THE Noosa Tigers are heading into the grand final, which is the perfect ending to what can only be described as a stellar year for the club.
Head of the supporters’ club, Peter Thynne, has helped raise funds for the club with a number of successful president’s lunches, snaring some of the biggest names in the AFL to come and speak to the often crowded clubhouse.
As the Tigers prepare to face the undefeated Mayne at Caboolture on Saturday, coach James Gellie said he couldn’t be more proud of the team.
“The highlight of the year has been the gradual improvement of the boys and the way they have played,” he said.
“When the season started there was a change to the roles and structure. They have taken this on board and taken ownership of their new roles.”
Gellie said the team’s cohesion had paid off throughout the season with the team consistently improving and delivering great results on the field.
“To see what they’ve put in and that they get a crack at the grand final is the most rewarding part of the year,” he said.
“My advice would be to take the nerves and use it in a positive way, so long as the guys play their roles and don’t submit to the high pressure.”
Gellie said at the end of the day, the finals are just another game of football and the team needs to take on the challenge, be brave and they will get the just rewards for the effort they put in.
Team captain Peter Trompf said it was exciting to be in the grand final and said his advice to the team was to “own this moment”.
“This is our time,” he said.
Trompf said the highlight of the season was the Tigers’ last home game against Kedron where, despite the heavy rain, dozens of supporters turned out to watch the game.
“It was great to see all the Tiger faithfuls there and the boys really stood up,” he said.
With only two days to go until the final, the Tigers are hard at work preparing for the climax of the season. Go the Tigers!
