Windy day at Alan Ray - Jensen Wins Muir Medal!

You would've been forgiven if you thought you were on the winter slopes during a blizzard last Saturday as all teams endured some of the coldest winds felt in a fair while!

It was a very mixed day for the Tigers with 2 wins from 5 and the celebration of Lani Watson's 150th Club and Stacey Close 50th 1st Grade games. Sam Jensen made it back to back Muir Medal wins for the Tigers following on Toby Conroy's medal win in 2020.

Tigerette's Reserve Grade

Round 9 vs ADFA Report:

Despite the incredible difficult conditions, the Tigerette’s started off the first half strongly scoring two goal by the end of the first half: adapting quite well to the wet conditions better than their rivals the Rams.

The rain turned the ball, which in dry conditions is an unwieldy and elusive item, to being like a bar of soap. On top of that the water made interceptions difficult as tackles become much more physical as the term “slipped through my fingers” could said of both ball and player alike.

The rain became heavier during the last half of the game. The roar of the rain pelting on the grandstand sounding like the crowd of a full stadium during the days of AFLW games pre Covid-19.

The score of 14-2 maybe small but given the weather and the conditions spawned from it means that 14-2 is no less of score than those that consist of a higher total. In saying that the Tigerettes managed to score two goals in quick succession during the second quarter a feat that was impressive.

MVP: Everyone!

I don’t mind the cold, or the rain, I do however mind it when it is not summer. Wednesday night was truly a scenario that only the Capital Territory can provide: a freezing cold night with rain.

Everyone is an MVP in my book as instead of staying at home with their hot beverages and heating systems, the players & staff and their most loyal of supporters came to attended, including this writer who is nuttier than a fruitcake. Karl Anstey.

ADFA 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2-2 Queanbeyan Tigers 0.3 1.4 1.4 1.8-14 Goal Kickers: S. Arcus Best Players: M. Lustri, H. Verri, M. Czubara, L. Flakelar, B. Anderson, H. Betts

Round 10 vs Molonglo Report:

The midweek game proved too much of a hurdle for the Tigerettes as they battled to back up Wednesday's great win against the defending premiers.

Despite only having 19 fit players, the girls were well and truly in the game at quarter time but the howling wind and fatigue kicked in and the team was eventually run over the top.

Full credit to the tigerettes though, they kept cracking in until the final siren and I am sure they all slept very well Saturday night. The two Madi's continue to impress with great form however the team suffered the long term loss of Lustri with the clubs 8th busted finger in 2021. Captain Flakelar and the experienced Alanna Kolano tried hard as well.

Molonglo 3.1 6.8 8.10 10.12-72 Queanbeyan Tigers 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.3-9 Goal Kickers: C. Hamilton Best Players: L. Flakelar, M. Lustri, M. Martin, A. Kolano, J. Giacoppo, J. Woods

Tigerettes 1st Grade

Hunter/Hunted

The game started quite well with the team in good spirits with Lani Watson playing her

150th game, an incredible milestone and achievement for both her, the team, and the club. The team also saw the return of several injured players back to the field alongside a cohort of under 18 players and Stacey Close taking to the field in 50th game.

The first half of the game started off well enough with the Tiger’s keeping the Tricolours quiet on the scoreboard, aside from a stray point or two. By the end of first half the Tigers led the home team 20-2 and looked set for victory.

At the start of the second half Watson scored a goal, but so did Ainslie. Halfway through the second half, the Tigers suffering casualties, their game play changed drastically. Ainslie soon found their opening within the Tiger’s defensive line with the less seasoned players now under the home team’s direct assault.

The Tiger’s not being able to get the ball out of their defensive line as they watched the Tiger’s lead steadily decreasing, with the final horn blowing at full time the Tigers losing to the home team by one goal, much to the joy of the Ainslie people in the stands.

Next week the Tigers are to battling at home with the number one team of the competition seeking revenge for their defeat at the Nest. Karl Anstey

MVP: Laura Russell

The Spartan

Playing solidly throughout the entire game and with an injury and no mouth guard (fact needs to be checked) Laura Russell took many hits as well as keeping the ball away from the Tricolours. Her solid performance and being on the field for the first time since being injured and having the stamina of a warrior Laura Russell is a Spartan. If you want more proof she also has a brutal kick.

