Vultures All Over The Tigers!

Under 18s celebrate first win.

First Grade

Brisbane based side Mt Gravatt Vultures certainly gave the Tigers a strong indication of the quality football being offered to Queensland AFL supporters with a 10 goal win over the local team last Saturday at Dairy Farmers Park. The Tigers were bought back to earth with a big thud after their easy victory the week prior over perennial finalist Belconnen Magpies.

The game was cracker from the outset with the Tigers holding the visitors in the first quarter after they had kicked with a strong breeze to the northern end of the ground. But from there on, the Vulchers kicked into another gear and provided spectators with an entertaining brand of football to demoralise the local team in front of a respectable crowd considering the time of the match.

Most spectators thought the score line did not reflect the actual standard of the game but the visitors certainly had some quality players with bigger bodies and excellent disposal both hand and foot.

For the Tigers – its younger brigade stood tall. Alex Overs, Steve Jolliffe, Andrew Swan, Kaine Stevens and Will Griggs gave everything to lift the team throughout the match. These quality youngsters are the future of the Club and will undoubtedly gain further from the experience handed to them by the Mt Gravatt players. An injury to Mitch Daniher prior to half time and a migraine to Neil Irwin did not help matters but nothing can be taken away from the slick skills of the visitors.

The disappointing thing about the match was the second tier players with around 50 First grade games experience for the Tigers failed to fire after strong performances in the opening round of the season. They have to be consistent each week for the Tigers to be successful and that means week in week out.

None of the former AFL Canberra Clubs were successful against interstate clubs last weekend. Belconnen received another thumbing this time by the Swans. Tuggeranong Hawks were well in their match against the GSW Giants at half time but faltered as the match wore on. Eastlake went down by 7 goals to AFL Queensland premiers Morningside in Brisbane while Ainslie were well beaten in their FOXTEL Cup match against West Adelaide.

Queanbeyan 2 2 4 5 6 6 9 10 64 Mt Gravatt 2 5 7 8 13 14 19 14 128Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: W. Griggs 2, T. Dickinson 2, J. Kavanagh 2, T. Conroy , J. Manie , A. Overs Best Players: A. Swan, T. Dickinson, R. Jaques, A. Overs, K. Stevens, T. Cook Mt Gravatt Goal Kickers: N. Gilliland 7, R. Lake 3, D. Mowat 3, J. Vearing , L. Scott , A. Proud , C. Smith , J. Furfaro , J. James Best Players: N. Gilliland, N. Reid, C. Malone, M. Harley, R. Lake, C. Smith

Under 18 Grade

The Tigers were successful in the Under 18 grade match against Eastlake Demons wining a close match by 7 points. This was an excellent win considering the player losses in recent weeks and during the game through injury.Young Aiden Kenworthy will miss a substantial part of the season with a fractured ankle from the first round. Adam Lee also injured an ankle at the weekend and will miss between 2 to 6 weeks.

Graham Lennon also suffered an injury prior to half time as did Daniel Sheenan. Considering those losses the Tigers win is even more meritorious against a dogged Demons combination. The Tigers welcomed back Kyle King who was outstanding at full forward. He was well supported by Sam Jensen and Kieran Shea.

EASTLAKE 2 2 3 4 7 8 8 9 57 QUEANBEYAN 4 3 6 4 7 6 9 11 65QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: P. Maher 2, K. King 2, S. Jensen , D. HESPE , K. SHEA , M. Price , S. Vanholland Best Players: K. King, S. Jensen, J. Galloway, L. Dowling, S. CAMP, D. Sheehan EASTLAKE Goal Kickers: A. Godfrey 2, M. Smith 2, J. Hancock , J. Johnson , B. Gaynor , H. Bryant Best Players: M. Smith, J. Johnson, A. Godfrey, B. CIUFFETELLI, A. Graham, H. Bryant

Reserve Grade

The Reserve Grade team also had a win over the Eastlake Demons – by just two points – in what became an exciting game at the close of business. After holding a substantial lead mid way through the third term (40 points), the Tigers went to sleep with some uncharacteristic play including five 50 metre penalties to allow the Demons back into the game.

They were best served by Michael Wescombe who has had limited time on the track due to his first grade cricket commitments with Tuggeranong (they played Queanbeyan in the Grand Final and lost !!!). Liam Wilkinson was strong throughout as was his once coastal neighbour Liam Walker Eastick. With a further 6 players available for the next match against Ainslie, Coach Adrian Pavese has some headaches to contend with when selecting his next team.

EASTLAKE 2 4 4 4 7 5 11 10 76 QUEANBEYAN 4 1 9 8 10 11 11 12 78QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: K. WATTS 2, M. Wescombe 2, D. Campbell 2, S. Daniel 2, T. LEE , B. Walsh , J. DANIEL Best Players: L. WALKER-EASTICK, L. Wilkinson, B. WATTS, K. WATTS, H. KELLY, M. Wescombe EASTLAKE Goal Kickers: H. Armstrong 3, P. Chaffer 2, M. WILLIAMS 2, C. SQUIRES 2, J. Ainsworth , R. ADAIR Best Players: M. SOMES, D. Keenes, J. Ainsworth, P. Blake, D. Cummins, H. Armstrong

MUIR Medal There are no matches this weekend due to the Easter break with the Tigers next round of matches against Ainslie at Ainslie on Saturday 30 April. The main match will see the presentation of the Muir Medal (for a best on ground performance) being made in the Ainslie Licensed Club-rooms after the game. The Muir Medal is presented in respect of the enormous contribution Alan Muir devoted to the Tigers Club and now his son Ian is reproducing albeit at the Ainslie Club.