Tigers power to title victory
THE Hermit Park Tigers are the 2017 AFL Townsville premiers after producing a devastating second half to overcome University 17.14 ( 116) to 8.9 ( 57) in the grand final at Tony Ireland Stadium.
The Tigers and Hawks have built a great rivalry during the regular season, but it was Hermit Park who stood tall on grand final day to win their second flag in three years.
The Tigers dominated the opening exchanges with goals to captain Jason Di Betta, Matthew McGrath and Joel Sim as they raced to a 19- point lead.
Terrence Smith bagged a quick double to get University into the contest before a relieving 50m penalty right on quarter- time allowed Michael Lubke to get them back to within one point.
Hermit Park started the second term with a burst of energy as they pushed out to a 20- point lead, but the Hawks again clawed back as Smith bagged his third to make it 48- 41 at halftime.
University needed a strong start to the premiership quarter, but it was the Tigers who took control as they kicked six goals to one to have their fans in the grandstand already singing the team song.
Di Betta bagged his fourth inside the first minute of the final quarter as the Tigers kicked another four goals to one to ice a sensational premiership victory.
“It was really close in the first half and to the Hawks’ credit they threw everything at us,” Tigers coach Jamie Fogg said after the game.
“I just challenged my players at halftime and said the game’s there to be won or lost. They came out and really got on top in that third quarter and from there we just eased away.
“We’ve worked hard on our fitness so I was hoping that even if it was a close third quarter, maybe our fitness in the last quarter would be telling.
“The way we want to play is to run and spread the footy and I thought we did that in the third quarter. We were able to create some space and once we got the ball inside 50 we kept it there.
“It’s been a long season. We started late November and it’s been committed. Having played in grand finals, I know how these guys are going to celebrate and they fully deserve it.”
Hermit Park’s Sam Tonkes was named best on ground in his final game for the club before shifting to Canberra to pursue an opportunity in the NEAFL competition.
Tonkes has previously been rookie listed by Port Adelaide and Richmond and Fogg said his performance in the grand final was proof of his footballing talent. “I think the third quarter he stepped up and showed why he’s been on an AFL list,” the coach said.
It was a massive day for Hermit Park as the club also took home the reserves, under- 17, and under- 15 premierships after winning the women’s trophy last weekend.
Fogg said this year’s grand final success gave the Tigers great hope for the club’s future.