
NEAFL
Midway through the second quarter of the NEAFL match against the Sydney Swans Reserves last Saturday the Tigers were nine goals in arrears and looked liked being absolutely flogged by games end.
Nothing seemed to be working. It was a luck luster performance which seen the Swans post 7 goals in the opening term (4 in the time on period). Some good signs were on show but the team’s disposal was woeful and when things are going wrong normally other matters are also a contributing factor.
The game was played in reasonable conditions with a respectable crowd in attendance bearing in mind the June long weekend and the match being a stand alone affair.
The Swans had a strong team of listed players with their running game a feature early in the match. However they were not prepared for an enormous fight back in the third term and early in the fourth . The locals clawed their way back to be just ten points in arrears at the 15 minute mark of the last quarter and having all the momentum.
Some unfortunate decision making (whether by the Tigers or by others) resulted in a swing in the game with the Swans posting the final four goals of the game to be clear winners in a top of the table clash.
The Swans have now taken over top spot on percentage from the Tigers with Eastlake joining the two after the Demons posted a strong win over Northern Conference team Aspley last weekend.
There were some very good signs for the Tigers against quality opposition. They were missing Coach Kade Klemke along with Mitch Daniher, Ben Klemke and Sam Jensen but the locals showed plenty of determination to bounce back after a poor start.
Their third quarter effort was all quality with a number of missed opportunities that should have had them closer at the three quarter time break.
Ben King showed enormous endeavour in and under the packs and continues to gain a lot of respect from his team mates. Steve Jolliffe, Kaine Stevens, Will Griggs and Alex Overs are again mentioned amongst the best as they mature into strong NEAFL players.
Up forward James Kavanagh is a tower of strength posting another 6 goals. The Tigers backline had a difficult job controlling the likes of Jesse White, Mark Seaby and leading NEAFL goal kicker Mitch Morton. But Josh Bryce, Roy Jaques and Andrew Swan played with tremendous endeavour to contain the threesome even though the opportunist Morton posted 8 majors.
Others deserved of a mention are the ever improving Nathan Kerlin, Captain Ryan Quade for his around the ground endeavours, Jeremy Kirkwood with his strong run off the half back line and Matt Liddle who had the onerous task of minding Jarrod Moore for long periods of the game.
Queanbeyan 1 3 9 6 4 40 11 9 75 14 12 (96) Sydney Swans 7 7 49 12 10 82 15 14 104 20 17 (137)Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: J. KAVANAGH 6, S. Jolliffe 3, K. Stevens 3, R. Quade , P. Franchi Best Players: B. King, K. Stevens, J. KAVANAGH, S. Jolliffe, W. Griggs, A. Overs Sydney Swans Goal Kickers: M. MORTON 8, J. WHITE 2, H. CUNNINGHAM 2, D. Lycakis , D. MCNEIL , A. Wynn , S. BIGGS , B. Jack , D. Cullen , T. WALSH , J. POTTER Best Players: M. SEABY, H. CUNNINGHAM, J. MOORE, M. MORTON, D. MCNEIL, C. HEATH
The Tigers take on Northern Conference competition leaders Southport at Dairy Farmers Park this Saturday at 11.45am with games either side being the Under 18’s at 9.30am and Division 1 at 2.30pm both against Eastlake.
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