.jpg)
A jubilant pack of Tigers after Andrew Swan kicks his 1st goal in senior footy!
FIRST GRADE
The game went right down to the final siren with only two points separating the Tigers and Magpies when the “hooter” finally sounded after 13 minutes of over time. A goal after the siren to Paul Franchi gave a difference of 8 points in a match that could have gone either way.
The Tigers had three commanding leads during the match only for the Magpies to fight back into calculations each time eventually taking the lead at the 23 minute mark of the last quarter. It seemed they would once again defeat the Tigers when they posted another goal to take a nine point lead.
However the Tigers were not done and a goal on the run to an in form James Kavanagh followed by another to Captain Ryan Quade gave the Tigers the lead with minutes to go. They slowed the game down much to the cries of “kick the thing forward “ by the spectators but they knew what they were doing and moved the ball from one wing to the other around the backline and then eventually into the forward line with “Le Franchi” taking a chest mark 30 metres out when the siren sounded.
It was a tremendous win for the Tigers who are now in a three way battle for the all important 4th spot with Belconnen and Eastlake. The Magpies and Demons have superior percentages at 6% and 27% respectively.
For the Tigers, Captain Courageous Ryan Quade was outstanding in the ruck and around the ground. He repeatedly won the ball at the centre bounces and provided the team with strong marking options around the ground. No mark was more importantly than the grab in the dying minutes of the game to put the Tigers in front. His omission from the ACT team to participate in this weeks Country Championships is a real mystery with the NSW team picking up his services without question.
The Tigers dynamic threesome of Billy Neely, Mitch Daniher and Toby Conroy amassed a total of 106 possessions between them and in doing so provided the team with enough forward movement and control of the ball to enable a great win over tough opposition. Even though both clubs were missing key players through injury / suspension, the match was of high quality and exciting throughout.
There has to be a special mention to the Tigers inexperienced backline. They did a superb job in difficult circumstances missing players of the calibre of Thomo, Satchell and Irwin, Thomo being a late withdrawal on the day. Well don to Ben Jabornik on his debut 1st Grade match especially so on his birthday.
BELCONNEN MAGPIES 3 4 7 10 9 15 15 17 (107) QUEANBEYAN 3 2 9 3 13 6 18 7 (115)BELCONNEN MAGPIES Goal Kickers: D. Posch 6, C. YORK 2, P. RAADTS 2, S. COATE 2, M. CAMPBELL 2, J. JENNINGS Best Players: J. JENNINGS, C. YORK, D. Posch, M. CAMPBELL, A. WHITTARD, S. CURTIS QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: J. KAVANAGH 4, R. QUADE 2, M. WESCOMBE 2, M. ARMSTRONG 2, P. Franchi 2, T. Conroy 2, B. FRUEND , M. DANIHER , B. Neely , A. Swan Best Players: R. QUADE, M. ARMSTRONG, M. DANIHER, R. Jaques, C. HADDOCK, M. WESCOMBE
Reserve Grade.
Another quality win – which makes it six in a row. Competition front runners Belconnen have now lost two in a row after being undefeated up until the week before last when the Demons defeated them. They looked back on track with a 14 point advantage at three quarter time but the youthful Tigers combination attacked throughout the last quarter to take a well deserved victory.
The late withdrawal of Kris Thompson from the senior team provided yet another headache for Coach Pavese. For the second week running youngster Ryan Price doubled up and didn’t let the team down.
Up forward Freddie Nortje was a powerhouse taking some well judged marks in the first half eventually being rewarded with 4 goals. Another player pressing for senior grade selection again is Liam Wilkinson. His long running attempts on goal are a real feature with four goals to his credit. After saying he wasn’t playing on Thursday night due to a nagging injury, Beau Watts changed his mind by the next day and was tremendous on Saturday. He dominated proceedings throughout.
The little man Dave Corcoran was also an inspired person up forward creating havoc during he match and with the level heads of Greg Hair and Andrew Lieschke adding support to this very young team there seems to be a good feel amongst the group.
BELCONNEN MAGPIES 3 3 9 3 12 5 12 8 (80) QUEANBEYAN 2 4 8 7 9 9 14 11 (95)BELCONNEN MAGPIES Goal Kickers: S. MIEKLE 4, B. LANGHAM 2, A. GATENBY , d. Bunyan , R. TOWILL , C. BURDETT , S. Boyd , L. Donohue Best Players: A. GATENBY, J. HODDER, S. Boyd, S. MIEKLE, B. TURNBULL, C. BURDETT QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: F. Nortje 4, L. WILKINSON 4, J. Manie 2, B. WATTS 2, A. LIESCHKE , B. ORMSTON Best Players: M. MACKENZIE, F. Nortje, B. ORMSTON, D. ROSS, S. Kelly, D. CORCORAN
Under 18 Grade.
Two losses in a row have sent the alarm bells ringing. Coach Paul Campbell came down hard on the guys after the loss to the Magpies who provided quality opposition for the second placed Tigers outfit.
