Klemke celebrates 100th in stirring come from behind win!

The beautiful morning sunshine didn't last long last Saturday morning as the tigers returned to Aulich Park for their Round 12 clash with Ainslie. There was plenty riding on the results across all grades with each outcome having a big bearing on ladder positions for the tigers.

1st Grade Men

It took the full 120 minutes for the tigers to get the win and how important this result will be come finals will be known over the next 3 weeks.

Staring down the barrel of a 23 point deficit at 3qtr time, a loss would see the tigers fall from the top of the ladder and the likely hood of missing that all important home final - however no one told the boys that defeat was an option.

Down to 2 on the bench and kicking into a steady breeze this group again found the resilience to get back into the game and keep the pressure on Ainslie. Just like the 2020 finals campaign where injuries decimated the squad, the tigers rallied for each other and found a way with Tim Cahill aka Andrew Swan soccer kicking the match winner.

Captain Josh Bryce once again led from the front as did Will Griggs with both players leadership coming to the fore in the tight contest. Jordan Iudica & Alec McCormick continue to play well in the back half and the return of young gun Josh Fahey proved critical with his 33 touches driving the team into attack.

We wish Sam Jensen and Anthony LoPilato all the best with their injuries and hope to see both boys back bigger and stronger very soon.

Queanbeyan Tigers 2.1 2.1 5.5 11.8-74 Ainslie 3.1 6.2 9.4 11.4-70 Goal Kickers: A. Swan 4, S. Jensen 2, A. Page, K. Klemke, J. Iudica, R. Pollock, J. Bryce Best Players: J. Bryce, W. Griggs, J. Iudica, J. Fahey, A. McCORMICK, A. Swan

Rising Stars

Talk about important wins - this was definitely one of them for the young cubs. Battling Ainslie for the all important 4th spot on the ladder, this was a must win for the lads and didn't they perform!

The pressure was next level as the young cubs took it up to Ainslie all day in heavy conditions. Pambula product Will Kellar continues to grow as a player and played his best game for the club through the midfield. Caden Spinks and Dayne Posthuma's seasons have been outstanding and their efforts on Saturday were huge in the win.

Captain Bailee Gilbert once again led from the front despite being ill all week but you wouldn't have known it while his partner in crime Lachlan Fitzpatrick played out of his skin for his best game of 2021. Finally youngster Jordan Bogie announced his arrival in U18s footy with one of the toughest efforts in the midfield seen all year - well done Jordan.

The win now puts the lads one game clear plus % in front of Ainslie with 3 games to play and hopefully the boys can hang on for that finals spot as no one deserves it more than this group!

Queanbeyan Tigers 1.4 1.6 3.8 4.11-35 Ainslie 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.5-11 Goal Kickers: K. Gibbs, L. Asbock , W. Kellar, M. Armstrong Best Players: W. Kellar, C. Spinks, D. Posthuma, L. Fitzpatrick, J. Bogie, B. Gilbert

Tigerettes Reserve Grade

It was the girls first road trip for 2021 as they headed up to Cooma to play the Valley in an important game to keep their slim finals hopes alive and didn't they respond.

The team didn't suffer any jet lag and hit the ground running with a 2 goal blast in the 1st qtr and from here they managed to hold the advantage to pick up the important win. Brie Anderson continues to shine since her return and with the support of Maddi Martin and Haley Bowyer, the girls remained on the front foot all day.

It was great to see Zalie Betts return from injury while Brooke James return has also given the team a boost. New recruit in 2021 Tarsh Brockwell has had a stellar season and evergreen veteran Lon Flakelar keeps doing here thing week in week out.

Currently on 7 wins with only two games to go, the Tigerettes would normally be in the top 4 easily however this is a tight comp in 2021 and the girls will need to win their final two games and have other results go their way to sneak in. If anyone can do it, it is definitely this group!!

