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The Tigers newly renovated grandstand played host to the NEAFL Round 2 clash between the Tigers and the vastly improved Sydney University side last Sunday.
The match had been postponed from Saturday to Sunday to allow the ground to dry out after constant rain had originally closed all grounds in the Canberra / Queanbeyan area.
The Tiger were able to convince the Queanbeyan City Council to open the ground on Sunday to accommodate just the one match with the Rising Stars Under 18 Grade and 1st Grade matches (against Eastlake) being postponed.
Yet another working bee on Saturday had a number of the Tiger faithful working tirelessly to have the renovations looking every part of the finished product for the Sunday encounter.
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The wet conditions did the Tigers no favours with Sydney Uni producing a wonderful brand of exciting and precise football as they completely overran a disappointing Queanbeyan outfit.
Uni have been bolstered over the off season with a number of quality recruits with 3 ex AFL players and two former WAFL players lining up in their team for 2014. This on top of what was an exciting list in 2013.
The Tigers also boasted a number of new players to the club – 8 in total but unfortunately none have replaced the likes of Kaine Stevens and James Kavanagh – both champions for the Club in recent years – Stevens transferring to West Adelaide in the SANFL and “Kav” being in semi retirement.
The University held the Tigers goalless up to half time managing just 6 goals themselves but they were well on top and dominated proceedings during this time. After the break they went further ahead until eventually the Tigers managed a couple of major scores close to the three quarter time siren. However the writing was on “the scoreboard” with the students kicking away to take the points and inflict the Tigers first opening round loss in many seasons.
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Newcomers Alex Lawder and Liam Greenwell were strong contenders for best player awards along with Will Griggs and Toby Conroy. Nathan Kerlin battled courageously all day after receiving a heavy knock in the opening term and then losing backup ruckman and another newcomer in Michael Aitchison with a hamstring early in the second term. Youngster Jarrod Thompson also battled hard after coming into the side at the last minute to replace Matt Liddle due to illness.
Queanbeyan0.1-10.6-62.6-185.7-37Sydney University2.4-166.9-4511.14-8015.19-109
Queanbeyan
Goal Kickers: B. Fruend 2, R. Quade , M. Bernasconi , W. Griggs Best Players: K. Klemke, L. Greenwell, A. Lawder, T. Conroy, W. Griggs, N. Kerlin
Sydney University
Goal Kickers: T. Barrett 3, K. Barnes 2, M. Thompson , T. Morrison , R. Brabazon , G. Orr , T. Ayton , T. Barton , M. O”Dwyer , J. Derickx , R. Bottin-Noonan , M. Rawlinson Best Players: T. Ayton, W. Sierakowski, K. Barnes, T. Morrison, M. Thompson, R. Bottin-Noonan
The Tigers next encounter is against reigning Eastern Conference Premiers – Sydney Swans Reserves at the SCG on Sunday at 9.30am as the curtain raiser to the Swans v North Melbourne AFL game.
Other matches include the Rising Stars playing Marist on Friday evening at Greenway commencing at 6.30pm, the Tigerettes taking on Ainslie at Ainslie Oval at 6.30pm (not 6.00pm) and the Tigers 1st Grade playing ADAF on Sunday at RMC commencing at 2.00pm.