The Mayne Tigers Reserve Grade took on the University of Queensland Red Lions yesterday at Giffin Park, Coorparoo in the Hart Sport Cup QFA Division 1 competition.
It was the fourth time the two clubs have met this year with the most recent being two weeks ago in the Qualifying Final where the Tigers escaped with a one point win in the dying minutes of the game.
Prior to that it was one win each during the home and away season so it has been a wonderful rivalry between the two clubs this year. The Red Lions were ecstatic to make the finals after many years in the wilderness while the Tigers are in their eleventh straight year of making the finals in an extraordinary run of consistent performance.
The Tigers played the ladder leaders Coorparoo last week and had their colours lowered significantly in an uncharacteristic display so they were desperate to win this week and make the grand final for the fourth consecutive year. The Red Lions had other ideas.
The Tigers got off to a great start playing direct football with Tim Lyons back in the side after several weeks out. Lyons is a very versatile player who excels either forward or back so to have him set up as a deep forward and be a secondary target with the experienced Corey Massingham gave the Tigers another strong option.
The Tigers were able to get their first goal from a strong mark to Massingham on the back of slick strong work in the middle from Ossy Brennan who has been a revelation this year for the Tigers as a scrapping in and under player.
Xavier Craven was everywhere for the Tigers across the middle as a proven finals performer to have the Tigers going forward on numerous occasions.
The direct play created more opportunities with Lyons taking two very strong overhead marks and finish off with majors on each occasion to take the team to a three goal lead at the first break with the Red Lions yet to record a goal.
The Tigers backline was holding strong once again with Andy Tydink using his experience and strength to advantage while the poise of Stew Settle kept the men’s department in control. Once again Jimmy Aganas and Jono Skippen were also solid in defence with them both taking on the Red Lions dangerous tall and mobile forwards.
The second term for the Tigers has not been their strong suit this season and in a repeat of the last two weeks they changed tactics, either deliberately or through the challenges of the opposition, to overpossess and lose direction with too many switches of play failing to hit their target and their opponent taking full advantage.
The Tigers missed three set shots for goal in the second term and let in three to the Red Lions to have the game almost level but for a one point advantage.
The third term was indicative of how evenly matched the two sides are with both working equally as hard to get some advantage but not being able to break out. It was one goal each for the quarter with every attacking raid being managed by the respective defence. The tackling and workrate of both teams was a credit to them but it was very draining on the Tiger supporters as the game once again headed to a tight finish.
The Red Lions were now one point up at the last break and with everything to play for, both sides were set to roll the dice for what could be the last quarter of their season.
The Red Lions drew first blood through the dangerous Siddarth Rajesh who had been well held all game by Sandy Valentine to have them seven points ahead in the tightest of contests.
It took another eight minutes before the Tigers were able to record a goal with small forward Pat Glass kicking truly from a mark to narrow the gap again. Chas Van Leeuwin followed it up with another goal two minutes later to have the Tigers a goal in front but still too much time left on the clock for comfort.
The Red Lions won the next centre clearance and the ball was in their forward line for what seemed like an endless period. The Red Lions had a chance to even the scores but only managed a point before they were awarded a free kick for a deliberate out of bounds and a difficult set shot.
The shot went long to be marked on the opposite boundary by Lachlan Otto who was only able to hit the woodwork with the last scoring shot of the day.
The Tigers held on grimly for a couple more lengthy minutes to win by four points earning the right to go into the grand final.
The Tigers will have a big job taking on the Coorparoo Kings again next week for the fourth time in four years. The Tigers won last year while the Kings were the victors for the previous two seasons. There is plenty of rivalry and with the Kings going into the QAFL next year there is also plenty to play for.
It is hoped that all Tiger supporters get there in big numbers to see both the seniors and reserves taking them on for the last time.
Scores: Mayne 6.6.42 d UQ Red Lions 5.8.38
Goals: T Lyons, C Massingham 2, C Van Leeuwin, P Glass 1.
Best: Ossy Brennan, Xavier Craven, Stew Settle, Jimmy Aganas, Cody Caught, Noah Breen.
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