The Tigers were on the hunt for back to back premierships in 1996,  gains outweighed the losses on the recruiting front – they had negotiated the home and away rounds with just two losses to finish second behind Lavington on percentage – a bizarre finals schedule, injuries, suspensions and a loss in week one of finals had the Tigers at the crossroads enjoy Part A of Tiger Tales 1996 – “Spargo’s Soldiers – Against All Odds”