Cornell hitting straps at right time for in-form Tigers

After a steady start - justifiable after not playing football at all last year - Cornell has exploded with nine goals in two straight best on ground displays in wins over Narrandera and Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.

The Tigers have won their past four games to leap to third spot, and can take a big step toward a double chance in finals should they beat Turvey Park in Saturday's derby at Robertson Oval.

Their application has always been on point, but their execution is now at a standard where they can lay claims to being arguably the Riverina League's form side.

And front of centre of that has been Cornell, who has been part of a Tigers forward set-up which is finally clicking after struggling to kick a score in the first half of the season.

The 24-year-old, fellow tall target Brady Morton, Cooper Pavitt and small forwards like Brendy Myers, Will Keogh and Mason Gilfillan are causing plenty of headaches at the right time of the season.

Cornell, who spent a year in Geelong's system and has played plenty of state league level football, took last year off when football in Melbourne was cancelled due to COVID.

He's worked his way into his return season with the Tigers nicely, and shapes as one of the key men to stop in the business end.

"I probably started a bit slow the first couple of rounds this year. I think being in Melbourne last year and having the whole year off footy doesn't help," he said.

"It's good to get a few games under the belt and find some form. It's the right time of the year to be doing it.

"I enjoyed the break to be honest, I've played footy since I could walk and there's some serious footy in amongst that at state league level. The year off was quite nice."

The knock on the Tigers in the first half of the year was the effort was palpable, but they butchered the ball at times which made it impossible to compete with the best.

They turned that around in a big way against the ladder-leading Lions a fortnight ago, where Cornell and his fellow forwards thrived on superb delivery inside 50.

"I think I've been building, the first three or four games were a bit steady in comparison to the standards I hold myself to," Cornell said.

"After that I started building and was starting to get to where I wanted to be. We've got Brady Morton down there too, but we've also got really good smalls which is helping us big time.

"As long as we can not get outmarked and at least bring the ball to ground, they're very lively. All we have do (as tall forwards) is not get beat and at least bring the ball to ground.

"I've played a lot of footy with Brady and Brendy we're on the same page and work well together.

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"Our midfielders have been really good as well the last couple of months. Up forward we obviously rely on their delivery, and the more space they get the better they'll hit us up."

Cornell said more accountability at training had also helped lift the Tigers to the next level, and instil confidence they can beat anyone.

"To be honest we felt we needed to lift our training standards a bit, but still keep it enjoyable. We found a good balance of high quality training but it's still been good fun," he said.

"I think that's showing on Saturday, we're going in confident we can get the job done.

"It's setting ourselves a high standard we want to make ourselves accountable to. We had to address some things earlier in the year, our skills weren't quite there, but we've got on top of that.

"It was a common theme on Monday nights, our intent was always there but were lacking that polish with the skills. No matter how hard you crack in, if you keep turning the footy over and not kick goals, you're not going to win games."

"We've really made it a focus to prepare like we're playing a top quality side every week.

"We've got lots of good players who are capable of standing up. We are a young team so it is important for some of us older guys to do that."

With specialist ruckman Tom Osmotherly (shoulder) not expected back until finals at earliest, Cornell spend some time in the ruck during last week's win at Narrandera.

"Ideally I'd rather not (ruck), my shins are still feeling it to be honest. But you do whatever you have to for the team, if that's what I'm required to do I'll give it a go.

"I knew I wasn't going to win the taps, but when the ball does go to ground I'm trying to be an extra mid on the ground, and try and make my opponent defend me around the ground."

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