Two significant injuries to Wagga Tigers just a week out from finals

WAGGA Tigers have been rocked by two significant injuries just eight days out from its sudden death elimination final against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong next Sunday.

Tigers captain-coach Matt Rava injured his ankle in his first game back after a month on the sidelines with a quad complaint during his team's 64-point win over Narrandera.

In a further blow, key forward Angus Durnan went down with a shoulder injury.

Rava fell on his ankle awkwardly after a marking contest in the second term and played no further part in the contest.

Rava said he was unsure how significant the injury is.

"It's swollen," Rava said.

"Hopefully it's not too bad and I should be right."

Rava is no good thing to line-up in Tigers' first final under his reign.

"It's probably 50-50 at the moment," he said.

"I've got no idea really, I'll wait until the swelling comes down.

"It wasn't a good day for us."

Rava did not get a chance to speak to Durnan about his shoulder injury but it was a suspected dislocation.

It comes just days after it was confirmed young gun Campbell Lovell has a crack in his collarbone.

Injuries aside, Tigers enjoyed a second half bonanza to ensure they enter finals with plenty of momentum after a 64-point victory.

It took a little while but Wagga Tigers looked right at home on the spacious Narrandera Sportsground as they overcame a half-time deficit to run out strong winners, 22.25 (151) to 13.9 (87).

Narrandera was good early and made the most of Tigers' inaccuracy in front of goal to enter the main break two points in front.

The hope was only short-lived as Tigers upped the ante after the break with a nine-goal third term that broke the game open.

Another nine-goal term to finish blew the margin out as Tigers kicked its biggest winning score of the year.

"I said to the boys to turn up and play like we're playing a final," Rava said.

"We really didn't do that in the first half.

"We were wasteful and to Narrandera's credit, they put it on us.

"We managed to turn things around and reward ourselves in the second half.

"If we play more of that footy we'll be thereabouts."

John Buchanan bagged seven goals for Tigers, while Nick Ryan was a standout with five goals and plenty of possessions.

Sam Lucas kicked two cracking goals on debut in the second half, while Ben Davis, Jacob Osbeiston and Josh Parmenter were others to shine.

Jamie Grintell was on song for Narrandera with six goals, while Tim Sullivan again had another strong game and led from the front.