Tigers win battle of the big cats

The Tigers travelled to Red Rooster Park at Burpengary yesterday to take on the Moreton Bay Lions in a much different timeslot of 5pm.

After two big wins over recent weeks the Tigers were very keen to make sure they didn’t lose any momentum while the Lions were looking for their first win for the season.

It was a perfect evening for footy with the Tigers wasting no time getting underway so with Ryan Doolan kicking the first goal on the end of a run and carry started in the backline it looked like it was full steam ahead once again.

However, the Lions weren’t going to let the Tigers have it all their own way as they showed they have plenty of skills and a very determined defensive element to their game. The Lions worked very hard trying to shut the Tigers down in the middle of the ground with their tackling pressure at peak.

The Tigers edged their way to a six goal lead by the first break with Zac Quin, Zac McLean and Ryan Doolan once again working together up front to have the scoreboard ticking over steadily.

While the Lions weren’t able to hit the scoreboard, they were creating plenty of forward pressure on the back of some hard won turnovers. It was the Tigers dominant backline that gave them a big advantage with Daniel Schmidt impassible with his intercept marking and impressive pace to have the Lions frustrated at every entry. Zac Puncken, James Stolz and Kyle Henry were equally impressive with their marking and spoiling to the Tigers advantage while Noah Breen was composed and steady under fire.

The Lions were able to kick two goals in the second term to the delight of the strong Moreton Bay crowd who never lost faith all night. They held the Tigers to four goals for the term in a very entertaining passage of football which the scoreboard did not reflect. The Tigers were able to finish more strongly when the opportunity presented but the Lions were very good between the arcs.

Once again, young gun Duncan McCabe led the way in the middle while Jamie Ivers was strong as usual around the ground taking marks and spoiling with the Lions big men providing some strong opposition.

Zac Quin was pushed into the middle for some short bursts which set the Tigers alight. He showed his pace to advantage on a regular basis and finished with four goals in another impressive game.

Hayden Fry played some exciting footy while on the wing as he created numerous gaps to lead the Tigers into attack. He was also flying high in the ruck when required finishing the night with a very strong performance.

Ryan Doolan finished the night with another six goals to add to his growing tally for the season in another strong leading and marking effort.

The Lions didn't let up all night as they finished strongly kicking two goals in the last term to equal the Tigers score for the period.

The Tigers will play the Caloundra Panthers next Saturday at the Den in what shapes as an exciting contest. The Panthers have started their season strongly and look to be in very good form.

The Mick Nolan Reunion Day is coming up in three weeks on the 30th May with teams from 1966, 1976, 1986 and 2016 all celebrating reunions so all Tigers are encouraged to mark this in their diary and come along for a big day at the Den.

Scores: Mayne 18.13,121 d Moreton Bay 4.3.27

Goals:  Ryan Doolan 6, Zac Quin 4, Zac McLean, Duncan McCabe, Rhys Syrett, Hayden Fry, Zac Puncken, Jack Collings, Casey Burger, Jasper Craven 1.

Best: Zac Quin, Zac Puncken, Duncan McCabe, Daniel Schmidt, Ryan Doolan, Hayden Fry.