The Eden Tigers' reserve grade was pipped at the post 30-24 by the Candelo-Bemboka Panthers on Sunday.
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It was a dramatic come from behind win for the Panthers after trailing 20-4 at the half-time break.
The surge in points during the second half was spurred on by a landslide of penalties against the Tigers, including three players being sent off.
The club made no official complaint about the outcome of the match, or the refereeing of it.
A spokesperson for the club said it was “just a fact of footy” and didn’t plan on pursuing the issue further.
Captain-coach Alan Aldridge, who was one of the players sent off, described the second half as “unprofessional”, but he wasn’t complaining about it.
“I’m really trying not to think about it,” Aldridge said.
“It was very unprofessional the way the second half was played, but I’m not blaming it on the ref.
“They [Panthers] beat us and I’ll take that on the chin.
“But I am happy as long as the boys enjoyed themselves,” he said.
The Tigers had complete control early on in play.
“Sugar” Shane Mongta opened the scoring early for the Tigers with a try in the fourth minute.
Ten minutes later, Tyrone Thomas followed it up.
Brett Dunham got the Panthers on the board just a minute after Thomas crossed the line, but Eden was still in control.
Thomas followed up his efforts with another try, then Morgan Stewart joined the fray with a try of his own.
A conversion kick by Ron Callaghan had the score looking clean for Eden 20-4 at the break.
However, the second half tells a vastly different story, with the Panthers scoring five tries in 25 minutes.
Just four minutes in to the second set of play, Jay Elliott cleared the try-line for the Panthers.
The Tigers struck right back with a second try to Morgan Stewart to keep ahead 24-8.
It was after this the landscape changed vastly for the Tigers.
Two players were sent from the field within minutes of each other.
Following a series of penalties for offside calls, the Panthers scored a try through Dunham once again.
Just six minutes later an unconverted try to Ben O’Reilly locked the scores at 24-24.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, Aldridge was sent for 10 and said he was unsure why.
“I was talking to the ref and he just sent me.”
Down to just 10 men on the park, Aldridge said the Tigers battled on valiantly.
“Ron Callaghan really stepped up and took charge when I was off,” Aldridge said.
“We had 10 on the park and the forwards held the middle.
“They tried their hardest and they played for their team-mates.
“It was a whole team effort and even the guys off the bench made a sudden impact,” he said.
A penalty goal by Luke O’Donnell put the Panthers two points in front and a final try to Brock Ringland sealed the deal.
Despite the outcome of Sunday’s match, Aldridge said the Tigers enjoyed a good year and they would be back it in 2015.
“There is a great bunch of blokes there and we enjoyed it working up to the grand final,” Aldridge said.
With some juniors coming through the ranks and the majority of players sticking around, the club is aiming to be competitive in the senior grades.
“Hopefully we can get a similar bunch of blokes for next year.
“If we get that base around the club we’ll have a couple of strong senior teams.”
Some players have already expressed their interest in next year.
“A couple of the boys come up to me and said they’re keen for next year.
“We gelled together as a team and played hard as a team and a club.
“It has been fun,” he said.