The Mayne Tigers played the Mount Gravatt Vultures yesterday at Dittmer Park for the first time in a very long time in the last practice match of the 2024 pre-season.
The two clubs enjoyed a healthy rivalry in the past so it was a strange sensation to see the Tigers and the Vultures stripes going at each other again. It was also an important opportunity for the Tigers to test themselves against a QAFL club before going into battle for the QFA Division 1 Hart Sport Cup for 2024.
While the Vultures advised that this was their fourth practice match for the pre-season and they were not at full strength the Tigers took every opportunity to test their new lineup and systems albeit also with a few key players still to come back into their top side.
The Tigers were off to a lightning start with a goal in the opening minute from a clean break and centre clearance to surprise the Vultures, It was more of the same with another quick goal to take a handy early lead into the game before the Vultures were able to compose and steady the ship.
The Tigers opening term was very impressive with ruckman Dan Schmidt taking the honours in the centre bounce to provide his midfield with plenty of opportunities. Schmidt went on to have a very good game around the ground as well with some quality marking and important sweeping efforts.
Beau Harris picked up where he left off last week with excellent pressure efforts to create numerous turnovers all day in another impressive display while Louis Quin was also strong for the Tigers in his running and clearance work setting up numerous attacking raids for the Tigers.
The Tigers opened up a handy four goals to one lead at the end of the opening term with Ryan Doolan and Jamie Ivers getting into the action early as they laid the foundations for two healthy returns for the day. Ivers finished with six goals while Doolan finished with four but both could have had more but for some generous efforts to share their opportunities around.
The second term saw the Tigers accelerate their efforts taking full advantage of a healthy breeze to the clubhouse end kicking a further five goals to one with strong pressure tactics creating plenty of turnovers.
Jack Collings and Zac McLean were once again leading from the front with their workrate and leadership a factor creating numerous opportunities around the stoppages. Jonah Farry returned to football for the first time in three years and didn’t waste any time getting his hands dirty with an impressive effort on the ball. He will add plenty of class to the Tigers midfield this year as he clearly has plenty of talent.
The Tigers backline was holding strong with James Stolz and Mitch Bruce doing a mountain of work while Will Brohm created plenty of opportunities for the Tigers to rebound.
The second half was as good as the first for the Tigers as they extended their lead to nine goals at the last break before going on to win with a strong margin of twelve goals.
Ryan Eyles created plenty of forward pressure along with Casey Barber in the Tigers front half to maximise the entries which in turn led to the solid win.
The final score was Mayne 16.8.104 to Mount Gravatt 4.7.31.
The Tigers will be pleased with their two pre-season games and to get the long pre-season behind them. They will enjoy the Easter Break and look forward to Round 1 on the 6th April where they take on the Hinterland Blues at Palmwoods.
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