The Annual Anzac Day clash held yesterday at Giffin Park between the two famous clubs of Mayne and Coorparoo was once again a fiercely contested game and a credit to all the players that represented each club. It was also played with appropriate sportsmanship fitting of such an important day on the country’s calendar.
The game was alive until the last second with Coorparoo just hanging on to claim a two point victory after both sides went goal for goal throughout the last quarter.
The Tigers got off to a slow start having to defend grimly for most of the first quarter before mounting some important raids to be within four points of the Kings at the end of the term. The Tigers missed several opportunities to take the lead due to inaccurate kicking.
Zac Puncken once again showed just what he is capable of with a classy display of skills seizing every opportunity that came his way to keep the Tigers scoreboard ticking over finishing with three goals.
The weather had been threatening all day with light rain but the second term saw a howling south easter blow up to create a multi goal advantage to the northern end which the Kings took full advantage. The Kings broke out to a four goal lead at the main break with some of their best footy. The Kings Campbell Leurs was a standout with some long range goals including two in the last term to finish off some good running movements from end to end. Shayle Korander was also fleet of foot once again for the Kings while Dean Gavin was the Kings best on the day.
The Tigers needed to claw back that lead in the third term and hopefully take advantage but the weather gods were not on their side as the breeze settled. However it was still the scoring end and the Tigers proceeded to pepper the goals to get back to trailing by just three points.
The Tigers backline was severely depleted by the absence of Jimmy Aganas and Dean Hartley but the experience of Ryan Eyles held the young Tigers together to be a standout. The Tigers held the Kings to just two points for the term to set up a great finish.
Once again the Tigers could rely on big man Dan Schmidt who did a power of work in the ruck but pushed back to help out in the last line as well as be a target when resting up forward.
Tom Fry continues his exciting debut with his third game in the black and gold even better than the previous two as he continues to solidify his position in first grade.
The Tigers Captain Zac McLean led from the front all day with an inspiring game while Jack Coghlan was dynamic through the middle of the ground.
The scene was set for an exciting finish and that is what the crowd got for their money with the Tigers gaining a five point lead only to see the Kings strike a quick retort to go one point up again and again. The two teams scored three goals apiece with Coorparoo claiming the lead back with seconds to go to win by two points in a classic finish.
Dean Gavin was awarded the Wayne Stewart Medal in the closing ceremony for the day in what was another great Anzac Day tribute game.
Scores: Coorparoo 10.8.68 d Mayne 9.12.66 Goals: Z Puncken 3, T Fry 2, Z Quin, H Leong, J Westerberg, C Caught 1 Best: Z Puncken, J Coghlan, T Fry, R Eyles, D Schmidt, Z McLean
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