Sport
18 April, 2023
Tigers down in final seconds
A BIRREGURRA goal in the final seconds last weekend saw the Simpson Tigers go down by just three points in front of their home crowd.
A BIRREGURRA goal in the final seconds last weekend saw the Simpson Tigers go down by just three points in front of their home crowd.
Simpson’s senior players were left deflated at the end of Saturday’s game, with coach Daniel Beard saying the loss was “a hard pill to swallow.”
“The boys all put in 110 per cent throughout and to lose like that was just really disappointing,” Beard said.
“It was a very sombre mood in the rooms afterwards. We did things well and we played some really good footy in wet conditions.
“We had the momentum for most of the game but just couldn’t get far enough in front; we also had a lot of inside 50s but just couldn’t convert and that’s something we’ll work on.”
Final scores were Simpson Tigers 8.7.55 to Birregurra 9.4.58.
Best for the Tigers in what was an overall team effort were Ryan Mulder, Jamie Barry, Brenton De Jong, Jono Jennings, Luke Kensit and Brad Salmon.
Goals went to Jennings (3), Nicholas Harding (2), Nick Duynhoven, Brayden Hawkes and Mitch Wright.
In the reserves match, the Tigers suffered a 27-point loss, with the scores ending at 4.12.36 to 1.3.9.
Darcy Thornburn was the only goal kicker for the home side.
He was named in the best alongside team-mates Sam Rix, David Weel, Rohan Johns, Cooper Neal and Jack Rowe.
In the under 18 match, Simpson went down by 15 points, 6.2.38 to 8.5.53.
Best for the Tigers were Jack Balcombe, Bradey Fratantaro, Louis McKosker, Louis Duynhoven, Bodhi Crole and Tom Hutton.
Isaac Holland kicked three for the Tigers, while BradeyFratantaro, Billy Hawkes and Nate Sambell kicked a goal each.
The under 14.5 match saw the Tigers go down 14.13.97 to 3.0.18.
Noah Clarke kicked two majors for the Tigers while Riley Costin kicked one.
Clarke and Costin were both named in the best players, alongside Nate Sambell, Ethan Costin, Fin Mahony and Tyler Love.
The Tigers will face Lorne this weekend in what Beard is expecting will be another close game.
“A lot of really good players have stepped back into our league this season so it’s certainly going to be a tough year,” Beard said.
“But our players are still going into every week confident they can win. We never doubt our ability. Lorne will be coming off a win over last year’s premiers South Colac so they’ll be up and about – but I’ve got full confidence in our line-up.”
Simpson also had a tough day on the netball courts last weekend, with a mixed bag of results.
Senior coach Jessie Harding praised the efforts of her A grade side, who worked hard all over the court but fell 13 goals short of victory, 35-48.
“Unfortunately we had several missed opportunities throughout the game and when turnovers came we didn’t capitalise,” Harding said.
“They all put in 100 per cent but we need to work on making the most of all opportunities.”
Harding made special mention of the efforts of Sophie Taylor who played a consistent game in the centre, and Chloe Woods who played four quarters in goal attack after spending last season as a defender in B grade.
Paige Salmon, Hayley Coulson and Chloe Woods were named best for the Tigers.
B grade was defeated 32-14 with Sophie Hawkins, Zoe Jones ad Melissa Drayton named best on court.
C grade defeated Birregurra 27-19 with Brianna Gass, Hannah Woods and Layla Norton best for the Tigers.
