Another Crack at Premiership Success!

NEAFL

There were twelve different goal kickers in the Tigers NEAFL team that defeated Eastlake in the Preliminary Final which just shows what a team effort it was for the side to advance in to the clubs 28th senior grade grand final since 1925.

It’s the 18th occasion in the past 28 years that the club features in the end of season decider.

The encounter last Saturday was a tight affair for the majority of the match but – as in the three previous games this year against the Demons – it came down to a couple of ten minute bursts during which the Tigers were able to covert a number of opportunities to take a commanding lead going into the final term.

The last minute inclusion of Tom Hollis as a replacement for the injured Andrew Swan was a bold and adventurous move but was certainly not lost on the playing group all of whom embraced him for his first senior grade game this year. He certainly lived up to expectations with a quality performance at CHB.

A dominant performance by Coach Kade Klemke emphasised the courageous move by the Club this time last year to appoint him to the main position.

James Kavanagh was again at his best against Eastlake.

Although young he has instilled a quality of spirit and commitment to a group of players who have both youth and experience on their side.

The experience comes in the way of Roy Jaques (back line), Captain Ryan Quade(CHF), Toby Conroy and Mitch Daniher (on ball), Jarrod Atkinson (centre-line), Neil Irwin (ruck) and James Kavanagh (forward). All seven players were sensational last Saturday.

They provided the big game experience for the younger brigade of which Jeremy Kirkwood, Alex Overs, Kaine Stevens, Ben King and Will Griggs all stood tall – some playing in just their second ever finals game.

The Tigers opponents this Sunday at Manuka Oval from 2.15pm have been the standout team all season taking all before them.

The Sydney Swans have been a class act with few teams being able to match their strong line up each week consisting of many AFL listed players and quality top ups.

The last time these two teams met in a Grand Final was in 2007 with the Swans taking the game in the last 15 minutes of a quality encounter.

Expect nothing less than that again – a quality, hard fought encounter with the locals keen to avenge the second semi final loss and provide the Tigers with its first premiership success since the Year 2000.

Queanbeyan 2 4 6 7 12 10 14 13 (97) Eastlake 2 1 4 4 6 6 10 9 (69)Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: J. ATKINSON 3, J. KAVANAGH 2, B. Fruend , J. Kirkwood , N. Irwin , W. Griggs , M. Daniher , S. Daniel , T. Dickinson , K. Stevens , B. King Best Players: J. Kirkwood, T. Dickinson, A. Overs, J. ATKINSON, M. Heaslip Eastlake Goal Kickers: A. BRUCE 2, C. Gibson 2, S. Gumley , R. BRABAZON , M. TAYLFORTH , D. ROULSTONE , S. Mardling , J. MOODY Best Players: J. Van Meurs, D. ROULSTONE, S. SMITH, J. MESMAN, A. Wiles, M. Wilson

Under 18 Grade Rising Stars

Alex Overs had a very good game keeping Mardling to 1 goal.

The Tigers Under 18 Grade team were bundled out of the premiership race last Saturday when defeated by the Magpies.

After a dominate season things just didn’t go there way in the finals suffering their only losses in the second semi and preliminary final(s).

Players and Coaching staff were lamenting what could have been.

Not taking anything away from the victors the Tigers were their own worst enemy during the finals.

Without producing a match report from the preliminary final the Club would like to highlight what a wonderful group of young men the Club has on its doorstep for future seasons.

They have been exemplary in all facets of on field behaviour, attendance at training, general attitude towards everyone in the club – in particular to our volunteers – and in the manner in which they took defeat last Saturday.

In a message forwarded to the Club the next day they said “they were sorry for letting the club down”.

This just highlights what a quality group the club will encounter in coming years. They certainly didn’t let the club down and can be justly proud of their efforts throughout the year.

Ten players enjoyed experience at NEAFL level during the year with quite a number playing for the GWS GIANTS Reserve Grade team. That experience alone will assist the next generation of senior grade Tigers.

To everyone associated with the team – thank you for the huge contribution you have made to our organisation throughout the year. Well done.

Queanbeyan 1 2 3 3 5 3 8 5 (53) BELCONNEN MAGPIES 1 2 2 4 6 6 11 6 (72)Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: S. WRIGHT 2, D. HESPE 2, K. Farrugia , J. JACOBS , E. Callendar , M. Haley Best Players: M. Price, K. SHEA, J. Galloway, M. Haley, A. McCORMICK BELCONNEN MAGPIES Goal Kickers: A. Pini 2, I. Taylor 2, C. Wenke 2, J. Steele , B. McCabe , S. RYAN-BAKER , A. JONES , R. HEALY Best Players: L. AUSTIN, L. Wharton, S. RYAN-BAKER, J. Steele, I. Taylor, C. MILLER