Barrel back as coach of Tigers

Craig ``Barrel'' Brice will coach the Mount Isa AFL Association team in 2014, replacing Andrew ``Roo'' Stewart as top Tiger.

Barrel coached the Tigers to their last premiership in 2011, before hanging up the whistle in 2012 to play second fiddle to Stewart.

With Stewart out of the picture, Barrel simply couldn't resist the temptation of giving back to the club he loves.

``It's something I've always loved to do [coaching],'' he said.

``They're big shoes to fill and I'm nowhere near the player Roo was, I'm lacking a yard these days.

``The boys gelled around him and I couldn't sit back and let that go to waste.

``They needed a coach and I didn't want to let them down.

``I love the club and I just couldn't keep away from it, it was as simple as that.'' 

The Tigers are already knee-deep into their impressive preseason, recording strong numbers more than two months out from the opening bounce.

Hitting the ground running is something Barrel is mindful of, as a slow start cost the Tigers a top-two position and a crucial second chance in finals last season.

``I just honestly thought they were a little unlucky last year,'' he said.

``They started their run a tad late. You've got to have a good preseason.

``I want our guys around 75 per cent capacity.

``The match fitness will come by round 5 and we can build from there.'' 

Players such as former captain Brad Fleming and Stewart will prove enormous shoes to fill, but Barrel is confident in the new breed of Tigers coming through the ranks following a fruitful off-season recruitment drive led by new president Greg ``Turbo'' Warren.

Those new players will need to be on their game come round 1 because Barrel insists the Mount Isa competition is continuously improving.

``You need a good core group. Gone are the days when you've got a fat bloke like me running around,'' he joked.

``I think the standard of footy has lifted in the last few years.

``The skill level here has really improved and you can't just have a bunch of Saturday drinkers playing footy, you've got to put work into it.

``The boys are putting the effort in and hopefully they get the rewards.'' 

The Mount Isa Tigers train at Captain Cook Oval on Wednesday and Fridays from 6pm.