Pre-season Update - Jan 2018

The Tigers returned to the track on Tuesday 8^th January with a gruelling 2km time trial. Brett Wilson, Ryan Lim & Tom Lawrence were among the leaders going into the break and after an undoubtedly conservative Christmas they all led the pack once again to post times below 7 minutes. Wily veterans Jesse Laurie and Beau Maister, along with promising youngster Jack Lewsey were among others to fly around the track, all posting excellent times within the top ten. With over 70 players vying for a place on the senior list in 2018, competition is fierce both on the track and in the gym. Here we see Haydn Busher leading the way with Lachie Martinis, Tyson England, Kaiden Gilbert & Bailey Rogers all pulling huge numbers on the bench and chin ups in particular. Playing against professional athletes at Peel and East Perth once a month, the players need to be in peak physical condition to compete and this has been a real emphasis of our preseason. Having a home base for a pre-season for the first time in 4 years is an absolute blessing and will make a big difference for our group to stay ‘stronger for longer’ leading into the season proper.

Others to catch the eye across the preseason is boom recruit Tom Curren - since arriving in November he has set the bar for professionalism; Jack Beeck -  back in full training in his recovery from a knee reconstruction, and Matt Palfrey - who is looking to explode in 2018 and put an injury interrupted couple of years behind him.  The evergreen Ian Richardson and an ignited Nick Winmar are others who are burning up the track so far this preseason.

As well as a few new faces among the playing group, there has been some welcome additions in the coaching department with WCE premiership player Steven Armstrong coming on as the Development Coach. With Kepler Bradley moving into a senior assistant role with the league side where he will have direct responsibility for the stoppages, we were able to lure Steven across from Swan Districts. His coaching pedigree across the WAFL ranks is formidable and there is no doubt the developing players will continue to flourish under his tutelage. Percy John is another coach with a wealth of experience as he will work directly with our big men, and David Dwyer will bring his experience working with international sporting teams and accompany Scott Goodin in our Strength & Conditioning Department.

All players and staff and working feverishly to prepare to undo West Perth at the unveiling of their new ground in round one of the WAFL season on Saturday 31^st March. We will play three preseason fixtures leading into the season proper with games against Peel, Perth and Swan District on the 10^th, 17^th and 24^th February respectively so make sure to get down and support the boys when the times and locations are confirmed.

Darcy Coffey

Football Operations Manger