Bad Start to Finals Campaign!

Tiger Big Man Neil Irwin had a great battle with Swan Jesse White.

FINALS NERVES HIT TIGERS!

The Club failed to register a win from three finals appearances at the weekend ending a season run of winning at least two matches every week throughout the year.

Although disappointing the Tigers still have the NEAFL and Under 18 Grade teams playing off in the preliminary finals next week.

The Division 1 team has unfortunately bowed out of contention being defeated comfortably by Ainslie.

It will be the first time in SIX years this side has missed a place in the grand final and brings to an end a wonderful and successful period with three consecutive premierships.

NEAFL

Halfway through the second quarter the Tigers had the Swans Reserves back peddling in an awesome display of tough, physical footy that had them three goals in front. They were relentless at the footy and were providing the Swans with plenty of headaches as they stormed to a strong lead.

However costly turnovers provided the Swans a few opportunities which they grabbed with ease to take a 6 point advantage into the half time break.

If that wasn’t enough – a few quite words by Swans skipper Jarrod Moore to the Umpires as they walked from the field at half time may have provided them further opportunities as they opened the game up in the third term.

Kicking against the breeze they piled 6 goals to the Tigers two and had the game seemingly under control at three quarter time.

Two early goals in the last term to the Tigers bought the margin back to 18 points. It was reminiscent of the fight back the Tigers provided the Swans at Dairy Farmers Park in Round 11.

But – as with that game, the Swans kicked into another gear and posted the next six goals to win the match by 55 points and in doing so booked themselves a place in the 2012 NEAFL Eastern Conference Grand Final.

The Tigers walked away from the game knowing that it will require a full four quarters of football if the Swans are to be challenged for this years title. Before they can have another crack at them – Eastlake are in the way after they scored an exciting one point win over Ainslie in the first semi final last Sunday.

The Tigers pressure early was a key factor in the home team’s first half effort.

For the Tigers “big” Ben Klemke was a standout forward line player posting 4 goals. His strong marking featured prominently throughout the game as did that of Captain Ryan Quade. Ryno’s leadership qualities are certainly coming to the fore as this season progresses.

Jeremy Kirkwood also played one of his best games of the year holding Swans listed player Trent Dennis Lane to five goals four of those coming in the last quarter when the dust had settled.

There were some fantastic goals scored – two in particular by Jarrod Atkinson and James Kavanagh from deep in the left hand pocket, Manuka shops end – against the wind.

Kaine Stevens and Toby Conroy once again racked up plenty of possessions with Stevens being a standout with his elusive play when in and around packs. Another feature was the battle of the big men. There is little love lost between Neil Irwin and Jessie White as they go about their respective ruck duties.

Two players missing from action last Saturday were Andrew Swan and Daniel Campbell – both declared injured when the sides were selected. They will certainly come into contention for this weeks team as will the likes of regular senior grade players James Manie, Sam Daniel and Matt Liddle all of whom were strong performers in the Division 1 team loss.

Queanbeyan 4 2 9 2 11 2 13 5 (83) Sydney Swans 3 2 9 8 15 10 21 12 (138)Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: B. Klemke 4, R. Quade 3, K. Stevens 2, J. ATKINSON 2, B. Fruend , J. KAVANAGH Best Players: B. Klemke, K. Stevens, R. Quade, N. Irwin, J. Kirkwood, T. Conroy Sydney Swans Goal Kickers: T. DENNIS-LANE 5, M. MORTON 3, J. LAMB 2, B. Plug 2, J. MOORE 2, D. MCNEIL 2, H. CUNNINGHAM , E. Sertbas , N. GORDON , J. McKinlay , M. SPANGHER Best Players: J. LAMB, N. GORDON, J. WHITE, D. MCNEIL, J. MOORE, H. CUNNINGHAM

AFL Canberra Division 1

A first quarter opening four goal burst by Ainslie virtually sealed the game.

