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1:50PM Wednesday 03 December, 2008

Tigers take Magpies

25 August 2008

| By Jon Tuxworth

Noosa is just one win away from the Pineapple Hotel Cup decider after beating Western Magpies in the qualifying final at Chelmer on the weekend.

Aside from the finals equation, it was the manner in which the victory was registered that pleased Tigers coach Wayne Fletcher the most.

The Magpies have had the wood over the Tigers ever since they beat Noosa in the 2006 grand final.

Since then, the Tigers had not tasted success over the Brisbane heavyweight.

Noosa could have been excused for thinking the hoodoo was set to continue when the Magpies surged to the front in the final quarter after finding themselves behind by 31 points at the final break.

But despite the momentum of the opposition and a hostile crowd barracking for their downfall, the Tigers rallied to win 17.13 (115) to 14.16 (100).

“Beating them on their home turf any time is a good effort, but to do that in a final ... to say we’re more than pleased is an understatement,” Fletcher said.

“They headed us in the last quarter, but the boys showed a lot of character to fight back and withstand that challenge.

“With their home ground support and the fact they had a run on, we showed great qualities today.

“Everyone contributed at some stage. It was a good team performance.”

Fresh from racking up his century of goals against Maroochy Northshore last week, Noosa full-forward Matt Hicks booted six majors, with Brodie Johnson (4) and Michael Dobson (3) the other multiple goal kickers.

Luke Tyrrell, Troy Dixon, Peter Trompf and Caleb Isles were also among the Tigers’ best.

Noosa will play minor premier Palm Beach Currumbin on the Gold Coast next week, with the winner advancing straight to the grand final.

Up against a side that has lost just once all season, Fletcher is aware it will not be an easy task.

“It doesn’t get easier,” he said.

“Next week is a tough assignment. We’ll have to play as well, if not better, than we did today.”

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