By SAM KRUSHKA (RESERVES COACH)
LAST week, the Noosa Tigers reserves squad returned to Burpengary for the grand final against Mayne.
After a perfect preparation during the week the team was ready for the challenge that lay ahead.
We played the windy conditions well in the first quarter and were well on top in the stoppages, but the second quarter was an arm wrestle and we held a small lead at half time thanks to Zac Smith’s three first-half goals.
We continued our good form in the third quarter leading by 16 points until the momentum shifted with Mayne being awarded some very dubious free kicks in key areas of the ground resulting in goals.
The Tigers began the last quarter with two players down and another two heavily impacted by injury, but in true Tiger style this didn’t affect our effort with all players continually putting their bodies on the line with effort after effort.
Despite all our efforts we could not put a goal on the board in the last quarter, while Mayne kicked two goals to run out winners by 15 points.
Best players were led by joint players of the finals Mitch Danahay and Jack Tickner as well as Wayne Wilson and Zac Smith while Nathan Winter, despite heavy tagging tactics, never gave up for his team.
Although the result did not go our way, all 22 players and the rest of the squad should hold their heads high for the way they performed in the big game and the season as a whole, showing great improvement in attitude and effort along the way.
I would like to thank the Noosa Tigers football community for the way they have supported us throughout the year.
I would also like to thank the players for their commitment this year. Let’s use this loss to spur us on to bigger and better things next year.
