Tweed Coast overcomes niggle to earn grand final spot

TWEED Coast Tigers senior men’s coach Hamish Mitchell believes the team’s continued development and the pressures of grand finals could see the club topple QFA Northern Rivers powerhouse Byron Bay in the premiership decider next weekend.

The Tigers will host the grand final day at Seabreeze Oval on Saturday and they will be represented in both the reserves and seniors matches.

It comes despite the Byron Bay club finishing on top of the competition ladder with an unblemished record in the seniors.

Tweed Coast sealed its place in the grand final by beating Lismore Swans 17.12 (114) to 9.14 (68) at home on Saturday in what was at times a heated contest.

“Lismore were kicking inaccurately early and we looked at our contested work at halftime and improved in that area,” Mitchell said.

“Lismore brought a physical game style and tried to intimidate our younger group because we have 11 guys under the age of 20 in our team.

“We had some really good discipline when Lismore started worrying about the man and not the footy.”

Tweed Coast has lost to Byron Bay on all three previous games this season but Mitchell said his side could deliver an enormous upset.

“They are a very good side but we have got closer to them every time we have played,” Mitchell said.

“We have a few back from injury which is going to help and we just have to worry about what we can focus on.

“Grand finals are a different game and it brings different types of pressure on players.

“Byron had the week off and will be fresh but I think having the physical game against Lismore will actually help us prepare for the grand final.”

Byron Bay will be playing for its fifth straight senior premiership on Saturday.