Merrivale ruckman Manny Sandow in form ahead of crunch semi-final against Kolora-Noorat

Gun Tigers ruckman Manny Sandow said his side's Warrnambool and District league elimination final win against Russells Creek came after a week of soul-searching.

He said after a shock loss to South Rovers to finish the home-and-away season, the Tigers returned to what made them a dangerous and unique side.

"No one was harder on us than ourselves, we didn't put the pressure on and they cut us up, so the biggest thing was the pressure, doing the team rules and creating that pressure around the ground," he said.

"I was impressed with the run of the boys, the pressure, they worked hard - we pride ourselves on our work rate and it was really good.

"It could have been easy to let it slip again but credit to the boys."

The impressive Tigers big man told The Standard he was proud of the way the group handled the pressure of finals footy at Davidson Oval on Sunday.

"It was a good experience, we worked out before the game we had 10 or 11 who hadn't played a final before, so to get a win for those guys is really pleasing - it's a young group," he said.

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The 2017 Hampden league best and fairest winner starred in the four-goal win, thrilling with his aerial ability and providing a presence across the ground, even kicking the sealer.

He said he was simply playing his role for the side.

"It's just about helping when I can - in the ruck when I can and getting back to help down there and if I can sneak forward I will," he said. "It's just about judging where the numbers are and where the team needs and sticking to team structures."

The Tigers will take on Kolora-Noorat in a must-win first semi-final at Allansford Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

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