The Pinjarra Tigers will enter the 2018 season with the “reigning premiers” target on their back, but other sides are going to have to get within striking distance if they want to hit the bulls-eye.
The Tigers have kept the core of their 2017 premiership-winning group in tact, while the return of some high-profile locals has them poised to make a run at back-to-back flags.
Peel Thunder legend Rory O’Brien has returned to his club of origin after retiring from a star-studded WAFL career, while Callan Eddy and Lloyd Beaver are both back on deck at Tigerland.
But the off-season hasn’t been all pluses in the recruiting sector for the powerhouse club, with 2017 premiership players Jeffrey Carter, Mitch Green and Kaine Ah-Chee all departing along with talented forward Riese Wilkey.
Still, the Tigers’ 2018 roster looms as a flag threat.
Ross Elliot medal runner-up Rohan Kerr didn’t hesitate to stay on for another season, and will again form a lethal midfield alongside the likes of Mackenzie O’Brien, Rory O’Brien and Rob Beswick.
While the losses of Carter and Wilkey hurt the Tigers up front, they still have the opportunistic Brennan Gillam to lean on for scoring.
Pinjarra has also benefited from an injection of colts age players this pre-season, with coach Troy Vidovich forecasting several debuts.
“We’re strong in the league side but I think it’s the young blokes returning to the club that’s given us a bit of a refreshed feel,” he said.
“It’s important that we introduce these colts boys to league footy while we’ve still got such a strong group of leaders in our top side.
“That way we’re looking after our future while being a force in the present.”
The third-year coach said his side would take the same approach into the new year as it did in 2017.
“Last year we sat down and set ourselves the goal of finishing in the top three, and we’ll have the same expectation this year,” he said.
“I don’t think being reigning premiers means it’s flag or bust for us – we’ll aim to finish the regular season high and just play good footy from there.”
Pinjarra will open their season with a blockbuster clash against fellow finals contenders Centrals at Mundijong Oval on Saturday, April 7.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
