Border Mail Round 4 – Preview – 2019
OSBORNE star Jamie Parr says the return of premiership duo George Alexander and Andrew Clarke has elevated the Tigers to legitimate flag contenders.
While the Tigers made finals last year they sorely missed their talented talls who both missed with knee injuries.
Osborne have accounted for Culcairn, Henty and Jindera in the opening rounds and alongside Howlong are the only undefeated sides.
Parr rated the list similar to the Tigers’ premiership side from two years ago.
“Its been a cracking start, especially against some quality opposition and another one to come this week in Brock-Burrum,” Parr said.
“The group is gelling well and we have definitely improved from last season.
“Obviously Sam Livingstone and Brad Boots were handy pick-ups but the biggest impact has been the return of George Alexander and Andrew Clarke.
“Missing those two with injury last year left a huge hole.
“To see them back and performing is the best news of all and gives us that much more versatility.
“Talent-wise our list is similar to 2017 but the work has got to be done.
“I guess it’s the old saying hard-work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Parr is entering his 11th season with the Tigers after arriving from Coolamon in 2009.
He is due to notch his 200th match in the yellow and black late this season.
Brock-Burrum coach Kade Stevens rate Parr as “as good a player as I’ve seen since going to the Hume league.”
And it’s hard to disagree.
Parr has won three flags with the Tigers.
He became only the second player to clinch the Azzi Medal and Des Kennedy Memorial Medal in the same season in 2017.
The athletic tall thrives on the big stage and has an uncanny knack of landing a long-range goal when the Tigers need it most.
It’s hard to believe the 34-year-old has only won one best and fairest at Tigerland in 2017.
“I maybe 34 but having Hayden Gleeson in the side makes me feel young,” he said.
“I think he turns 40 this year but the fact that he is still playing doesn’t surprise me.
“He will keep playing until he doesn’t get picked and then he will run around in the two’s for another five years.
“We call him fossil for a reason.”
Parr said he was looking forward to rucking against Saints giant Matt Seiter.
“I was out injured last year against Brock-Burrum so I haven’t had a chance to ruck against him yet,” he said.
BROCK-Burrum coach Kade Stevens won’t play until after the inter-league bye.
The former Lavington star’s absence will be off-set to some extent by the return of Nico Sedgwick from suspension.
Brock-Burrum trailed Holbrook by 42 points in the second term last weekend before fighting back through the efforts of clearance king Luke Schilg and Kade Garland.
Holbrook and Culcairn lock horns in a crucial clash at Holbrook.
Both sides are coming off disappointing defeats and the loser will lose touch with the competition’s top-six.
Rand-Walbundrie-Walla host Lockhart in what should be a tight contest, Howlong will start favourites against Billabong Crows and Henty travel to Jindera.
CDHBU and Murray Magpies will chase their first win at Coreen.
