After a big Reunion weekend and a Sunday game the Tigers were back in action again yesterday at Dauth Park playing the Beenleigh Buffaloes in Round 8 of the QFA Hart Sport Division 1 competition.
The Tigers had to make a few changes from the Caloundra win with Danny Athanasellis and Haydn Petersen getting a call up for Dan Saunders and Will Brohm to take on the Buffaloes who have been down on form this year but they are still a formidable outfit when up and going.
In a start similar to the previous week both sides had to have a period to sort themselves out and it was very willing for the first ten minutes. The Tigers were able to hit the scoreboard but were inaccurate for this period with four straight behinds kicked to open their account before Louis Quin kicked their first goal.
It was still nip and tuck for the remainder of the quarter with the Tigers able to go to the first break with a two goal advantage. Jaime Ivers was giving the Tigers first use of the ball as he dominated the ruck while Zac McLean provided a strong target up front kicking the last goal of the term before accumulating for a very handy four for the game.
After a very competitive first term the Tigers settled into their routine to get on top of the Buffaloes. An entertaining contest was unfolding with Tigers multiple club champion Jack Collings going head to head with ex AFL player Brodie Murdoch in the middle with both players having a critical influence on their respective team’s performance. Collings was terrific all day as he inserted himself in plays all over the ground.
Ryan Eyles move to the forward line has been a master stroke this year as he provides a strong target but has also stiffened up the Tigers forward defensive pressure. Eyles kicked two but set up numerous others in a very strong performance once again.
Ryan Doolan was able to get on the end of some forward entries in the second term to get his game going for the day as he went on to kick four with a strong last term.
The Tigers pushed their lead out to five goals at the half time break but the game still seemed in the balance with the Buffaloes playing good football in bursts however the Tigers defence was holding strong with James Stolz and Kyle Henry very effective.
It was very different in the third term as the Tigers really got going with a five goal quarter as Casey Barber enjoyed some time in the middle taking the team to the next level in a very impressive performance.
The Tigers went on to record another five goal final quarter to finish the game with a strong all round effort by the team. Doolan kicked three for the term while Zac McLean finished the game off as strongly as he started to lead the Tigers to another important win.
The Tigers hang on to the top spot of the ladder at the moment but there is plenty of congestion for the top position with Coorparoo and Springwood both pressing their credentials.
University recorded a strong win over Caloundra yesterday to show they are also finding some mid season form to keep plenty of interest in the Hart Sport Competition.
The Tigers play Springwood at Springwood again next week and will be hoping to get over the top of them after going down by 2 goals at the death last time they met in a very enticing game not to be missed.
Scores: Mayne 19.13.127 d Beenleigh 7.9.51 Goals: R Doolan, Z McLean 4, L Quin 3, C Barber, R Eyles, J Ivers 2, J Stolz, H Petersen 1. Best: C Barber, L Quin, J Ivers, Z McLean, J Collings, R Doolan.
