tigers have managed just one win in fifteen weeks of NEAFL action this year, sliding to the bottom rung of the competition ladder, a disappointing result considering they narrowly missed out on playing finals last season.
It was the GC SUNS who ended the Tigers run after Clubs each finished with a win-loss record of 9-9, the SUNS progressing through courtesy of a higher winning percentage margin.
While tomorrows encounter is somewhat of a grudge match and likely to bring out the best in both sides, through raw talent alone, the home side should run out convincing winners.
That said, NEAFL assistant coach Andrew Johnston told goldcoastfc.com.au the message to the playing group had been no different to any other week – respect the opposition, but ensure you go out and attack each contest harder than the next.
“We have to be respectful to them – they’ve had a few injuries and haven’t had a great year,” Johnston said.
“But in saying, it’s a near certainty that they’ll want to come out and make sure they put in a good performance against us at Metricon Stadium.”
The Gold Coast will be boosted with the return of experienced campaigners Karmichael Hunt, Jared Brennan, Michael Rischitelli and Matthew Warnock – while Jeremy Taylor will also make a return to football after missing five weeks with a finger injury.
And with three rounds of AFL Premiership football remaining, Johnston says the heat will still be on the team’s senior-listed players to perform as they look to stake their claim for senior recall.
“These guys still want to play senior football and with three games to go after this, they’ll still want to push themselves up to play senior football.
“It really is just a matter of performing their individual roles within our structures and playing well as a team.”
