Tigers blitz Hawks at the bay

After yet another wet week the Tigers travelled to Lemke Road to take on the Sandgate Hawks to start the second half of the 2026 QFA Division 1 Hart Sport season.

The Hawks have been doing it tough but as we all know they breed them strong down by the bay and the Tigers were ready for a contest.

In a fitting tribute to a great football person, both sides including the umpires lined up for a minute’s silence to remember Will Forbes, the Hawks wonderful club servant. Forbes was a giant of the Sandgate club playing over 200 games, a premiership player, coach, administrator and a mentor to so many at their club. He was inducted into the AFL Queensland Hall of Fame in 2023 for his service to football.

The game started in bright sunshine with the Tigers quickly on the attack with a clearance from Duncan McCabe to have a major on the board in seconds. It was followed up sharply with a strong mark and goal by Ben Buhler on the end of another centre clearance and it looked ominous for the Hawks.

The Tigers rested a couple of their regular prime movers and debuted another two former Everton Wolves in Sam Craigie and Olly Reeves to have the Tigers looking even younger. Remarkably there were thirteen former Wolves in the team striking a record for the club and once again confirming the value of rewarding local talent. Sam joined his younger brother Alex in the senior team after working hard in the Reserves while Olly is in his first season as a talented eighteen year old.

The Tigers dominated the first half of the term to have Ryan Doolan on the end of a number of entries which he duly converted on his way to another eight goal haul for the day while Jasper Craven was running rampant from the centre and all over the forward line.

The Hawks were battling to contain the Tigers but their Captain Harry Sweeney was doing all he could to marshall his troops. A goal to the Hawks Ryley Hughes late in the term sparked the home side and with a goal to their veteran Aaron Fabian a minute later it looked like they might have found the formula to contain the Tigers who held a four goal advantage at the first break.

The Hawks came out of the huddle invigorated by the late success to kick the first goal boosting the home crowd to raptures.

However the immediate success was short lived with the Tigers coming back to life to kick the next eleven goals as they completely controlled every aspect of the game snuffing out any thoughts of a comeback.

Jamie Ivers was once again very strong in the ruck and around the ground. He was excellent in his field position to have the Tigers back into attack at every chance and he kicked two goals when sent forward.

Duncan McCabe, Rhys Syrett, Jasper Craven and Jack Collings controlled the middle of the ground to have the Tigers going forward. The Tigers defence was very effective once again with Hayden Fry sweeping the half back line intercepting everything that came his way while Kyle Henry and Daniel Schmidt had a great battle with Aaron Fabian.

The heavens opened up at half time and continued for the entire third term which served to give the Hawks some reprieve from the onslaught. They worked very hard to contain the Tigers for the second half in an entertaining battle.

The Tigers were pleased to have Zac McLean back for this game as he helped to control the forward zone and kick three for the day while Nick Galvin was especially busy creating opportunities for others.

The Tigers will enjoy a break next week with the injury toll mounting and as we head for the home run in the season, it will be important to get some players back. The Tigers will have a tough game against the UQ Red Lions after the break at the Den.

Scores: Mayne 26.15.171 d Sandgate 6.4.40

Goals:   Ryan Doolan 8, Zac McLean 3, Xavier Craven, Jasper Craven, Digby Morison, Jamie Ivers, Ben Buhler 2, James Stolz, Noah Breen, Nick Galvin, Ollie Reeves, Pat Glass 1.

Best: Ryan Doolan, Duncan McCabe, Rhys Syrett, Jamie Ivers, Jasper Craven, Jack Collings.