The Mayne and Coorparoo Football Clubs came together yesterday to continue their historic rivalry in the Annual Anzac Day Clash at the Den.
This has become one of the most important and celebrated games in both clubs calendar with the rivalry being reinvigorated in 2018 in a salute to the epic encounters of times past but not forgotten.
After a moving Anzac Day ceremony which included the Pipes and Drums National Servicemen’s Memorial Band the game was underway in perfect conditions for football.
It was also a great day for the Tigers with much loved club man Jordan Morrison running out for his 100th senior game for the club.
The Tigers burst out of the blocks with a three goal blitz with Zac Quin, Zac McLean and Jamie Ivers into the action straight away to shock the Kings who took half a quarter to find their feet and get on the board.
The Tigers finished with four goals for the quarter to hold a three goal advantage over the 2023 grand finalists in an impressive start.
It was a different story in the second term with the game opening up as both sides adopted an attacking strategy playing on at all costs. The ball was in constant motion as it went from end to end in frenetic fashion. It was also a goal for goal shootout with both sides hitting the scoreboard. While Zac Quin was once again in dynamic form as he went on to record seven goals, Kings spearhead Jack Gilhooley was able to kick five goals at the other end. Quin now has twenty five goals from four games in a great start to his season.
The Tigers held on to the two goal lead at the main break with the game well in the balance for an exciting second half to come.
The Tigers Beau Harris has been a revelation this year as one of the midfield prime movers. He has pace to burn and with his closing speed and effective tackling there is rarely an opposition player he can’t surprise. Jack Coghlan was controlling one of the wings playing tall and small, leaping for marks, bobbing and weaving as he led the Tigers numerous raids into their forward fifty.
Club Captain Zac McLean was called upon to lead the Tigers rucking department yesterday in a role he willingly assumed adding another chapter in his already impressive story for the Tigers.
The third term saw the Tigers widen the gap again to three goals but the Kings firepower could not be ignored with the home team knowing they had to finish their game off effectively if they were going to win.
It was toe to toe but the Tigers were able to extend their lead early to leave the Kings having to kick five goals to win which seemed unlikely at the 20 minute mark of the game.
The Kings were far from done as kicked three goals in quick succession to have everyone on the edge of the seats but the Tigers were able to hold on in a very climactic finish. Eight goals kicked for the quarter with the Kings kicking five left not just the players exhausted by the time the siren sounded.
Beau Harris was awarded the Wayne Stewart Medal for Best on Ground. The Medal was selected jointly by each team’s coaches and presented by Richard Mannix, a former team mate and lifelong friend of Wayne. Wayne’s widow Maxine and son Ben were on hand to watch the game along with several of his friends.
The game was also attended by Legacy who were able to raise much needed funds for this important cause.
The Tigers will play Springwood at Springwood next week in another top of the table clash.
Scores: Mayne 12.9.81 d Coorparoo 11.8.74Goals: Z Quin 7, J Ivers, Z McLean 2, Xavier Craven 1. Best: B Harris, Z McLean, Z Quin, E Mallan, J Collings, J Coghlan.
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