The final weekend of footy for some of our teams, in what has been another disrupted season, saw the Tigers finish strongly. On another perfect day the Tigers put in some sparkling performances in an ideal way to finish the season. We would like to thank all the players, coaches, trainers, managers, parents and supporters for getting behind us this year and helping making the season a memorable one.
We are pleased to share that all Tiger teams playing in a finals competition have made it through to the first weekend of the finals. The U12 Bronze finished second and have the first weekend off, the U12 Silver finished fourth and are playing in the first week of finals and the U15 Silver finished sixth and also playing in the first week of the finals. We wish the three teams well next week.
U6 Green Tigers 56 Aquinas Colts 44
An under strength Colts (5 players initially) scored the first try before Robert Couley got the Tigers level. Another try to Colts put them ahead 8-4 before Jake McMillan scored on the next set to level up at 8-8. Some good tackling by Kayden, Jake and Connor held out the next set and Hendrix Austin ran through the defence to get the Tigers ahead. A great run by Colts hugging the sideline leveled things up before Ollie made a clean break to get the Tigers ahead again. A great run by Evie for the Colts with her first try had the scores locked up at 16-16 at quarter time.
Jake McMillan got the Tigers going in the second quarter with a mazy run and more strong tackles by Josh Dart, Robert Couley and Layken Koprivic halted the Colts progress and gave the Tigers the ball. On the first play Layken Koprivic made a quick break and outpaced the defence to put the Tigers 24-16 ahead. The Colts scored again before Daniel Romyn scored a length of the field try to maintain the Tigers lead. At halftime the Tigers led 28-24.
In the second half the Colts scored first to level things up before Logan Jones put the Tigers ahead again 32-28. Three strong tackles by Jake McMillan kept the Colts scoreless and on the next set Conor Lehane made a good break to put the Tigers 36-28 ahead. The Colts got one back before Robert Couley scored his second and restore the 8 point lead.
In the final quarter Jake McMillan got the Tigers going with a try and Caden MacPherson, Hendrix Austin and Josh Dart also got on the scoresheet in the final quarter to give the Tigers an unassailable lead. The tries to Caden MacPherson and Josh Dart meant every Tigers played scored a try this season, which is a phenomenal effort by the team. The Tigers ended up winning the game 56-44 giving the team a perfect record after the re-grade.
We would like to give a Big Tigers Shout-Out to David, Matt and Faye who have guided this team superbly and encouraged all the boys throughout the season.
Player of the Game: Hendrix Austin
Tigers Spirit Award: Layken Koprivic
U7 Green Tigers 60 Cronulla Caringbah Sharks 48
In the final game of the season the team delivered a real nail biter, leaving coach Dennis with even less hair after narrowly coming away with a win. In the first two quarters the Tigers were dominant putting on nine tries and looked comfortable. However, the last two quarters saw the Sharks work their way back into the game and set up a tense finish.
Arlo Gibbons, Hendrix Malarkey and Caleb Dawson all made impressive runs today, ducking and weaving their way through a determined Sharks defence to score some fantastic tries. They were well supported by Harrison Payn, Hendrix Crawley, Kade Jones and Jack Jones who were always looking for the ball and getting through tackle after tackle to keep the Sharks out. Today's try scorers were, Caleb Dawson scored 9 tries, Harrison Payne 3, Arlo Gibbons 2 and Hendrix Malarkey with 1.
What was most pleasing today was the Tigers defence in the final two quarters. It was gritty, determined and relentless, snuffing out each Sharks attack and keeping the Tigers ahead on the scoreboard. Despite the players being fatigued in the final quarter they dug deep and even managed to put on four tries to give the tiring defence some breathing room.
We would like to say Thank You to Dennis, Tyler and Danielle who have done an exceptional job with the team and provided guidance and support to the boys throughout the season.
Player of the Game: Caleb Dawson
Tigers Spirit Award: Arlo Gibbons
U8 Green Tigers 20 Sutherland Pirates 50
Congratulations to Charlotte Dart who was making her 50th appearance for the Tigers in today's game.
The Pirates kicked off and regatherd the ball to go on the attack and score in the corner and go 6-0 ahead. A dropped ball by the Tigers gave the Pirates the ball and they went 12-0 ahead with a good try down the sideline. A fantastic burst through the middle by Charlotte Dart resulted in a close score and on the next play Max Carlson scored to get the Tigers on the board 12-6. The Tigers held out the Pirates on the next set until a good step resulted in a try to put the Pirates 16-6 ahead.
A good defensive set by the Pirates kept the Tigers at bay in the first set of the second quarter and a break was stopped by Malachi Kane and Hudson Palmervale to give the Tigers the ball back. On the next set the ball was worked out to Hayden Walker who used his strength and speed to score in the corner and get the score back to 16-10. The Pirates scored straight away through some good stepping and go out to a 20-10 lead. From the kick off a good run by Hunter Welfare and then Charlotte Dart got the Tigers on the front foot but a strong Pirates tackle forced an error to get the ball back. A strong tackle by Charlotte Dart and Hudson Palmervale deserved more but the Pirates scored on the next play to take a 26-10 halftime lead.