After being two games clear in equal first position they are now back with Marist in equal second and will have to improve 100% in coming weeks to maintain the double chance. Their performance was not without some quality players. Kyle King was again damaging in the backline and if he can get through a game without injury he will mature into a strong senior grade player down the track.
Youngster James Armstrong had his first run for the Under 18’s graduating from the Under 16 Grade team. His performance was spot on for a first timer enjoying many possessions as an in and under player.
The Tigers were in front at half time after the Magpies had kicked the first three goals. Discipline was a factor unsettling many of the younger players but once that was removed the Tigers played with more purpose. Unfortunately Belconnen wanted to win a touch more than the Tigers and they played with more purpose and desire. It seems a few recent 18 year old birthday parties are taking its tole on this grade and if they don’t take stock of their abilities mixed with a balance of socializing then they could fall from grace very quickly.
BELCONNEN MAGPIES 3 3 3 4 6 7 10 8 (68) QUEANBEYAN 1 1 4 2 4 5 6 6 (42)BELCONNEN MAGPIES Goal Kickers: z. sheather 4, R. Hartwig 2, L. Allen , B. McCabe , J. Harper , J. Michelle Best Players: B. Posch, L. Allen, J. McKINNON, S. Goodsell, J. Harper, J. MALONEY QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: S. JENSEN 3, T. LEE 3 Best Players: L. Duggan, J. ARMSTRONG, K. King, S. JENSEN, T. LEE, R. PRICE
WOMEN TEAMS
QUEANBEYAN 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.2(8) TUGGERANONG 2.4 5.5 5.8 9.11 (65) Goals: Siau Goh Best: Tegan Tisma, Rachel Short, Chrisie Bourbous, Kristen Turner, Davina Harris, Amanda Oosterwergel The Queanbeyan Tigers went down fighting against reigning premiers Tuggeranong at Kambah on Sunday, looking fantastic in the traditional Tigers black with yellow sash.
Kicking with the wind and down the Kambah hill in the first quarter the Tigers started brightly and had plenty of possession in their forward line but were unable to convert their best chance falling to Tegan Tisma after she received a good shepherd from Fran Langi. The Hawks showed their class moving the ball from their back pocket without the Tigers getting near it to set up their first goal.
A free kick in front of goal late in the quarter gave the Hawks a 14 point lead at quarter time.
In the second term the Tigers were at their competitive best. For the majority of the quarter the Tigers tackled and pressured the Hawks. Davina ‘D’ Harris went down back and showed how to be first for the ball. Tegan was moved onto one of the Hawks prime movers and stopped her output through her running, tackling and harassing. Katie Newton gave a great contest out manned across the half forward line and Jane Vucago and Sarah Van Meurs were tireless on the wings however it was down back where the Tigers really shined. Rach ‘Shorty’ Short, playing against her old team, was outstanding at full back suffering leather poisoning late in the term. Amanda Oosterwergel showed her performance against Riverina was no fluke showing great determination in the back pocket. Chrissie Bourbous and Kristen ‘Kritta’ Turner also gave great rebound and run from half back. But each time the Tigers switched off they were punished and the Hawks three goals for the term came from a misjudged marking contest, Tess having busted her gut to tag one of the Hawks best been unable to run with her and a simple unmanned player at a ball up 20m out from goal. The margin at half time was 33 points.
In what is becoming a first year tradition the Tigers again saved their best for the third quarter. After some desperate defence, again led by Shorty, the ball managed to move into the forward line where the Tigers forwards showed real desperation locking into the forward line. Hannah Dunn, again asked to ruck non-stop all day, knocked it down to Siau Goh who was able to get boot to ball and kick truly, her first career goal and a great reward for Siau’s work ethic this season. For the rest of the term the midfield and defenders held firm Tegan close to best on ground continuing laying tackles and breaking up play with Kritta not far behind her. Late in the term Sarah Crowe took a fantastic mark on the last line of Defence and was able to find Amanda with a neat pass just before the siren sounded to end the term. In the third quarter the Tigers, playing in their first season, had held the team that has won three of the last six premierships goalless to win the term by three points and reduce the margin at three quarter time to an even 5 goals.
Kicking against the breeze and up the hill in the final term was always going to be tough, however the Tigers stayed competitive. Te Ani Lusk Waititi was moved back and had the Hawks forwards knowing they were in a game. Dani Louis held firm at centre half back and ex Tuggeranong players Jacinta Froud and D also pushed back hard to help the backline. Tegan, Shorty and Amanda continued to put pressure on the Hawks however the Hawks were able to break the shackles a little kicking three goals in the last five minutes to blow the final margin out to 57 points.
Despite another loss the Tigers continue to show tremendous improvement and a great team spirit. The Tigers will be able to have a short break with the bye next weekend before their final home game for the season taking on the Gungahlin Jets (11am Sat 31 July at Town Park) and hoping to turn around the 12 point loss from the opening round.