The Tigers travelled to Burpengary this weekend for their return match against the Moreton Bay Lions who received a real going over last time the two sides met with the Tigers recording one of their biggest ever scores.
However, everyone knew that they are a far better side than the previous results showed. The Tigers have had a difficult week with a range of injuries, illnesses and absences at play across the squad and were therefore concerned that this may be a danger game for them.
The cold and blustery July conditions continued for the third weekend in a row so there was a further variable to manage which has played havoc with the Tigers kicking in recent weeks.
Once again it looked like the Tigers would battle with the conditions with their first three scoring shots being of the minor variety before Ryan Doolan recorded the first major of the game.
It was a fiercely fought first term before the Tigers started to get some ascendency thanks to the good work of Beau Harris in the middle and a very busy forward line. Doolan and always dangerous Zac Quin were providing plenty of leads and getting in all the right places. The Tigers ended the quarter with a fourteen point advantage and plenty of momentum.
The Lions were clearly in much better form on their home deck than when the two sides last met and deserving of plenty of respect after a quick start to the game. Lions prime movers Brayden Harding and Sam Gribble were getting on to some good footy but thankfully couldn’t put the necessary finish on to exert scoreboard pressure.
The Tigers came out after the first break to get their game going and it was once again Zac Quin and Ryan Doolan creating havoc wherever possible after a period of to and for between the two teams. Quin kicked ten goals when the sides last met and he added another seven to his tally yesterday in a stellar performance while Doolan helped himself to another four as the two worked together beautifully at the front end.
The Tigers small forwards were providing plenty of movement as well to make life very difficult for the Lions defenders with Casey Barber and Zac Puncken using all their experience and guile to maximum advantage.
As always this sort of pressure comes from a stable base and it was once again the Tigers backline holding rock solid which set the scene. James Stolz continues his excellent form leading the backline taking strong marks and providing the attacking springboard required to slingshot the Tigers attack while Daniel Schmidt continues to grow in the role of tall intercept defender. Youngster Digby Morison has settled into a very solid defender who is cool under pressure and has the ability to take the ball forward when required while Kyle Henry has secured his role as a fast lockdown defender.
The evergreen Sam Paterson continues to deny father time and the mounting injury count to once again be an important player for the Tigers week to week as he puts his body on the line to get the hard ball when most would falter. His work around the stoppages is a masterclass for all.
The Tigers went into the main break extending their lead to five goals and looked to have the game well under control and so it continued in the second half as they went about their business in a methodical way.
Despite the Lions providing a three goal surge early in the final term the Tigers stepped up a gear to kick five in succession and snuff out any hope of a revival from the home team.
The Tigers finished off the game with a twelve goal margin and a comfortable win. It is to be hoped that the current malaise of injuries and illnesses are short lived and the entire senior squad can be fit and firing for the finals which are now only a few short weeks away.
The Tigers will travel to Caloundra next week to take on the Panthers in another must win game. The Tigers sit in second place on 48 points along with Coorparoo who are less than 7 percent ahead on top of the ladder. Third and fourth place have University, Hinterland and Springwood all equally on 32 points with a small percentage separating them so there is still time for things to change over the last two rounds to determine final placings. Stay tuned.
Scores: Mayne 18.15.123 d Moreton Bay 7.8.50
Goals: Z Quin 7, R Doolan 4, C Barber, Z McLean, Z Puncken 2, D Saunders 1.
Best: Beau Harris, James Stolz, Digby Morison, Zachary Puncken, Ryan Doolan, Sam Paterson.
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