Tigers here to roar

“THE South East is a really important part of what the club is, what the culture is.”

Those are the words of Glenelg Football Club midfield coach Brett Exelby, the South Gambier premiership playing coach, who is headed to the region this weekend as part of the Roar on the Border weekend.

“I am so glad we are able to bring a game to the region,” he said. “It also gives the other players in our squad an opportunity to appreciate the travel factor and the commitment needed by the players from this region to work their way through the juniors and find a place in the seniors.”

Saturday’s trial game against Coburg is the Tigers first hit out against opposition, after an internal trial last weekend, so brings the opportunity to test what is a new game plan under first time senior coach Matthew Clarke, who is just one oof many for whom the weekend is a homecoming.

“It won’t be perfect but it is a chance to go through what we have been practising and talking about and then learning as things happen throughout the game,” Exelby said. “Matt is a completely different person to (former senior coach) Darren (Reeves) in the way he wants to play and the way he wants to operate.

“It has seen a fresh change, a fresh attitude and it is going to be a more free-flowing, attacking style and that has excited a few of our players to be able to just get out and run. It’s been good fun.”

Former North Gambier player Matt Allen is another of the Glenelg contingent returning to where it all began giving him a rare opportunity to play in front of family and friends.

“This is our first game against opposition so everyone is excited to have that opportunity to get out there and connect as a group,” Allen said. “There is a new game plan and a lot of new players so this is a change to connect together, to put your best foot forward and stake a claim to play in Round 1.”

Allen is proud to be one of a litany of South East players who have made their mark at the Glenelg Football Club and he is impressed by the large South East contingent that have been part of the senior squad since he returned to the club six years ago.

“We want to make sure young guys and girls know Glenelg is a really good pathway to follow,” Allen said.

Saturday’s match is at Malseed Park, the ground Clarke called home when he was a junior star on the rise, providing local fans with a rare opportunity to witness top-tier talent on their home turf and for aspiring South East players to see a genuine pathway to State League football.

“We’re incredibly excited to head to the Southeast for our first trial match of the 2026 season,” Clarke said. “The Limestone Coast has long been a vital part of Glenelg’s catchment, producing outstanding talent over many years, including members of our back-to-back premiership teams like Matt Allen and Brad McCarthy.

“We’re looking forward to a fantastic contest against the Lions and building this into an annual marquee event on the footy calendar.”

Glenelg Head of Football, Paul Sandercock said they were always mindful of the commitment players and their families make to represent the Tigers.

“We’re determined to strengthen our connection with the region that has given our club so much,” he said.

Glenelg’s League team will remain in the region to host junior football clinics on Sunday, March 8.

The opportunity to Train Like A Tiger, will provide junior talent with the chance to train with Glenelg players across Mt Gambier, Naracoorte and Millicent.

Registration for the clinics can be made here: https://form.jotform.com/260387157741866