Red Lions hold out fast finishing Tigers

The Tigers hosted the UQ Red Lions at the Den yesterday as part of the Annual Ladies Day fun in a top of the table clash.

The UQ Red Lions took the Tigers to the wire in their round one match. The Tigers got away with that one with the Red Lions charging in the last quarter but inaccuracy let them down in what could have been a different result.

The Tigers were therefore very wary of what the Red Lions would bring yesterday.

The Red Lions started very strongly with a full on assault kicking three behinds before landing the first major and looked ready to play. The Tigers were able to get on the board with a set shot goal to Ryan Doolan.

It was all Red Lions in the middle of the quarter with Oscar Stewart having the ball on a string as he went forward to kick three goals in succession and seemed to be ready to win the game all by himself.

The Tigers finished the quarter with a much needed strong mark and goal to Jamie Ivers to keep in touch with the rampant Red Lions. UQ finished with a two goal advantage for the quarter.

The Red Lions settled into some very impressive work rate as they pushed back into their zone to cramp the Tigers usual attacking patterns while they also swarmed back into attack once they achieved a turnover. They also took full advantage of their height to have the Tigers working hard to contain the Red Lions enthusiasm around the ground.

The Tigers Daniel Schmidt was sweeping the backline taking marks and cleaning up ground ball to show his best form in a great game while James Stolz was his usual composed self as he intercepted the Red Lions attack. The Tigers men’s department hasn't had this much work for most of the season and enjoyed the much needed extra pressure to hone their game. Noah Breen was busy but with the loss of Kyle Henry with a broken nose early in the game, his height was very much missed from that point onwards. Henry’s spoiling and close checking is a critical part of the Tigers arsenal so to lose him had a big impact.

The Red Lions pushed their lead to four goals at the main break and it looked likely that they might inflict the Tigers with a serious loss at this point.

The Tigers midfield were still working hard with ruckman Jamie Ivers winning the majority of his hitouts while Rhys Syrett was accumulating possessions everywhere trying to get the Tigers going forward. Jack Collings was busy in and under while Jasper Craven was dangerous on the wing in a change of role out of the midfield.

The Red Lions backline was holding firm aided by their strong press which created huge congestion. Ryan Doolan was double and triple tagged at times while Zac McLean had little room to do his normal creative work.

The Tigers were also peppering the goals and unusually had kicked four goals and ten behinds by the final change leaving them five goals in arrears.

The Tigers have the ability to score quickly and it was now or never for them to get up and going.

It all started with Zac McLean kicking a goal from outside fifty and whether the Red Lions were tiring from their big workload or the Tigers had created the momentum they needed, the game went to another level as they kicked five more, three to Doolan in succession then a crumbing goal to Eddie Mallan and a freakish snap from Jasper Craven to be within five points and the Red Lions on clock watch.

The Tigers were still storming home and looked like they would steal the game. Craven had a running chance but it just missed to the left, Hayden Fry almost pulled down a big mark in the square and was run down in a desperate UQ tackle.

The Red Lions got out of jail to score the final goal of the game against the run of play to finish a heart stopping final quarter. The Tigers were pleased to have a strong hit out with the Red Lions and will expect another danger game against the Caloundra Panthers on the road next week.

Scores: UQ 12.11.83 d Mayne 10.13.73

Goals:  Ryan Doolan 4, Jamie Ivers 3, Eddie Mallan, Jasper Craven, Zac McLean 1.

Best: Daniel Schmidt, Jamie Ivers, Rhys Syrett, Jack Collings, Hayden Fry, James Stolz.