Tweed Coast Tigers Junior AFL
Under 14s
The Tweed Coast Tigers met a Byron Magpies team that was determined to win, and win by a large margin they did. The Tigers being a bottom age group had few answers against the highly skilled and well-prepared Magpies.
It was not just a home ground advantage that saw the Magpies succeed, rather it was their discipline and approach to game. From a Tigers’ perspective, the level of tackling was good and some of the kicking and passing was showing real signs of improvement. Elliot Hawkins put in top game playing as a loose man in defence and taking many marks as well as hard grabs.
Fred Fewtrell played well in defence and was well supported by Angus at centre half back. Solid games from Billy Porter and Jake Pluckrose were also noted. The Tigers have Casino Sunday week and need to ensure that their skills develop further.
Under 12s
Round 8 was the ’Thanks Ump’ round where special recognition was given to the value of umpires in the AFL. Players all wore green armbands to signify the importance of all umpires.
Tweed Tiger’s captain Matthew Lambert led the boys to a hard-fought win today, changing from full back to full forward after half time kicking three goals. Caiden Papalia kicked two well-earned goals.
Today’s man of the match was hard to choose as there were two outstanding players; Flynn McLauchlan taking Man of the Match with Blaine Thomas hot on his heels also kicking one goal each. Kel Shaw also kicked one goal. George Callander, Callum Van Den Driest and Jack Lambert also put in a great effort, putting in some hard tackles and big kicks creating goal opportunities for their fellow team mates.
Final score was Tweed Tigers 8. 7. (55) to Brunswick Bulldogs 1. 4. (10). The Team Victory song was sung loud and strong at the siren. Go Tweed Tigers.
Under 10s
Today’s game was played at Bangalow against Byron Bay Blue Magpies. This was the second week in a row that the Tigers have played the arch rivals and the boys were looking forward to getting another crack at the Magpies.
During the week, the Tigers have been practising hard on their running, handballing and making space for team mates to kick into, and today it was on display for all to see. The game started out with the young Tigers kicking the first few goals and then Byron responding quickly with some great passages of play to score a few goals before half time.
The second half was a fiercely contested half of football, with both sides going goal for goal. The experienced Tigers backs in Ethan Fletcher, Lucas Wilson and Ky Meath stood up when it counted and kept Byron’s forwards from having a big day out in front of goals. The Tigers had good players all over the ground with Loki, Jett, Lenny and Kai all playing well for the team.
Once again, today’s game was played in great spirits and both sides seemed to give that little bit extra and enjoy the tough hard game that is expected when the two rival clubs meet. Well done to both teams and also today’s umpire. Today’s winner for “Scoop Gelateria Man of the Match” went to Ethan Fletcher and the “Coaches Team Medal” this week went to Lucas Wils.
Under 9s
Tweed Black Under 9s ventured down the highway to take on Brunswick Valley in what promised to be an tight contest with both sides evenly matched. The first half was a hard-fought contest with Brunswick negating the Tweed forwards with some fine defensive football.
Tyler Moloney continued his impressive form and was the standout Tiger in the first half with multiple clearances and was well supported by Hugo Bernet, Fergus George and Mitchell Fogg. The Tweed Tigers came in at half time nursing some weary bodies after a bruising first two quarters, but came out after the beak with added intensity and broke the game open in the opening minutes of the third term with Kai Davis
putting on a clinic across half forward and nailing some crucial goals.
As Brunswick began to tire, the boys from Tweed Coast stepped in to another gear in the final quarter with Oskar Scholtz, Flynn Miller and Jacob Dittko dominating up forward. The Tweed Coast fans were thrilled when Max Morrison pulled down a screamer at the top of the goal square then played on and banged home the sealer.
