The Rococo Bistro and Bar Noosa Tigers Seniors are out of the QFA (North) premiership race after losing a tight first semi final to Caloundra in slippery conditions last Saturday. Again, it was the much improved Panthers who started the better and certainly were handling the rain affected conditions better. In fact their skill level and discipline structure with ball in hand has been a highlight in 2016 and a constant headache especially for the Noosa boys over the past month. In saying that however the game was forever in the balance and as usual the Tigers didn't leave anything out there as they continually applied finals like pressure trying to answer anything the opposition threw at them. Even to the point whereby at 3 quarter time Noosa held an 8 point advantage and looked set to move deeper into the 2016 finals series.
However with the aid of a 2 to 3 goal breeze and kicking with what seemed to be the scoring end the entire day the home team ran out the game supremely to record a stirring 3 goal win and eliminating a gallant and depleted Noosa outfit who have clearly been effected by top tier injuries and retirements in very recent times.
Whilst a drizzling rain was a constant early, this particular writer could still see that Caloundra’s height and overall size across the ground was going to be evident. They hurt the Tigers out wide on their spacious home turf and thoroughly deserve their spot in the QFA (North) preliminary final against arch rivals Maroochydore this Saturday at Fishermans Rd.
As mentioned earlier the Noosa boys were more than gallant with co-captain and two time premiership player Tommy McKittrick outstanding in defence the entire game. In a year, not unlike last, McKittrick used all of his poise and nous to try and get his Tiger charges over the line but it wasn't to be. He was aided by the efforts of fellow defenders Jack Tickner (who has had a terrific year in the seniors) and champion journeyman Bushy Copeland, whose effort and attack on the contest is second to none.
Co-captain, and now favourite to go back to back in Noosas best and fairest was again prevalent with Nick Sutton and coach Sammy Faure among the Tigers best also.
Certainly not what the Tiger faithful were hoping for but Noosa’s consistency throughout 2016, in particular coming into the final six weeks, sees the side end up in their deserved predicament. In a year where the top four are so even we just found ourselves, particularly late in the season, not able to get across the line in winnable games just like the final played before us last Saturday. Bad luck boys. Hold your heads high as your efforts and courage week in and week out have not gone unnoticed.
Really important now to stick tight and cheer on Danny O’Briens ressies who sensationally defeated the previously unbeaten Maroochydore in the second semi final to advance to a second grand final in as many years.
Also a massive congrats to our under 19 Colts who, under Dave “Tinman” Carroll won their second elimination final in as many weeks to advance to a preliminary final this Saturday on the Gold Coast.
Still heaps of footy left at Weyba Rd in a year that hasn’t delivered what we wanted but still some serious trophies are up for grabs.
See you down at training Thursday night as we continue to support our finals entrenched ressies, Colts, 17s, 13s and girls.
Go Tigers and cheers. Pittsy
Final score: Caloundra 14.11 (95) defeated Noosa 11.11 (77)
Noosa Goals: S.Faure (2), C.Boardman, B.Duke, J.Fitpatrick, D.Frew, S.Miller, B.Moloney, Z.Smith, N.Sutton, J.Westell.
Noosa Best: J.Tickner, T.McKittrick, R.Copeland, S.Faure, N.Hill
RESERVES
With finals footy anything can happen. We started the game with great intent and purpose. We knew composure early would help us. To kick 6 goals 5 behinds in the first quarter was great but the 5 behinds were very getable goals. We should have been a lot further ahead. We had such an even spread of contributors it’s very hard to pick our best players.
We set out to have fun, fun and fix our mistakes and my guys delivered. They delivered in a big way. In the second half we made bad decisions going forward which almost cost us the win; we just hung on in the end.
Our journey so far this season has been one of fun, mateship and plenty of laughter and most importantly honesty. We cannot wait for our next match. We will review our game tape Tuesday with pizza, plenty of laughs, and a huge amount of belief.
If we improve on a few things in the next two weeks we just might get the win.
OBEY
Final score: Maroochydore 9.19 (73) defeated by Noosa 11.11 (77)
Noosa Goals: J.Blamey (3), D.O’Brien (3), S.Clift (2), S.Friend (2), M.Deans (1)
Noosa Best: J.Hunt, T.McCosh, M.Deans, D.Murray, J.Blamey
COLTS
Final Score: Noosa 13.17 (95) defeated Coorparoo 12.7 (79)
Noosa Goals: S.Fowles (6), J.Robinson (2), R.Gordon, J.Read, A.Waldron, H.Maher, R.O’Dwyer,
Noosa Best: S.Fowles, K.James, J.Payne, R.Gordon, R.O’Dwyer, A,Deviney
Last Modified on 22/08/2016 21:17