Round 8 saw the Noosa Tigers head down to the Gold Coast for the second week running to take on Burleigh Heads. The Tigers saw the welcome return of Dave Welch, Brendan Wulf , Harry Opie and Ben Fuller after missing last week.
In perfect conditions for footy, Noosa got off to the perfect start with a Nathan Winter goal, followed by a strong mark by Dave Welch and goal to give the Tigers a handy 12 point lead. Noosa's midfield then dominated the clearances for the quarter but could not convert that into scores as Burleigh got a couple of goals from the Noosa turnovers. Burleigh was aided with a strong breeze and kicked a third but Noosa worked hard into the breeze to kick their third for the quarter to go into the first break behind by 2 points. Burleigh 3-3-21 to Noosa 3-1-19
Noosa had the breeze in the second but could not capitalise as Steve Simpson continued his great form in the ruck, by getting his hands on the ball first at every ball up. Alex Corrigan was finding plenty of the ball across half forward, Jack Hendrie was looking strong with some hard running out of the back line. Jas Boydle was playing in an unfamiliar role on the wing and was finding space but was not being used, as Burleigh clogged the game up and scored on the Noosa turnovers. Adam Eady went off early in the quarter and Noosa wee finding it hard to score. In a very ugly game of footy Burleigh out scored Noosa and went into the main break with a 6 point lead. Burleigh 5-3-33 to Noosa 4-3-27
Fletch read the riot act at half time and asked for a lift as Noosa's turnovers were the main reason Burleigh was leading. The third quarter saw Burleigh kick the first within seconds followed by a Dave Welch goal, as Noosa continued to win the stoppages but couldn't convert them to goals. Burleigh kicked a couple on the trot to sneak out to a 4 goal lead before Noosa rallied with a goal to Brendan Wulf. Burleigh kicked 6 goals to Noosa's 4 but the last 5 minutes of the quarter Noosa seem to lift, Seb Rogers and Jai Fitzpatrick racked up the possessions and Cubby Isles was in everything and you could feel the momentum shift, but Burleigh went into the final break with a handy 18 point lead. Burleigh 11-6-72 to Noosa 8-6-54.
The final quarter started exactly as Fletch wanted with an Owen Bailey clearance, and A Dave Welch mark. Woosha went bad and calmly slotted his 4th, took keep the Tiger Momentum going. Next, Nathan Winter bust through the centre and hit up Lou Fary, who slotted it from 50 to put the Tigers with 6 points and looking full of run. Burleigh pushed a few players back to clog up the play, and stop Noosa form scoring. Noosa had a few shots on goals that went through for point but got 2 point behind when Burleigh kicked a goal against the flow. Noosa continued to press and though some Seb Rogers brilliance, passed to Lou Fary, who was really moving well in the forward line, and kicked a goal. Ben Fuller was running hard and got a great clearance and kicked it long into the forward line, to see the ball clear the marking pack and Dave Welch ran onto the ball to kick his 5th and give Noosa the lead. All the hard work from Noosa was starting to pay off, at the 28 mintue marks Harry Opie rebounded off the half back line, passed to Jai Fitzpatrick, who in turn found Owen Bailey on the wing, Bailey then ran into the 50, had a shot and slotted it to give the Tigers a handy 10 point lead. With seconds remaining Burleigh scored a goal but the strong midfielders of Noosa got the clearance and sent the ball deep into the Noosa Forward line as the siren sounded to give the Tigers a well earn victory.
The win showed plenty of character as things just didn't go Noosa's way for 3 quarters but persistence and some great leadership on the field saw the Noosa boys take home a well deserved win. Burleigh 13.7.85 Noosa 13.11.89
Better players for Noosa were Dave Welch Steve Simpson, Brendan Wulf, Alex Corrigan, Jai Fitzpatrick, Owen Bailey
Goal Kickers D.Welch 5, Lou Fary 3, O.Bailey 2, B.Wulf 1, S.Rogers 1, N.Winter 1
Next week sees Noosa return home to take on Coolangatta.
Last Modified on 30/06/2013 12:12
