The Tigers Reserves have made the finals for the eleventh consecutive year which also happens to be the centenary year for the club.
The Tigers finished second on the ladder and therefore faced up to a much improved University of Queensland in the Qualifying Final yesterday at Giffin Park, Coorparoo.
The Tigers and Red Lions were one win apiece coming into this game and matched up very closely all season so this game shaped as a very tough clash for both sides. The Tigers have the finals experience but the Red Lions are hungry for success after a long drought.
The Tigers started the game in strong fashion with Zac Puncken dominating the midfield driving his team forward to control the term. They held field position for most of the quarter with Captain Gus Shaw strong in the ruck and very effective around the ground. They looked very dangerous with Corey Massingham providing a strong target up front and with small forwards Danny Athanasellis and Pat Glass very busy all looked very good.
Rhys Syrett was able to kick the first goal for the Tigers with Massingham following up shortly after to give the Mayne team a handy lead but the Red Lions defence stiffened up to keep the deficit to a manageable level.
The Tigers looked to be in control at the first break but as has been their way this year, they became preoccupied with spreading and sharing the ball in extravagant fashion mid way through the second term opening the door for the Red Lions quick men who took advantage of the Tigers through the middle which is their strong suit.
It was a very exciting term with both sides mounting attacking raids and the ball going from end to end, The Tigers defence led by the experienced Stew Settle and Andy Tydink held firm with the Tigers extending their lead to four goals through speedster Danny Athanasellis and a very poised Chas Van Leeuwin before the Red Lions hit the scoreboard in the second half of the quarter with two goals to keep them once again in striking distance.
The Tigers held a seven point lead at the half time break with the Red Lions starting to charge in a very exciting and fitting finals game.
The Red Lions had their tails up at the main break and came out ready to run which they did at every opportunity kicking three goals for the quarter against the breeze to take the game right up to the Tigers and the lead.
A much needed late goal to Danny Athanasellis kept the Tigers alive and two points in arrears.
It was finals time now with both sides turning it on for a heart stopping last term. It was now a shootout for the win with the Red Lions taking first blood with a goal to full forward Jason Ashton to which the Tigers responded immediately through some quick work by Xavier Craven kicking to Chas Van Leeuwin who kicked a long range goal on the run to have the Tigers a point behind.
A minute later the Red Lions kicked another goal to push the margin out again to seven points. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides defenders holding firm before Jackson Olley took a mark in the pocket and finished off with a round the corner kick to take the Tigers back to one point behind.
It was going down to the wire with the Tiger faithful on the edge of their seats.
Once again the Red Lions were able to get the goal they needed from Jason Ashton and all eyes were on the clock.
The Tigers stepped up a gear with only minutes to go with playing Coach Danny Evans inspiring his team to hold the ball in their scoring zone. The Tigers kicked two very handy points to set the scene for a dramatic finish and that is what we got with Corey Massingham taking a mark on the fifty metre arc before a Red Lions player ran through the mark.
Massingham duly kicked the winning goal from the improved position to see the Tigers win by a solitary point to the huge relief of all the players and Tiger Army.
The Tigers now play old foes Coorparoo next week at the Den in the curtain raiser to the Seniors who will also play the Kings after they accounted for the Red Lions in the senior qualifying final.
Scores: Mayne 8.8.56 d UQ Red Lions 8.7.55
Goals: Chas Van Leeuwen, Danny Athanasellis, Corey Massingham 2, Jackson Olley, Rhys Syrett 1.
Best: Gus Shaw, Danny Evans, Danny Athanasellis, Chas Van Leeuwin, Stew Settle, Xavier Craven.
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