Noosa may have lost its first outing in a new-look competition but stalwart Brett Duke says expectations are high at the club.
The Tigers were beaten 12.11 (83) 19.11 (65) by Springwood at Noosaville on Saturday in round two of the 10-team QFA division one, after an opening-round wash-out a week ago.
It's a disappointing result for the side, which is returning to a higher level this year in a new league involving south-east Queensland teams, following the disbanding of the QFA North (involving northern Brisbane and Sunshine Coast teams).
But such is the culture at the Tigers, only a play-offs berth will suffice, according to Duke.
"(A) finals (appearance) is always an expectation at Noosa," he said.
"A few of the kids that have come through - playing last year and getting more games - have had more exposure to senior footy and that will only help improve us.
"And a few of the recruits who have come into the club, once they get comfortable with each other and the way Queensland footy is played...."
The Tigers competed in the prior south-east Queensland competition in 2014 and won a premiership at that level in 2011.
"Noosa's played against most of these teams before in previous years and have always been competitive against them," Duke said.
"Now it's back to what it was and it will be a stronger competition with more teams in it and that makes it better footy for everyone," he said.
But he said his team needed to improve on its first outing of this campaign, when it let slip a third quarter lead.
"Too many unforced turnovers is what cost us on the scoreboard and we probably didn't stay in the game for the four quarters," he said.
He estimated that about 70 percent of the squad consists of ex-Tigers juniors.
Among the new recruits is Thomas Templeton, who was amid the stand-outs on Saturday after relocating from Victoria.
The follower was in the thick of the action.
"(He has a) very good work ethic and good finishing skills," Duke said.
As for 35-year-old Duke, who has played for the Tigers senior side since 1998, he's relishing the start of another campaign.
"I'm just helping out, filling in and rotating off the bench and I'm enjoying that," he said.
The Tigers will next take on arch-rival Maroochydoore at Kuluin. The Roos had an impressive 17.20 (122) win over University of Queensland at St Lucia, where Josh Norman bagged seven goals.
The Roos were runner-up in the QFA North for the past two years.
"Maroochydore has, in probably the last couple of years, got the wood on us." Duke said.
"But that changes every couple of years so hopefully we can get that (bragging rights) back," Duke said.
Caloundra lost 11.21 (87) to 7.8 (50) to Coorparoo on the road after holding a third quarter lead.
Springwood 2.5, 5.8, 12.11, 12.11 (83) d. Noosa 2.2, 6.5, 9.11, 9.11 (65)
GOALS: R. Jeffery 3, T. Templeton 2, S. Faure 2, N. Hill 1, A. Curry 1
BEST: T. Templeton, N. Hill, A. Laskey,T. McKittrick, P. Trompf
Steele Taylor
Sunshine Coast Daily
Last Modified on 10/04/2017 08:09