Why are the Tigers now in the Grand Final?
Sure it's the strength of Dustin Martin, the class of Trent Cotchin, the sheer nous of Riewoldt and the stability of Alex Rance.
Its adding Nankervis, Prestia & Caddy.
Its adding small dynamic forwards.
But there are 4 other key factors
1- LUCK ... no injuries all year (really only Nathan Drummond, 35-40 "list player" who did his knee). Amazing. Clean health for 40 others.
2- FOOTBALL ... football football and football. The Tigers had 330 possessions (200 kicks, 130 handballs) vs Giants 390 possessions (210 kicks 180 handballs). This was virtually the same in Tigers vs Cats. Other sides like Melbourne overpossess the footy and lose the footy in turnovers
3- GOALS ... the forwards kick goals. If you are inside 50, run and kick goals. Not a further 3 handballs
and finally
4- G&D... tough determined footballers. No shirkers. Blokes all put their heads over the footy.