Tigers win scrappy affair over Pumas

The Hart Sport QFA Division 1 kicked off yesterday with round one for the Tigers taking on the Springwood Pumas at the Den on a very hot day for football.

The Tigers played the Pumas a remarkable six times in 2025 culminating in a cracking grand final which the Tigers prevailed so these teams have a very detailed knowledge of each others strengths and weaknesses.

The Pumas are notoriously wily as they take a very strategic approach so that they are ready for the important part of the season. On that basis the Tigers are very circumspect about any success at this time of year.

However, you can only play the game that is up for grabs and the Tigers were very keen to get off to a good start as the reigning premiers to show they will once again be a force to be reckoned with in 2026.

After a period a fencing back and forward the Pumas kicked the first major of the game from a stoppage with the dangerous Brandon Stewart getting loose to snap a clever goal which the Pumas followed up a short time later while the Tigers took some time to get their radar tuned.

The Tigers dynamic forward line led by Ryan Doolan, Zac MacLean and Zac Quin took a little while to get their range with minor scores to Doolan and Quin. Doolan started with two great marks but uncharacteristically his kicks faded to the right but he was able to settle his problems by playing on to kick his first and he was then on his way to a six goal day and a great start to his season.

The Tigers welcome back one of their favourite sons in Jasper Craven who kicked the first goal for the club in the term and he was in everything from then on with an impressive return to the Den.

The Tigers finished the first term with a nineteen point advantage after a very entertaining six goals to three shootout with four goals to Doolan and one apiece to Craven and Quin.

The second term was more of the same as both sides were determined to attack at every chance which made for much excitement as a spectacle with turnovers coming regularly through great defence and pressure.

The Tigers backline is once again led by James Stolz and Kyle Henry with the inclusion of the very clever Zac Puncken who adds another level of attack. The mens department will once again be critical to the Tigers season and they can be pleased with their team effort yesterday.

After another high scoring second term the Tigers stretched their lead to five goals with some great team work sharing the scoring around with the experienced Zac McLean directing traffic to create opportunities all around him in another impressive display.

Digby Morison was creative as was Nick Galvin who both play in the shadows of Doolan, McLean and Quin but their work is just as critical to making it all happen.

The stifling heat was taking it’s toll for both teams so it would have been expected that the second half standards would deteriorate.

The Tigers however stepped up a gear to hold the Pumas to just one major for the half while they kicked away to a twelve goal win and a very pleasing start to their season.

The Tigers midfield got on top with Jamie Ivers once again playing a strong role around the ground even though he had a very good contest with Harrison Davis who gave his all for the Pumas.

Jack Collings, Duncan McCabe and Louis Quin were all creative for the Tigers in the middle as they kept the team going forward with their usual composure.

After a great start it is a shame to have to take a break with a round 2 bye but this is just one of the downsides to a seven team competition. The Tigers take on the Sandgate Hawks in their next game also at the Den with the highlight being that it is Anzac Day.

In other games Caloundra had a handy win over Moreton Bay while University were too strong for Sandgate.

Scores: Mayne 20.8.128 d Springwood 8.7.55

Goals:  Ryan Doolan 6, Zac McLean, Zac Quin 3, Jasper Craven, Digby Morison 2, Casey Burger, Duncan McCabe, Beau Harris 1.

Best: Ryan Doolan, Zac McLean, Jack Collings, Duncan McCabe, Jasper Craven, Louis Quin.