From the kick off, the Pirates gathered the ball, and ran the length of the field to score again and then on the next play, the Pirates went further ahead through a great solo effort and go 36-10 ahead. The Tigers got on the board after a darting run by Charlotte Dart and the ball was picked up by Hayden Walker, who scored his second try, with a great dummy to cut through the defence. Some good defence by Aston Gibbons forced a mistake and gave the ball to the Tigers but then a mistake by the Tigers gave the ball back again. On the next play the Pirates scored again to go out to a 40-14 lead.
In the final quarter, all players from both teams took the field and a good run by Aston Gibbons broke the line but a mistake gave the ball back to the Pirates. On the next play, the Pirates advanced and scored again to go 44-14 ahead. On the next set all Tigers were hungry for the ball and good runs by Max Carlson, Malachi Kane and then Charlotte Dart got the Tigers in the Pirates half and a good run by Aston Gibbons got the Tigers over the line. On the next play the Pirates scored again to finish the game 50-20.
We would like to give a Massive Tigers Shout-Out to Trent, Andrew and Kylie who have done a great job in supporting the team and encouraging the players throughout the season.
Player of the Game: Max Carlson
Tigers Spirit Award: Zac May
U12 Bronze Tigers 38 Gymea Gorillas 10
The Tigers kicked off and the Gorillas advanced the ball to the Tigers try line on their set. Good runs by Bede Staniforth and Leo Giovenco got the Tigers to half way and early tackles kept the Gorillas in their own half. An important gather by Bailey Mason got the Tigers going forward and the ball was worked to Lewis Amesbury who outpaced the Gorillas defence to score and give the Tigers an early 6-0 lead. In the next play the Tigers worked the ball through hands, with it getting out to Jensen Bunyan who stepped through a couple of defenders and scored to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead.
Strong defence from Hunter Loveday, Leo Giovenco and Jensen Bunyan forced an error but the Tigers attack was well contained by the Gorillas. A quick break to the Gorillas saw them advance down the middle, but an important tackle by Levi Dawson forced another error. On the next play the Tigers attacked the left side and Bede Staniforth ran through the defence to score and give the Tigers a 14-0 lead. More strong defence by Jensen Bunyan halted another attack and the Tigers got the ball back in their half. Towards the end of the first half the Gorillas attacked the line and a clear break saw them score under the posts and get the score back to 14-6.
A good run by Zane Shoblom put the Tigers on the front foot, before a cross field run by Levi Dawson got them close. A break by Gorillas looked a certain try but Jensen Bunyan made a great effort to prevent a score. In the next set, Max Cooper and Lewis Amesbury went close but the Gorillas held firm. An important intercept by Hunter Loveday got the ball back for the Tigers and some good switch play from right to left, saw the ball get back to Hunter Loveday to score and give the Tigers a 20-6 lead.
The Gorillas were having a good period, pressuring the Tigers defence at the edges but a mistake gave the ball to Levi Dawson who had a free run to score and put the Tigers ahead 26-6. In the next set the Gorillas got over to get the score back to 26-10 and with five minutes remaining the Tigers looked to finish strongly.
A good set put them on the Gorillas ten metre line and Bailey Mason jumped out of dummy half to put the Tigers 30-10 ahead. In the final minute Bede Staniforth got the ball in space and his pace outstripped the Gorillas defence and give the Tigers a 38-10 win. This was a much more focussed performance by the Tigers against a Gorillas team who had their moments. The Tigers can go into the finals break with some confidence and will hope to challenge for the Premiership in the coming weeks.
We would like to give a Big Tigers Shout-Out to Steve, Harrison, Mark and Belinda who have done a great job with the boys and guided them into the finals next week.
Player of the Game: Liam Good
U12 Silver Tigers Bye
U15 Silver Tigers 10 Joeys 0
Tigers kicked off and put in a solid defensive set before an error gave the ball back to Joeys. Good pressure by Fintan Kelly forced an error and won the ball back and the Tigers went on the attack. The Tigers worked the ball to the twenty metre line and a cross field kick by Jai McEwen was gathered by Tommy Robinson, who stepped inside a couple of Joeys defenders to score and get the Tigers on the board 4-0.
Both teams were marking up in defence and all the play was contained near the halfway line, before a fantastic break by Tommy Robinson stepping through the retreating Joeys defence got the Tigers going forward. Tommy managed to keep his feet and get a pass out to Alex Moussa who was running in support and he managed to outpace the defence and score under the posts and put the Tigers out to a 10- lead.
Unfortunately in the next set a serious injury to a Joeys player stopped the game at the fourteen minute mark and the game was unable to resume. We hope the player makes a quick and full recovery from his injury.
Player of the Game:
U18 Merged Tigers/Crocs Arncliffe Scots-Forfeit
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