EVENT: EAFL 2005 Regular Season Round 4
DATE: July 9, 2005.
LOCATION: Thompson Road Park, Garner, NC
RESULT: Florida Redbacks 10.14.(74) def. by North Carolina Tigers 13.13.(91)

SUMMARY:
The North Carolina Tigers have beaten the Florida Redbacks by 17 points at the Tigerdome in Raleigh to notch the Tigers first win for season 2005.

In a high standard game at the very humid Tigers home ground, the Redbacks kicked the first goal of the match, but then had to wait until the 4 minute mark of the final quarter to again lead. Not to be outdone, the Tigers with a relentless running group, and a tight backline led by Vice Captain Phil Schriebman, began a process of tearing apart the talented Florida combination over the next, and final few minutes of the game - starting with a stunning goal to hard working Tigers centreman Stephen Harper, and with sealers from Jason Heathcote and wingman Brian Keene, the siren sounded with the Tigers convincingly ahead 13.13.(91) to 10.14.(74).

The Florida Redbacks had made their first visit to the Tigerdome looking to extend their EAFL unbeaten streak to 5-0 while the winless Tigers were looking to avenge last years loss to the Redbacks in Sarasota and find their first EAFL victory. The opening minute was reminiscent of last years meeting of these teams with Redbacks (and US National Team) Rover Dustin Jones getting the 1st tap and goaling from the first bounce. The sequences of play on both sides of the stadium were excellent with great ball movement and contested marks all over the field. Each time one team scored, the other responded, and at quarter time the scoreboard displayed only a one point difference.
1Q: Redbacks 4.3.(27) to Tigers 4.2.(26)

In the second term the Tigers dominated the first 10 minutes of play. The Tigers ball getters pressured the Redbacks normally dominant midfield and continued to feed the ball to the forward line where Tigers Captain Jason Heathcote and forward Michael Coysh marked and converted twice each which resulted in the Tigers matching the four goal scoring output of the first quarter. The Redbacks refused to give in and fought back in the last 5 minutes of the quarter scoring 2 quick goals. At the major break the Tigers held a 9 point lead.
2Q: Redbacks 6.7.(43) to Tigers 8.4.(52)

The third term opened with the Redbacks showing why they are undefeated in the EAFL this year. They controlled the ball for the early part of the quarter and scored to narrow the Tigers lead. Unlike in earlier games where the young Tigers had struggled to stay on track under pressure, it was a sudden transformation as the Tigers running players began to dominate, led by inspirational tagging by Tigers Rover Andrew Fogarty, and the slippery Matt Gordan leading by example in the middle, rookie Ken Graham marked solidly at half-back and propelled the home team into attack for a Tigers goal. With Fogarty continuing to nullifying the key Florida midfield, and Heathcote unbeatable in the air, the Tigers still held a slim lead at the final change.
3Q: Redbacks 9.11.(65) to Tigers 10.7.(67)

With the Tigers in unfamiliar territory, they readjusted for the final quarter, the Redbacks struck early and quickly built a 6-point lead. Within seconds the game then switched direction. The Tigers defenders with Carter, Sauls, Hayutin and Hess giving their all, inspired a demolition of the Florida backline, and with 12 minutes left, led by veterans Justin Davis and Wes McCallister in the centre, the Tigers began a scoring spree that left the visitors stunned. On the ethos of “Goals, Goals, Goals” the Tigers attacked relentlessly kicking 3 goals 6 behinds in those final 12 minutes in a display of football far beyond their experience, in front of vocal home crowd, and as the final siren sounded, the Tigers found themselves in front and very much in charge.
Final: Redbacks 10.14.(74) def. by Tigers 13.13.(91)

"It was a terrific effort by the players," Tigers Coach Adam Coleman said in the post game interview. "We'd spoken about playing courageous football all day, and asking all players to give their best irrespective of their experience”. "There were desperate and selfless acts all afternoon – and I think when we lined up with our squad against such a formidable opposition many people wondered if the Tigers were going to stand a chance. In a great team effort, commitment was the only Tigers option today, and commitment wins every time” said Coleman.

Tigers Best: A great team effort with Heathcote, Fogarty, Schriebman, and Graham outstanding.

GOALS:
Tigers: Heathcote (7), Coysh (3), Davis, Harper, Keene
Redbacks: N/A