The Rococo Bistro Noosa Tigers squandered a 29 point lead at the main break to be beaten by arch rival Maroochydore in front of a massive crowd at Weyba Rd last Saturday.
After a spine tingling and uplifting Anzac Day service where silence, the Last Post and the national anthem prevailed it was all Noosa in the first 40 minutes.
Star youngster jai Fitzpatrick and ex AFL star Brent Moloney were simply outstanding in the first half racking up quality possessions at will and setting up the Tiger forwards.
The Tiger defence was holding strong and, whilst the Noosa side were not winning the ruck, they were well on top in clearances. Also evident was the dominance of the Tiger youth where the likes of young O'Dwyer, Boardman and Tarling were showing up their Maroochydore counterparts.
The second half was all the Roos as they began to dominate clearances, run harder, and in general lift their work rate. In fact six unanswered goals by Maroochtdore quickly saw the Tigers lead disintegrate and the game was now played on Maroochydore terms.
They quelled the influence of Moloney and an injury to key forward Frew certainly did not help the Tigers cause. The final stanza was an arm wrestle but the taller timber of the Roos became evident with the flag favourites for 2016 holding out for a gritty and very impressive come from behind win.
Not all doom and gloom for the Tigers with heaps to take out of the game and plenty to learn from.
The Tigers defence were under enormous pressure in the second half but I thought Gippsland recruit Joel Lambourn was a great contributor the entire day, Gary Wallace battle manfully with co captain Tommy McKittrick whilst key defender Jack Tickner again impressed with another solid display. Brett Duke worked gallantly in the ruck giving away much height and young gun Jai Fitzpatrick was again impressive dazzling the big hometown crowd with exquisite skill and ball winning. Brent Moloney had to be in the best after a blistering 1st half whilst up forward again it was coach Sam Faure who bagged 4 goals in another classy performance for his new club.
A bye this weekend for the Rococo Bistro Noosa Tigers before another big home game v Caloundra on May 7th.
Can't wait see you there cheers Pittsy
Final score: Noosa 13.14.92 defeated by Maroochydore 16.11.107
Noosa goals: S. Faure (40, R. O'Dwyer, J. Wetell (2), B. Duke, D. Frew, B. Fuller, N. Sutton, N. Winter (1).
Noosa Best: J. Fitzpatrick, C. Boardman, J. Lambourn, J. Tickner, B. Moloney
Reserves coach spoke to us after the game and said that while he was disappointed to lose that they are very realistic about where they are at with their fitness. The team is improving each week and there are some great signs moving forward, especially ythe form of our local lads such as Adam Curry, Sam Friend and Jack hendrie to name just a few.
With the return of three or four players after the bye the reserves should field their best side for the year.
Final scores: Noosa 6.6.42 defeated by Maroochydore 9.9.63
Noosa Goals: M. Bidois, Z. Smith (2), A. Curry, S. Davis, (1).
Noosa Best: J. Hunt, J. Hendrie, Z. Smith, J. Blamey, A. Curry
Last Modified on 07/07/2016 10:30