Tigers in three tight games.

NEAFL

The Tigers NEAFL team travelled to Sydney on Friday evening with four changes to the previous week’s line up that easily accounted for Eastlake. Missing from the team were Sean Wilkinson (unavailable), Alex Lawder and Levi Power (both injured) with Mitch Haley dropping back to 1st Grade.

Selected into the travelling squad were Kieran Shea, Toby Richards, Jake Hiep, Toby Conroy and Daniel Johnson. The Tigers took some time to adjust to the smaller ground of Sydney University and it told on the scoreboard with the Students racing to a 33 point lead just after the quarter time break.

A gallant Tigers outfit fought back.

It was only a desperate University defence in the final minutes of the game that denied them victory. A dubious free kick was awarded to former St Kilda player Nic Winmar who posted a goal from the “50” in the final seconds of the game to seal a win for the home team.

Although disappointed it was a far better performance than that of the Tigers in the opening round clash with the same opponents at Dairy Farmers Park in which they were well defeated.   Nothing can be taken away from the Sydney side who boast a number of quality players who are strong in the air and play an attacking style of football.

However the Tigers have improved immensely in recent weeks and they too will provide stiff opposition as the season unfolds and a number of players return from injury.

Sydney University5.58.911.1114.16-100Queanbeyan2.27.410.514.8-92

Sydney University

Goal Kickers: M. Powys 3, R. Brabazon 2, E. Sertbas 2, J. Derickx 2, N. Winmar 2, O. Wetzlar , W. Sierakowski , A. Campbell Best Players: J. Derickx, R. Brabazon, N. Bowen, M. O”Dwyer, M. Powys, T. Morrison

Queanbeyan

Goal Kickers: J. Robinson 2, S. Jensen 2, R. Quade 2, J. Bryce 2, T. Dickinson , D. Johnson , K. Klemke , S. Adams , B. Fruend , J. Atkinson Best Players: J. Robinson, J. Bryce, T. Dickinson, D. Smith, K. Klemke, T. Conroy

AFL Canberra 1st Grade (Paul Campbell reporting)

The Tigers fell just four points short of defeating Ainslie at Ainslie Oval last Sunday

In what was a big game for the club with Neil Irwin playing his 200th club game the First Grade outfit were unable to get a second win over Ainslie.

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The game was always going to be a tightly fought contest, and that it was.

Queanbeyan 8-15 falling four points short to Ainslie 8-19. The amount of points scored indicates how much pressure and how close the two sides are.

The game was an even contest all day. The first half was goal for goal and there were some excellent passages of play from both sides. A credit to the standard of the competition and the evenness of the teams.

A 15 minute patch in the third quarter where Ainslie scored 3-6 to our 3 points eventually decided the game. Our forwards must continue to work to find ways to goal, as the backline are doing a tremendous job of limiting and rebounding opposition attacks. Our midfield continues to have new players in and out of the system and will develop as the weeks go by.

Jack O’Halloran, Mitch Haley, Cam Griggs and Mitch Gorman in his first game for the club played excellent four quarter roles. It was an overall good performance by all players where we just couldn’t convert enough at the right times to get over the line.

In the coming weeks we will lose Dan Hespe, Scott Lancaster and Jon Bowyer overseas so opportunities will continue to open for players.Ainslie3.24.67.128.19-67Queanbeyan3.45.95.128.15-63

Ainslie

Goal Kickers: B. Sainsbury 2, B. Renet 2, A. Grozinger , D. Love , B. Hackett , J. Hirst Best Players: S. Boden, J. Hirst, J. Maynard, D. Bloomfield, D. Love, J. Fraser

Queanbeyan

Goal Kickers: M. Haley 2, C. Haub 2, C. Kickett , N. Hull , M. Wescombe , D. Ross Best Players: M. Haley, L. Griggs, C. Kickett, J. Bowyer, K. Shea, M. Gorman

Under 18 Grade Rising Stars.

The Tigers suffered their first loss of the season against a strong Ainslie combination on Sunday morning at Ainslie Oval.   The game was a cracker from start to finish with the Tricolours taking a strong advantage into the final term after overpowering the Tigers in the third quarter.   Some interesting decisions in favour of the home team provided Ainslie plenty of forward movement into their forward fifty in 3rd quarter with the Tigers trying desperately to play catch up footy.

In the end Ainslie were too strong in a quality game. Brandon Lagana provided strong leadership in yet another stand out performance. Mark Solway played his best game to date while youngsters Jeramey Edwards and Jed Simpson were also prominent throughout.

Ainslie4.44.67.89.9-63Queanbeyan1.24.34.77.9-51

Ainslie

Goal Kickers: N. Foley 3, A. Nolan 3, B. MacDONALD , C. Boyton , W. Folkard Best Players: M. Richardson, M. Boak, T. Ford, C. Boyton, A. Vickers, H. Skacel

Queanbeyan

Goal Kickers: B. Lagana 4, M. Grocott 2, J. Simpson Best Players: M. Solway, B. Lagana, J. Edwards, J. Simpson, W. Delchau, Z. Douch