The Easts Tigers Mal Meninga Cup side head into Round 4 of their competition with an impressive defensive record, having only conceded 28 points in two games; a good result at this level of football.
Coach Rhett Tronc said that the team’s goal was to build a strong respectful culture based on hard work.
“Defence will be a key measure of attitude for us,” he said.
This is Tronc’s first season in charge of the team and 60% of his players are new as well, so the team is very much a work in progress.
They opened their season with an impressive 28-12 away win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons and had the bye in Round 2, before continuing their opening round form in a tight and competitive 16-14 loss to the Redcliffe Dolphins last weekend.
For most of the game, the Tigers looked the better team – however, dropped ball early in the tackle count cost them dearly. They also failed to take the chances they created in key moments.
A Jared Chambers burst down the carpark touchline at Suzuki Stadium with three minutes to go could have snatched the win for them.
However, Chambers was tackled and in the ensuing play the ball, was knocked on over the line.
Tronc said that he was happy with his team’s effort on the day.
“Our energy was good, we made a lot of tackles in that second half and kept backing up for each other,” he said.
Round 4 sees them at home again to take on the fifth-placed Northern Pride who have two wins and a loss in the opening three rounds.
Tronc said he was not too sure what to expect from the Pride, other than that they, will be big and strong up the middle.
“We are really more focused on what we do and how we execute,” he said.
The game kicks off at 11am on Sunday at Suzuki Stadium and is the first game in what promises to be an action packed day with the Intrust Super Cup and FOGS Under 20s Cup games to follow.
Follow the scores for the Mal Meninga Cup this weekend via QRL Live.