Ainslie 0.0 0.2 1.2 5.5-35 Queanbeyan Tigers 1.2 3.2 4.4 4.5-29 Goal Kickers: M. Quade, K. McGrath, L. Watson, S. Close Best Players: K. McGrath, A. Morschel , L. Watson, K. Woodward, S. Arcus, T. Bruce

Men's 1st Grade

The Annual Muir Medal highlighted the all important 1st grade clash between two old

foes. A win keeps the tigers at the top of the ladder while a loss drops the team back into the mix.

After a slow start against a 4 to 5 goal breeze, the tigers settled late in the 1st quarter to keep themselves in the game with the wind at their backs in the second qtr. Led by the eventual Muir Medalist Sam Jensen, the Tigers quickly regained the lead and set up an important gap leading into half time.

It's called the Premiership quarter and that lived up to it's name with the tigers lifting their pressure rating, again int the wind with 18 tackles and numerous 1% efforts to kick 3 goals to 1 to set up victory.

To walk away from Alan Ray Oval with a 50 point win is very rare but appreciated by the lads after a hard fought win. Apart from Jensen, Jacob May played his best game for the club, Dean Ross was back to form stopping everything and evergreen Toby Conroy still racking up the numbers.

Ainslie 4.3 5.4 6.5 7.5-47 Queanbeyan Tigers 2.3 7.6 9.8 14.14-98 Goal Kickers: A. Swan 3, J. Lehman 2, A. Page 2, D. Ross 2, J. Stapleton 2, T. Conroy, K. Klemke, S. Jensen Best Players: S. Jensen, T. Conroy, D. Ross, J. May, Z. Derksen, W. Griggs

Men's Reserve Grade

Another week of low numbers drew out some familiar faces to help out the 2s squad

with 2012 NEAFL Premiership players Jeremy Kirkwood & Brett Fruend lining up along with last years captain Ben Gisik.

Despite the lack of number, this group continues to impress and keep themselves in the fight and the hope will be that when luck changes they will certainly press deep into the finals. For now they just need to stick together and keep working hard, it will turn!

The 3rd quarter was the nail in the coffin for the group as Ainslie used the wind to perfection to gain a match winning lead. Captain Jed returned from injury and led his charges well as did Daniel Hespe and Aidan Bowyer, all three pushing hard for a senior call up.

Ainslie 2.6 4.10 7.13 7.14-56 Queanbeyan Tigers 2.0 3.2 3.3 6.6-42 Goal Kickers: J. Manners 2, T. Ashton 2, K. Shea, S. Kyle Best Players: J. Simpson, D. Hespe, A. Bowyer, T. Ashton, J. Manners, W. Taylor

Rising Stars

Like the reserves squad, the RS have had to battle with a lack of players and have had

some narrow losses which has been tough on the young cubs.

They continue to show up week in week with no complaints or lack of effort and Saturday showed that hard work and dedication does pay off with a resounding win. Led by Captain Bailee Gibert and ruck Zac Levine, the team stayed in the fight and remarkably had the lead into the wind at the end of the 1t qtr.

Jon Silver continues his impressive form and it was great to see Lachy Fitzpatrick return to his damaging best. Jarrod Barker and Caden Spinks held the defense together while Max Banic and Jack Armstrong proved too strong in the forwards.

To make these efforts by the lads even more impressive is that most have to back up with 17s and they are currently 3rd on the ladder. Every player in these squads need to be commended for their efforts they are giving their teammates and the club.

Ainslie 1.0 1.3 3.7 4.7-31 Queanbeyan Tigers 1.4 3.6 4.6 6.10-46 Goal Kickers: L. Asbock 2, Z. Levine, T. Russo, M. Banic, J. Armstrong Best Players: B. Gilbert, J. Silver, Z. Levine, L. Fitzpatrick, J. Barker, C. Spinks

NRMA commit to 3 Year Major Corporate Partnership with the Queanbeyan Tigers.

