Strong return to the Winners List!

Enjoying a Win against old foes!

FIRST GRADE

The Tigers made a welcome return to the winners list with a well deserved and spirited victory over Ainslie at Dairy Farmers Park last Sunday. A loss would have placed them a game plus percentage out of the four after the upset win by Eastlake over Belconnen the previous day. As it stands the Sydney Swans Reserves are well clear on top of the table with only 6 points separating Ainslie (2nd), Belconnen (3rd), Eastlake and the Tigers who are both on equal points in 4th.

Over night rain made for a slippery surface particularly for the earlier games but there were clear skies for the main match. There were a number of “scuffles” during the first quarter as both teams tried to assert there authority on the match. The result was two reports for the Tigers – the first in any grade this season. Neil Irwin and Jason Satchell with face the tribunal on Tuesday evening as a result of indiscretions during the opening term.

The Tigers took a two goal lead into the quarter time break and gradually increased the lead to 33 points by the main break. They played with a lot more endeavour, enthusiasm and commitment to the ball with more direct passages of play during the first half. Although moving towards old habits in the third quarter they were able to increase their lead by three quarter time albeit by the barest of margins – 1 point. By the end of the game the Tigers had posted a strong victory 11.10 (76) to 6.15 (51).

The win was encouraging for the Tigers who went into the match with five changes from the previous week including the absence of ruck-man Jordan Longmore and on baller Andrew Lieschke through injury. Kris Thompson and James Manie were unavailable while Brett Fruend had a run in the earlier match picking up a best on ground performance.

Captain Ryan Quade was outstanding in the ruck and he along with Todd Dickinson, James Kavanagh, Billy Neely, Tim Cook and Matt Liddle were great contributors during the game.

Undoubtedly a feature of the match was the awarding of the MUIR Medal for the player adjudged Best on Ground announced by Ainslie President Ian Muir and presented by Tigers Chairman Bob Gibbs. This year the award went to the Tigers Andrew Swan. He is the youngest ever recipient of the medal and deservedly won the honour after a fantastic display from the half back line. Awards Ocean Fresh – Matt Liddle Bakers Delight, Jerra – Mitch Daniher Mart Delicatessen – Simon Mackie

QUEANBEYAN 4 1 7 6 9 7 11 10 (76) AINSLIE 2 2 2 4 3 9 6 15 (51)QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: M. LIDDLE 3, M. ARMSTRONG 3, W. GRIGGS 2, R. QUADE , T. COOK , B. Neely Best Players: R. QUADE, J. KAVANAGH, M. LIDDLE, A. Swan, S. MACKIE, M. DANIHER AINSLIE Goal Kickers: R. Andrews , M. Crook , C. Baxter , R. SHIRLEY , M. Lawless , J. HIRST Best Players: J. FLEMING, A. HARRIS, R. TUOHEY, R. Andrews, M. Lawless, D. LOVE

Jared Daniel celebrated his 50th game with a win in the Reserves.

Reserve Grade.

The Tigers Reserve Grade went into their encounter with the Tricolours very much undermanned. However no-one would have predicted the opening start to the game whereby the Tigers young guns came out firing and posted five goals before quarter time. The inaccurate Ainslie combination had ten scoring shots for no majors by half time. They had ample opportunities to peg the Tigers back but couldn’t’t post a major score.

At the other end of the park the Tigers were well served in the goal kicking area with the elusive Brett Fruend regaining some much needed game time adding 4 goals to his tally for the year. The elusive and laconic Brendan Ward chimed in with 3 as did Daniel Jabornik.

The goal of the year (and possible ever) at DFP came from the boot of Liam Wilkinson who slotted an absolute gem from the boundary in front of the Growlers deck. It was great to see Sean Kelly in form (his Mum was in attendance) and that of Michael Moss and Brett Ormston . Awards Jack Daniels – Jared Daniel Farm Fresh – Brett Fruend Club Award – Mitch Mackenzie

QUEANBEYAN 5 3 8 3 12 3 16 5 (101) AINSLIE 0 5 0 10 3 12 7 15 (57)QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: B. FRUEND 4, B. WARD 3, D. JABORNIK 3, L. WILKINSON , S. Kelly , R. PRICE , J. Nancarrow , D. CORCORAN , M. MACKENZIE Best Players: S. Kelly, B. FRUEND, M. Moss, B. ORMSTON, P. BRIEDIS, L. WILKINSON AINSLIE Goal Kickers: P. NEIBERDING 2, J. GRIFFIN , B. PERRY , M. ABLETT , L. SVILICIC , M. JILLARD Best Players: B. PERRY, N. ROBERTSON, J. GRIFFIN, M. JILLARD, A. OLSON, B. SHEEHAN

Under 18 Grade

This was always going to be a close encounter. It was matched by the quality and high standard with the Tricolours coming out in front in what was a top of the table clash. Nothing much separated the two teams throughout the game. A last minute goal to the away team in the final quarter made the difference 15 points – but prior to that – the game was in the balance.

