Geelong Advertiser |
THOMSON kept its finals hopes alive with a 29-point win over Corio on Saturday.
In a game where the loser's chances of seeing September action would suffer a fatal blow, the Tigers dug deep to grind out the win at Godfrey St Oval.
"It was probably a case of them or us. It was good to get the four points," Thomson coach Damian Clark said after the 12.14 (86) to 8.9 (57) win.
"We try not to put the outcome or result in front of the process.
"We didn't speak about the outcome until three-quarter time. At that time we were down to two on the bench and we just told our boys that we needed to stand up tall and play the match out.
"I said, 'these 30 minutes are going to be season defining'."
It sets up a season-shaping month for eight-placed Thomson that plays similarly placed sides Anakie, Geelong West, Belmont Lions and Werribee Centrals.
"We failed to beat any of them the first time around which was disappointing," he said.
"It's a good opportunity for our young guys to stand up and become real senior footballers."
Clark was confident his side's best was still to come as the Tiger's aim to launch their late assault towards the top five.
Tiger Ricky Kiss continued to be a revelation at full back, playing another stand out game on a number of key Devils including Mark Stewart.
"He wasn't getting a kick up forward ... we put him down back. Since then he has been amazing."
Thomson also uncovered a genuine swingman in Aaron Hutchison who has played in the middle and centre half-forward this season.
On Saturday he found himself at centre half-back.
