Final round shootout: Rainbird seals second Matthew Walsh Medal, edges Chapple
It was a final day shootout between Lions goal machine Tyron Rainbird and Crocs sharpshooter Kye Chapple with both booting 10 goals a piece.
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It was a final-day shootout between Lions goal machine Tyron Rainbird and Crocs sharpshooter Kye Chapple, with both booting 10 goals apiece.
A bag of ten on the final day wasn’t enough to seal the deal for Chapple, with Rainbird (63 goals in 16 games) securing back-to-back Matthew Walsh Medals over the four-time leading goalkicker (60 goals in 13 games).
After four goals in the first half, Rainbird said he was urged by the Lions to boot six goals in the second half.
“I wasn’t too fazed about the result, but it was more my teammates and (coach Aaron Davey) letting me know, in my ear at halftime, saying ‘you’ve got to kick a few more!’” he said.
Chapple – whose 89-point victory against the Saints finished earlier than the Lions’ 134-point victory over the Hawks – was momentarily equal with Rainbird on 60 goals before Rainbird fired three more home in the final term.
Saints forward Andrew Coombe finished third on the leaderboard with 47 goals, while Tiger Fitzroy Greenwool (42 goals), Cutter Damien Hill (42 goals), Cutter Michael Dejonge (38 goals), Tiger Alex Pulling (36 goals) and Lion Darcy Morris (35 goals) followed.
It caps off a magnificent season for the high-flying key forward who is often double or triple-teamed by opposition defences.
His marking up the wings is an asset for the Lions, while he has the ability to run his match-ups into the ground with his strong tank.
He finished the year as both the number one contested mark (49 marks) and forward 50 mark (87 marks).
He praised fellow forwards Thomas Lindenmayer and Jordan King for their work off the ball to help him play his natural game.
Rainbird said the three toughest key defenders he’s faced this year have been Cutter Luke McKeown, Tiger Darcy Keast and Croc Harvey Moore.
A winger and half-back during his time in Tasmania, he joined the Cairns City Lions in 2018 instantly becoming a prolific goal scorer.
Rainbird said he is a huge admirer of Coleman Medallists Charlie Curnow and Jesse Hogan, adopting elements from both their games.
With finals footy on the horizon this weekend, Chapple will have his shot at revenge with the Crocs taking on the Lions at Cazalys Stadium this Saturday evening.
Rainbird said his side was raring to go for the big clash against their rivals.
“We’re feeling confident, we played them up at Port Douglas last match-up and we managed to get over the line by a couple points in a wet, scrappy game.” he said.
Lions elimination clash against the Crocs begins Saturday 5:45pm at Cazalys Stadium.
Originally published as Final round shootout: Rainbird seals second Matthew Walsh Medal, edges Chapple
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