The Tigers travelled to Red Rooster Park at Burpengary for their opening Round against the Moreton Bay Lions yesterday in sweltering conditions.
The 2023 Hart Sport Division 1 is looking like its’ tightest in many years with another adjustment to the lineup this year but also continued improvements to all the teams making up the competition. This certainly includes the Moreton Bay Lions who have recruited well including a new Coach in David Harding who is well known to all in SEQ footy and further afield.
The Tigers were under no illusions that the 2023 Lions would set the bar a bit higher this year and that was certainly the case yesterday at Red Rooster Park.
The Tigers got off to a flyer with a mark and goal to Club Captain Zac McLean in the opening moments and he had another opportunity not long after but couldn’t repeat the dose. Unfortunately the Tigers couldn’t add to the major column for the remainder of the term kicking the one goal and an errant five points while the Lions responded in slick style with four goals to take a strong lead into the first break and all the momentum.
There was a slight breeze favouring the clubhouse end which the Tigers took some advantage in the second term to outscore the Lions and return the scoreboard to a more respectable look and with some potential to capitalise after the main break.
The Tigers introduced three debutants to their team for day with Ben Wilkinson, Callum Ferguson and Declan Goodwin all making a strong contribution. Ferguson was very quick out of the blocks and showed he will certainly add something special to the Tigers attack throughout the year. Former Everton Wolves Junior Wilkinson was clean with his hands and finished well when required to hit the scoreboard while Goodwin also kicked a handy goal late in the game from the boundary.
The efforts of an experienced Jack Collings were evident all day as he bullocked his way accumulating possessions to will the Tigers on while youngster Hayden Fry was exceptional in the ruck and around the ground.
While the Tigers were down less than two goals at the main break and with some momentum it was hoped that they might take the game on in the third term. After another quick start and a goal to Xavier Craven it looked like the plan was coming together but the Lions snuffed any ideas of a change to the game as they kicked four straight to break away to the biggest lead of the game.
The Tigers will rue their efforts with ball as they gave away the footy too many times with poor disposal in crucial parts of the ground which the Lions to their credit capitalised on every time.
The Lions were well served by Captain and veteran Jonathan Giles who rallied his troops all day and playmaker Harrison Wood who seemed to have it on a string.
The Tigers Quin brothers Zac and Louis both worked hard all day to keep the Tigers going forward.
The gap had increased slightly at the last break but the Tigers still had their chance to come back in the last term.
It wasn’t to be with both sides going goal for goal for the last quarter to leave the Tigers lamenting their poor kicking in the opening term.
The Tigers play Springwood at home next week.
Scores: Moreton Bay 15.12.102 d Mayne 12.17.89 Goals: Z McLean, B Wilkinson 2, X Craven, H Fry, J Collings, J Westerberg, R Doolan, D Goodwin, C Barber 1. Best: J Collings, H Fry, C Ferguson, B Wilkinson, Z Quin, L Quin.
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