Tigers advance to Grand Final

The Tigers hosted the QFA Division 1 Qualifying Finals at the Den yesterday with the Seniors taking on the UQ Red Lions for the first chance to advance into the 2026 Grand Final.

The Tigers and Red Lions played out a dead rubber last week at UQ Playing Fields with a resounding win to the Mayne boys while the University team fielded a very different team to the one they nominated for the first week of the finals.

The Red Lions made seven changes to last week’s team with some very handy inclusions including Captain Ben McGinness, sharpshooter Oscar Stewart and ruckman Jake Turner.

The Tigers went in at full strength with the intention of carrying on the good form of recent weeks having defeated the other members of the final four during the last rounds of the season. It was also another big milestone game for the Tigers with Captain Daniel Schmidt playing his 100th game and the ever reliable veteran Zac McLean playing his incredible 200th adding plenty of emotion to the day.

However, fully aware that finals football can change everything, the Tigers were very wary of the Red Lions who had beaten them in Round 12 at the Den in an impressive effort.

The Red Lions were keen to get a strong start over the home side looking for the element of surprise with their very different lineup, but it was the Tigers who hit the scoreboard with the first major to spearhead Ryan Doolan on the end of some quick ball movement out of defence. This was backed up almost immediately from a lightning quick centre clearance with Tigers ruckman Jamie Ivers pushing forward after the ball up to kick deep into the forward fifty. Zac McLean roved perfectly at the front of the pack and kicked truly to have the Tigers on the charge.

The UQ Red Lions noted ability to bottle the game up came into effect for the next ten minutes with game moving back and forwards between the two club’s impressive defence. The Red Lions reliable goal scorer Ethan Rosin kicked a very big long range set shot to have them back in the game which was followed up by the dangerous Oscar Stewart. The Tigers were able to push forward again to have Ryan Doolan mark and kick truly for the Tigers third but once again the Red Lions responded to have the quarter evenly poised with three goals apiece and a high quality final on show.

The first term had come at a cost to the Tigers with the loss of the experienced Jack Collings in the middle and the very reliable defender Noah Breen. As it turned out, neither would play any further part in the game requiring some crucial rearranging of the magnets and significant increase in tempo for those involved in their rotations.

While the Tigers were now kicking with the wind, Oscar Stewart was into the action for the Red Lions within minutes of the commencement of the second term with a goal which was followed up by Thomas Carey to have the Tigers back in the chasing role.

The Tigers had three set shots for goal in succession to their reliable goal kickers Doolan and Zach Quin, but the swirling wind played tricks to have them all miss to the left. The Tigers however were dominating field position such that both Quin and Doolan were able to get more opportunities which they made the most of to keep the Tigers in the game.

The Red Lions went into the half time break with a one goal lead and both teams supporters enthralled with the contest and on the edge of their seats.

The third term was just as tight as the game had been all day with both sides attacking fast and defending grimly. The Tigers Daniel Schmidt, James Stolz, Casey Barber and Kyle Henry were working beautifully together while Digby Morison was having a gripping battle with Oscar Stewart.

The Tigers were impressive in the midfield with Jamie Ivers dominating the ruck while Louis Quin and Duncan McCabe along with Jasper Craven and Beau Harris made the most of his work.

It was one point the difference at the final break and anything was possible. The Tigers started fast with goals to McLean and Doolan and looked set to run away but the Red Lions were having none of that as they responded with two of their own.

Jamie Ivers was colossal in the final term as he took control in the ruck and around the ground with Jake Turner sustaining a shoulder injury. Ivers pushed back as well as forward to complete the perfect performance.

The Tigers kicked the last three goals of the game to secure their third grand final berth in a costly game.

The Red Lions will now play Springwood in the Preliminary final after the Pumas surprised the Caloundra Panthers at home.

Scores: Mayne 13.12.90 d UQ 11.9.75

Goals:  Zac McLean 5, Ryan Doolan 4, Zach Quin 2, Nick Galvin, Duncan McCabe 1.

Best: Jamie Ivers, Zac McLean, Louis Quin, Duncan McCabe, Jack Coghlan, Ryan Doolan.