A Sweet Victory!

A big thrill for youngsters Ryan Price, Sam Jensen & Andrew Swan playing 1st Grade in Saturday's big clash at the SCG.

Tigers Victory – First in five years in Sydney First Grade

In Sydney, the Tigers song rang loud and clear from the Members Stand across the hallowed turf of the SCG after their upset win over the Swans. Six goals from Tigers Coach Mark Armstrong – in what could be his last game at the SCG – paved the way for a surprise victory over competition leaders the Sydney Swans last Saturday morning.

The Tigers went into the match with a last minute withdrawal of Roy Jaques with illness. He was replaced by emergency player in youngster Ryan Price. The Tigers also lost 16 year old Sam Jensen who was felled heavily in the opening ten minutes and did not play for the remainder of the game. The Swans were not without there own problems with a couple of last minute replacements during the pre game warm up.

The game opened with plenty of pace and it seemed the Swans would kick a bagful in the first quarter (as they usually do) after two goals in the opening minutes. The Tigers steadied and it became a goal for goal scenario for much of the first one and a half quarters until a mid second term burst seen the Tigers have a three goal buffer with only minutes remaining in the second term. The Swans rallied to bring the score back to a close contest at half time.

Another goal for goal spree early in the third term provided spectators for an entertaining match and a free flowing game. The Tigers opened up a handy lead at the three quarter time break. They asserted their willingness to win at all costs in the final term posting five last quarter goals to the Swans three to come away with a win in Sydney for the first time in 5 years.

Maybe his last game at the SCG - Merv getting looked after by Wally Thompson & Danny Rutton

The win has moved the Tigers one game clear of Eastlake in the top four after the Demons suffered at the hands of Ainslie. The other upset being that of Tuggeranong over Belconnen who repeated their win of the previous week over the Tigers. The Hawks are now in contention for the last two spots in the final four with the Tigers, Belconnen and Eastlake.

Mitch Daniher was fantastic around the ground and his effort in the last quarter when felled heavily in an open contest inspired team mates to put their bodies on the line for a must win game. James Kavanagh has an engine a big as the one he rides in most days and his marking across the half forward was also inspirational. The game of Chris Haddock (who has been in and out for the team during the season) must be commended. His third term goal from outside 50 was a beauty as was his general play around the ground and at the centre bounces. Captain Ryan Quade was another who delivered the goods in a match where all players deserve a mention.

SYDNEY SWANS 4 3 9 4 11 5 14 7 (91) QUEANBEYAN 3 7 10 8 14 15 19 18 (132)SYDNEY SWANS Goal Kickers: G. ROHAN 6, P. VESZPREMI 4, D. MCNEIL , C. MCKAIGUE , S. PEARSON , B. MALCOLM Best Players: C. MCKAIGUE, G. ROHAN, S. REID, P. VESZPREMI, D. MCNEIL, M. THOMPSON QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: M. ARMSTRONG 6, J. KAVANAGH 4, M. DANIHER 2, M. WESCOMBE 2, J. SATCHELL , T. COOK , C. HADDOCK , W. GRIGGS , P. Franchi Best Players: M. DANIHER, J. KAVANAGH, T. Conroy, R. QUADE, C. HADDOCK, M. ARMSTRONG

Tigerettes – First ever win !! We are not quite sure who was more excited on Saturday. But according to all reports the Tigerettes can sing the Tigers song louder than the senior grade players after their two point win on Saturday – their first ever win in the Ladies competition. Our warmest congratulations to all the players and coaching staff on a well deserved win. QUEANBEYAN 1.3 1.4 2.4 3.4 (22) ADFA 0.1 1.1 2.1 3.2 (20) Goals: Te Ani Lusk Waititi, Katie Newton, Chrisie Bourbous Best: Sarah Van Meurs, Chrisie Bourbous, Jacinta Froud, Dani Louis, Te Ani Lusk Waititi, Davina Harris.

The Queanbeyan Tigers ladies team created history on Saturday posting their first ever win, a thrilling two point victory over ADFA. The Tigers showed their intent from the start winning the centre clearance and camping in their own forward line and after a few missed opportunities Te Ani Lusk Waititi – ‘T’ – kicked a long bomb to give the Tigers a nine point break.

The second term began as the first as the Tigers dominated possession and had the ball in their very crowded forward line but could not convert any opportunities. They were made to pay for this as ADFA scored the only goal for the term on a fast break to cut the half time margin to three.

At the suggestion of assistant coach Keith Jones, Katie Newton was thrown to full forward in the second half and soon found herself marking 20m out. She kicked truly to give the Tigers back their nine point lead but it wasn’t to last long as ADFA scored late in the term and the margin was back to three points. A free kick off the ball gifted ADFA the lead for the first time in the game at the five minute mark of the final term and it looked like the Tigers might run out of legs. But the Tigers dug deep and showed tremendous character.

After a five minute period with the ball camped deep in the Tigers forward line Chrisie Bourbous, who had drifted up from half back, earned a free kick 30m out on a slight angle. Chrisie, at 17 and youngest player in the team, steadied herself and kicked long and straight to give the Tigers back their lead with eight minutes to play. In a desperate action packed final few minutes ADFA had the chance to snatch back the lead but full back Amanda Oosterweghel held the ADFA full forward at bay as the ball escaped both players and tricked through for a point. With time almost up, both teams out on their feet and the ball in ADFAs forward 50 the siren came as fantastic relief for the Tigers players and supporters.

