The Tigers tasted immediate success in their new environment, making a Grand Final in their first season, suffering a narrow defeat to Channel and taking out a shock win in the 1997 Grand Final over Claremont.
In their first year, the Tigers quickly found success in their new surroundings, making it to the Grand Final but narrowly missing out on victory against Channel. However, they bounced back with a stunning win over Claremont in the 1997 Grand Final.