The Easts Tigers are FOGS Cup Champions after a drama packed match played in sweltering conditions at the Ipswich Reserve. The boys looked down and out when they trailed 10 - nil at half time but fought back in the second half to get back to ten all with around ten minutes remaining. Both sides had desperate attempts at field goals in the final minutes but the scores were still locked at the siren.
The game then went to golden point extra time and the Tigers were awarded a penalty just over forty metres out and almost in front. Despite kicking into the wind, Dane Campbell elected to shoot for goal and somehow the ball fell over the goalpost to the cheers of the large crowd of Tiger's supporters.
The image at left, although not a great photo, shows the historic moment as the ball heads for the goal posts with the Easts bench all riding home the kick.
The match was a triumph for coach, Jason Gainey and his boys with inspirational front rower, Steele Retchless getting the farewell his career deserved. Alec Fata played strongly along with fellow backrower, Wallace Solomona and replacement forward, Ryan Peters was threatening every time he touched the ball.
In the backs, the halves Dane Campbell and Nathan Pill controlled play well and Luke Archer worked hard particularly in helping his forwards take the ball off the line. All in all, a great determined effort by a side that weren't quite at their top on the day but achieved the ultimate prize that their season long efforts deserved.
Wallace Solomona and DaneCampbell were deserving winners of the Past Players Association's Best Forward and Best Back awards.
FOGS Cup Grand Final
Easts Tigers 12 (Lance Morris, Wallace Solomona tries; Dane Campbell 2 goals) def Wynnum Manly Seagulls 10 (Shaun Cotter, Matt Church tries; Jim O Brien goal)
This page will shortly be updated with higher quality images.
