After a disappointing performance in Round 21, the Easts Tigers were eager to make amends in front of their home supporters and they did so in style on Sunday afternoon, accounting for the Tweed Head Seagulls 44-4 in a professional display.
It took only four minutes for them to show their intentions with a well-worked backline play seeing Jarrod McInally cross in the left-hand corner for the first of his three tries.
Eight minutes later, Shane Neumann scored down the same left edge after a Billy Walters cut out pass created the space. Brayden Torpy slotted the goal and the Tigers had a 10-0 lead.
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Eight minutes later they did it again, with Tommy Butterfield beating the markers and feeding Walters who burst into the backfield before putting Brodie Croft away to score under the posts.
The Tigers forwards were too fast and mobile for the Tweed defence who missed too many one-on-one tackles.
This showed in the 28th minute when Brayden Torpy scored after lovely lead-up work by Charlie Galo and Robbie Rochow.
Galo went to the line, dummied and deftly passed to Croft who flicked the pass onto Rockow who surged into the backfield with a deceptive ‘in-and-away’ run before releasing Torpy with a pass onto his chest.
The half ended as it had started, with the Tigers scoring; this time through captain Jake Foster to the left of the posts. Torpy converted and halftime score was 26-0.
Seagulls coach Aaron Zimmerle told his team at halftime that he wanted them to ‘free their arms and play some football’ and Lindon McGrady responded in style in the 42nd minute.
He picked up a bouncing ball and weaved his way to the scoreboard corner, showing his dazzling array of footwork, speed and deception to score. Sadly for Tweed Heads, this would be their only points of the day.
The Tigers were far from done though, with the second half yielding two more tries to McInally as well as tries to Young Tonumaipea and Walters.
Their best on the day were Walters, who was at the heart of much of the Tigers attack, McInally, who reminded everyone of just what a threat he can be ago and Galo, who has been one of the Tigers most consistently players for the last month.
After the game, Tigers coach Scott Sipple was happy with the result, there were still areas his team could work on.
“I’m happy with how they stuck to their work in the second half and did what needed to be done,” he said.
Next week, the Tigers will travel to Davies Park to take on fellow Round 22 winners Souths Logan; while the Seagulls face another away trip to another top four team, this time the Dolphins at Redcliffe.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
EASTS TIGERS 44 (Jarrod McInally 3, Shane Neumann, Brodie Croft, Brayden Torpy, Jake Foster, Young Tonumaipe’a, Billy Walters tries; Brayden Torpy 4 goals) def TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 4 (Lindon McGrady try) at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park.
