WAGGA Tigers could be boosted by the inclusion of a sorely-needed forward option with the club lodging a clearance for former SANFL key position player Ryan Falkenberg.
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But their immediate focus will be on improving the lethargic starts which have become an issue early in their Riverina League campaign against Griffith on Saturday.
The Tigers were outscored four-goals-to-zero in the first quarter at Leeton-Whitton in round one before recovering to win by 37 points, before a five-goals-to-two opening term from Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes set up a 72-point win in round two.
After injuring his groin against the Goannas, Tigers coach and key forward Murray Stephenson will be fit to take on the Swans after the club had the bye last week.
"I trained this week and I'll be playing," Stephenson said.
"I don't know a whole lot about Griffith's side but we're not looking any further past the first quarter.
"We need to go into games with a mentality of setting intensity right from the start instead of feeling our way into games. That's the way I see it, but it could be a number of things."
Stephenson played with the 196cm Falkenberg at Central Districts and said they are still in discussions with the Sydney-based 22-year-old on donning the black and gold this year.
He would be a handy sidekick up forward for Stephenson, with John Buchanan yet to play this year and uncertainty surrounding the availability of Jesse Manton.
"He's pretty hands on with work. We're talking to him, but that's about where it is," Stephenson said.
"He's one of my mates from Adelaide and I've played a bit footy with him, but he's not interested in playing in Sydney.
"Ryan's a utility who can play ruck, back, wing or forward.
"We'll probably get the most out of him as a forward for a side like us. He has the potential to play in the ruck as well, or if we need an extra tall down back he can cover it."
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Stephenson said they will name an extended bench for Griffith with an injury cloud hanging over a couple of players, with ruck Tom Osmotherly (shoulder) a 50-50 hope of playing his first game of the year.
"We'll name an extended bench with a couple of question marks over a few blokes, but we'll be relatively unchanged," Stephenson said.
"Griffith is always a hard place to go and we're prepared for a definite contest."
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