Rava stars as Tigers down MCUE
After trailing for the majority of the game, a Rava-inspired Wagga Tigers fought back bravely in the last quarter to take the lead and end MCUE’s season, 13.15 (93) to 12.4 (76).
Rava has signed on as coach of Wagga Tigers for next season and the gun midfielder was at his influential best today – especially in the second half – as the club kept its premiership dream alive.
Rava was the best midfielder on the ground and he racked up plenty of the ball, used it well by hand and foot and won several important clearances in the pulsating last quarter.
The game was tight and tough early and it took a goal after the siren to MCUE forward Jake Phillips to break the deadlock for the Goannas to go into the half-time break with a six-point lead.
The third quarter was another entertaining affair and MCUE young gun Isaac Damme kicked three goals in just a few minutes to give the Goannas some breathing space.
However, just as MCUE looked to be working its way towards victory, Wagga Tigers hit back with two goals to cut the margin.
MCUE again kicked clear late in the quarter with a mark and goal to big forward Andrew Dickins after the siren giving the Goannas a seven-point lead at the final change.
Wagga Tigers signalled its intentions to not go down wondering straight away in the fourth quarter with Rava winning the centre clearance and bombing the ball long.
Wagga Tigers then kicked four successive goals to open up a 15-point lead before MCUE midfielder James Creasy snapped a banana major off his left foot to reduce the margin to nine points midway through the quarter.
That was as close as it got for MCUE as Wagga Tigers finished the better and it was telling that Rava kicked a sensational long goal late in the quarter to seal the win.
Rava was a standout in the win but he was well supported by the speedy Shaun Flanigan while Dougal Howard kicked three goals up forward for Wagga Tigers.
MCUE was best served by defenders Jack Killalea and Hunter Lloyd while Damme was lively in front of goals and kicked four majors.
Wagga Tigers will now play Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in the first semi-final at Robertson Oval on Sunday while the season is officially over for MCUE.
