All eyes on the Noosa Tigers this weekend as they contest their 3rd Pineapple Cup Hotel Grand Final in 5 years, and 2nd in a row after a thrilling 5 point win over Burleigh in last weekends Preliminary Final.
It`s Sandgate again in the decider this Saturday at Hickey Park, home of the Wilston Grange Gorillas and no doubt there will be hundreds of the Tiger faithful making their way down the Bruce Highway to cheer on the Tigers as they attempt to win their first Senior flag in 13 years.
If the tigers have learn`t anything from the finals series thus far, they know it requires a total team performance across the board to win the big games. Whilst the likes of Matthews,Reynolds,Brain,Isles,Brauer and Page are stars of the competition,individuals will not win you Premierships. It will take all 22 players.
Sandgate are a pretty even outfit who really play for each other as they proved at Tiger headquarters a fortnight ago. They will come into the big one with fresh legs whilst the Tigers will surely be carrying a few sore spots after their bruising encounter with a very gallant Burleigh but will now be much more match fit.
However this columnist is a big believer that the cream rises to the top on the big occasions. Noosa have been comfortably the dominant force in the PHC in 2010 and I`ve no doubt their 2nd semi final upset to Sandgate will serve as a blessing in disguise.Y ou need hard contested footy and the boys have now tasted it over the past 2 weeks. At their best, Noosa are the most outstanding side in the competition and a few sore spots certainly won`t deter the minor premiers into producing what it takes to bring back a very sought after Flag to Weyba rd.
Yes, the tigers have several stars as I`ve named who can all on their day take a game apart. But the talent just keeps going. Add the likes of champion utility Brett Duke,youngsters Spring, Panoho and Laskey , big game players like Wallace, Smith and Eady and a formidable defence where Trompf , Boydle and the ever consistent skipper Bovalino exist and it is easy to realise that this crop of Noosa Tigers is on the verge of achieving something special. Depth is a massive part of the modern game and if players of the calibre of Gafa, Storrer and Reichmann are waiting in the wings for a spot then I think Wayne Fletchers class of 2010 are in very good stead come 2pm Saturday.
Top teams win Premierships and that’s exactly what Noosa have been this year. All the best boys, can`t wait to see how it all unfolds but this writers quietly confident that by 5pm on Saturday afternoon,we`ll all be bellowing out the words of that fantastic Tiger anthem.
My prediction; Noosa by 26points
See you there
Go tigers
Pittsy
Last Modified on 30/12/2010 13:13