Tigers can find finals form: Frost

Railways player-coach Craig Frost believes his side can have an impact come finals time after the Tigers ended a three-game losing streak with a 59-point win over Denmark-Walpole on Saturday at Tigerland.

In less than convincing fashion against a young and inex-perienced Magpies, the Tigers kicked clear from the shackles in the second half to record their first win since round 9 with an eight-goal to two second half. A decisive third term against the favourable wind to the Magpies’ end set up the home side’s victory when they led by an insurmountable 31 points at the final change.

The Tigers played their last home game of the season and will travel for their elimination semifinal on September 3, with their opponent yet to be determined.

Frost said his side was closer to the top three sides than the ladder suggested.

“I think we have shown we can match it with them, we have beaten North twice and have been within two to three goals of Royals and also Barker,” he said.

“We’ve had three tough games and we knew Denmark were going to come out hard so it was pleasing after half-time we were able to get our game going.”

The Magpies fielded one of their youngest teams this season, missing regulars Brody Hickey, Simon Barker and Paris Ropiha.

They booted the first two goals of the match through Hayden Parker before the Tigers began to gain midfield control.

However, the margin remained in reach for the Magpies at half-time at 16 points before the Tigers found space in the second half, led by Kleemann Medal fancy Zane Marwick and rebound defender Tayler Neale. Magpies key defenders Hendrix Ropiha and Luke Hutcheson were shining lights in defence, while veteran Ryan Gaerth again gathered plenty of possessions.

Magpies coach Matt Candy was encouraged by his younger players. “I was rapt with the younger blokes today,” he said. “Their first half was good. Obviously they are going to be the nucleus in the coming years.”