The Fiona Winter Noosa Tigers traveled to Caboolture to take on Kedron in the Preliminary final, the winner advancing to the Grand Final next week against Mayne.
The Tigers made one change from last weeks defeat in the 2nd Semi with Jake Fulton being replaced by Lou Fary, who forced his way back into the seniors with a fantastic game last week topping of a great last month.
In sunny but breezy conditions, the Tigers got off to a great start with Peter Trompf in the ruck getting his hands on the ball giving the midfielders first use. James Gellie opened the account for the Tigers in the second minute of the game with a strong mark and goal. Noosa's pressure around the packs was outstanding and they took control of the play early but could not capitalise on the hard work. Kedron's has been good all year on the counter attack and that's exactly what happened seven minutes into the term as they turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye to slot through their first. Noosa maintained the pressure early, Jesse Malthouse was terrific on his wing giving Noosa plenty of run and Dave Welch was solid in defence. Gellie kicked his second for the term at the 18 minute mark and gave Noosa a 10 point lead. From this point of the quarter it was all Noosa but once again they failed to reap the reward for their hard work. From the time Gellie kicked the second Noosa were 2-3-15 on the score board and by the end of the quarter Noosa finished with 2-10-22. They had all the play for the quarter but only led by 16 points. Noosa 2-10-22 to Kedron 1-0-6,
Kedron started the second quarter with a bit more run and kicked the first goal to bring the margin back to 10 points. In a scrappy second term Noosa wrestled back the control and at the 12 minute mark Dylan Dempsey kicked a nice long goal and 5 minutes later Jai Fitzpatrick, who had been moved forward, drifted deep to get on the end of a nice Josh Reichman pass to kick his first first for the day and extend the Noosa lead to 21 points. Ryley Buntain was playing an outstanding game down back on the dangerous Kedron forward George Fitzgibbon. Buntain not only kept Fitzgibbon scoreless to half time, he limited him to only 3 possessions. Noosa's hard work was paying off as cracks began to appear in the Kedron attack and by half time Noosa held a 19 point lead. Noosa 4-10-34 to Kedron 2-3-15.
Half time was used to regroup and make some change to the structure. Sam Dywer was moved to the wing, Seb Rogers up forward and Shane Davis was given more freedom with a role up forward. Gellie kicked his third in the opening minutes and Noosa looked like cracking the game right open. Harry Opie provided plenty of run off the half back, Jed Mullen was great down back and even took off for a run down the wing, having five bounces before hitting up Dan Pertot who completed the great play with a goal. Eighteen minutes into the quarter Sam Dywer ran hard off his wing to get on the end of a Tom McKittrick handball to kick Noosa's seventh goal then followed by a big pack mark by small man Shane Davis straight in front of goal. Davis slotted it home for Noosa's fourth for the quarter and all of a sudden the lead had gone out to 45 points. Noosa kicked 4-4 for the quarter and held Kedron to just one point. At 3/4 time Noosa were 46 points in front. Noosa 8-14-62 to Kedron 2-4-16.
The message was simple at the last break, stick to the structure and Noosa did exactly that. Buntain was relentless in his efforts against Fitzgibbon and in the last quarter Buntain took it to another level. He punched, tackled and rebounded everything that came his way. Welch was also terrific in the last term. Jai Fitzpatrick played his best game for the some time up forward and Cubby Isles just kept on running. Noosa kicked 2 goals to Kedron's 1 to run out convincing 53 point winners. Noosa 10-15-75 defeating Kedron 3-4-22.
Noosa best - Ryley Buntain , David Welch, Shane Davis , Jed Mullen, Harry Opie, James Gellie
Noosa. Goals - James Gellie 3, Dylan Dempsey 1, Shane Davis 1, Jai Fitzpatrick 1, Sam Dwyer 1, Peter Trompf 1, Josh Reichman 1, Dan Pertot 1.
The reserves took on Maroochydore in the preliminary final and after a solid first quarter were right in it at quarter time, trailing by four points. The second term was not so good as Maroochydore took control, kicking 4 goals to Noosa's 1. At half time Noosa trailed by 22 points. Rob Purves gave the boys an old fashioned spray at half time and they responded straight away as they lifted the tempo and pressure around the ground. Noosa dominated the quarter but were unable to convert their effort into goals as the quarter ended Noosa only managed to add 4 points to the score and Maroochydore kicked the 1 goal. At the 3/4 time break Noosa trailed by 26 points. Noosa worked hard all quarter kicking the first 4 goals of the quarter to get within a few points only to see Maroochydore kick 2 quick goals to extend the lead to 14 points with minutes to go. Noosa pressed again but time was against them and as the siren sounded they fell agonisingly short, and went down by 14 points. Noosa 7-9-51 lost to Maroochydore 10-5-65. Sam Krushka was named best, Isaac Hughson worked hard all, and Jake Fulton was terrific. Rob Purves and the boys should be proud of their efforts this year and can hopefully build off that end result going forward.
Next week sees the PJ Burns Noosa Tigers into the Grand Final against Mayne and this will be played at Caboolture. Noosa has met Mayne three time this year and all three games Mayne have won.
Round 6 at Noosa - Mayne 15-8-98 def Noosa 10-5-65. At 3/4 time of this game Noosa led by 6 points only to see Mayne kick 7 last quarter goals to win By 33 points.
Round 13 at Mayne - Mayne 12-9-81 defeated Noosa 8-10-58. In this game Noosa hit the lead by 1 point with 2 minute and 10 seconds left on the clock. In the final 2 minutes Mayne kicked 4 goals to run out 23 point winners.
2nd Semi Final at Mayne - Mayne 15-14-104 defeated Noosa 8-3-51. Mayne were very good in this game but at the 10 minute mark of the 3rd term Noosa got within 14 points but yet again Mayne kicked away, booting 8 goals to Noosa's 2.
Mayne have won all three encounters this year but have not had it all their own way. This Grand Final has the makings of a classic and added to this equation, Mayne have gone through the season undefeated, so anything can happen.
See you all next week for what will be a great grand final.
Last Modified on 08/12/2014 15:17