Although the Tigers fought back to be in arrears by only 1 goal at the long break, they had seemingly fought the battle with the premiership third quarter being a shocker for the Tigers. They let the game slip with a mistake riddled, undisciplined display allowing the Tricolours 4 unanswered goals and a 32 point lead at ¾ time.

The final quarter was just that – a final 25 minutes of what has been an up and down season for a team that has struggled to cover season ending injuries or player unavailability throughout the year.

One wonders if the likes of premiership players Paul Briedis, Sean Kelly, Casey Walsh, Liam Walker Eastick, Liam Wilkinson, Daniel Jabornik and Kaeden Watts had all been available come finals time this year.

Unfortunately they were all missing with triple premiership coach Adrian Pavese left lamenting what could have been. Simply – they were outplayed on Sunday by Ainslie – a team they had defeated the week previous.

They lacked the skill level and the fitness that had taken them to some outstanding wins over all contenders during the year.

The last minute inclusion of Daniel Campbell – (who was not considered for NEAFL selection due to an ankle injury suffered during the week) provided a shining light. He posted three goals from 8 attempts in a strong performance up forward that would not be lost on the selection committee for this weeks NEAFL team.

Another who is regaining form is that of Sam Daniel. He was a stand out performer in the game along with committed efforts from Dylan Bevan, Michael Elliott and Dale Cummins.

Although a few players have indicated retirement, it seemed most will line up again in season 2013. One thing for sure, most (if not all) will realise that premierships do not just carry over from one season to the next season.

Ainslie 4 3 5 6 9 10 10 13 (73) QUEANBEYAN 1 3 4 6 4 8 5 11 (41)Ainslie Goal Kickers: T. Davison 3, A. GROZINGER 3, L. O”Neill 2, B. ALVES , B. Hackett Best Players: L. O”Neill, M. Mulroney, E. McCowan, T. Davison, A. GROZINGER, M. RENET QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: D. Campbell 3, M. Wescombe , J. Manie Best Players: S. Daniel, D. CUMMINS, D. Campbell, G. Hair, D. BEVAN, B. Walsh

The Super Two’s were in full voice and support of the Seniors in their game against the Swans.

Under 18 Grade Rising Stars – Tigers lose that undefeated tag!!

The Under 18 Grade suffered their first defeat of the season against Eastlake who dominated proceedings from the outset in the 2nd semi final played at Manuka Oval last Saturday.

The Tigers never seemed in the hunt as the Demons continually out marked, out ran and generally outplayed a team that had provided the Club with some outstanding results throughout the year.

Both teams fielded possibly their strongest sides of the year with the Tigers posting the first two goals before a fight back by Eastlake had them with an 8 point lead at quarter time. The loss of Toby Yeates and Scott Lancaster to injury before half time proved costly as both have been in excellent form this year.

Most were waiting for the team to kick into another gear but as the game progressed, it became evident that it wasn’t going to be one of those days. The Demons were too good and by games end had comprehensively defeated a despondent Queanbeyan team.

There is a lot of great sayings in footy – but the best is “a weeks a long time in footy” and its amazing how fortunes, attitudes and the realisation that this could be the last game of the season will change everyone’s mindset.

Some minds don’t have to change as they played some great footy last Saturday. Mitch Price, Justin Galloway, Kyle Farrugia, Cody Haub and Jono Bowyer (until injured late in the game) all gave strong performances.

Their season is “on the line” this Saturday. They have to battle Belconnen who won the 1st semi final with a strong win against Marist last Sunday.

Queanbeyan 2 0 12 3 2 20 5 5 35 5 5 (35) Eastlake 3 2 20 5 3 33 6 5 41 9 8 (62)Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: C. Haub 3, P. Maher , D. HESPE Best Players: J. Galloway, M. Price, K. Farrugia, C. Haub, J. Bowyer Eastlake Goal Kickers: B. CIUFFETELLI 2, M. Smith 2, B. Reid , K. Warrener , D. Owen , H. Bryant , M. Marinelli Best Players: J. Hancock, L. Mulligan, B. Halse, J. Mount, T. Lewis, M. Marinelli