14 Sep Tiger Tagger Eyes Next Assignment
Dave McLeish may not be a well known name in local footy.
However he has slowly emerged as one of the GDFL’s most prominent taggers in recent months.
The 28-year-old was given the task of nullifying Bell Post Hill’s Whitley medallist Matthew James on the weekend.
And it was a job well done as his presence on the speedster allowed teammates Reece Holwell, Matt Egan and Brendan Wall to dominate the centre clearance count in the opening half.
“Matt (James) got me the first time we played him in the qualifying final because he’s really quick,” McLeish reflected.
“Our main emphasis as a group was on winning the ball and not letting it get out to him so he was on my mind for a bit but that’s over now.”
He added, “He (James) let me know about half way through the quarter about his ribs, how they were sore cause he fractured them, but I didn’t care.”
McLeish will line-up for his 50th club game this weekend after crossing to Thomson from Edenhope-Apsley at the start of 2016.
Though he would only make five senior appearances in his first season at the Godfrey Street Oval the former Horsham DFL interleague representative has looked lively in recent months.
“I had a broken wrist during my first pre-season and we had a pretty handy midfield group in 2016 with Brent Macleod, Reece (Holwell) and Justin White as well,” he recalled.
“They were all playing my position so it was hard to break in but then I had a better pre-season in 2017 and then another good one ahead of this year.”
He will now aim for his first senior flag this weekend six years to the day after his Edenhope-Apsley side surrendered an early 27-point lead to Kalkee in 2012.
“It was pretty painful because we were clearly the best side all year,” he said.
“I also lost two or three preliminary finals as well so there’s an understanding that these (premierships) are hard to come by.”
Before reaching the premiership dais the Tigers’ must first rectify previous defeats to Inverleigh; the premiership favourite which bolsters a star studded midfield.
“They have a very good midfield and they’ll be hard to stop so we have to get on top of them early,” McLeish added.
“Simon Seddon has been playing forward but if he goes in the middle then I suppose I’d have a crack on him because he’d lead you to the footy.”
“Blake Hutchinson is another one who is just as important; he gets them going as the bull in their so he needs to be watched as well.”
Regardless of the result, the loyalty, patience and work rate of McLeish has proven to be a key ingredient in the Tigers’ four year turnaround from wooden spooner to grand finalist.
“If we can get up then the reflection will be on all the hard work that’s been taken to get there but right now all the boys just want to enjoy the week and the preparation that comes with it.”
By Alex Tigani
GDFL Media (14/09/2018)
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