All Grades Powering Towards Finals!

NEAFL

With just two rounds remaining the NEAFL Tigers have scored an emphatic win against Sydney University in Sydney last Saturday to remain one game clear on top of the Eastern Conference competition.

Queanbeyan were far too accomplished for the students at Henson Park. Although pressured early, the Tigers took control midway through the first quarter to have a strong lead at the early break. By half time the visitors were well in control but to Universities credit they came back at the end of both quarters to register goals.

Up forward James Kavanagh was providing a handful for his opponent with five goals on the board before half time – 4 of those came in the first quarter. Mitch Daniher was back to his devastating best with quality goals coming from his fleet of foot movement particular from deep in the forward pockets.

The Tigers seemed to run out of “puff’ in the final term allowing five goals to their opponents but were still able to record a substantial victory by the final siren.

Brett Fruend was elusive throughout the match with 3 goals to his credit along with Kaine Stevens whose form at the moment warrants favouritism for the Tigers major awards at the end of the season.

There is no doubt the experience of Toby Conroy and Jarrod Atkinson along with the Coach Klemke, Captain Ryan Quade and veteran Neil Irwin are assisting the Tigers youthful group of players.

Debutant Mitch Haley had limited playing time but he still showed just why the GWS GIANTS have shown interest in him with a strong overhead grab in a pack during the final quarter.

Jenno and Gois keep an eye on the game during Tigers NEAFL game v UNI.

The Tigers performance against the Students has been described as clinical, without flare and certainly not without moments where they seemed to lose concentration – but with two “road trips” in consecutive weeks they can be justifiably pleased with the outcome from both matches.

Once again our thanks and appreciation to those who travelled to assist and who backed up the next day for the Tigers AFL Canberra Division 1 and Under 18 Grade matches against Gungahlin at Dairy Farmers Park.

This week the NEAFL team play Eastlake at Dairy Farmers Park on Saturday at 2.00pm – the Demons coming off three consecutive losses in recent weeks – the latest against Ainslie on Sunday.

Sydney Uni 4 0 24 7 3 45 9 3 57 14 6 (90) Queanbeyan 7 6 48 15 8 98 22 11 143 26 13 (169)Sydney Uni Goal Kickers: A. Campbell 3, J. Hiscox 2, J. Swarts , A. Turco , A. Lee , G. Smith , J. Haggerty , T. Barton , J. Cole , R. Silvester , T. Barrett Best Players: A. Lee, T. Barton, J. Hiscox, A. Campbell, M. Lemme, M. Krochmal Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: J. KAVANAGH 6, B. Fruend 3, K. Stevens 3, M. Daniher 3, T. Conroy 2, R. Quade 2, B. WATTS , K. Klemke , D. Campbell , N. Irwin , W. Griggs , S. Jolliffe , B. King Best Players: M. Daniher, K. Klemke, J. ATKINSON, J. KAVANAGH, K. Stevens, T. Conroy

AFL Canberra Division 1

Debutant Mitch Haley enjoying his first NEAFL win with the Tigers.

Once again the Tigers AFL Canberra Division 1 team had to contend with at least eight changes from the team that defeated Gungahlin the previous week when they took on the same opposition at Dairy Farmers Park last Sunday.

Injuries, player unavailability and suspension forced Coach Pavese to once again scrounge around to field a full team with youngster Stephen Camp and Daniel Hespe assisting out this week – Camp after completing a full game prior in the Under 18 Grade match.

Hespe had been promoted during the week so as to give him a taste of what to expect in 2013 and he didn’t disappoint with a number of quality possessions including a strong forward line mark.

Gungahlin had a few internal problems during the week but to their credit provided strong opposition away from home. Although failing to register a major throughout the match they restricted the Tigers running game and forced the home team to dig deep for an eventual 111 point victory.

The strong wind did not provide for an entertaining match – in deed the game was mistake riddled but there were certainly some player highlights. Sam Daniel returned to the Club after a stint overseas and by way of the form shown will again press for NEAFL selection by finals time.

Up forward Dave Corcoran was as elusive as ever with four goals. Campbell Griggs could have kicked a bag full but inaccuracy spoilt his otherwise excellent performance.

Others to show spirited opposition were Steve Johnstone, Chase Grintell, Michael Redmond and best on ground Hayden Kelly.

This team has the bye this weekend before finishing their season against Tuggeranong and Ainslie in the final two rounds.

QUEANBEYAN 5 8 38 7 8 50 11 14 80 16 20 (116) GUNGAHLIN 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 4 4 0 5 (5)QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: D. CORCORAN 4, S. Daniel 3, C. GRIGGS 2, M. REDMOND 2, C. Grintell , R. Price , H. KELLY , K. WATTS , B. Walsh Best Players: H. KELLY, M. REDMOND, B. Walsh, C. GRIGGS, S. JOHNSTONE, C. Grintell GUNGAHLIN Best Players: D. Munday, R. Wood, R. Davis, T. Scholfield, D. Scholfield, R. Smith

Under 18 Rising Stars

This column could be reserved for what was an enormous win by the Tigers but much credit should be given to the youngsters from the Gungahlin Jets who have battled enormous odds throughout the season – often undermanned and certainly without the experience and quality of their opponent’s week in week out.

Last Sunday, they lacked a full team but they took the field and fulfilled their commitment to the competition against a Tigers combination that is undefeated. At one stage late in the final quarter even the most die heart Tiger supporters were willing the Jets to post a score – but it was not to be.

They were repelled by who ever the Tigers Coach Paul Campbell threw into the backline – and by way of trying to give every one of his players an opportunity to touch the ball only four didn’t score a goal. That is remarkable in itself. 20 players scored at some stage during the match led by Cody Haub with 4. Justin Galloway was a proud man in the change rooms after his three major conversions and “heaps” of marks !!

There were certainly some stand out performance across the playing group but mention must be made of some of our developing players such as Adam Lee, Jono Bowyer, Sam Bowden, Jack Jacobs and Scott Lancaster – the majority of whom have yet another year in this grade.

The win argues well for a strong showing in the finals with games against Ainslie this weekend at Dairy Farmers Park as the curtain raiser to the Tigers NEAFL team, then Tuggeranong with a final home and away match against last Sundays opposition.

Finally, well done to the Jets. May they continue with the game in future years learning from a tough season that can often be rewarding in itself as it can develop strong character and resilience against all odds.

Queanbeyan 7 6 48 13 13 91 22 16 148 31 24 (210) GUNGAHLIN U18’s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0)Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: C. Haub 4, J. Galloway 3, T. SHEA 2, J. McKenna 2, T. YEATES 2, J. Bowyer 2, S. CAMP 2, G. LENNON 2, M. Price 2, E. Callendar , P. Maher , A. Lee , S. Bowden , K. SHEA , S. Lancaster , J. JACOBS , N. LEMBIT , A. PALAZZO , A. McCORMICK Best Players: J. Bowyer, A. Lee, J. JACOBS, G. LENNON, S. Bowden, J. Galloway GUNGAHLIN U18’s Best Players: J. Reynolds, A. Jago, J. Dobing, J. Larter, D. Reddacliff, C. Reddacliff

Matt, Mark and Noel all smile befor Sunday’s games against the Jets.