The Tigers back line on the day – led by key defenders Dani Louis and Amanda, with flankers Chrisie and Tess Kolaric and back pockets Bobbie Minniecon and Christie Harlfield (for the first term) and Katrina Lawless (for the final three terms) – boasted not one player that had played before this season. To hold ADFA to just three goals and no more than one in any term was just an outstanding effort.

The Tigers midfield of Hannah Dunn, Kristen Turner, Tegan Tisma and Jacinta Froud were asked to go all day unchanged and were strong, committed and hard at the contest. Jane Vucago tried hard on the wing coming back from injury, helped at times by Amy McLenaghan but it was perhaps fitting that the daughter of a Tigers Legend was best on ground in our first ever win – Sarah Van Meurs – running hard all day, absolutely fierce at the contest and kicking the ball long into our forward line. The Tigers forwards of course also did their bit, T outstanding at centre half forward, Katie strong, Siau Goh her usual honest self, Michelle Hanson never stopped trying and the performance of Davina Harris on the day was pretty special.

The win was a deserving reward for a group of players who have worked incredibly hard in, what is for the vast majority, their first season of football. What it meant to the group was on display shortly after the game in the ADFA Visitors rooms with a rousing rendition of the famous club song. The Tigers play their final home and away game for the season next Saturday against ANU at ANU at 10am knowing that a second win is needed to drag themselves from the bottom of the table after ADFA’s shock win over the students last weekend. On this performance they are in with a big chance.

Reserve Grade

An eight goal opening term by the Tigers Reserve Grade team against Gungahlin at Manuka Oval guided them to a comfortable win. It wasn’t all one way traffic though as the Jets provided stiff opposition in an entertaining game. The score line does not reflect the contest with a shootout in the last quarter with both teams posting six goals. The Tigers had some strong players during the game. Jackson Brooker enjoyed plenty of ground time after coming back from seniors posting four excellent goals from 8 scoring opportunities. Sam Daniel played his best game of the season gaining plenty of possession and three goals to his credit.

The Tigers had 12 goal kickers on the day such was the movement of the ball from all areas of the ground by a strong running contingent of players. The most impressive on the day was Tom Hollis in the backline. His game at the weekend should move him back into contention for a senior grade call up in the very near future. His domination in the air with gusty efforts provided many attacking moves for the Tigers forwards to pounce on – in particular Beau Watts who seemed to bob up everywhere – or was that Kaeden!!!

Welcome back Pieman! Off season knee surgery has kept 182 1st Grade veteran Renee Ioppi from playing any games this season. And it seemed he wouldn’t take the field this year at all. But friendships in football rarely disappear and a late call up to the Harman Hogs team last Saturday week (where many of his former Tiger team mates now play) has convinced the Tigers former Captain to once again don the black and gold as he heads towards two hundred club games – an achievement just two matches away.

GUNGAHLIN 2 1 4 4 6 4 10 8 (68) QUEANBEYAN 8 2 12 5 15 11 21 12 (138)GUNGAHLIN Goal Kickers: N. Greatz 4, M. BLACK 2, N. BARB , P. CRAIG , M. CLAYTON , J. FOSTER Best Players: A. BUTLER, N. BARB, J. FOSTER, P. CRAIG, N. Greatz QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: J. BROOKER 4, S. DANIEL 3, B. WATTS 3, R. IOPPI 2, K. WATTS 2, C. CUTMORE , D. CORCORAN , D. QUADE , J. Manie , B. WARD , D. MILLER , M. MACKENZIE Best Players: T. HOLLIS, S. DANIEL, B. WATTS, J. BROOKER, M. MACKENZIE, P. BRIEDIS

Under 18 Grade

The Tigers travelled to Marist for the second occasion this year but left with a different result than the first. Marist was far too committed for a deflated Tigers combination who took the field without their normal playing jumpers which have “disappeared”.

If anyone knows of their ware bouts please contact the Club on 62993467. It seems they may have been “borrowed” when unloading the van at the ground last Sunday.

The youthful Tigers combination is a far cry from the team that dominated the competition earlier in the season along with Ainslie. Promotions to the senior level have left them short of experience but to capitulate in the manner they did against a side they have defeated on two previous occasions this year is not a sign the team requires moving towards the finals.

Of the three players in 1st grade last weekend two were not in the team that beat Marist in their previous encounter !!!!. A lot of soul searching is required if they are to return to the winners list against other finals contenders Ainslie and Belconnen in coming weeks. There are always good players in losing sides. Cameron Cobby tried his hardest even though copping a swollen lip for his troubles. Jake Oram also tried desperately to lift his team throughout the match with determined play around the clearances. Sean Van Holland and Kyle King were also hard at the ball. James Murphy gave plenty of drive around the centre.

MARIST 4 4 6 6 9 12 14 14 (98) QUEANBEYAN 0 1 0 1 0 1 3 1 (19)MARIST Goal Kickers: D. CAMPBELL 5, S. KELLY 3, A. McManus 2, T. Kazias 2, L. Flaherty , N. Toogood Best Players: N. Toogood, M. Brook, S. KELLY, S. Gilfedder, K. Mahon, C. O”Rourke QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: B. HAGUE , D. SAINSBURY , S. WINMAR Best Players: C. COBBY, J. ORAM, J. Murphy, D. Solway, J. Robinson, S. Van Holland