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2022 GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
This Saturday the Tigerettes play in their 5th 1st Grade Grand Final in a row while the Men will be looking at trying to go Back to Back for the 1st time in 22 years albeit with a Covid cancelled 2021 season in between.
It has been an extremely successful period for the Tigers First Grade squads over recent years and they hope to create some more history and add silverware to the coffers this Saturday.
The Tigerettes record has been impressive with appearances in the 2017 (Premiers), 2018, 2019 (Premiers), 2020, sitting 2nd in 2021 when season was cancelled and now the 2022 Grand Finals.
Our men are themselves in a rich vein of performances with a Premiership in 2020 then Minor Premiers in 2021 when the season was cancelled and like the women are into the 2022 decider.
This year has been by far the most challenging during the COVID era with multiple players coming through both squads due to illness, super flu's, Covid, injury and unavailability due to everyone catching up on weddings etc.
So to be sitting here today and preparing for two Grand Final Teams to take the field is a credit to all involved and we extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to all of our players, coaches, support staff and volunteers on a job well done.
To all of our Partners from all levels with a special call out to our Principal Partner Aulich, Major Community Partner CDC Centres, Major Financial Partner The Tigers Club and Major Corporate Partners NRMA, ActewAGL, Benmax, Belle Property,
Aston Financial and Renrow Steel
THANK YOU!
Our success is your success as we couldn't do what we do without YOU!
So let's preview the big games set for Saturday!
Men's 1st Grade vs. Belconnen @ EPC Solar Park at 2.00pm
Previous Meetings in 2022:
Round 3 - Tigers 16.13-109 def Belconnen 7.6-48
Round 8 - Tigers 13.10.88 def Belconnen 10.6-66
Round 12 - Belconnen 12.9-81 def Tigers 11.11-77
Qualifying Final - Tigers 11.6-72 def Belconnen 8.6-54
The best two teams for 2022 go head to head in the big one Saturday with the Magpies steeling themselves and bouncing back to defeat Ainslie in the Preliminary Final last week.
Belconnen are the only side to defeat the Tigers in 2022 when they shot out to a 40 point lead in round 12 to then hold off a fast finishing tigers in the last quarter. The Pies are strong across all lines led by Coach James Bennett who continues to play great footy.
Thomas Simpson, 2022 Mulrooney Medalist Luke Wharton and Mackinley Miller have been the other Pies players to stand out and will need to be watched this weekend.
It promises to be a cracking game with the mid fields having a big say on who will come out on top by 4.30pm and with both teams getting a host of top line players back from injury, strap in people and enjoy the ride!
Tiger Players to watch:
Aidan Bowyer - The standout big man of the competition in 2022 who has had a massive presence for the tigers since game 1. Athletically Aido has the engine to ruck all day and even plays as a 4th mid fielder at times which makes him very dangerous on the big ground.
Rhys Pollock - All class is this player and since his move into the centre has taken his game to another level. Clever around the packs who can still drive forward and kick goals which almost makes him the complete player. Like Aidan, an outstanding season which he hopes to cap off with a 2nd Premiership medal.
Dean Simpson - A very quite defender that you want to go to war with as he has always got you covered with his 3rd man up marking and spread from defence. A TOTY award in 2022 has finally shown the footy world in Canberra how important this guy is to the tigers structures.
Women's 1st Grade vs. Ainslie @ EPC Solar Park at 5.00pm
Previous Meetings in 2022:
Round 3 - Ainslie 6.9-45 def Tigers 2.2-14
Round 8 - Ainslie 6.7-43 def Tigers 3.4-22
Round 12 - Ainslie 5.6-36 def Tigers 4.2-26
Ainslie women's have been all conquering in season 2022 having gone through the Home & Away undefeated. But there has been one team that continued to push the Tri Colours in 2022 and they were the Tigers.
As the previous scorelines between the two teams show, the Tigers have closed the gap on Ainslie every game with the last two encounters seeing Ainslie having to play a big last quarter to get the chocolates.
Ainslie has great depth with Rachel Friend and former Belconnen Magpie Maggie Gorham leading a very potent forward line while Ellie Bishop and Georgie Jaques controlling the middle of the ground.
The Tigerettes have been doing the slow build in 2022 and the last month has shown why they are still one of the top teams in the competition with big wins in both finals that has opened up the chance to take on Ainslie once again.
Grand Final experience could play a part this Saturday with many of the Tigerettes having been involved in the past 4 deciders while Ainslie haven't played in a Grand Final since 2010, so could this be a factor?
Like the men's game, this will be a belter of a game so sit back and enjoy the show!
Tiger Players to watch:
Ruby Grounds - The former Melbourne Uni captain has shown her class in 2022 with a great season up forward however it has been her finals series that has taken her game to another level. Big marking small forward will need to clunk a few Saturday to get the team driving forward.
Maya Suzuki - The surprise packet of 2022 with her speed and tackling being second to none. Her first year at the Tigerettes and is now the first picked every week as that reliable defender who never says die. Will need to play well again to stop the powerful Ainslie forward line and one thing is for sure they wont out run her!
Jayde Hamilton - A sensational 2022 from Jayde who has taken her leadership to all new levels this year. We all know this kid is a gun but to see her now dragging players on her back and saying come with me has been awesome to see. If anyone is going to set the tone this weekend it will be Jayde Hamilton.
