Tigers look to progress to third straight decider as they face injury-hit Denmark Walpole in preliminary final

Railways will attempt to earn a third straight grand final appearance when they host an injury-hit Denmark-Walpole side in their preliminary final at Tigerland on Sunday. The Tigers have made the last two grand finals and fallen short in both but will be desperate to have another shot at premiership glory. In three encounters this season the Tigers have had the measure over the Magpies, including a commanding 77-point win in the final round last week. They will enter the sudden death final this week with a similar team and star Mitch Green will need to prove his fitness later in the week to be included. Tigers coach Troy Leo expected a fired up Magpies outfit. “They absolutely will be keen to respond from last week, we will need to be on our toes and ready for them,” he said. “We reset back to zero now that finals have started and they are a solid opposition. “Everyone stuck to the plan and it worked well last week. “We got on top in the middle so hopefully we can do that again.” The Magpies horror injury run continued last week as co-captains Alec Haskins and Luke Hutcheson went down with a hamstring and knee injury respectively while Brodie Reeve’s jaw was broken. However they will welcome back youngster Cody Kerr from a badly dislocated finger, tall utility Jarrod Brack will return from a punctured lung and Brodie Ellis is another inclusion. Magpies player-coach Ryan Gaerth said there was excitement around the group about playing finals. “It’s a bit disappointing to have so many injuries in our first finals appearance for a few years but we can’t control that,” he said. “We will bring some young guys back into the team so hopefully they bring a bit of enthusiasm. “Hopefully we can take our chances early and play tighter on some of their key players. “They were pretty clinical on the weekend. “We will need a real team effort across the field.” “It’s going to be a big challenge for the boys but we will go out, give it our best shot and see how we go.” The Magpies are unlikely to get star ruckman Shayne Zanetti back from a serious ankle injury for the all-important final. The Tigers and Mt Barker face off in the reserves, North Albany take on the Tigers in the colts, and Royals and the Magpies do battle in the 16s as they all look to book a spot in the decider. The league game starts at 2.30pm at Tigerland.