It was a brilliant day for footy for Domestic 7. The day was overcast and the ground looked a picture. The recent rains over the school holidays really nourished the TSIS ground which now has a luscious layer of thick green grass. The mid-season break also refreshed the squad, some of whom were still on holiday, and it was handshakes and back slapping all round as the players reunited. They were tanned, rested and keen for some footy again after the six-week break.

It was to be the Cubs vs the Tigers instead of the Gek Hueys vs the O-Leang’s this week as the Cubs coaching team looked to ramp up preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup in December. The Cubs had their work cut out for them. Although the Tigers were without some key players, they did have stars Hasto, Pez and Welby all fit and ready. To make things even harder for the Cubs during the mid-season break the Tigers recruited star midfielder Damien “Hooey” Hoo. Hooey was a key member of the 2008-2010 Tigers teams, won Play of the Tournament in the 2009 Asian Championships in KL and was named in the Tigers team of the decade at the 25th Anniversary celebrations. Put simply, Hooey is a gun; an aging gun, but still a gun, and his strength and power would be a real challenge to the smaller Cubs players.

Coach Gunny put both Hasto and Hooey down back, perhaps to limit their influence on the scoreboard, but still it was Hooey who kicked the first goal for the Tigers as he worked his way upfield to be the extra man. In another nice moment Jonno kicked the next goal in his first involvement in the game. Jonno has been out for six months with an injured ankle but within minutes of his return he took a nice running grab and slotted the goal. Welcome back, Jonno!

Jazza and Welby also kicked goals in the first quarter and the Cubs could only manage a goal and one behind. 

The Cubs came storming back in the second quarter with goals to Mani, Kai and Arm. Kai’s goal was a beauty. He’s been training hard over the break and his fitness showed when halfway through the quarter he made two telling intercepts. The first stopped a promising Tiger’s run and the second, just moments later, he brought to ground, scooped up, ran and kicked a goal from. What an effort from the young man.

The Tigers kicked only one goal in the second quarter. Pez took a nice grab just within kicking range but saw Len making a nice run in support. He hit him with the short handpass and Len ran it in for an important goal. 

Sensing a great game brewing, coach Gunny made some tactical changes in the second half. He moved Hooey and Sammo to strengthen the Cubs side. It was a great move as the game ended up another thriller.

Sammo made an immediate impact for the Cubs, kicking a goal early in the quarter. Arm had the chance to kick another but made a meal of it. Hooey had sent a nice looping handpass over the last defender which saw Arm free just outside the goal square. Instead of running it in, Arm took a hurried hoof at the Sherrin which glanced off the outside of his right boot for a behind. That miss was to prove costly. Hasto kicked a goal for the Tigers so going into the last quarter the Tigers had a four point lead. 

The last quarter would settle it then, it would be another nail biter. Kai kicked another for the Cubs and Jay got two more, Pez and Hasto got goals for the Tigers. And so it was that Jazza, after the siren, found himself with the responsibility to win it at the death. The attempt was from the same spot he had missed one earlier, the nerves were no doubt there. But the old soldier kept his cool and slotted it through. The Tigers got home again in another thrilling comeback.

It was a great way to restart the season in the leadup to the Asian Champs. Well done to everyone who participated and a big thanks as always to the Saunders family for the ground setup and to Gunny for umpiring. In case you’re wondering, Lleyton was debating.

The Tigers 9-3-57 defeated the Cubs 8-5-53
Goals Tigers Jazza: 2 Hasto: 2 Hooey: 2 Jonno: 1	Goals Cubs Kai: 3 Jay: 2 Mani: 1 Arm: 1 Sammo: 1