The 9.12 (66) – 4.6 (30) win for the Tigers ensured they head into their grand final qualifier against Lake Nash in winning form.

Tigers coach Craig Brice said it was imperative for his side to build momentum before their clash with Lake Nash in two weeks.

“We have been gradually building for the past couple of weeks and it was good to see the boys put in a strong performance just before finals,” he said.

“This momentum should carry over into training in the next few weeks and into the match against Nashies.”

Despite conceding the first goal to Buffaloes through Pete Vandeplassche, the Tigers rebounded to lead by seven points at the first break.

“I thought our defence was exceptional all match, restricting the Buffaloes to very few shots on goal,” Brice said.

“For our boys to concede only 745 points over the 15 matches of the season is a huge effort that deserves recognition.” 

The Tigers extended their lead 17 points by the main break, thanks to goals from forward pair Nick Alberline and Theon Raffaldi.

“Without Brodie (Deverell) playing, I thought Nick (Alberline) and Matt Dunn really stood up in the forward line,” Brice said.

“Both ended up kicking three crucial goals, which helped seal the win for us.”

“The play of Jason Boydle,  John Edwards Jnr, Paul Taverner and Niall Kilcoyne through the middle of the park, created space for our forwards.”

The Tigers extended their pressure in the second half against an understrength Buffaloes side, who eventually ran out of legs.

“The second half was one of our worst in recent weeks, which isn’t ideal heading into finals,” Buffaloes coach Brad Nunn said.

“But we did lose a couple of blokes to injury and were playing without a couple of key players, so I’m sure we will bounce back in time for Rovers in two weeks.”

Only kicking one goal and three behinds in the  second half, Nunn knows there is work to do during the next two weeks.

“We will have two big weeks on the training paddock to prepare for what will no doubt be a tough match against Rovers,” he said.

“Although they come in as the fourth side, they are dangerous and will be looking to cause an upset.”

Buffaloes face Rovers on August 16 in an elimination final against  at Legend Oval.