The Tigers met the Coorparoo Kings yesterday in the Hart Sport QFA Division 1 Reserves Grand Final at Kedron in ideal conditions for football. It was the fourth time the two sides had met this season with the Kings holding a three to one advantage over the Tigers. The Tigers overcame the Kings in Round 1 but were unable to lay a glove on them in the intervening three games including the Semi Final two weeks ago. It all meant nothing yesterday.
The Tigers had prepared very well this week with the coaching staff having done their homework to perfection in preparing their young charges for battle with a range of material in the classroom as well as on the track.
The Tigers statistical breakdown against the Kings was not good in first quarters but it was equal to them in middle quarters and considerably better in the closing terms so a good start was the aim of the game.
It was preparation perfect as the Tigers blasted four goals in the first term with the Kings unable to register a major. The biggest Tiger Matthew Storey has been a revelation in the finals series and he was determined to make sure that he left nothing in the tank in this game of all games. An Army recruit who last played for the Tigers in 2020 in another Premiership team, he knew what it felt like and he wanted to repeat the experience. The Tigers midfield were tough and gritty last week in the Preliminary and they used that experience to maximum effect yesterday with Zac Puncken burrowing in and out of packs to get the Tigers going while Nick Galvin and Josh Geurts tag teamed all day to tackle, scrap and get the Tigers going forward.
The Tigers and Kings have battled it out over the last three seasons to be the dominant forces in this competition with the Kings holding the upper hand having won the last two Grand Finals so it was never going to be the case that the Tigers would run away with this game, the Kings have too much talent. They came out in the second term to kick the first three goals in quick succession to bring the Tigers back to earth but to their credit they arrested the momentum, steadied the ship and finished off with two goals of the own to go into the big break retaining a handy three goal lead.
The Kings strength has been their ability to explode off their half back line, spread, run and carry for a quick entry to goal. The Tigers had a plan and executed it with precision. The damaging players of the Kings were stifled for chances, tackled relentlessly and frustrated for opportunity.
The Third term was a very even affair with the Kings just edging closer to the Tigers to end the quarter ten points adrift and within striking distance. Their ability to score quickly is always a threat so the Tigers needed to hold them off and keep scoring themselves.
The Tigers goal kicking power was shared around beautifully with seven goal kickers for the day but young Ben Wilkinson had a day out with his reliable boot landing three very good goals. The last one in the final quarter deep on the boundary which he calmly guided through created plenty of excitement for all the Tiger faithful.
The youngest Tiger in the group in Sam Craigie kicked the sealer for the day from a set shot from the fifty to surprise even himself in what encapsulated a dream day for the Tigers.
A run down tackle from Joel Robeson on the dangerous Sam Cosmo just when he looked to be getting the Kings away was a great highlight for the Tigers in the last term along with two big pack marks each from Joe McVeigh and Matthew Storey to have the game finally in the bag, It was a tremendous team effort from everyone.
The Tigers drew a huge crowd of supporters for the game who all invaded the ground once the siren sounded. The Tigers had won the most unlikely of Grand Finals against a highly fancied Coorparoo Kings.
The Tigers Reserves remarkable record now extends to six Premierships in the last ten years with two runners up years as well. They have made the finals in every one of the last ten years.
Congratulations to Ben Wilkinson who was awarded the Medal for Best on Ground for the Grand Final.
A huge well done to the Tigers Co-Coaches in Bill Stephens and Jack Gartlan who have now coached the Reserves to two Grand Finals and a win yesterday to cap off a great period. Bill has been the non playing coach while Jack has been a very important playing coach for the team.
Scores: Mayne 9.5.59 d Coorparoo 5.8.38 Goals: B Wilkinson 3, J Gartlan, X Craven, D Goodwin, C Fletcher, J Robeson, S Craigie 1. Best: The whole team.