It is always humbling and valued when former players give back to the footy club.

Our local NRMA franchise owner is former Vice President and 100 Club Associate Playing Member John Abel. John and wife Vicki have been huge supporters of the club over many many years with the family continually donating too the clubs major fundraisers.

In a massive boost to the Queanbeyan Tigers long term viability, the club is thrilled to announce John's NRMA branches will join the Tigers as a Major Corporate Partner for the next 3 years!

“The Tigers was a very special place to me growing up and to have played 100 odd games there is something I hold dearly” John said.

“I love the fact the club has never lost their community spirit and continue to provide so many people in the Queanbeyan area the chance to play the game I once played”

“Every time I go back to the club I see the improvements in the facilities and how hard the club works to be able to keep delivering the best environment for the tigers family, and I wanted to help them as much as I can. My wife and I are thrilled to be able to give back to the club that means so much to us both” he added.

General Manager Adrian Pavese was very excited about the new Partnership,

“I have gotten to now both John and Vicki over the past few years and am continually blown away by their generosity and support of both me and the club” He said.

“When Covid hit, John called me to make sure we were doing okay and if he could help with ideas and advice on how we can keep moving the club forward. Then a few weeks ago John expressed his desire to go one step further and help the club financially and we agreed to the Partnership” Adrian added.

“It is so humbling to have so many former associates of the club reach out and offer their support and with signing NRMA it certainly helps the club massively to stay financially viable in the coming years, especially with Covid still being an issue.

So for all your Motor, CTP , Home, and Business Insurance – call Your local NRMA today!

Tigerette to become 1st Female Player Life Member!

It has taken 11 years since the Tigerette's were first formed, but this coming Saturday Lani Watson will become the 1st female player to be inducted into the Walk of Fame and given Life Membership of the the club when she runs out for her 150th Club Game against Ainslie.

As per the clubs Walk of Fame and Playing Life Membership qualifications where Men who play 200 club games are inducted, there hadn't been anything written regarding the qualifications for our female players when the team started in 2010.

So as per all yearly honours bestowed by the club to Players, Officials and Volunteers, a sub committee was formed to discuss and implement the guidelines for our Tigerettes with 150 Club Games being agreed too for female players to earn the same accolades.

Lani's journey started way back in 2011 following the clubs first season when good friend Hannah Dunn convinced her to come along and give Aussie rules a go. From there Lani hasn't looked back and despite some different set backs at times, she has never wavered from her desire to play for the club.

Currently Lani is the games record holder for both club and 1st Grade games for the Tigerettes. Lani, Kristen Argent (nee Turner) and Hannah Dunn went toe to toe for many years but with Hannah spending a year at Norwood then the past two seasons at the Suns in the AFLW and Kristen moving away, Lani has broken away from the pack.

Back to Back to Back Division 2 Premierships (2013/2014/2015) under coach Robert Anderson were the early highlights of Lani's career but no doubt the club's break through 1st Grade Premiership of 2017 under coach Cheyne Webster and captain Hannah Dunn tops the lot in a historic day for the Tigerettes.

With the lure of only being 11 games shy of the magical 150 First Grade games being within touch who knows how long the veteran will continue playing - is 200 in her sights?

Lani Watson

• 1st Grade Games - 139

• Reserve Grade Games - 10

• 1st Grade Premierships - 2017

• Division 2 Premierships - 2013 - 2014 - 2015

• Tigerettes Leading Goal Kicker - 2011-12, 2016, 2018

Tigerettes Games Top 10 (as of 16/6/21)

1. Lani Watson 149* (139 / 10)

2. Kristen Argent (nee Turner) 138 (122 / 16)

3. Hannah Dunn 134

4. Lauren Flakelar 110* (87 / 23)

5. Megan Godfrey 106*

6. Carly Swan (nee Res) 104

7. Ella Ross 91* (90 / 1)

8. Melissa Hurley 90 (50 / 40)

9. Jane Vucago 86 (68 / 18)

10. Tegan Tisma 84

*Still Playing