Tuggeranong 0.1 0.2 1.4 1.4-10 Queanbeyan Tigers 2.0 2.1 3.1 3.5-23 Goal Kickers: Z. Carl, T. Bruce, Z. Betts Best Players: B. Anderson, M. Martin, H. Bowyer, L. Flakelar, N. Brockwell, B. James

Tigerettes 1st Grade

This clash was an incredibly close game with top spot on the line as teams race for a top 2 finish to the season and the double chance. It was literally one goal standing between victory and defeat. Time was just not on our girls’ side this game with the Tigerettes going down by 4 points.

A terrible day on the injury front and for the finals campaign for player Amy Morschell who, after holding a formidable defensive shoulder in the first quarter left the ground with an injured wrist.

The pressure was high. Both sides started the game with tenacity and physical pressure in tough weather conditions with the Tiger’s back line holding its own. Despite missing the likes of Laura Russel, India Lehman and the exit of Amy Morschell (injured), their absence would be felt throughout the rest of the game.

With goals scored by Ruby Grounds and Mindy Quade it was to no avail with the Tigerettes missing many scoring opportunities in front of the sticks to have commanding leads throughout the game. However, it is not all doom and gloom for the Tigers with improvement shown by completing 4 quarters of footy against an equally good opposition.

Captain Ella Ross identified during training, leading into the clash, that it would take 4 full quarters to beat the Ainslie and that every player would need to step up contested ball winning and physical pressure to match Ainslie.

Losing is never fun but the Tigerettes made the most of the situation they were in, and despite being dealt a bad hand they played well and still fought on to the very last moments of the game stopping only when full time was called. Coming into the finals and with perhaps tougher games like this one ahead the Tigerettes are on the right pathway to something special.

MVP: Mindi Quade, Ruby Grounds and Amy Morschell

Mindy Quade and Ruby Grounds kept hope alive by scoring goals. It was their efforts that led to the game coming down to being a close defeat. However, the rest of the forward line should not lose heart as they all performed well as they could given the circumstances they found themselves in.

I want to give special mention to Amy Morschell. You did good. Not better than good you did absolutely, positively, spiffing and ultimately heroic work in your position in the back line. You played superbly, and despite becoming a casualty early on and exiting the game you didn’t give an inch. Karl Anstey

Queanbeyan Tigers 0.1 1.1 3.4 4.6-30 Ainslie 2.2 3.3 4.5 5.5-35 Goal Kickers: M. Quade 3, R. Grounds Best Players: K. Woodward, K. McGrath, A. Hamilton, A. Manning, M. Godfrey, J. Hamilton

Reserve Grade Men

When this group finally clicks then look out as once again the lads showed when they are on they are on. Another slow start by the group allowed Ainslie to take a half time lead and some hard questions were asked by coach PJ at the break.

Again, when this team clicks it is some of the best footy you will see and the 3rd quarter showed as much with the tigers completely dominating the 20 mins and taking the lead going into the last quarter.

I am sure PJ, Hully Captain Jed and Vice Captain Wilson talked at length post game about how they can find consistency in their performance while there are some excuses that can be made regarding getting the best possible squad together.

Daniel Hespe, Daniel Potts and Wilson Morshead all continue to play solid consistent footy while it was great to see Campbell Lovell and Tyler Collins back from injury and unavailability over the last 6 weeks.

Aidan Bowyer again pressed for senior selection while it was also great to see his cousin and 1st grade stalwart Jono Bowyer back for his first games since his ACL injury in last years 1st Semi Final.

Queanbeyan Tigers 1.1 2.2 4.4 4.8-32 Ainslie 2.2 3.4 3.6 7.8-50 Goal Kickers: A. Sergi 2, J. Lopes, D. Lord Best Players: C. Lovell, T. Collins, D. Hespe, D. Potts, A. Bowyer, W. Morshead

Sunday Roast

Enjoy a freshly baked roast meal for lunch or dinner available this Sunday from our friends at The Atlantic.

Tigers Talent Spread Across the Country!

The Tigers 2020 AFL Canberra 1st Grade Men's Premiership and 1st Grade Women's Grand Final squads certainly had some outstanding young talent.

Over the summer months there were players who moved on from the Tigers line-up and are now playing at elite levels and or have stayed local and played in Academy and VFLW games.

