The Tweed Coast Tigers put to bed any talk of a finals form
slump after a devastating return to form saw them dominate the Lismore Swans at
Mortimor oval on Saturday to win by 11 goals.
A couple of close calls in the last few weeks inspired the
team to lift and a hard and fast training session on Thursday night was just
the ticket combined with the return of several of the key Tigers backmen and
onballers to deliver the goods.
From the first bounce the Tigers consistently moved the ball
forward and led by 22 points at quarter time. With Strope and Wilson out it was
left to Bolty to take on the mighty Ox in the ruck and he did a fine job,
contesting well and contributing as an extra onballer.
It was the second term that broke the Lismore team with the
Tigers finding the flow that had deserted them in the last few weeks and the
strong linkage between the backs, middles and forwards delivered quality
service to allow the forwards to bang home the advantage. With Roundy and Jacob
(who came straight from his mates Bucks weekend, solid) drawing the key Swans
defenders it was left to Bones to find the space to consistently mark and kick
5 goals for the day.
With the Swans in danger of missing the finals with a hard
draw running home and this being their last home game of the year they came out
in the third quarter on a mission and credit to their onballers who toiled hard
to match the Tigers intensity. A solid effort saw the Swans match the Tigers 3
goals a piece for the term.
But the damage had been done early and the Tigers ran home
in the final quarter to kick 3 goals to 1 and finish 11 goals up.
This was just what the Doctor ordered for the Tigers, who with
two rounds left including a tough match next Saturday v Byron at Tigerland
Pottsville, needed to regain their intensity and structure to continue the run
home towards the finals.
Final Score - Tigers 18.13 – 121 d Swans 7.12 – 54
Finals Time
The location of the finals was decided midweek at a
Summerland meeting and will be as follows:
Major Double Header
– 1 v2 and 3 v 4
Saturday 28th of August @ Oaks Oval, Lismore
Preliminary Final
& Summerland AFL Awards Night (@ Pottsville Bowls Club)
Saturday 4th of September @ Round Mountain
GRAND FINAL
Saturday 11th September @ Fripp Oval , Ballina
A big thanks to the Tigers support staff and the supporters
who travelled down to Lismore to cheer home the Team.
Also a special mention for Strope who drove the Team bus and
did a fantastic job escorting the all the boys safely home. The bus did go via a
game of soccer between Lismore and Potty, with the Tigers raucous support
helping to get teammate Wilson and the Panthers home 2 -1. Then via a couple of local watering holes. Great Work Strope.
Tigers Goal Kickers
Bones – 5
Arnold – 3
Jacob – 2
Johno – 2
Josh - 2
Bolty – 1
Jimmy – 1
Ash – 1
Roundy – 1
Players Awards – To be decided at Training on Thursday Night.
Note: This is
the opinion of the author and may not be the opinion of the Club and its
committee.
Last Modified on 09/08/2010 16:35