The Fiona Winter Realty Noosa Tigers took on 5th place Caloundra on Saturday looking for their 10th win of the season. Noosa made 2 changes for the game, Dylan Dempsey and Shane Davis were rested this week after being ruled out with injury. Tom Robilliard was rewarded with his first senior game this year after playing some great footy in the reserves and Morgan Webb returned to the senior team.
The weather was overcast and it seemed like the rain may hold off but as soon as the senior team started their warm up on the back oval, the rain began to fall and this played a huge factor in the game. In very slippery conditions the game began and Caloundra made their intentions very clear, get in harder and get in 1st for the ball. The Panthers controlled the the first half of the quarter, kicked the first goal and were handling the conditions a lot better then Noosa. Ryley Buntain was outstanding in the first quarter and turned things Noosa's way as he cut the ball off nearly every time Caloundra went forward. A clever play by Alex Corrigan in the middle set up a strong Dan Pertot mark and he kicked Noosa's first. In scrappy conditions the ball spent a lot of time on the ground as the first quarter came to an end Caloundra received a lucky free and converted it into a goal to go Into the the first break with a 5 point lead. Caloundra 2-2-14 Noosa 1-3-9.
The break gave the Noosa coaches time to readjust the structures and make some positional changes. Dave Welch was pushed forward and Troy Duke was put into the mid field and this payed off straight away. Peter Trompf was outstanding in the second as he put himself into everything. Pete was sporting a great looking bandage over his head after receiving a large cut on his hard but that didn't stop him as his ruck work was fantastic. Gary Wallace continued his good form in the back line and Jake Fulton was strong in the stoppages. As the rain continued the fall, Noosa had all the play and kicked 3 goals to 1 in tough conditions to take a 9 point lead in to the half time break. Noosa 4-5-29 to Caloundra 3-2-20.
After a couple of undisciplined acts in the first half, 3 players were yellow carded for Noosa, the message was clear at half time, zip the lip and play football. Jai Fitzpatrick was moved forward and Sam Dwyer was given the job of small forward and to crumb every pack inside 50. With the rain still falling Noosa again controlled the footy but just could not covert that into goals. Cubby Isles was getting loads of the ball and Dylan Murray provided a spark in the third term but Noosa just couldn't shake the Panthers. Both teams kicked a goal apiece in the third to set up a huge last quarter. At 3/4 time Noosa held an 11 point lead Noosa 5-8-38 Caloundra 4-3-27.
The last quarter didn't start the was James Gellie would have wanted as Caloundra goaled in the first 10 seconds to cut the margin to 5 points. From this point Noosa's experience kicked in and the old heads took over. Cubby Isles racked up 15 possessions in the last quarter, Trompf and Brett Duke were outstanding and Jack Hendrie gave Noosa the run they needed. Noosa kicked the next 3 goals to take the game right out of Caloundra's reach. Josh Reichman was good in the last term up forward and Harry Opie was the general down back. Noosa went on to win by 26 points in a hard fought out game. Final score Noosa 8-11-59 to Caloundra 5-3-33.
Noosa's best Ryley Buntain, Brett Duke, Caleb Isles, Gary Wallace, Jack Hendrie, Sam Dwyer.
Noosa's goals Brett Duke 3, James Gellie 1, Dan Pertot 1, Josh Reichman 1, Sam Dwyer 1, Dave Welch 1.
The reserves continued their winning ways with their 6th straight win over 3rd placed Caoundra. In a sometimes spiteful game Noosa were too good running out 15 point winners. Zac McDonald finished with 3 goals and Jake Tickner and Steve Simpson were named Noosa's better players. This now has Rob Purves boys equal on points in third position on the ladder.
The colts were undermanned and were beaten by a classy Caloundra outfit going down by 118 points.
Next week the PJ burns Noosa Tigers take on the undefeated Mayne Tigers in Brisbane. This will be a great game as Noosa took it right up to Mayne last time only to go down by a couple of goals. Can Noosa be the first team to beat Mayne this year? And will the Ressies continue their winning ways and rack up their 7th win on the trot..
Don't miss this next week.
Last Modified on 07/12/2014 09:03