EVENT: EAFL 2006 Regular Season Round 4
DATE: August 5, 2006
LOCATION: Thompson Park, Garner. NC. The “TigerDome”.
RESULT: North Carolina Tigers 7.16.(58) defeated Boston Demons 8.5.(53)

SUMMARY:

Hot weather and humidity was the theme of the day on Saturday as the North Carolina Tigers took on the undefeated Boston Demons at the Thompson Park “Tigerdome” in Garner. At stake for the Tigers was a chance to move to an EAFL 3-1 and to continue the quest take a USAFL Division 1 slot for the first time in the Tigers history. The game was billed as perhaps the most critical match in the EAFL for Season 2006.

Set up by a solid first quarter, the game looked to be headed for a win for the Tigers at the half time, but in the critical third quarter, the Tigers squandered opportunities and the Demons goaled at the siren to take the lead at the final break. A dynamic tussle took place in the final 20 minutes as the Tigers recovered and then sealed the game with a solid running goal to forward Matt Gordon to take the lead, and then the match.

The game began with the toss being taken by a special guest of the Tigers, former Fitzroy Football Club AFL player Victor Jessop (Lions 1969-70) who made his first appearance for the club as the coaches runner for the game. Tigers Captain Sean Doorhy won the toss and elected to kick with the wind in the first quarter. With umpire Seth McElvaney in charge of proceedings on the field, the Tigers took control of the centre very quickly with goals through Jason Heathcote and Matt Gordan and with a response from Boston both sides settled into the first break, with the 13 point advantage to the Tigers.

Quarter time: Tigers 3.2.(20), Demons 1.1.(7)

The Demons re-set for the second quarter and with a goal to Burgess, and solid play from Narleski, stayed in touch with the Tigers, but with replies from Tigers forward Mick Coysh and another to the roaming Gordan the Tigers remained in control, and extended their lead to 16 points. The heat was beginning to have an effect, as both sides made mistakes, and the respective back lines countered each other across half back and on the wings. The Demons still looked dangerous and many observers wondered with the undefeated Division 1 Boston team would make their play for the game.

Half Time: Tigers 5.6.(36), Demons 3.2.(20)

As is very common in footy – the third quarter is the real mercury of the game, and the side who wins it sets the tone for the final quarter. The crowd on the stands at Thompson Park did not have long to wait to see the Demons response to the young Tigers. With a run on play, Boston stung back with three quick goals as the Tigers drives out of defense led by Tigers veteran Phil Schriebman, saw poor kicking and wasted shots from the Tigers forwards as the Demons forced errors, with the resultant 0.7 being a sad return for the effort given. As the final seconds of the quarter clicked on, the Demon on-ballers made one final move upfield – result: a goal, and the Demons tool the lead on the siren for the first time in the game. Once again, the third quarter set the tone for a make–or–-break game of footy.

Three-Quarter Time: Tigers 5.13.(43), Demons 7.3.(45)

The final quarter began the contest of epic proportions. Another goal to the Demons and the game looked lost for the Tigers. The ball bounced out of defense as Demons backman Scott Mackey made many clearances under pressure only to see the ball come back as the Tigers bombarded the visitors with long kicks and hard tackling. Desperation became the theme as the Tigers backs resisted the Demon probes and with Tigers ruckman Brian Zimorowicz winning the taps, the Tigers played the percentages by pushing the ball along the flanks and keeping numbers to the ball. A desperate soccer goal to Tigers sophomore Hamp Maxwell kept the home team in touch, and with 5 minutes left, hard running from a frantic forward line contest by ball magnet Matt Gordan sent a high kick from left half forward right through the middle, and the Tigers had the lead. The scoreboard pressure giving the Tigers momentum to keep possession, and with some disciplined direct disposals set up a final shot at goal for the Tigers with just 6 seconds left for Heathcote. The ball was in flight in the Tigers goal square as the siren sounded to the cheers of the many Tigers fans in the capacity filled stands of Thompson Park.


FINAL: Tigers 7.16.(58), Demons 8.5.(53)

Once again the EAFL becomes the league to watch in the USAFL as the Tigers, Demons and New York Magpies battle it out for the two places to give them (or even retain) their Division 1 status. The Tigers battled hard all day, and despite the undisciplined kicking of the third quarter, overcame the experience of Boston with the right balance of enthusiasm and text book football in the final minutes when it counted most.

“Once again we see the value of every player doing their best, beating their opponent, and playing the percentages” said Tigers Coach Adam Coleman in the post game interview. “The efforts of the key players made the difference when it counted” he added. Asked what was the reason for the third quarter errors that almost cost the game to the Tigers, Coleman responded – “I asked them for scoreboard pressure – obviously we need to work some more on understanding the actual definition of how to achieve that. 0.7 in one quarter really has to be fixed.”

Tigers Best: Gordan, Hess, Zimorowicz, Doorhy.

GOALS:
Tigers: Gordan (4), Coysh, Heathcote, Maxwell
Demons: NOT AVAILABLE AT TIME OF REPORT

Injuries: Poslusny (cut arm), Maxwell, (cut face) - both OK.