A late change was required with the University of Queensland grounds sensationally ruled out due to an infestation of fire ants meaning that all games had to be rescheduled to the Den. It was a big weekend of football as a result with the Tigers hosting all the UQ Red Lions games across four of their grades.
The match of the day at the Den yesterday was the Division 1 Mens game between the Tigers and the Red Lions starting at an earlier than usual time of 1.00pm.
The Tigers were pumped to be playing their first game on the newly resurfaced Mott Street deck was is in peak condition and they didn’t take long to get on the scoreboard as they got off to a strong start.
While the Tigers had their kicking boots on, the Red Lions could not buy a goal as they succumbed to the defensive pressure applied by the home side to record five straight points for the term. The Tigers however kicked away with four goals led by Zac Quin who was taking off from where he finished last week. Quin went on to kick a five goal bag to equal his haul in Round 1 in a strong display. He also set up several goals for his team mates during the course of the afternoon.
The Red Lions had no answers in the second term as the Tigers went on their merry way kicking a further six goals. The visitors were unable to record a major to the main break as they continued to rush their opportunities. The Tigers defensive pressure was considerable with James Stolz leading the way and ably supported by a composed Jeremy Duck. The Tigers defense and chase in the midfield was a feature all day frustrating the Red Lions into making rushed forward entries while the back six held firm, mopped up and catapulted forward in an impressive effort.
Jamie Ivers was once again a tower of strength in the ruck and around the ground taking marks and setting his followers up with opportunities in a four quarter effort. He went on to kick two goals in an comprehensive all round effort.
Wangaratta recruit Dan Saunders showed what he is capable of yesterday as he crashed the packs and opened up space for the Tigers to work their way forward while veteran hard man Jack Collings shows no signs of slowing up as he continues to make something out of nothing in the tightest of situations.
Captain Zac McLean showed the way with his clean hands, clear direction and effective disposal. He was a solid performer all day leading his Tigers from the front and finishing off with two important goals.
The Red Lions were working hard in the middle to keep themselves in the game bit lacked the composure to finish off when required. They came out after the main break with renewed purpose and were able to finally record a much needed major which they followed up almost immediately. The Tigers had lost two of their key players by half time and with the sweltering conditions they were going to have to work hard to finish the game off. While the Red Lions fought back to record four goals, the Tigers worked very hard to regroup and kick four of their own. Louis Quin was in everything using his strength to advantage while Ben Wilkinson worked hard up the ground and back again to set up numerous link plays and on occasions finish them off himself.
Ryan Eyles is enjoying his move to the forward line as he accumulated three goals and set up several others with his usual courageous play while Casey Barber’s defensive work in the forward line kept the chances coming.
The Tigers finished off the game despite the lack of rotations to win the last quarter and the game in a very good all round performance.
The Tigers will host the Caloundra Panthers next week at the Den in another challenging game against one of last year’s finalists in another important must win game.
Scores: Mayne 17.10,112 d UQ 5.15.45Goals: Z Quin 5, R Eyles 3, L Quin, Z McLean, J Ivers 2, C Barber, X Craven, B Wilkinson 1. Best: J Stolz, D Saunders, J Collings, Z McLean, J Ivers, B Wilkinson.
