TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE

TIGERS NEWS September 2006

True to form!!

by Noel Sibly

Last Sunday at Manuka Oval the Queanbeyan Tigers Reserve Grade team rewarded the patience and confidence Coach Jamie McGinley has had in their lead up to the finals. McGinley's patience has been tested in recent games where the players have not enacted his belief and direction in what are the fundamentals of an efficient team approach to this game. He has long held the confidence that they could and would produce the goods.

The Tigers ran out comfortable winners 14.13 (97) to the Tuggeranong Hawks 8.6 (54) in blustery conditions. The Tigers handled the conditions much better, both when running with and against the wind. The Hawks managed only two scoring shots into the wind while the Tigers managed 11. From this statistic alone it shows the Hawks could not manage the time in attack they expected with the wind advantage. This is because the Tigers simply played in the conditions that existed and didn't let the conditions dictate the day.

Tigers Under 18 Grade Captain Jeff Charman (centre) with Tom Hunter to his right and Jason Satchell at the back listen to Coach Kirkwood at 1/4 time of their 1st semi final match against Wagga Tigers.

This match marked the 100th senior club game for two of the main players instrumental in getting this team into the finals. Josh Davis and Danny Dwyer wanted their achievement to remain low key to ensure nobody lost sight of the primary focus of the day. Both players continued on their season form and were instrumental in the teams success. The club publicly recognised and congratulated both players on their achievement after the game. They will be further recognised at the Tigers 100 Club function next year.

The Tigers had winners all over the ground. The only players who really couldn't claim the title as 'winner' for the day were some who had little match time. This fact was unfortunate for the interchange but the old saying 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it" left a few guys with limited time. But then all players made the most of what time they had and contributed to the outcome.

The Tigers led all day with a tremendous first quarter going to the break with a 6 goal to nil lead. The centre clearances were a feature. Scott Dickinson was tremendous all day. The comment was passed on by McGinley at the club after the game, made by one past Tiger, who said he had not seen the onballers hit on the chest so often by a ruckman before in the course of one game. Once being hit, then Dwyer used his body to make a path. For an old ruckman it was great to watch the cohesion in the middle - the best we have seen this year from any grade. Onballers Chris Walmsley, Luke Thompson and Davis Corcoran had a feast on the quality ball they were delivered and the protection they received from their team mates, primarily Dwyer, as they surged forward.

Sports Medicine trainers Vicki Mosseson and Kerri Gribbin at last Sundays 1st Semi Final matches.

Ian Firns (Sad Sack) was another to have a huge impact on the game. His quality and skill shone through all over the field as he ran defending stoutly and attacking with flair. He really enjoyed his goal!! His courage was challenged as he was felled by a low act from behind early in the game and again later when the family jewels received a double whammy. He returned to the paddock for the last ten minutes to rejoin the game, though one could be mistaken to think he was looking for his horse!

Michael Wescombe was kept out of the game early as his match up assignment wasn't in the play. At half time Coach McGinley threw Wescombe into the fray and he dominated the second half. He is effectively a big man in his marking strength and his general strength and football nous ensured the Hawks did not mount a late challenge. Down back, Brendon Ward (what a great torpedo), Paul Bredius and Ross Hore were both defensively solid and attacking in their runs down field.

At three quarter time Coach McGinley asked the Tigers to finish off the game with the same quality of football they had played for the first three quarters. The Tigers were defending a ten goal lead, and to their credit, the Hawks scored four goals. At the same time the Tigers continued to attack and score and ran out the game to record a great result for the Tigers Club on the back of a lean year. Michael Thurling ended up with 4 goals as he scouted around the feet of his tall forwards with aggression and effect. Davis ended up with 3 goals in his 100th game to top off his game in which he was an effective target at centre half forward. The goals were shared between nine players - in itself indicative of a confident and mobile unit.

For those players not mentioned above, no disrespect is intended as this was a solid team effort where everybody rose to the occasion and performed as expected they would by the coach.

Under 18 Grade

At three quarter time, the Tigers were in a position to take the game. At this stage they trailed by 7 points on the back of three quarters of smart, committed football and were going home with a strong wind. As history shows, Wagga ran over the Queanbeyan boys with their physical strength and aggression. Final scores read Wagga 8.11 (89) to Queanbeyan 4.10 (34). Wagga's last term was epitomised by being bigger, stronger, more mobile, more aggressive and having surer ball handling. The Queanbeyan boys were fully committed to the end, but due to Wagga's overall final quarter exhibition of strength, found themselves defending when they needed to attack to register a win.

The first three quarters had been a great game to watch with both teams fully committed to attacking the ball and tackling the ball carrier. Queanbeyan's physical commitment and involvement was admirable given the height and bulk of many of the Wagga players. They were really courageous throughout. Early commitment and physical contests wore our boys down and they couldn't keep it up for the duration. The quality of players in this Queanbeyan team bodes well for the future of the club. Several players had senior experience this year but others will definitely play a role in the senior team in the not too distant future. Jason Satchell, Paul Slater and Leigh Prior have already represented at the senior level and have a great deal of quality football ahead of them. Sam Burley was tremendous on Sunday and obviously enjoyed the physicality of the game. That is only to name a few.

The Tigers Reserve Grade held a commanding 6 goal advantage at the 1/4 time break.

Additionally our two recent inductees to All Australian teams, Jeremy Kirkwood and Will Griggs are still eligible for two more years at this level but the way they played on Sunday one doubts they will be afforded this luxury. They both clearly demonstrated why they are so highly regarded on the bigger stage. Coach Damian Kirkwood commented at the presentations of how proud he was of his charges achievements this year, and how great they were in this last game together. Going by the crowds' applause it is obvious all present concurred with his sentiments. Once again Coach Kirkwood has delivered a bunch of smart and skilled graduates ready for the senior ranks.

As noted above the endurance and size of the Wagga team was the telling factor in the result of this game. However, the umpires need to be prepared to get more involved in the game. They cannot just run up and down the middle of the ground and expect to protect the ball players unsighted from that distance. When the game became physical the umpires did not protect those playing the football!!

Overall, every player deserved a mention for their commitment and support to their teams goals. On this occasion they came up second best but the characteristics they demonstrated indicates they should well have better days ahead. Well done fella's.

Sports Medicine Trainer and Licensed Club President Gary Bullivant attends to promising youngster Jared Daniel prior to the Under 18 Grade match

Results

Reserve Grade.

Queanbeyan 14.13 (97) def. Tuggeranong 8.6 (54).

Goals: Thurling 4, Davis 3, Walmsley 2, Niesen, Wescombe, Dickinson, Longmore, Robb.

Best: Firns, Dickinson, Ward, Walmsley, Davis, Breidus.

Under 18 Grade.

Queanbeyan 4.10 (34) def. by Wagga 8.11 (59)

Goals: Satchell, Slater, Prior, Dean.

Best: Satchell, Ebert, Slater, Daniel, O'Neill, Kirkwood.