Tigers finish as minor premiers for 2026

The Tigers played their last home and away fixture for the Hart Sport QFA Division 1 for 2026 yesterday against the UQ Red Lions at UQ playing fields St Lucia.

It was a top two clash with the honours resting at one win each with both of those wins going to the visiting team. The Tigers held top spot on the ladder by one win and a significant percentage but it was a game that both sides should have been eager to win and go into the finals series with some positive momentum.

The Tigers were not at full strength with four of their best still to return to the side with a range of ailments including young guns Ryan Doolan and Rhys Syrett as well as premium backman James Stolz while the Red Lions reported they were down by a significant six of their stars including Captain Ben McGinness, Oscar Clarke and the very handy Oscar Stewart who mysteriously played in the Reserves and had a day out there, but the point is often moot as to the impact of these outs.

It was also another milestone game for the Tigers with pocket rocket Jack Coghlan celebrating his 100th appearance, the seventh Tiger to do so this year.

The Tigers were very keen to flex their talons and took little time to get their day underway with a centre clearance from midfield maestro Beau Harris which landed in the hands of veteran Eddie Mallan in the goal square unattended who duly slotted the goal. Miraculously the identical play ensued at the next ball up to have Mallan on the scoreboard for two of the best.

Zach Quin was into the action with a third goal moments later and the Tigers had set the scene for the day with a blistering start while the Red Lions finally returned fire through Thomas Carey in the hope of halting the momentum of the game which was running a maximum speed at that point. Quin kicked another in the next couple of minutes and there was no respite.

The Red Lions were doing their best to penetrate the Tigers defence but it was very solid with the three talls Daniel Schmidt, Kyle Henry and Digby Morison spoiling and marking everything coming their way while Casey Barber, Noah Breen and Alex Craigie were mopping up and rebounding to great effect.

The Red Lions were able to get one more major but the Tigers finished off the term with another three in quick succession with Zac McLean and Jasper Craven joining the party to give the Tigers a five goal lead at the first break and all the momentum.

The Red Lions needed to arrest the Tigers hold on the game. They did manage to slow the game down with their renowned defence coming to the fore as they bottled the game up for a period but not before Eddie Mallan was able to once again start the second term with a quick goal, the only one for the term for the Tigers as they sprayed five wide for minor scores while the Red Lions kicked two through their prime movers Xavier Cameron and Ethan Rosin to maintain some contact with the Tigers.

The Tigers came out of the half time oranges regaining their firm grasp on the game with Eddie Mallan incredibly kicking the first goal of the third term. It was the Zach Quin show as he flew in the air, bounded this way and squirmed that way to kick three for the term.

The Tigers midfield led by Beau Harris and Jasper Craven with an illusive Louis Quin and a dynamic Duncan McCabe were unstoppable as the Tigers continued to push forward and the backline held firm letting in just one goal with Schmidt intercepting and Henry spoiling and marking.

The Tigers upped the ante in a frenetic eight goal last term to put the game out of reach of the Red Lions who managed to kicked a few late but it was all over for a game that mattered little other than the Tigers holding the top spot outright rather than on percentage.

Jack Coghlan celebrated his 100th game in style with a perfect performance and would be well pleased to have a win to cap it off.

The finals series starts next Saturday with the Tigers hosting a home qualifying final and another look at the UQ Red Lions who will no doubt be looking to have all their stars back in the team and ready to show the stuff that they are really made of.

The Caloundra Panthers host the Springwood Pumas in the elimination final rounding out a tight top four and an exciting end to 2026.

Scores: Mayne 21.18.144 d UQ 9.7.61

Goals:  Zach Quin 8, Eddie Mallan 5, Zac McLean, Jamie Ivers, Jasper Craven 2, Jack Coghlan, Nick Galvin, Louis Quin 1.

Best: Daniel Schmidt, Louis Quin, Casey Barber, Jasper Craven, Jack Coghlan, Noah Breen.