THERE’S something about the Mayne Tigers that is simply inexplicable.
Earlier in the year – against Burleigh, the same opponents as on Saturday – the Tigers had veteran Andrew House kick 10 goals, yet he still finished in a well-beaten side, after Nathan Sullivan kicked 11 for the Bombers.
By Terry Wilson
Playing Burleigh again at Bill Godfrey last weekend Mayne’s on-permit Southport forward Cleve Hughes racked up 11 goals. Amazingly the Tigers lost by 75 points as Burleigh smashed them by 27.13 (175) to 15.10 (100).
All this after Mayne led by 19 points at quarter-time and by a point at half-time.
Something in the Tiger psyche is way out of whack because there is no way to explain how a side can capitulate the way they did on Saturday.
From possible winners at the big break to conceding 18.9 to 6.5 in the second half – that has been the sorry tale for the Tigers in 2011 – and little wonder nobody from the club was taking calls on Sunday morning.
Although Burleigh coach Zane Double was available to shed light on events of a weird afternoon on Christine Avenue.
He put the Burleigh resurgence down to two players – wingman Matt Jamieson and Ben Ranger in the middle.
Jamieson kicked four second-half goals from the wing and Doubleday said it could have been seven with any luck, while Franger owned the football at the contests.
Hughes, the former Richmond AFL forward, must also be wondering what the heck went on because it was a smashing return to football form the Southport star who was last season’s leading goalkicker in State League.
With Southport having a weekend off in the NEAFL, Hughes was playing for Mayne on permit for his resumption from major surgery, but it is doubtful if he will be with Mayne for another match this season.
After winning the Ray Hughson Medal for QAFL’s leading goalkicker in 2010, Hughes had surgery to both ankles in November, but further complications forced him for a return bout with the specialist’s scalpel in April.
Obviously, his performance was a standout, but almost as impressive was Burleigh’s regular defender Tom Sutherland, who was used up forward by the Bombers and he responded with eight goals.
Big Aaron Pianta kicked six to provide a huge double-prong attack for the Bombers.
Best for Burleigh were Hugh Priest, Ranger and Sutherland, while for the Tigers Hughes, Justin Moritz and Andrew Housego were the standouts.
