The Tigers Reunion Day game against the Beenleigh Buffaloes could not have gone better to script than than what played out yesterday at the Den.
It has been a tough couple of weeks with the Tigers last two games cancelled and training curtailed due to the wet weather. A massive effort by the club to get the Den up to playing condition for the big reunion day didn’t go unnoticed by everyone. While some parts of the track may have been declared dead, it just added to the drama and excitement of the day.
The Buffaloes got off to a quick start with the first two goals before the Tigers steadied the ship to even the score while they went toe to toe for the remainder of the term to finish on twenty points apiece in an exciting opening stanza.
The Buffaloes have taken some big scalps already this season and have been sitting at the top of the ladder. They boast some experienced talent with former Saint Brodie Murdoch and former Lion Albert Proud leading the way for them but they also have a lot of local talent with the Eddy and James brothers also giving them plenty of firepower and they all came to play yesterday.
The Tigers weren’t overwhelmed by any means as they stepped up a gear in the second term to kick four goals to the Buffaloes one as Daniel Schmidt showed his value to the team with another outstanding performance in the ruck, particularly around the ground and in defence taking some crucial intercept marks. Schmidt was duly awarded the Mick Nolan Medal for the best and fairest Mayne player for the day in a very worthy back to back honour.
The Tigers were very busy around the middle with Zac Quin once again fleet of foot to get the Tigers moving along with Jack Coghlan on the wing.
The half time break was just what the Buffaloes needed as the Tigers pace had them looking for answers.
While it might have been expected that the smaller and faster Tigers would run away with game on the heavy deck, it could not have been further from the truth as the Buffaloes came out after the main break to return fire. Their big men were more mobile than expected and their skills in the conditions were impressive.
The Third term saw the Buffaloes narrow the Tigers lead to just fifteen points as the home team was reduced to two rotations due to injuries. Tigers Captain Zac McLean was brave having taken a couple of heavy blows to remain on the paddock and lead the way for his team.
The Buffaloes gave it their all in the last term to get within five points of the Tigers to set up a photo finish.
Seb Windsor changed the game for the Tigers in the dying minutes with two crucial overhead marks while Daniel Schmidt showed his versatility with an amazing crumbing effort and kick to Seb Miletic who coolly slotted a round the corner set shot to seal the game.
It was an exciting game for the reunion day crowd who enjoyed seeing the current Tigers carrying on the black and gold tradition.
Scores: Mayne 10.11.71 d Beenleigh 9.7.61 Goals: S Miletic 4, C Barber, Z Quin 2, Z Puncken, C Caught 1. Best: D Schmidt, S Windsor, C Barber, J Coghlan, Z Quin, S Miletic
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