Tweed Coast Tigers have won one of the great grand finals, securing the QAFA (B) South premiership in extraordinary circumstances against a bitterly disappointed Byron Bay.
For the second consecutive week, the Tigers stared at defeat at the main break before storming home in the second half.
The 2015 decider will be etched into both clubs’ memories, following one of the most unbelievable conclusions to a Grand Final.
Confusion reigned around the Byron Bay Sports Complex as the scoreboard at full-time incorrectly indicated that the Magpies had won the game, making them undefeated premiers.
The goal umpires confirmed the official score post-match, which saw the Tigers become premiers by one point.
The win is the Tigers first against the Magpies for the season and sees the Magpies suffer their first loss of the season at the death. Byron had previously won all four meetings this season between the clubs, including a 63-point drubbing in the Qualifying Final a fortnight ago.
The Magpies earnt a week’s rest following that victory and looked to be the fresher of the sides, kicking away early to lead by 27 points at quarter time.
The second quarter was a much tighter affair and Tweed Coast managed to close the gap by a few points heading into half time as both sides kicked two goals each in the second term.
Tweed started to make their move in the premiership quarter, however couldn’t quite reel in the minor premiers. The Tigers narrowed the margin to 16 points at the last change, well within reach of a team who had made a habit of reeling in deficits.
Led by competition leading goal-kicker Ashley Gemmill, the Tigers stunned the local crowd. The Magpies failed to kick a goal in the final quarter as Tweed kicked three of their own to snatch the premiership by the smallest of margins, hitting the lead with six seconds on the clock.
James Walle was named as best on ground and was accompanied by strong performances from John Weston, Rob Pritchard, Sam Edwards and Kieran Baker for the Tigers.
Pritchard and Walle, along with Ash Gemmill, Josh Secombe and Jarrod Ruddock all kicked two goals each for Tweed Coast.
Four multiple goal kickers did their bit for the Magpies as Kane Bullock led with three of his own as Sam Lucas, Jared Belchin and Heath Griggs all kicked a couple apiece. Andrew Fyffe again proved a handful for the Tigers, named as Byron’s best for the second time in the last three meetings between the clubs.
By Aaron Cooper
