Tigers break Panthers heart at the death

The Mayne Tigers Reserves took on the Caloundra Panthers yesterday at UQ Playing Fields in the Hart Sport QFA Division 1 Preliminary Final.

The two sides had squared off against each other on three occasions this year with the Panthers holding a two nil winning advantage although the Tigers had won the most recent encounter and had been pressing late in the second game. The Panthers had pressed the ladder leaders the UQ Red Lions last week in the Qualifying final and nearly booked a berth in the Grand Final, so close was the game.

The Panthers had held the second top position for the entire season and were confident that they had the Tigers measure.

In the Tigers camp, there was a quiet confidence as well given the recent run and the fact that they had finally been able to settle the list. It has been a very difficult year for the Reserves with numerous players playing long stints in the seniors due to injuries and absences.

It was a very hot day with the temperature reaching 30 degrees for the beginning so it was going to be a hard slog. The Tigers were off to a very strong start with a quick centre clearance and clever crumbing goal to the experienced Corey Massingham to have the Panthers on the back foot early. Another quick clearance and the Tigers were on the scoreboard again but with just a minor score.

The Tigers had the ball camped in their forward fifty but could only manage another two behinds before the Panthers finally cleared their defence to be awarded a free kick on their forward flank. A fifty metre penalty and goal and the tension the Tigers had created was broken.

The Panthers kicked another goal in a minute from a centre clearance with their ruckman using his height and weight to advantage.

The game settled into the usual battle between these two sides for a period with the Tigers defence holding on grimly. The Panthers held some considerable height advantage but the Tigers experience with Sandy Valentine, Andy Tydink and Campbell Antonio leading the way held the line. Boston Tanglao in his first season of footy has been a tremendous find down back and he has been a massive improver over the latter half of the year.

The Panthers kicked another goal from a mark to Fletcher Patterson but the Tigers responded quickly with Ben Wilkinson getting out the back to run in a much needed major.

The Panthers held a one goal lead at the first break in another close battle of the two big cats.

The second term was more of the same as the two teams battled it out in very close conditions. Neither side was able to break loose with the close checking and tackling a feature.

The Tigers were finally able to get some run and carry which was finished off with a long range running goal to the veteran Danny Evans to have things all tied up but not for the last time.

The Panthers young rangy centre half forward Darcy Combe was able to respond quickly with his second goal to regain their lead and their other tall forward in Fletcher Patterson kicked another to have them take a two goal lead into the main break and brimming with confidence.

The Tigers were struggling with two men down with what looked like game ending problems.

Ben Buhler had been brave and strong in the ruck giving away a lot of height but he is a wrecking ball when required and duly his physique to great effect.

The Tigers needed to regroup over their oranges to get the game back on their footing. It may have been the lollies but the Tigers came out firing in the third term, however the Panthers drew first blood to go to a three goal lead and things were looking ominous.

It wasn’t long before the Tigers found their rhythm to have a dynamic ten minute burst starting with a goal to Ben Wilkinson.

The Tigers continued to dominate field position as Ben Buhler took control in the middle roving his own ruckwork to drive the ball deep into the forward fifty.

Nick Glass came out of the quick entry and broken play to kick a big goal and the Tigers were up and going. He followed it up with a mark deep in the pocket and cooly slotted the follow up goal to have the score level once again.

At the final break the Tigers had hit the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game. It was 43 to 42 and a nail biting finish was on the agenda.

The Panthers big goal kicker Darcy Combe was at it again kicking his third goal and putting the Panthers back in the lead to start the term. They were holding field position and the game was back into a fight to the death once again with tackling pressure at peak level again.

The Panthers supporters were starting to call it and the Tigers were battling to get out of the danger zone. The Panthers couldn't effect the killer blow kicking two behinds but still held a winning margin in the context of the game.

However the best was yet to come with Ben Buhler barrelling through the middle for the Tigers and Josh Geurts running everywhere to will the team forward. It was then the clever veteran Corey Massingham who kicked a goal crumbing in the goal square to have the Tigers within two points.

The big climax came when Xavier Craven kicked a miraculous tumbling goal from the pocket to have the Tigers hit the lead and crush the spirit of the Caloundra Panthers.

Craven came off at the main break with what looked like a game ending injury but thanks to the magic of the Tigers physio Molly Manahan he was back out there to kick the winning goal and send the Tigers Reserves into another grand final and join the seniors for the big day.

It was a tremendous game with both sides deserving of the win.

The Tigers will now play the UQ Red Lions in the Grand Final at Hickey Park next Saturday in what will be a very tough game to win with the Red Lions dominant all year but who knows what happens in finals. Timing of games is yet to be released.

Scores: Mayne 8.7.55 d Caloundra 7.9.51

Goals:  Nick Glass 3, Corey Massingham 2, Danny Evans, Ben Wilkinson, Xavier Craven 1. Best: Sandy Valentine, Mitch Bruce, Ben Buhler, Boston Tanglao, Danny Evans, Ben Wilkinson.