The Fiona Winter Realty Noosa Tigers took on 5th placed Moreton Bay on Saturday. Even though Noosa cannot move out of third position It was an important game as this is the second last game for the year game and Coach James Gellie would be eager for the boys to get all the structures right and have winning form going into the finals.
The Tigers made 6 changes from last weeks loss to Maroochydore with all but one due to injury. Out went Jesse Malthouse (Shoulder), Brett Duke (Soreness), Jed Mullens (groin), Caleb Isles (Back), all due to minor niggles and in need of a week off to recover while Lachy McClarty (knee) will have surgery this week to repair a torn meniscus and Seb Rogers was sent to the reserves to recapture his early year form. In to the senior side came, Zac Smith, Matt Gray, Riley O'Dwyer, and Mark Reily plus two debutants, Kodi Wulf and 17 y/o Rhys Tarling.
The day go off to a slow start as Moreton Bay reserves forfeited and left no curtain raiser for the main game. The seniors got underway in perfect conditions but it didn't start perfectly for Noosa as Morten Bay won the early ball and controlled the early stages of the game. In a scrappy first quarter, Moreton Bay kicked the first goal, pressured the Noosa ball carrier, and made Noosa look second rate. Noosa skills by hand and foot were at times deplorable as the missed targets and missed shots on goal. Noosa had managed 7 behinds while Moreton Bay had kicked 2 goals before a clever Corey Boardman roved the pack inside the Noosa 50 and kicked Noosa's first to edge closer on the score board but as the siren sounded the underdog Moreton Bay held a 3 point lead in a game that was hard to watch. Moreton Bay 2-4-16 to Noosa 1-7-13.
If you were within 2kms of the Noosa Football ground, you would have heard James Gellie's quarter time speech. It was loud and directed at every single player and the main message was stick to the team structures or you will be out of the team. This had an effect as the midfield lifted through Nick Hill and Brent Moloney and leaders such as Robert Copeland and Isaac Hughson got on top around the ground. Noosa had kicked 3 goals to 1 in the first 20 minutes before a few changes were made form the coaches box. Mark Reilly went deep forward with Matt Gray and Zac Smith and Sam Dwyer given jobs across half forward. This seemed to work as Noosa slammed on another 3 goals in time on, to really take the game away from Moreton Bay, who were working hard but not getting the results on the scoreboard. At the main break an inaccurate Noosa held a 32 point lead. Noosa 7-14-56 to Moreton Bay 3-6-24
At the main break Noosa had to make a few more changes around the ground as Nick Sutton had a hamstring injury and Harry Opie was having back issues. Lachie Cameron was moved to full forward and Corey Boardman was moved into the midfield. Noosa came out running and the skill level had improved 10 fold as they ran the ball out of defence and hit targets with ease. Cain Tickner looked fantastic as he ran hard off Half Back and received handballs and sent the ball deep into Noosa's forward line on a number of occasions. Gellie was picking up possessions and Matt Gray was working hard up forward. Noosa, although still inaccurate, kicked 6 goals 8 behinds to Moreton Bays 2 behinds to hold a big 74 point lead at 3/4 time. Noosa 13-22-100 to Moreton Bay 3-8-26.
The last quarter began as the 3rd quarter finished with Noosa winning the clearances and contested footy. Rhys Tarling was good all day and slotted home his third goal early in he last quarter. Around the 10 minute mark of ten last quarter, there was a 5 minute spell of footy that would have kept Noosa supporters very happy. Brent Molonley, who was moved to the forward line, kicked 3 goals in 5 minutes. 2 from outside 50m for strong contested marks and the other was a creative snap on the run from 30 metres. The midfield was right on top in the last quarter with Zach Mcdonald and Lachie Cameron giveng the midfielders first use and back 6 were relentless though Gary Wallace and Wayne Willson as they kept running the ball out whenever Moreten Bay entered their 50. Noosa banged on 11 goals to Moreton Bay 1 goal in a great display of football. Noosa ran out comfortable 135 point winners. Noosa 24-24-168 defeated Moreton Bay 4-9-33.
After a slow start Noosa really clicked into gear after quarter time and everyone at Weyba Road hopes this continues over the next month.
Noosa Better players- Robert Copeland, James Gellie, Coery Boardman, Wayne Wilson, Lachy Cameron, Isaac Hughson.
Noosa Goal kickers- B.Moloney 4, C.Boardman 3, N.Hill 3, R.Tarling 3, Z.Smith 2, R.Copeland 1, K.Wulff 1, L.Cameron 1, W.Wilson 1, Z.McDonald 1, S.Davis 1, M.Gray 1.
Next week The Fiona Winter Realty Noosa Tigers take on Aspley at Weyba Rd in Noosa's final game of the season in round 18. Noosa have a bye in round 19 to get all the injuries fixed before the final series begin.
Last Modified on 13/08/2015 08:56