Tigers win over much improved Blues

It was the Mick Nolan Reunion Day 2026 and it was also a big day of milestones with Jack Collings running out for his 200th senior appearance for the Tigers and Andy Tydink his 150th in the Reserves so there was plenty to celebrate and play for in front of a very big Tiger faithful crowd.

The Hinterland Blues have had a difficult start to their 2026 campaign and a full strength Tigers took maximum toll on them earlier in the season so everyone was hoping they were back in the form that we all know they are capable.

The Tigers have also run into a little rocky period with some key absences with ruckman Jamie Ivers and swingman Zac Quin both away while Zac McLean is on watch for some new additions to his family. A couple more were being rested with niggles so it was a chance to debut some new talent in Ben Buhler in the ruck who has been doing a great job in the twos and new recruit Tyler Galligan from the Gorillas.

The Tigers didn’t waste any time getting the game underway with Ryan Doolan kicking the first major in the second minute of the game with the midfield looking primed for a day out and the forward line hungry to get into the action.

It was vintage Jack Collings who loves these special days in front of a big crowd as he shows no sign of slowing down. He hit the scoreboard in the first term on his way to recording almost fourty possessions for the day in a remarkable effort.

Ben Buhler gave away significant height to his Hinterland Blues opponent Jacob Simpson in the ruck however he was able to get his fair share of hitouts but it was around the ground that he did his best work.

Jasper Craven has been a consistent midfielder all season racking up touches and setting the Tigers alight with his run and carry through traffic and yesterday was no exception. He also hit the scoreboard with four goals to be in the best on a big day.

The Blues worked hard all day and it could be said that the ultimate score was not a reflection of the game which still saw the Hinterland team battle hard through the middle, but the Tigers defence held strong. The Blues Braeden Ross was dangerous around goal when he got a chance as they battled it out right to the end finishing with a three goal last term.

While the Tigers were missing Quin and McLean, the understudies in Digby Morison and Nick Galvin took their opportunities with both hands, both finishing with three goals.

The Tigers defence held strong once again with Casey Barber leading the way while Daniel Schmidt and Kyle Henry were very strong in the air all day.

The Tigers finished the game with another strong showing in front of a parochial and appreciative audience on their home deck.

The Mick Nolan medal was awarded to the man of the day in Jack Collings in his 200th game. The medal was awarded by Nettie Nolan in front of Tigers from all generations with the teams from 1966, 1976, 1986 and 2016 celebrating their premiership glory.

In no small feat, this was Jack’s fourth Mick Nolan medal to go with a very full cabinet of memorabilia he has accumulated over a stellar career to date and he shows no sign of slowing down yet. He previously won the medal in 2017, 2018 and 2024.

The Tigers will take on the Springwood Pumas again at the Den next week with the Pumas desperate to bring the Tigers down a peg so don’t miss this game between last year’s grand finalists.

Scores: Mayne 27.11.173 d Hinterland 6.8.44

Goals:  Ryan Doolan 5, Jasper Craven 4, Digby Morison, Nick Galvin 3, Louis Quin, Ben Wilkinson, Rhys Syrett, Xavier Craven, Tyler Galligan, Eddie Mallan, Jack Collings, George Hiotis, Ben Buhler 1.

Best: Jack Collings, Jasper Craven, Digby Morison, Nick Galvin, Benjamin Buhler, Casey Barber.