Tigers looked tired and ran out of legs in the 23-point loss to Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes in the second semi-final on Saturday.

Rava said a combination of slow starts to quarters and MCUE’s week off hurt.

“They came ready to play, and as I said to the boys, the first couple of minutes of each quarter they got the jump on us and then we’re chasing backside,” Rava said.

“It took a bit out of us I reckon, then them with their fresh legs after a week off, they probably ran the game out a bit better in the second half.”

Tigers pressure, particularly in their forward half, was relentless early.

But as the game went on, MCUE were afforded a lot more time and space.

Rava said Tigers will look to freshen up this week to ensure they high-pressure, hard-running game is back for the preliminary final. 

“We’ll look to freshen up this week, we’ve got a pretty long week, playing next Sunday,” he said.

“We’ll hopefully bring our running game next week and have another crack at it.”

Rava said not all is lost.

“I think we proved that we can match it with them and definitely take some positives out of the game,” he said.

“We’ve had a pretty good year and given ourselves this second opportunity so we’ll take that and hopefully get a win next week.

“I think everyone was a little bit off today, just across the board.”