Tigers finish strong after epic battle with Blues

The Tigers travelled to Palmwoods to take on the Hinterland Blues in the penultimate game of the season for the QFA Division 1 competition. The Tigers handed out a one hundred point pounding to the Blues in the last time they met at the Den, however the home team has regrouped well since then as they continue to improve under new coaching mentorship while the Tigers have been challenged every week since the last time these two sides met.

The Blues are always a much different proposition on their home deck and so it was yesterday as they stormed out of the blocks to open proceedings against a stunned Tiger group.

The Blues dominated centre clearance to put the Tigers defence under immense pressure with the footy coming in hot and frequent. The Blues Will Harper was quick to take advantage with two strong marks in a matter of moments which he capitalised on to maximum effect with big accurate goals.

The Tigers responded with a goal to their spearhead Ryan Doolan but the onslaught wasn't over with the Blues kicking another four in succession to four different goal kickers. The Blues have always been able to score quickly but their consistency has let them down at times but this was impressive giving the Tigers plenty to do to bring the game back under control.

The Tigers did regain the ascendency with Jamie Ivers getting on top of the Blues big men while Duncan McCabe, Zac Puncken and Louis Quin gaining some opportunities in the middle. Doolan with another goal and Zac Quin with two goals were able to steady the ship to bring the very high scoring opening term to a close with the Blues one goal the better as everyone took a breath.

The second term was a fascinating arm wrestle as both sides looked to gain some ascendency but the Blues were once again able to take the honours as they increased the margin to two goals and a fair amount of the momentum. The Blues were winning in the air with their big men working hard all around the ground but the Tigers were still well in the game with the experienced Zac McLean and Jack Collings doing all they could to manage this tight contest. Kyle Henry and the Blues Captain Tom Wischnat were having another classic battle like numerous others around the ground.

The Tigers have not been challenged very often this season so this game was providing a glimpse of the finals series to come.

The third term was more of the same as the Blues edged a further goal ahead in an enthralling period. The highlight of the term was a spectacular mark to Tex Korewha which had everyone talking.

It was do or die at the final break with the Tigers back well and truly against the wall and the Blues tails in the air.

Zac Quin was moved into the middle as a change to normal programming and the effect was immediate as the Tigers took control of the last term. Zac McLean showed once again the big game player that he is reprising some of his 2024 grand final tricks to get the forward line up and going. The Tigers kicked six goals to one in the last term to break the hearts of the local team who were stunned to have lost a game they had dominated for three quarters.

The Tigers were very pleased to be able to recover in the way they did but are very much aware that the finals series is now wide open. The Springwood Pumas pipped the UQ Red Lions yesterday to further highlight the excitement to come this September.

Scores: Mayne 15.9.99 d Hinterland 13.12.90

Goals:  Zac McLean 6, Zac Quin, Ryan Doolan, Duncan McCabe 2, Nick Galvin, Louis Quin, Cody Caught 1.

Best: Jamie Ivers, Zac Quin, Zac McLean, James Stolz, Duncan McCabe, Nick Galvin.