Shannon Winmar was active up forward posting 3 goals. Jack Bowyer was equally active in defence and on ball with his strong ground work a feature of his play. The Tigers have a rock in defence with Sean Van Holland. He rarely makes an error and looks set for a promising career with the Tigers Club.

While not pleased to lose the Club acknowledges the efforts of Brady Scholes and Jordan Flanagan who are grandsons of the late and great former Tigers legend Alan Muir. Brady and Jordan are both members of the Ainslie Football Club Under 18 Grade team and were in attendance at the club at the presentation of the MUIR Medal. Awards Jerra Dog and car Wash – Sean Van Holland Bakers Delight – Jack Bowyer Darryl Lea Chocolates – Shannon Winmar

QUEANBEYAN 2 3 3 3 5 4 7 4 (46) AINSLIE 1 1 5 8 6 10 8 13 (61)QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: S. WINMAR 3, J. Murphy 2, D. Solway , T. LEE Best Players: J. Bowyer, J. Eagle, R. PRICE, S. Van Holland, S. WINMAR AINSLIE Goal Kickers: J. WHATMAN 3, L. CARTER , R. HAUPT , L. O”NEILL , B. SCHOLES , A. BUNDAY Best Players: L. O”NEILL, B. FORD, J. King, B. SCHOLES, A. BUNDAY, A. MITCHELL

WOMENS TEAM

QUEANBEYAN 0.2 0.2 1.4 2.4(16) RIVERINA 3.2 9.8 9.12 12.14 (86) Goals: Sarah Crowe, Amy McLenaghan Best: Kristen Turner, Davina Harris, Te Ani Lusk Waititi, Dani Lewis, Amanda Oosterwergen

The Queanbeyan Tigers were much more competitive at home against Riverina on Saturday with only an abysmal second quarter performance spoiling what was otherwise a very good team effort. Early in the first term the Tigers were second to the footy, giving away careless free kicks and getting sucked into the contest, despite pre-game instructions allowing the talented Riverina team plenty of space to run and use the ball. The highlight for the Tigers were the sensational efforts of Kristen ‘Kritta’ Turner off half back flank who threw herself into contest after contest repelling the Riverina forward thrusts time and again. Unfortunately there were not enough following her lead and a lack of desperation helped Riverina kick three early goals.

Towards the end of the quarter the Tigers started to play better and had two great chances to score however both very gettable set shots sailed wide of the mark. The second term was the Tigers worst for the season. Save for Kritta, Te Ani Lusk Waititi ‘T’ (returning after a long break with shoulder injury) and Amanda Oosterwergen the Tigers were non-competitive failing to run, talk or compete. Basic skill errors also hurt the team, who were again constantly second to the ball. The result was a 10 goal deficit at half time and an almost silent change room.

Challenged at half time to make something out of the day the Tigers produced a great third quarter, something they are starting to make a habit out of. The Tigers were starting to get first to the ball and as a result started to get the benefit of the 50/50 decisions with skipper Jacinta Froud and Jane Vucago prominent. Dani Lewis was sent down back to shore up the defence and showed the kind of desperation required to help hold the Riverina team goalless for the term. Even better after some sustained forward pressure the Tigers forward Sarah Crowe copped a high tackle and was rewarded with a free kick which she truly converted for her first career goal. The Tigers missed a couple of other opportunities to score, but still managed to win the term by 4 points.

The final term started with the Tigers again giving away a simple free kick and failing to contest well enough in the air and conceding a quick goal. However the Tigers fought back and T gave the Tigers supporters one of the highlights of the year, taking a real ‘speckie’ on half forward. Shortly afterward Michelle Hansen took a solid mark and found Amy McLenaghan ten metres out from goal on a slight angle.

Despite a dozen or so Riverina players standing the mark Amy kicked truly and became the second Tiger on the day to register her first career goal. The Tigers kept battling out the quarter providing a much more determined contest before Riverina finally ran out winners by 70 points, a massive 63 point improvement on the week before against the same opponents.

The challenge for the Tigers is now to try and produce a four quarter effort and not save their best for after their worst, when the game is already gone and the opposition has arguably switched off. The challenge next week is again a tough one taking on the reigning premier Tuggeranong at Kambah next Sunday 18 July at 12 noon.