The Tigers made the announcement this week with the plan to field first grade, reserve grade and league tag teams.

While Manilla had "a lot of work to do", president Pat Carlton also said the club was "reasonably confident" of fielding two men's teams in 2022.

"We've got a commitment from a number of players. We're just waiting until we get to pre-season and see how numbers roll in from there," Carlton said.

He added: "We've only got a small committee so we're just working as hard as we can to get it going and I think it's a pretty positive vibe around the town."

Carlton said plenty of thought had gone into the decision.

"There was a motion passed last year I think, in 2020, that to be in the comp you had to have a first grade side plus one other side," Carlton explained.

"We've been doing the homework on doing a first grade side and I think the time is now that we've gotta do it. It's either that or we're not going to be in the competition in a couple years.

"We've got a few experienced players in the club who are capable of playing first grade so let's utilise what we've got while we can."

One of those players is reinstated captain-coach Mitch Doring.

The Greater Northern representative will lead the first grade side in 2022 with Carlton saying Doring was an integral part of the step-up and the club.

"What he does within the club behind the scenes, is quite incredible for a young fella. He does lots of work," Carlton said.

"He's got that demeanour with the boys and the girls. Everyone respects what he's doing. He just does his best and doesn't put himself up on a mantlepiece.

"He just works hard and he's a very important member of our club."

Adelaide Monika will coach the league tag team with Carlton saying the ladies were "confident they've got more than enough girls".

Carlton also said the club was on the lookout for more sponsors. "We're a very small committee. We do a lot of work between us all and if anyone out there wants to sponsor us please come forward," he said.

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