The whole thing started with a bang when at 10:00am the day before the game I got a phone call telling me that our game had been changed to 4pm QLD time insted of the initial 2pm start we had worked out. As usual if was all because of the men in Orange (The Umpires). After numerous phone calls, text messages and e-mails it was ok and the game was to go ahead. The Boys rocked up to Ellem at 9:30am on saturday and the numbers were excellent, all the players that said they were going to play did, which for those of you who know the Tigers is a minor miracle in itself.
We arrived at the Beenleigh Motel at about 12:30pm QLD time which gave us ample time to relax and properly prepare for the encounter. We walked down the street and watch Beenleigh play Ipswitch (Purto's old team) for a bit before heading out to Logan.
The ground was massive and I was pretty happy about that because it was going to make us Run pretty hard and give us a pretty good idea how our fitness and skills over the pre season were fairing a month before the season proper. We had 5 guys on the bench for the start of the game which is a huge deal for us considering we nornally only get 2 or 3. But it created an issue for me as well because I had to give everyone a decent run, especially because they all travelled hours to get there. It also ment that many players played in different positions than they were used to and we found it really hard to find our rythum as a side all day.
We started the First quarter really well kicking the first couple of goals and if our Full Forward (Me) could mark we would have done even better. We also kicked the first 3 of the second term and had a handy 4 goal lead half way through the second. Then the big ground started to take its toll on us physically, we got tired and they got back a goal before half time. At the break I had quite a few changes to make, whe you have 5 players on the bench to come on you have to make about 15 changes to the 18 man side to get the players who are coming on into the right positions for them and because of that you have to move other players to positions they wouldn't normally play in.
All of these factors ment that the third quarter was going to be a tough one, and it was, it allowed Logan back into the game and we were looking shaky, a late goal kept us in front at three quarter time, by 3 points.
The last quarter I asked the guys to go back to what we did at the start of the game, running the ball, kicking to space and using our fitness. It paid off and we kicked the first goal of the last term, then in typical grafton style we started to coast. Logan used this to there advantage and kicked the next 2 goals to lead by 2 points. I started to get a little concrened, had we come all this way to lose the game?
I was standing at Full Forward with Captian Dan Zars and when Logan hit the front I said get in the middle, I don't care who you take out. Thankfully it paid off and we kicked the next goal, and we started to run out of legs again, Logan kicked another Goal to lead again.
For the first time in a while I saw the Tigers spirit I had been hearing about come out. We fought back followed instruction and Ryan Gillett kicked a maraculas left footed snap shot from 30m out. That got us back in front and our heads were up, we kicked one more Goal thanks to another great snap shot thanks to Dale Beaver and we won by 9 points.
When I called all the boys in they and I didn't quite know how to feel, yes we had won, but only just, considering we were playing most of there seconds team. I let the guys know how hard fought the win was considering the size of the ground, the massive number of player changes and what I most most happy about the fight back when in previous years we would have dropped our heads and lost the game.
It is pretty hard to pick the best players for this match but I will make a few mentions for the weekend as a whole.
Kie, For a player playing his first game he was sensational, he did everything I asked of him an even when he played 3 quarters in a position he had no idea about in the back pocket the gave it his all.
Zars, throughly deserves the captancy and when I needed something special in the last term he produced it. Well Done.
Will Darby, Where have you been, played in 3 different positions but was sensational in the Ruck.
Tim Whalan, Played the last half at Full back and reminded everyone he came from the backline, Dont worry you will be back in the centre again.
Josh Sheather, I wish he lived in Grafton, so much natural talent. Still not quite as good as this older Brother Ryan though.
One last thing I forgot to mention. The 3-4-5 Zone defence on opposition kick ins worked really well in the first term. We had 3 shots at Goal in a row at one stage, If only we could have converted them. Opposition sides will be looking to combat it this season but they will find it really hard to get through. Well Done Guys.
After the game 12 guys stayed and partied with the Logan boys, it was a fantastic night and a great time was had by all.
Quote of the weekend. "If I am not carried home by a Big Rig I will be pissed" From anonomus.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE TRIP STAYS ON THE TRIP.
By Grahame Blackwell
Last Modified on 23/03/2009 11:51