The Tigers took on the Caloundra Panthers yesterday at the Den looking to extend their run of wins for the 2024 season to three after a solid start to the year. The statisticians advised that despite the Tigers good record in recent years, it was back in 2017 when they last were able to get a three win start to a season.
The weather was looking ominous as the game got underway with significant rain predicted to occur during the afternoon. The Tigers were therefore looking to get a good start and that is exactly what occurred with Zac Quin opening the Tigers account with two goals while Eddie Mallan chipped in for another. If not for several missed opportunities it could have been an even better start as the home side held the Panthers to just three points at the first break.
The Tigers backline once again was holding strong with Will Brohm and James Stolz providing plenty of skill and daring to get the team out of trouble and on the charge.
The rain started to increase after the break and as the conditions deteriorated so did the standard of play. The game became a very dour affair as both sides did their best to continue to play dry weather footy.
The Tigers tried to finesse with the greasy ball and as such made too many errors to keep their game on track and the Panthers were back in the game. The second term saw the Tigers add a solitary goal and a further four points as they struggled to get any run or rhythm to their game while the Panthers tackled and scragged relentlessly to keep the contest in close.
It was now the sort of game that suited the Tigers groundball specialist Jack Collings who revelled in the conditions getting a mountain of possession in and under while Eddie Mallan enjoyed the physical contests thrown up by the conditions.
The Panthers Liam Rogers and Dane Stewart were doing their best to get their team going as well with plenty of tackling and hard running but neither side could gain the ascendency with the slippery ball despite the ground conditions holding up very well.
The Tigers held a three goal lead at the big break but kicking nine points for the game had left the window open for the Panthers.
The rain continued in the third quarter and it was more of the same as both sides slogged it out with plenty of missed opportunities from ineffective disposals and over use. The Tigers added one more goal and a further five points making the scoreboard look pretty ugly at five goals and fourteen points to the final break which gave the Panthers hope that they might still get over the top of the home side.
Jamie Ivers had shouldered the majority of the ruckwork for the Tigers in another strong display and he was ably supported at times by debutant Ned Altschwager. Beau Harris was in everything around the stoppages for the Tigers in another strong showing for the Bendigo product.
Finally the weather dried up at the last break to open up an opportunity for either side to gain an advantage and so it was for the Tigers.
Tigers Captain Zac McLean slotted a much needed goal for the Tigers early in the term which ignited his side immediately. He followed it up with another to really get things moving. Zac Quin had kicked four of the five Tiger goals to three quarter time and he revelled in the drier conditions of the last term to add another four in a comprehensive display to finish off the Panthers hopes of an upset finish.
Jack Coghlan ran amok in the last term to keep the ball going forward to finish off a great game from the speedster as the Tigers stormed home with an eight goal quarter making the scoreboard look much more respectable.
The Tigers three opening games have been a great start for the club but it will be this coming week’s game at the Den against the form team of the last few years in Coorparoo that will be the real test.
The Tigers and Kings have played the Anzac Day game since 2018 in a traditional contest enjoyed by both clubs with the Kings successful in four of the five games played. Only the 2020 game was missed due to Covid. The Wayne Stewart Medal will once again be awarded to the best player on the day in what is likely to be the last time as the Kings look to be elevated to the QAFL in 2025.
Scores: Mayne 13.16.94 d Caloundra 4.7.31Goals: Z Quin 8, Z McLean 2, E Mallan, B Wilkinson, D Morison 1. Best: J Collings, Z Quin, W Brohm, E Mallan, J Ivers, J Coghlan.
