Redcliffe Tigers defeat Gympie Cats in first round at Ray Warren Oval

Gympie coach full of praise for his players after first round, with Seth Kent, Zac Nash-Smith and Dirk Mulholland all kicking majors, but it was Hamilton in the back flank who got the top gong.

15/04/2023 - Henry Hamilton was the Cats’ best player against Redcliffe. Picture: Matthew McInerney

Gympie Cats player/coach Matt Killian says his team has a good base to work from despite a first-round defeat to the Redcliffe Tigers at Ray Warren Oval on Saturday, April 15.

The Cats lost 170-28 but Killian said it was only a last-quarter fade out which cost his team and they definitely challenged one of the top teams in the QFA Division Two North competition.

“I think they were shocked at how close we were to them at three-quarter time,” said Killian.

“Up until then we had given them a good match and then they ran away with it and kicked 12 goals in the last quarter to our none.

“But it was a very good effort and we will get better as we have brought in a lot of new players and they will take time to gel. Turnovers also cost us.

“Unfortunately, as it has worked out, we will play probably the three best teams in the competition in the first three rounds.

“By the same token after those three games we will know what to expect and that should stand us in good stead to play the other teams.

15/04/2023 - Henry Hamilton was the Cats’ best player against Redcliffe. Picture: Matthew McInerney

“It will take some time to gel but the good thing is it will give us some time to work out our game plan and get our skill levels better.

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“It will be a quick learning curve, but I think we will be OK.”

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Killian, who kicked one of his team’s goals, was full of praise for his players, with Seth Kent, Zac Nash-Smith and Dirk Mulholland all kicking majors.

The coach said Henry Hamilton was definitely the Cats’ best on ground.

15/04/2023 - Tom Martin was among the Cats’ best after returning from a season out with a broken ankle. Picture: Leeroy Todd

“Playing in the back flank, Henry took a large number of intercept marks and repelled a lot of the Tigers’ attacks,” Killian said.

“He had a number of one-on-one contests and never got beaten.

“Zac Nash-Smith was our best on-baller and did not give up all game. He had a lot of possessions.

“Tom Martin was coming back after a season off with a broken ankle and was super on the wing.

“He gave us a lot of run and carry and helped us with our kicks out to the backline.”

In the reserves, Redcliffe defeated the Cats 166-8.