Tigers finish strong over bold Panthers

The Tigers travelled to Carter Park yesterday to take on the Caloundra Panthers for their third encounter for Season 2025 in the QFA Division 1 competition.

The Panthers are always strong on their home deck and they were well prepared and determined to give the Tigers their best yesterday in what proved to be one the most challenging games for the season.

The Tigers however suffered one of their worst weeks this season with illness and injury taking its toll so a change of five players on last week was going to have some effect. The loss of Tex Korewha and with Jamie Ivers still needing another week, the Tigers were forced to go into the game without a recognised ruckman again. Zac McLean might dispute that however given he has made the role his own on so many occasions now. He might give away a bit of height but he makes up for it in leap as well as guile and workrate around the ground. He was superb yesterday as he accumulated possessions across the day including hitting the scoreboard for two very important goals.

The Panthers started the game in strong fashion with the first goal to their spearhead Zephyr Jenkin before the Tigers responded almost immediately through Zac Quin. A late goal to Nick Galvin gave the Tigers a marginal advantage but had the Panthers kicked straighter it might have been different.

Once again the scene was set for another enthralling battle between Jenkin and the Tigers Kyle Henry who was locked  on all day. This was key to restricting the Panthers striking power with newly promoted George Hiotis helping out as well in a strong debut performance.

The second term was another even contest with both sides restricted to two majors as the defence on display at either end was very good. The Tigers led by James Stolz held firm with great support from Mitch Bruce and Josh Geurtz while the Panthers backline did some good work to restrict the Tigers Zac Quin and Ryan Doolan who have been impossible to stop in recent weeks. Quin and Doolan kicked three apiece which might be called a win for the defence on current form.

Caloundra came out after the main break full of confidence taking the game right up to the Tigers restricting their normal run and carry game to win the quarter with a five goals to three effort which had the Tigers challenged for one of the few periods this year.

Zac Puncken, Louis Quin and Casey Barber were dangerous all day and their work in and around the stoppages was keeping the Tigers in the game along with veteran Jack Collings who was in and under the packs as usual.

The Tigers were pleased to get to the last break but there was a considered calm in the group as they listened to Coach Watts reset at the huddle.

The Tigers needed to get the game back on their terms and be able to deploy their normal systems if they were to overcome a very upbeat Caloundra team.

As they have been able to do frequently this season, the Tigers stepped up a gear in the final term to inflict a six goal burst to leave their opposition in trouble. Doolan got off the leash to kick two while Quin and McLean chipped in as well. Digby Morison was dangerous all day on the wing along with Jack Coghlan, both having some great tussles with their opponents. Morison kicked two goals for the day in a solid return for his team.

In the end a very good and hard fought win which was probably needed in the context of the Tigers season.

Scores: Mayne 13.7.85 d Caloundra 9.5.59

Goals:  Zac Quin, Ryan Doolan 3, Digby Morison, Zac McLean 2, James Stolz, Nick Galvin, Cody Caught 1.

Best:  Louis Quin, Zac Puncken, Jack Collings, Zac Quin, Digby Morison, Zac McLean.