The Tigers completed a fairytale yesterday in the 2024 Hart Sport QFA Division 1 Grand Final defeating the Coorparoo Kings in their centenary year.
It was a dream hatched almost twelve months ago with a shopping list including new coaches and some additional talent to top off the already solid list of loyal Tigers.
The Tigers were able to promote 2023 Reserve Grade Premiership Coach Jack Gartlan and then recruit Jeremy Watts from the Northern Territory. Top it off with Queensland footy icon Tony Lynn as Assistant Coach and the scene was set.
The pieces were falling into place so add former Mayne Junior Eddie Mallan who has been a superstar at Southport, Morningside and Aspley and then the dynamic threesome of Will Brohm, Beau Harris and Daniel Saunders and the Tigers were in with more than a sniff.
Winning the Minor Premiership with fourteen wins and just two losses to Coorparoo and Springwood was a dream but the job was far from done with several recent years seeing the Tigers bow out early due to injury and some unfortunate circumstances to put behind them.
The Tigers defeated the Kings in the semi final in convincing fashion and then set themselves for the big day with purpose.
Yesterday was a day of extreme conditions with the weather set to reach 36 degrees. The Tigers support staff made all the best preparations for these conditions which all went to making the day a success. Plenty of hydration, wet towels and fans on hand were the order of the day for the brutal conditions.
The Tigers drew first blood with ruckman Jamie Ivers kicking a goal in the first minute of the game and it all looked perfect. However the Kings got to work with their plan to bottle up the Tigers three pronged attack and that is how the first quarter played out in a dour affair. Ivers goal was the only one for the term.
The Tigers got to work in the second term with Club Captain Zac McLean kicking the first three goals of the term to bring the Tigers grand final to life.
The Kings were being solidly held by the Tigers incredible defence which has been the most miserly in the 2024 season. James Stolz led the way with Dan Schmidt floating across to intercept, Will Brohm was kicking with precision, Ryan Eyles tackling and spoiling, while Kyle Henry and Mitch Bruce blanketed their opponents.
The Kings finally got on the scoreboard late in the quarter through Lachlan McClare and Dylan Reid to leave the Tigers with a three goal lead at the main break.
The Tigers finally broke loose in the third quarter with five goals as Ryan Doolan and Zac Quin opened their accounts with three and two respectively. The Tigers lead was out to six goals at the last break.
The Tigers had worked extremely hard in the terrible conditions with Jamie Ivers strong in the ruck and around the ground while the running men of Tom Fry, Eddie Mallan, Beau Harris and Jack Collings ran themselves to a standstill. Jack Coghlan and Dan Saunders dominated the wings to have the Tigers in dangerous territory all day.
The last quarter saw the Tigers hold that lead for most of the quarter before the Kings managed to kick three in red time but Ryan Doolan kicked the last goal of the Grand Final to signal the celebrations of the conquering Tigers and their massive supporter group in attendance.
Scores: Mayne 13.7.85 d 8.9.57
Goals: Zac McLean 5, Ryan Doolan 4, Zac Quin 3, Jamie Ivers 1.
Best: Everyone.
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