RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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WAGGA Tigers captain-coach Tom Power has his sights set on a finals victory this year as he attempts to mould his young squad into genuine premiership contenders.
Tigers resumed pre-season training at Bolton Park last night and Power revealed there is a real spring in the step of the playing group as the club's return to a new-look Robertson Oval looms.
Tigers have added accomplished midfielder Matt Rava to their list as assistant coach, while experienced defender Matt Noonan and promising youngster Adam Norton have also joined the den.
Power said everything at this early stage pointed towards an improved performance from Tigers this season.
"Obviously we want to achieve better than last year," Power said.
"We want to get to finals and be a major player in finals.
"Having all the dramas and headaches of last year not there will be a good thing.
"You drive past Robbo Oval now and it looks magnificent.
"I can guarantee you that all the boys are itching to play there and as any club would, they can't wait to play on a top facility."
Tigers have kept their losses to a minimum over the off-season with Craig Depiazza and James Hodges the two biggest departures.
Ted Fellows, Michael O'Dea and Craig Pullen all played some senior games and they have decided on moves to Farrer League clubs.
Tigers are still in talks with a handful of players while the availability of full-forward Ben Perkins is also still to be determined.
"We're still having a chat to a few people that we know are coming to the area," Power said.
"We're not banking on those guys to come but if they do it will be an added bonus.
"Our main aim was to maintain the guys we had and we've added two former juniors.
"Our improvement will come from inside, the players we've already got along with developing our under 17s.
"We're not going to spend a lot of dollars trying to bring guys to the club or fly anyone in."
Tigers have played finals both years under Power and bowed out to eventual premier Narrandera in the first week last season.
Last year Tigers went with the radical "press" game style and Power said the coaching group were yet to determine whether they would go with the same style this year.
"We did that game plan last year because it suited the list we had," Power said.
"Once we finalise our list we'll sit down and work out what suits us best and whether we'll do it again or not."