Good win against Demons!

NEAFL Tigers Take The Points In Tough Conditions by Michael Niesen

Blustery, difficult conditions welcomed Queanbeyan and Eastlake players at Dairy Farmers Park on Saturday in a game that had major significance to both clubs. With the Sydney Swans breathing down the Tigers neck only a win would do if they wanted to remain in top spot and – for Eastlake – who had not won since round 15 – a win was desperately needed if they wanted to remain in control for the hunt for the double chance.

The Tigers had won the 2 previous meetings against the Demons but the tricky conditions would make life difficult for both sides and it would be the team that had the cleaner skills who would more than likely prevail.

The opening term was difficult for both sides due to the windy conditions but it was the Tigers aided with the breeze who were cleaner with the ball, more direct and had targets up forward in Quade and Kavanagh. They both looked dangerous with every forward entry.

In contrast, Eastlake, while having plenty of the football, continually chipped the ball short, lacked penetration and while they would have been happy to kick 2 goals against the breeze they would have been concerned with the way they were bringing the ball into their forward line.

1/4 Time Qbn 5-4-34 Eastlake 2-1-13

The second term for Eastlake would have been a very frustrating one. They had numerous opportunities to apply scoreboard pressure but continually bombed the ball into their forward line giving the forwards little chance. This made things very easy for the Tiger defence that were able to clean up the Demons entries and repel wave after wave of Eastlake attacks.

2 goals apiece were scored for the term and Eastlake would have been extremely disappointed to not make more inroads given the amount of forward 50 entries they had. The Tigers Coaching staff would have also been annoyed with the way the term went and must have been relieved the scoreboard still had the Tigers holding a handy 16 point lead.

Half Time Qbn 7-5-47 Eastlake 4-7-31

Eastlake made a real game of it kicking against the breeze and 15 minutes into the quarter the margin was still the same as at half time. But little things can turn a game of football and perhaps a kick for goal from Mardling from 25 metres out directly in front that hit the post did just that.

If that had of gone through the Demons would have been 10 points behind, instead the resulting kick in went quickly into the Tiger forward line and a mark and goal from Mitch Daniher from 45 metres out on a sharp angle must have dented the spirit of the Demons while lifting those of the Tigers. From that point on the Tigers slammed on another 5 majors to take a commanding 48 point lead into the last term.

3/4 Time Qbn 13-8-86 Eastlake 5-8-38

Full credit to Eastlake as they fought out the final term kicking 3 goals while holding the Tigers goalless, however that blistering 12 minute spell from Queanbeyan in the third term ended the game as a contest.

Final Scores Qbn 13-11-89 Eastlake 8-12-60

The Tigers again showed their finals credentials when challenged. They were by far the more skillful of the 2 sides and played a more direct brand of football than their opponents. They rebounded quickly and gave their forwards the opportunity to contest for the football while Eastlake struggled to find a clear winner in their forward line. This was mainly due to poor execution going in and not being predictable which made it difficult for the forwards to read what was unfolding in front of them.

Best for the Tigers were Captain Ryan Quade whose marking was a feature of the day, his work rate was exceptional and he led from front in a true Captains game. Ben King was his usual busy self, working hard in and under packs getting many important clearances for his side. James Kavanagh was excellent up forward. He marked and kicked well in tricky conditions and finished with 6 goals for the game taking his tally to 75 for the season equal with Mitch Morton from the Sydney Swans.

Jarrod Atkinson was very good offensive and defensively and the smell of finals is starting to bring the best of a player who will play a crucial role come September and Kaine Stevens continued his break out season winning possessions all over the ground and making good use his disposals by hand and by foot.

It was also great to see the club unearth another debutant player Kyle Farrugia who came to the club via Turvey Park. His form in the Under 18s has been solid and his appearance in the seniors makes the number of Under 18s to experience Senior Football to 10. A wonderful effort by the club!

With 1 round to go the Tigers are top of the NEAFL ladder and have won the Club Championship for the 7th time. A truly remarkable transition from 12 months ago. They are quicker, more skillful, stronger at the football and share the workload extremely well which is most pleasing to their coaching staff and their supporters. They appear to be an even team who continually work for each other and have the belief that when challenged they can kick into another gear and kick clear.

