The Tigers top of the table clash with the Coorparoo Kings was much anticipated this week as the club travelled to Giffin Park yesterday to see who will be the favourite for the Hart Sport QFA Division 1 competition as we set sails for home for 2024.
The Tigers fielded a strong outfit this week with only a couple of their best unavailable but the Kings were missing a few as well making for an exciting pre-match build up.
However, despite all the preparation the Kings flew out of the blocks with four unanswered goals as the Tigers worked desperately to match the pace and precise skills being displayed by the home team. The Kings speedster Shayle Korander drew first blood while goal kicking specialist Joshua Ferguson kicked two to have the Tigers well on the back foot.
The Tigers were pleased to see the end of the first term so that they could regroup and get their game back on track. Some adjustments to critical match ups at the break and a bit of soul searching gave the visitors a reset for the second term which had immediate effect returning fire with Ryan Doolan able to get on the end of some quick entry to record their first major for the game.
The welcome return of Tom Fry this week gave the Tigers a much needed boost to their midfield as he injected some fresh energy to the group. He was able to push forward to kick the Tigers second goal and the fightback was underway with four straight goals all from quality tap work from Jamie Ivers and hard work from Beau Harris, Jack Collings and Eddie Mallan. The Tigers midfield has been all about hustle and bustle this season with the addition of Mallan and Harris now complemented by the return of Tom Fry.
The momentum was all the Tigers way and looked set to continue but an unrewarded tackle in front of of the Kings goal which they capitalised on fully changed things dramatically as they returned serve with four of their own. While the Tigers won the quarter five goals to four in the end, there was still plenty to do if they were going to bridge the gap created by their slow start to the game. Tigers came out after the main break with some confidence following their second quarter run of goals.
The Tigers Mitch Bruce was given the run with role on kicking dynamo Matt Suckling to limit his impact with the young man doing a terrific job limiting him to one goal and minimal influence on the game. This was critical to getting the Tigers back in the game.
The Tigers workrate in the midfield and the effort down back through the third term in particular meant they were able to narrow the gap to the final break. James Stolz, Will Brohm and Jeremy Duck were very busy all day giving the Tigers plenty of rebound while Kyle Henry and Dan Schmidt were both strong in the air in defence.
The Tigers narrowed the margin to just eight points at the final break with a three goals to one term and there was a sense that they might just get over the Kings.
The last quarter saw both teams matching each other all over the ground with a resultant shoot out and three goals apiece.
The final result saw the Kings in front by the same eight points that started the final term and with the Tigers paying the price for letting the home side get off to such a strong start.
Both sides will take plenty of confidence out of the game and with just five rounds to go it is hoped we will see another exciting clash between these old foes.
The Tigers take on Springwood, the 2023 Premiers again next week for the third time this season in a must win for both clubs. The Tigers and Pumas have won one each from the first two games at Lowe Oval so this will be one game not to miss.
Scores: Coorparoo 12.12.84 d Mayne 11.10.76
Goals: R Doolan, Z McLean 3, T Fry 2, E Mallan, B Wilkinson, B Harris 1.
Best: B Harris, T Fry, J Collings, J Ivers, J Stolz, M Bruce.
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