Tigers lead all the way against Blues

The Tigers hosted the Hinterland Blues for their last home game of the fixtures yesterday at the Den in a triple header day against the Blues.

The Tigers belted Hinterland earlier in the season when they were very undermanned but after the Blues knocked off the UQ Red Lions last week at University this match stepped up significantly in importance. The Blues had regrouped over recent weeks to record some very good wins and some close losses to have the competition on their guard.

The Tigers were able to field one of their best teams in weeks with the return of Zach Quin, Daniel Schmidt and Hayden Fry to bolster the team at both ends. It was also another milestone game with Casey Barber celebrating his 100th appearance for the Tigers following in his grandfather Don’s footsteps which gave the day some extra gravitas.

After losses to University and Caloundra in the last month, the Tigers have been determined to put this form behind them and as such they were off to a sharp start in the first term kicking seven goals to the Blues one in a blistering performance. Beau Harris is showing the form he has been noted for as he had the ball on a string getting the Tigers going while the forwards feasted on the supply provided by a dominant midfield. The regular forward candidates in Nick Galvin and Ryan Doolan had two each in quick time while Zac McLean got into the action as well. Doolan missed a couple of shots he would normally have swallowed so the damage could have been much worse.

The Tigers midfield all got into the action with Jasper Craven continuing his stellar form racking up possessions at will. He has been a revelation for the Tigers after returning to the Den this year with numerous 40 plus possession games to surely be high in voting contention this year while the Tigers veteran Jack Collings put in another vintage performance. The young brigade cannot be ignored either with Louis Quin, Duncan McCabe and Rhys Syrett all proving important to the Tigers with their pace, balance and excellent skills on show.

The Tigers followed up with another seven goal term in the second to keep the Blues on the back foot. Once again Jamie Ivers was terrific in the ruck and around the ground as he did battle with the Blues premier ruckman Jacob Simpson in another classic battle of the big men. The Blues small man Braedyn Ross was busy for the visitors as he tried to get them in the game.

While the Tigers dominated on the scoreboard, their defence held very solid with Kyle Henry strong in the air while Daniel Schmidt had a good tussle with Michael Bussey in another battle of the big men. Casey Barber was very effective in his milestone game while Noah Breen and Alex Craigie were solid performers for the men’s department.

The half time score was approaching the ton and it all looked pretty ominous once again for the Blues but to their credit they kept battling it out all day.

The Tigers kicked a further seven in the third and last terms in a very consistent effort.

Zach Quin was at his usual damaging best creating opportunities up front while finishing with three goals to share the spoils with his goal kicking partners Ryan Doolan who bagged six and Zac McLean finishing with five to cap off a good day.

The Tigers now get into finals mode finishing with two big games against Caloundra and UQ to finish the home and away season. Both games are on the road providing an exciting challenge in preparation for the finals.

Scores: Mayne 28.18.186 d Hinterland 7.2.14

Goals:  Ryan Doolan 6, Zac McLean 5, Zach Quin, Jasper Craven, Nick Galvin 3, Ben Buhler, Casey Barber, Hayden Fry, Jack Collings, Rhys Syrett, Duncan McCabe, Beau Harris, Louis Quin 1.

Best: Beau Harris, Jack Collings, Louis Quin, Nick Galvin, Ryan Doolan, Rhys Syrett.