A week is a long time in football as the saying goes and plenty did change over the seven days for the Tigers. The Tigers had to regroup after last week’s events with the injury list mounting and the playing squad needing to dig very deep for their last big road trip of the season to play the Hinterland Blues at Palmwoods yesterday.
The Tigers Reserve Grade have been the unsung heroes of the back end of the season with a long list of senior talent now sitting on the sidelines doing their rehabilitation in the hope that the team can stay in the finals race. Another debutant got his opportunity to step up into the first grade with young North Albury youngster Joel Robeson into the group after a few weeks waiting for his chance in the reserves. It was a baptism of fire for him against a very big and colourful Hinterland Blues who enjoyed throwing their considerable size and weight advantage around. Ever reliable Stew Settle stepped up once again from the Reserves to be a safe option in the Tigers defence as expected playing his role to perfection while Nick Galvin has been very reliable in the midfield since stepping up several weeks ago to cement a spot.
The Tigers were clearly there to play this week from the first bounce taking on the form they displayed in the first half last week against ladder leaders Coorparoo before injury destroyed that game. The Tigers burst out from the first bounce to kick six goals with their accuracy a feature as well while the Blues were spraying the ball everywhere in their attempt to match the visitors. If not for the Blues inaccuracy it could have been a shootout with the ball going from end to end on the small Palmwoods ground.
Jamie Ivers dominated the ruck all day leaping over his opponent to get first use of the ball to get the Tigers away. The Tigers took full advantage in the first half with Jack Collings kicking the Tigers forward while Club Captain Zac McLean was strong while in the middle also hitting the scoreboard strongly all day to accumulate five very important goals.
The Tigers backline was once again critical to the Tigers chances with the Blues attack very dangerous once it got going. Veteran Dean Hartley was as solid as he has ever been with his signature courageous marking a feature. Rumours that this will be his last season seem premature with his form as good as ever. Seventeen year old Callum Ferguson was once again terrific in the last line with his maturity and courage under fire first class. He was challenged and essentially assaulted in the final moments of the game for something that should come under review on Monday.
James Stolz was his consistent best as well giving the Tigers the rebound out of defence they needed to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The Tigers were seven goals up at half time with the game well under control but the loss of the two Fry boys was another injury blow the team needed to manage during an intense second half.
Josh Westerberg stood tall for the Tigers in the ruck and up forward to once again kick four goals in another very good all round performance while a very experienced and speedy Jack Coghlan was very busy in the second half as he also kicked two crucial steadying goals in the final term when the Blues were surging back.
Teenager Haydn Petersen played his best senior game so far in a defensive forward role and can really feel that he belongs in this company.
The Tigers went on to win by six goals in a very good performance against a side which has been threatening all contenders in recent weeks.
The win elevates the Tigers back into third place after the Caloundra Panthers shock loss to Moreton Bay. The Tigers now get two chances in the finals race in what has been a very exciting QFA Division 1 Season. The Tigers play Springwood at Springwood next week in the qualifying final.
Scores: Mayne 21.7.133 d Hinterland 14.14.98 Goals: Z McLean 5, R Doolan, J Westerberg 4, H Petersen, J Coghlan 3, S Windsor, B Wilkinson, T Fry 1. Best: Z McLean, D Hartley, J Collings, H Petersen, C Ferguson, J Westerberg.
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