Queanbeyan 5 4 7 5 13 8 13 11 (89) Eastlake 2 1 4 7 5 8 8 12 (60)

Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: J. KAVANAGH 6, B. Fruend 2, M. Daniher 2, T. Dickinson , R. Quade , B. Klemke Best Players: B. King, R. Quade, N. Irwin, J. KAVANAGH, J. ATKINSON, M. Daniher Eastlake Goal Kickers: C. O”Rourke , P. MCGRATH , M. TAYLFORTH , M. FRAIL , A. BRUCE , D. ROULSTONE , J. MOODY , M. Kimball Best Players: D. ROULSTONE, B. MAIDEN, P. MCGRATH, A. Wiles, C. O”Rourke

Under 18 Grade Rising Stars

There is one thing for sure in footy. Nothing is certain, regardless of were you sit on the ladder. The young Tigers outfit probably thought they were in for an easy game last Saturday taking on 5th place Ainslie at home – It certainly wasn’t the case.

The Tricolours came to play and the Tigers simply didn’t. Complacency has no room to exist as they enter a crucial and exciting period of the season.

Personalities aside they still have a lot to learn and a long way to go before any thoughts of that one day in September.

The more experienced players and indeed the leadership group must now come to the forefront to bring this exciting group of talented players through the next phase of the season – that being the finals series.

Ainslie opened the game full of confidence and had three goals on the board before the locals had ventured into their own forward line. The wind may have favoured the visitors but it provided no excuse for the manner in which the Tigers attacked or mishandled the footy.

It was a gritty comeback in the second term as the Tigers clawed their way back to lead at half time and then grind out the remainder of the game posting an additional four goals to two to secure the win. They now play a deferred match on Thursday evening at Dairy Farmers Park at 4.30pm against Marist before having the bye this coming weekend.

Better players for the Tigers included Jason Taylor who continues to impress with his hardness and determination. Johno Bowyer is also playing excellent footy along with young Scotty Wright.

While the “older heads” all contributed during the match, it was again some of the youngsters that stood tall including Ethan Callender and Harley Beckett.

Queanbeyan 1 2 5 6 8 7 9 10 (64) Ainslie 4 2 4 3 6 9 6 10 (46)Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: K. SHEA 2, P. Maher 2, M. Price , S. WRIGHT , J. ARMSTRONG , J. Macdonald , M. Haley Best Players: J. TAYLOR, J. Bowyer, M. Price, E. Callendar, S. WRIGHT, H. BECKETT Ainslie Goal Kickers: M. Drummond 2, L. GRIFFITHS 2, K. KARAPANAGOS 2 Best Players: E. BOWDITCH-WHARTON, T. NUNN, C. DWYER, M. Drummond, M. BOAK, M. BROWN

Ladies Tigerettes.

The Tigerettes enjoying the 100 Club Function

Queanbeyan 0 1 0 2 0 3 3 4 (22) Tuggeranong Hawks 0 4 2 4 6 10 7 10 (52)Queanbeyan 2012 Goal Kickers: M. Hurley , J. Froud , L. Watson Best Players: M. Eldridge, L. Watson, M. Hurley, E. Lewis, J. Froud, A. Oosterwesher Tuggeranong Hawks 2012 Goal Kickers: A. Ghirardello 2, A. Ballerini 2, D. Puglisi , K. Ghirardello , V. King Best Players: S. Syrek, K. Ghirardello, A. Ballerini, R. Mitchell, R. Currie, H. Grey

The team took a risk electing to kick into a strong breeze in the first quarter hoping to catch the Tuggeranong team half asleep with the early start. The plan worked thanks to a great defensive effort led by key defenders Em Lewis and Kristol Pyke and assisted by season best games from Clarice Huston and Amanda Oosterwesher in the last line of defence.

At quarter time Tuggeranong had failed to kick a goal and were it not for Hannah Dunn’s shot sliding to the right the Tigerettes may have had a shock lead.

Unfortunately the team were not able to take advantage in the second term missing a few golden opportunities and not being able to counter the reigning league best and fairest Ange Ballerini who had been moved into the midfield and set up most of Tuggeranong’s play to trail by 13 points at half time.

The game was finished as a contest in the third quarter as Tuggeranong ran away with the breeze and the game as the Tigerettes tired. Mikaela Eldridge was one of a too small band that kept up the effort for four quarters.

To the teams credit, and unlike the last clash, our girls refused to give up in the final term. Carly Res moved onto Ange and did a creditable job. Mel Hurley pushed forward after spending most of the game helping out in defence and kicked a great goal.

Lani Watson, who had been the teams most dangerous forward also scored and then Jacinta Froud broke her duck for the season kicking a goal of sorts as the Tigerettes won the quarter to go down by 30 points.

The Tigerettes finish their season against Ainslie next Sunday at Town Park.