For the first 15 minutes of the Elimination Final, our boys ran the ball, kicked with purpose and ran all over our Sandgate opponents. Shaun Maxwell was running through the lines, Brett Gavin added some grunt in the packs, Alex Swenson had it on a string and Mick Lonie and Maxy were offering great options up forward.
For the next 85 minutes it was an arm wrestle as both sides pressured each other into mistakes and skill errors became more common as turnovers broke the hearts of both coaches.
In the second quarter it was Sandgate that dominated possession and led on the scoreboard until two late goals including one on the half time siren to Kev Dunne restored the Tigers lead.
The battle continued in the third and it was Sandgate dominating the stopages, whilst Noosa broke free with quick ball movement only to be repelled by the home side's defence. Braybs and Nat Johnson were valiant in our back half whilst Chayse set up rebounds although not with his usual freedom.
Jack Troedel worked as busily as usual and Gabe bounced back from some errors to give us something in attack.
A lead of 15 points at 3/4 time going against the breeze in the last left many wondering if it was enough. In the end it proved to be enough as both sides scored 2 goals each and the desperation you'd expect in a knock-out final took its toll and the inevitable packs formed and played into our need for time to elapse.
In all, whilst not the most attractive effort of the season, our fifth placed Tigers knocked off the 4th placed side on their own paddock and gives the boys more exposure to finals footy and time to enjoy our great game with their mates when the sniff of finals footy is in the air.
More footy like our first 15 minutes could see some exciting times ahead
Multiple goal kickers: Maxy with 3 and Mick Lonie 2
Noosa 3.1 6.2 8.2 10.5 (65)
Sandgate 0.0 4.4 5.5 7.6 (48)
For over 50 great action shots of the Elimination Final - CLICK HERE
Last Modified on 04/11/2009 09:43