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NEAFL A hamstring injury in the opening minute of the game to Alex Overs finished his day but it wasn’t enough to stop an all out effort by an undermanned Tigers combination against last year premiers and current second placed team – Ainslie.
The match at Dairy Farmers Park was highly entertaining. Full credit to players of both teams .
The Tigers have been steadily improving since Coach Adrian Pavese took over the role after round 12. The Club had lost many of its experience players over summer and then new coach Rod O’Riley to illness. On top of that there were season ending injuries to Matt Liddle, Tim Cook, Neil Irwin and Andrew Swan.
Pavese has done an excellent job with this group of players and much of the teams improved performances over the past month can be attributed to his steadying influence on his young chargers.
Once a finals position was out of reach he was empowered to give as much game time as possible to the younger playing group in readiness for 2012. There has been a steady improvement all over the park and although a win has yet to fall his way there is no doubt exciting times are ahead if they continue to play with the determination and desire shown against Ainslie last Sunday.
The lead changed throughout the first three quarters with the Tigers holding a slender advantage at quarter and half time breaks. The Tricolours looked like bursting away during the third term but were reeled in just prior to three quarter time before holding a four point advantage.
Tiger fans could sense an upset but unfortunately the experience of the Ainslie players stood tall and they gradually pulled away to win by 25 points.
Sam Daniel played his best game for the club posting two goals in the opening term. Steve Jolliffe won plenty of the ball around the packs along with the usual in Toby Conroy and Will Griggs. Todd Dickinson and Paul Slater were also prominent although a little wayward with the disposal of the ball at times. Down back Roy Jaques,
Michael Wescombe and Simon Mackie held a much taller and physically stronger Ainslie attack at bay for most of the game.
Overall the signs are encouraging for the Tigers team. This Saturday’s last home and away match for the year is against Tuggeranong Hawks at Dairy Farmers Park on Saturday. The match coincides with a reunion of the 1991 1st Grade premiership team of which will be presented to those attending the 100 Club Dinner that evening.
Queanbeyan 6 3 9 8 11 9 12 12 (84) Ainslie 6 1 9 4 11 9 16 13 (109)Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: S. Daniel 2, D. Campbell , M. May , S. Jensen , J. Kavanagh , B. Fruend , W. Griggs , T. Conroy , S. Jolliffe , T. Dickinson , R. Quade Best Players: S. Jolliffe, S. Daniel, T. Conroy, W. Griggs, M. Daniher, R. Jaques Ainslie Goal Kickers: M. Crook 3, B. Hughes 3, N. PAINE 2, A. MATHIS 2, A. VANDENBERG 2, R. Shirley , A. HARRIS , J. Holmes , E. Stone Best Players: D. Walker, D. TOW, C. MATHIS, D. ARGALL, A. MATHIS, A. HARRIS
Reserve Grade
The curtain raiser match was also an enjoyable game to witness. Inaccuracy cost the Ainslie team early with the Tigers taking full advantage posting 4.3 to just 7 points at the first break. They extended the lead by half time allowing the visitors two late goals to give them a chance of overtaking the home team in the last half.
With injury concerns taking its toll and down to just one on the bench it was up to every player to dig deep.That they did. This team continues to defy the odds with a never say die attitude. The visitors looked likely to get back into the match during the third term but were well held by a defiant backline combination led by the everlasting Paul Briedis and the ever improving Ben Jabornik. Old timer Jon Elias bobbed up a few times down back as well. Jackson Brooker was outstanding while his partner in crime Paul Franchi was completely at home playing on ball. Liam Walker Eastick is another who goes “under the radar” most games.
Dave Corcoran did not let any one down in his 100th appearance for the Tigers once again posting 3 goals and being named amongst the best. Special mention to Jared Daniel who also posted three goals – one a gem from the boundary in front of the Growlers Deck. His overall performance endures his committed approach to his footy this year.
The Tigers have taken top spot on the ladder albeit by percentage over Ainslie who they have now defeated in their last three encounters.
QUEANBEYAN 4 3 6 8 10 9 13 13 (91) AINSLIE 0 7 2 10 6 14 8 16 (64)QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: D. CORCORAN 3, J. DANIEL 3, J. Brooker 3, J. Manie 2, P. Franchi , T. LEE Best Players: P. Franchi, J. ELIAS, J. Brooker, D. CORCORAN, D. McGavin, B. JABORNIK AINSLIE Goal Kickers: B. PERRY 3, M. Lawless 3, L. O”NEILL 2 Best Players: B. PERRY, M. Lawless, C. Dobson, L. Crook, M. Mulroney, L. O”NEILL
Under 18 Grade
How a season can change.
Ainslie defeated the Tigers in round 5 earlier this year quite comfortably.
By half time during last Sundays encounter, this ever improving Tigers combination were 65 points ahead of those same opponents while holding the visitors scoreless. That’s an enormous turnaround and full credit to the coaching staff and players who have stuck together all year. They could well have “thrown in the towel” after some close losers but have willingly continued to train and play as a group with the rewards now falling their way with a fifth consecutive victory.
Although the visitors were down on numbers, the young Tigers took no sympathy and were strong from the opening bounce. Without notably one of the team’s best players in James Armstrong, others stood tall. Aiden Kenworthy again dominated up forward posting three goals along with Dylan Bevan. Down back Jack Bowyer displayed plenty of zip often sending his team into attack and even having a shot on goal – (much to the delight of his dad who called a miss before the youngster had even kicked the ball).
There were eleven goal kickers in total with plenty of solid performances from an overall team display. Mick Elliott, Toby Yeates, Sean Van Holland, Steve Camp and Kieran Shea are benefiting from a few training runs with the seniors and are players to watch in coming years.
QUEANBEYAN 4 7 9 11 11 13 17 15 (117) AINSLIE 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 5 (23)QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: A. Kenworthy 3, D. BEVAN 3, K. SHEA 2, S. Vanholland 2, K. King , L. Dowling , P. Maher , A. Walker , T. YEATES , S. CAMP , M. Elliott Best Players: J. Bowyer, M. Elliott, K. SHEA, D. BEVAN, L. Dowling, A. Kenworthy AINSLIE Goal Kickers: D. DELORENZO , E. MARSHALL , A. NOLAN Best Players: B. FORD, A. MITCHELL, Z. GREIG, A. NOLAN, A. Blewitt, J. Clitheroe
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