The Tigers travelled to the University of Queensland yesterday for a return match against the ever improving UQ Red Lions who sit comfortably in the final five and pose a handful for all the teams in the Hart Sport Cup.
The Tigers sat at the top of the ladder on the slimmest of percentage margins over Coorparoo and were keen to hold that spot but they would have to record a strong win for that to happen.
The Students had other ideas getting off to a lightning start with three straight goals while the Tigers plans and aspirations were still in the shed. They needed to get their act together quickly.
It was a cold and blustery day with the conditions sure to have an impact and while the Tigers had what could have been a wind advantage, the swirling and unreliable gusting proved more of a hindrance.
Thankfully the Tigers arrested the UQ momentum after the shock start and got about getting their game under way with a much needed goal from the hard running Eddie Mallan on the back of plenty of hard work in the middle of ground from Jamie Ivers and Beau Harris. The Tigers were then peppering the goals with minor scoring shots before their three reliable forwards in Ryan Doolan, Zac McLean and Zac Quin finally hit the board. The Tigers finished the first term with a two goal lead which could have been so much more but for their struggle with the conditions and some over use of possessions at times.
The Tigers continued their high possession game into the second term missing several opportunities to kick away as they tried to share the spoils. While the Tigers dominated field position the UQ Red Lions made the most of their opportunities with quick work though the middle of the ground culminating in four goals as they continued to kick truly while the Tigers squandered their chances to kick more points than goals once again. The Doolan, Quin and McLean triple targets kicked the Tigers three goals to retain the lead by six minor scores after a hard working term.
The Tigers backline was holding strong as much as possible with James Stolz and Jeremy Duck setting the example while Will Brohm, Digby Morison and Kyle Henry were busy all day. The fast entries on the short ground however was a problem with little opportunity to set up in their usual systems.
The Tigers came out after the main break full of enthusiasm with the objective to not let the students get another run on. Zac Puncken got into the action with a long range set shot to get the Tigers underway and Doolan followed up on the back of a strong mark.
It was now the Students time to respond with their midfield weapon Connor Ashcroft lifting to the occasion as they responded again in a shift of momentum to kick two themselves before the Tigers steadied the ship to kick away to a twenty seven point lead by the final break and seemingly to have the game under control.
Once again the Students rallied as they felt the belief with small forward Campbell Wong kicking two quick goals to have the Tigers once again desperate to stop their run.
Tiger Skipper Zac McLean was rallying his troops for all he could kicking a much need settling goal but it was short lived as the students midfield took charge. If not for a goal against the run of play by the Tigers Danny Athanasellis the result might have been different as the students stormed home to be just seven points short of pulling off a come from behind victory.
The Tigers knew it was going to be a danger game with the Students always trouble on their home deck so they were very pleased to come away with the win.
The Tigers are off to Moreton Bay next week with just three rounds to go as the competition for placings in the final five juggle around.
Scores: Mayne 14.15.99 d UQ 14.8.92
Goals: Z McLean 5, R Doolan 4, Z Quin 2, E Mallan, Z Puncken, D Athanasellis 1.
Best: Z McLean, E Mallan, J Stolz, B Harris, R Doolan, J Duck.
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