As we prepare for tonight's AFLW Draft for the 2022 season, we take a look at how our next level of tigers talent are progressing in season 2021!

Lexi Hamilton

It's been a big year for Lexi with the former 2020 Gold Coast Suns AFLW player pushing hard for another chance in the top flight.

She has spent the first half of 2021 with North Melbourne in the VFLW and what a season she had, playing ruck Lexi dominated the role and was named in the best 10 times out of 12 games as well as kicking 6 goals.

Since her return to the Tigers, the 2019 Premiership player has continued her strong form and is one of the leading players for the Tigers.

We hope that Lexi is again on the minds of recruiters and wish her all the best tonight.

> Watch the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft LIVE via womens.afl and the AFLW Official App on Tuesday, July 27 from 6.45pm AEST

Close to being best on ground in the 2020 premiership team, Harry Grant moved across to the strong South Australian National Football League (SANFL) playing for Central Districts.

The Bulldogs have won just three matches for the season, but Harry has played in all 14 competition games.

Matt Vardanega

also joined a SANFL Club. Norwood Football Club chased Matty over the past few years as he sharpened his skills in the NEAFL, then as a key defender in the Tigers 2020 premiership team.

He joined the Red Legs with the knowledge his father Glenn had played at the club and was keen to follow in his footsteps. He has played 3 senior games this year in a team that has won 8 matches from the 14 competition games played.

Other notable absences from the Tigers 2021 line up are

Kel Evans and Sam Frost.

Kel moved to Wollongong to pursue employment opportunities and while signing with Camden FC, found his way into the GWS GIANTS VFL team.

Sam has had an incredible journey through 2021 for a youngster with just 11 First Grade games with Queanbeyan that includes a 1st Grade premiership.

Highly regarded both on and off the field Sam is eligible to play with the Tigers come finals time if in fact not playing at a higher level.

A feature of 2021 has been games with the GWS GIANTS NAB team, the Allies, the GIANTS VFL team and now part of the GWS GIANTS Senior Group traveling in the COVID bubble. What an experience for this popular Queanbeyan youngster.

“Being in the bubble has been an amazing experience. Being able to train and be surrounded by elite AFL players is unreal. The training is awesome, being able to learn off some of the best in the game has been really special. The way they train and conduct themselves is second to none. They (GIANTS) have really included us academy lads and made us feel welcome. The experience has made me super hungry to work harder and make it to the elite level,” said Sam.

As well as the above the Tigers are extremely proud to have three other former players playing in the SANFL being 2012 NEAL Premiership player and Best and Fairest Kaine Stevens, his brother Reed and Lachlan Squire – all former Queanbeyan Juniors now playing with West Adelaide.

Rhys Pollock and Tom Stapleton have also played GIANTS VFL in season 2021 but both have now returned to the Tigers with a COVID interrupted VFL competition.

Flying under the radar but another who has accomplished heaps in 2021 is Brad Rauter.

After receiving a GIANTS Scholarship late last year, Brad has enjoyed a stellar season having played at the NAB level, as a member of the Allies team and now as a 1st Grade player with the Tigers.

Much has also been recorded of the achievements of Josh Fahey including another All AUSTRALIAN jumper. A separate story on this talented Queanbeyan Junior features on our Facebook page.

From the Tigerettes perspective, we are so proud to have former players Hannah Dunn as Co – Captain of the Gold Coast Suns, Tarni Evans playing for the GWS GIANTS AFLW, Jackie Parry with Melbourne AFLW.

Anita Manning and Ellen Squire have had impressive U18s Giant Academy and SESA season's and show the talent coming through is very exciting and have shown good form in the first grade squad.

The younger Hamilton’s - Jayde and Cynthia have also been very active in the talent space in 2021. Jayde has represented both the 19s Giants Academy and North Melbourne playing a handful of VFLW games.

Cynthia has been huge with All Australian u19s selection and BOG for the Allies at the recent Nationals. There is a separate feature on the Tigers Facebook page.