Well what an opening quarter! To say it was hectic is an understatement but in a tribute to the discipline of the players and their commitment to getting the job done, they maintained their composure and let their football and the scoreboard do the talking.
With Punky Brewster already proving a target up forward along with Millsy, Zac Smith and Critter, a midfield with their mind on the job and pumping the ball forward, some couragious acts from Brooks Durdin and Zac Smith, and some great discipline from Peter Trompf - not to mention a rebound back six - our Tigers went to the first break leading 8.3 to 0.0.
That palmy won the toss and elected to kick against the usual Fishermans Road gale has to be one of the most questionable decisions I've seen.
The match was either going to be re-balanced in the second quarter or Noosa would hold back Palmy as they took their turn with the wind.
While nearly all of our boys were great especially our midfield including the Luke's Brauer and Matthews as well as Tommy McKittrick and a fantastic Brooks Durdin, you have to highlight the magnificent effort of our back six, with GF Medalist Brett Duke, springy Jason Boydle, Taswegian Dave Welch on the last line, along with Owen Bailey, skipper Adam Bovalino and reliable Nic Jones on the half back line. Of course their job was assisted greatly by the discipline of the whole side with the Noosa Zone and (when needed) forward press, both squeezing the life out of the opposition. Big tick too to Trompfy and Tim Storrer (a bloody unsung hero all season) who absorbed the physical stuff and controlled the stoppages.
Palmy added 4.4 for the quarter but our boys added three vital majors to go to the long break 41 points up.
In the third, it was again our boys who hit the ball and contest hard and with a bit of the pace coming off the game, added an invaluable 4.2 to 0.0 to ice the game and ensure the cup was coming back to the Sunny Coast again in 2011. Dayne Frew, Adam Eady, Millsy and Critter McGuigan were again good up forward with frewy exerting his influence on the game in this 30 minutes.
Whilst it was 'game over', our boys controlled the play in the last quarter and held the Lions to 1.2 and kicked a goal themselves. Stozz went forward and took some grabs, and Palmy didnt have the legs to penetrate our defensive zone.
Big congrats to all the boys, the disappointed but classy few who missed out, Fletch and his two leutenants and everyone who made what is the toughest assignment in footy - Back to Back Flags - a reality.
Up There Noosa, You'll Do Me!
For over 40 Photos of the Warm up and game (more coming during the week) - CLICK HERE
For nearly 70 Photos of the Medal Presentations, the mayhem in the change rooms after the match, and celebrations back at the club - CLICK HERE
Noosa |
8 |
3 |
11 |
3 |
15 |
5 |
16 |
6 |
102 |
Palm Beach |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
36 |
Goal Kickers: Z. Smith 3, D. Brewster 3, T. Mills 2, C. McGuigan 2, T. McKittrick , B. Durdin , T. Duke , D. Frew , L. Matthews , L. Brauer
Best Players: B. Duke, B. Durdin, L. Brauer, D. Welch, O. Bailey, L. Matthews, J Boydle, P Trompf
Last Modified on 29/03/2012 19:17