Shark Attack
Warm and steamy conditioned prevailed in Newcastle yesterday as the Tyne Tees Tigers hosted the Glasgow Sharks in the AFL Scotland Preliminary Final, and – unfortunately (from a Tiger perspective) - it was the Sharks who ran out 34 point winners ( 10.16.76 vs 15.20.110) to earn themselves a place in the AFL Scotland Grand Final against the Edinburgh Bloods next week in Linlithgow.
The Sharks commitment and focus was obvious from the very start of the game. They had definitely come to play, and completely dominated the first quarter of the game, kicking 8 goals to the Tigers 1 to establish a 44 point lead at quarter time.
Thereafter - despite winning the scoring by small margins in each of the following three quarters - the Tigers were unable to make significant inroads into that lead.
As is to be expected in a final, the game itself was physically intense across the whole four quarters of the match, with both teams absorbing their fair share of knocks and bumps.
It also saw the Sharks lose their skipper Jim Hancock to a nasty ankle injury in the second quarter, thus leaving the Sharks one player rotation down in hot and demanding conditions.
But the Tigers had their fitness issues too. As with last week, a number of players had to show real grit and courage, both to actually take their place in the Tiger squad in the first place, and then to get through four gruelling quarters of ‘aussie rules’ football.
In light of all of that, both teams should be proud of the heart they showed yesterday.
And so for the Sharks, we wish them the best of luck in the Grand Final next week.
We’d also like to thank them for their sportsmanship in being willing to accommodate the Tigers request for a delay to the start time of yesterdays game, and we also wish Jim Hancock all the best in the rehab process that his ankle injury is likely to require.
For the Tigers, win, lose or draw, we all share the journey.
We’d like to thank every player who has turned up to training or run out in Tiger colours throughout this year – you’re a great bunch, and you've got a lot to look back on with pride in 2024.
To our supporters and families – and especially to everyone who volunteers to serve on committees, who waves the flags in goal, who jumps in to help out behind the bar after our home games, or who toils away in the GSA kitchen - thank you!! The interest, energy and involvement of all you folks really lifts us as we strive to be a club that is a welcoming and happy place for all.
And to our sponsors, thank you for helping the club to exist. We know that times are tough for everybody just now, and we really appreciate everything you do to help us pay the bills and keep the lights on.
It’s time to relax a little bit now, but have no doubt that once the dust has settled and we’ve had a proper chance to reflect on Season 2024 we’ll be back roaring for blood in Season 2025.
Because we’re from Tigerland!