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TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE
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Blast from the Past
Queanbeyan Tigers’ failures since the famous 1939, 1940 and 1941
Premiership teams during the period 1942 to 1951 - was of major concern
to Club Officials. Although the Club had gradually been building a team
around their successful Intermediate teams of which won 5 consecutive
premierships – the future looked grim without a recognised, experienced
committee and with the lack of a home ground due to the upgrade of Queanbeyan
Park.
Acton Football Club were relegated to Reserve Grade for the 1951 Season
and this prompted Queanbeyan Club Officials to approach the Acton Football
Club with a view to amalgamate for Season 1952.
The Acton Club and the Canberra Australian Football League were in accord
with the proposal and after a series of meetings the amalgamation was
agreed upon. Interests of both Clubs were fully protected by a constitution
which required that:
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There is a Board of Management comprising three members of each Club
and an independent Chairman who shall be a Vice President of the CANFL.
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The Selection Committee shall be two members appointed by each Club
and the Coach.
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Both Clubs shall revert to their separate identities at the end of
the season.
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The colours of the jerseys worn are a combination of both Clubs.
The offer of Floyd Primmer to act as Honorary Coach was accepted with
profound enthusiasm. Floyd was well known as Captain / Coach of the victorious
Tigers Premiership teams of 39,40 and 41.
The procedure for a typical training night was:
4.00pm – leave Queanbeyan to travel to Acton
Train until 5.30pm after which hot showers were available along
with expert masseurs.
6.15pm – three course meal and then lecture by Coach at 7.15pm
followed by a games night in the Club rooms.
The Board of Management comprised:
PRESIDENT: Reg Watson (Acton)
SECRETARY: Ray Hawke(Queanbeyan)
TREASURER: William O’Brien (Acton)
Committee: Keith Thompson (Queanbeyan), Tom McLeod (Acton), Keith Thornton
(Queanbeyan), Victor Apps (Queanbeyan), Floyd Primmer (Queanbeyan).
The Independent Chairman appointed by the CANFL was the highly respected
Jim Prendagast, a former Queanbeyan player and Administrator.
The Combine became one of the most successful football teams to grace
the playing fields of Canberra football. The first year trial amalgamation
continued for a further four year period, each year they competed in the
Grand Final.
The highly rated teams boasted 80% of the players from Queanbeyan. However,
the likes of Acton players – Roy Watterston, Ron Dudley Berry and
Colin Axelby complimented the Tigers contingent with their experience
and skilful play.
Of the Administrators, Reg Watson was a profound leader and as President
installed a powerbase to command a strong working body of capable administrators.
The combine entered the Grand Final in 1952 by defeating Turner at Northbourne
Oval before a crowd of 1500 – the score being Q/A 15.12 (102) to
Turner 11.6 (72). Eastlake defeated Q/A in the Reserves 13.17 (98) to
12.12 (84).
The success of the Combine was dramatic in its first year of operation.
Although Ainslie carried all before them in a most professional manner,
the Combine provided strong opposition including the Grand Final which
Ainslie won narrowly 13.20 (98) to 12.12 (84) in front of 4,000 people
– a significant percentage of the population of Canberra at the time.
The tricolours competing the season undefeated with 17 successive wins.
The Grand Final team comprised of: Harold Williams (Captain), Alan Muir,
Ern Hincksman, Roy Watterston, B Andrews, Terry Suton, Colin Axelby, Ron
Neiberding, R McInnes, Alan Rogers, Ken Williams, A Stockdale, Keith Thornton,
Dave Duncan, Ern Smith, Ray Hawke, A Smith, Dudley Berry, and Brian Tankey.
Best players in the Grand Final were Ken Williams, Alan Muir, Harold Williams,
Dave Duncan and Dudley Berry. Goals were scored by Ken Williams (4), Andrews
(3) Harold Williams (2) Hawke and Axelby (1 each).
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