Tuesday 24 August 2010
There was little fanfare about it, but Labrador’s must-win success over the Brisbane Lions in Round 18 was critical to their finals build-up.
The Tigers had to beat the Lions to hold top spot, which they duly did by 41 points, and gain what is a valuable week’s break for them in the first week of finals.
“It was perfect, absolutely perfect,” Tigers coach Jarrod Field said of the solid hit-out against the Lions and finishing minor premier.
It came after a heavily draining trip to Darwin the weekend before, hence Fields’ delight at earning a break.
“Last week was really taxing – that’s why the Lions game was a worry,” he said.
“Now we can have a very light week and freshen right up.
“I don’t know if there is a reasonable advantage by playing at home (in the second semi-final), but there is an advantage in having this week off.”
The Tigers won four of their last five games leading into the finals, with all wins against teams outside the top five.
They dropped just four games during the year.
