After another difficult week with training curtailed and grounds closing across the South East the Tiger Women were very pleased that the Caloundra Panthers were able to transfer their big day of footy to the Kawana Juniors facility yesterday.
While it proved to be a very tough, wet, windy and boggy affair, the Tigers proved too strong for the Panthers to take away the points in a hotly contested affair.
Persistent rain and a super heavy field resulted in a low scoring, ground ball sort of game while the Caloundra Panthers showed a much more determined effort than the two club’s previous encounter in Round 1. It may be that the conditions had some influence on nullifying the Tigers usual long kicking and running game to narrow the margin.
The Panthers got off to a strong start to lead at the first break with the Tigers struggling to get on the scoreboard but it was in the second quarter that they were able to convert their efforts.
The Tigers kicked two goals in the second term to take the lead and in the context of the conditions and the game this proved to be a very handy period for them.
Lexie Baker has been a revelation for the Tigers this year with her natural game sense and skills as she converted her long kicking into two critical goals for the term. She ultimately kicked the Tigers three goals
Molly Nelson and Maegan Dick have been prime movers for the Tigers all season and once again showed their leadership to control the game for the Tigers all night.
The third term was another hard fought period with both sides battling the conditions to record a goal apiece as they slogged away.
As the rain pelted down and conditions continued to deteriorate the Tigers held on to their lead to finish the game in a dour but controlled fashion. Only one point to the Tigers for the last term changed the scoreboard to see the Tigers record a critical win in the context of their season.
In addition to the strong performances by Captains Molly and Meagan, they were superbly supported by some gruelling, hard running mud-grubs in Dakoda Cott, Bec Watson, Grace Mahoney, Elka Rigby, Belinda Turner and Kara Schooley Proud.
While Lexie Baker was the only goal kicker for the evening, she was well supported and fed the ball by a tenacious forward pack of Tamera Selman, Maddy Lightfoot, Emma Currey and Steph Burton.
Plenty of credit also goes to a hard working backline in Rhi Meehan, Amelia Weddell, and Abi Taylor supporting Grace Mahoney who toiled all night to block and frustrate the incessant Caloundra forwards.
It was a terrific effort across the team and while it was in awful conditions, the Tigers will remember this important win for many years to come.
It also needs to be remembered that the off field crew endured a pretty tough day as well. A big shoutout to Club Umpire James Price and Drew Merryfull and Jo Price for taking on both goal umpiring roles in the deluge…truly going above and beyond!
The Tigers will return to the Den next Saturday to take on the unbeaten ladder leaders the Pine Rivers Swans in front of the Annual Reunion Day crowd.
Scores: Mayne 3.4.22 d Caloundra 2.1.13 Goals: A Baker 3 Best: M Nelson, A Baker, T Selman, R Watson, M Dick, H Smith
Comments