It was always going to take a herculean effort from the Mayne Reserves to topple the Coorparoo Kings in the QFA Division 1 Hart Sport Reserves 2021 Grand Final after their season long dominance over the competition.
The Kings were never really troubled all season however the Tigers did show passages of brilliance where they controlled a half or a quarter of football before succumbing to their relentless pressure.
It was a perfect day for football yesterday for the Grand Final with Hickey Park in tip top condition and a fast track to boot. The Tigers thought that a fast track and the sweltering conditions may have suited them against the physically bigger and stronger Kings, but ultimately they were the best of the best for 2021.
The Tigers got off to a great start with the backline holding strong led by Captain Stew Settle culminating in them drawing first blood with a goal to Jack Gartlan.
The Tigers fought out a terrific fast paced first quarter leading for most of the term before the competition leading goal kicker Zac Rollason kicked truly for the Kings to give them a late goal to even the score.
The Tigers early lead was the last time they held the front position. They had worked extremely hard in the first term to hold the Kings but they also missed a number of scoring opportunities early which could have sustained the early momentum in their favour.
The Tigers second term was hampered by several skill errors in dropped marks and kicks to opposition intercept players, but the pressure was intense.
Andy Tydink had the match up with Rollason which proved to be as tough as it had been all year with the goal kicking dynamo on the receiving end of plenty of possession. He ultimately held him to three goals for the day which was a great effort in the context of the game.
The Kings however had plenty of other avenues to goal as they shared it around all day.
Nick Galvin worked hard in the middle as did Gabe Dillon, both of them providing the strength in the Tigers engine room all year. However, the Kings had too many options in the middle and their pace and strength took it’s toll as the game wore on.
Cody Caught started the game up forward but with the Tigers final slipping away some critical changes had to be made. Caught was pushed into the middle after the main break and he was damaging when the opportunity arose.
Gus Shaw had the better of the King’s big men early but their physical presence took it’s toll as the game wore on forcing some more changes with Jack Gartlan moving from full forward to see if he could spark a revival.
The Tigers were well served by the experienced Rob Leddy and Kyle Press while Danny Evans did his best to get the Tigers in a winning position as he has done so many times over the many finals that he has played.
In the end Coorparoo kicked away to be the undisputed Kings of the QFA Division 1 Hart Sport Reserves competition.
Tigers Coach Corey Massingham was humble in defeat at the after match presentation acknowledging the stellar season the Kings had put together while praising his team for their successful season under difficult conditions. The Tigers squad had endured the worst season in recent times for injuries so it was a great credit to the Reserves coaching staff that they were able to get the team to the Grand Final while supporting the first grade requirements.
The Tigers Reserves fielded forty five players during the season evidencing the depth of the squad and the difficult role that the coaches have had to manage. The youth in the squad will all be the better for another year in the finals.
This was also the third consecutive Reserves Grand Final appearance but the first loss.
Scores: Coorparoo 14.8.92 d Mayne 3.8.26
Goals: J Gartlan 2, T Lyons 1.
Best: A Tydink, N Galvin, K Press, R Leddy, C Caught, S Settle.
Last Modified on 12/09/2021 10:49