Just two games into the new season the Tigers are already looking like strong premiership contenders with victories over Newtown-Condingup and Ports, leaving Gibson a game clear at the head of the EDFA league ladder.

With windy conditions favouring the scoreboard end of Ports oval, the Tigers –missing several key players - looked good from the opening bounce, taking the match up to the Blues despite entering the first break three points down.

This would prove the last time the Blues saw their side in front with the Tigers turning into half time ahead and remaining there for the remainder of the game.

The Blues suffered a big setback with forward Jamie Phoebe stretchered from the ground during the opening quarter with a leg injury, leaving full-forward Nigel Johnston with a huge task in front of goals.

Working hard to get the better of Scott Wandel, the wiley forward did well with Johnston spearheading the Blues with four goals.

But with Phoebe out, the Blues were left struggling to produce a strong consistent alternative when pressing forward and this saw the Tigers’ defence continually rebounding Ports’ forays into their forward 50m.

Dale Guest looked comfortable in defence, picking up some crucial rebounds at vital stages of the match when the Blues looked like finally rallying and producing some good passages of play.

Coach Geoff Sparrowhawk was also getting something extra out of Leigh West while veteran Mick Krygger had plenty of experience to offer the Tigers’ younger brigade.

Up front Sasha Bozanich never looked like repeating his eight goal haul from the week before but ended the day with two valuable majors, while youngster Ryan Prott (two goals), Krygger (two goals) and Mathew Harrod (three goals) kept the Blues defence under the hammer.

To their credit the Blues refused to lie down with Corey Bennier playing a great game of football in both the ruck and around the ground.

Brock Thompson was another to make his presence felt at crucial stages while Josh Veness, Brian Sylva and Scott Stihec tried hard.

Despite this, a six goal final term put the issue well beyond doubt and while the Tigers were left celebrating another impressive result the Blues have been left lamenting at the bottom of the EDFA ladder for the first time in over a decade.

Final scores Gibson 14.9 (93) b Ports 7.11 (53).

The Gibson reserves also had an impressive win over Ports, cruising to a 70 point victory after a big effort from veteran forward Kym Curnow.

After a big win over Esperance last week the Blues came crashing back to reality at the hands of the Tigers.

A five goal haul from Curnow was the highlight as the Tigers piled on 14 goals while holding the Blues to just three for the game.

Final scores Gibson 14.10 (94) b Ports 3.6 (24)