Week in Review

NEAFL

The score line probably doesn’t reflect the improvement made by the Tigers NEAFL team from their previous week’s performance against Sydney University. Nor does it reflect the loss of Will Griggs from the scene early in the first quarter which effectively robbed the Tigers of one its most dangerous and courageous on ball players.   And finally it doesn’t suggest an accurate last quarter 7 goal romp by the Swans (6 in the last 6 minutes) that could have been vastly different had the Tigers converted their 7 shots on goal in the last quarter all resulting in points.

Overall, the performance will be seen by many of yet another damaging loss by a Canberra / Queanbeyan based NEAFL team after Belconnen suffered a similar type loss to a highly skilled GWS GIANTS team on Saturday.

The Tigers v Swans game was transferred to Blacktown Number 2 Oval after the SCG was deemed to be too wet for a curtain raiser match to the North Melbourne v Swans AFL game. This added an additional 50 minutes travel time to the venue with a 9.30am start.

Having first use of a strong wind, the Swans dominated proceedings and set up their win from the opening bounce.

The lack of a genuine full forward is now a serious concern for the Tigers Coaching staff with no target up forward. With many excursions into the Tigers forward line, there was little return as the ball was repelled constantly back towards the Swans goal line. The shining light up forward was the dynamic and elusive Ben Fulford who throughout the game proved a “menace” to his much taller opposition.   Jarrod Atkinson was elusive and constructive, Josh Bryce was his determined self and showed glimpses of his 2012 performances, newcomer Josh Robinson is a great pickup in only his first game for the Club while Hayden Kelly stepped up to the mark in his first NEAFL game after 73 Club games for the Tigers.

The Tigers now face Belconnen on Saturday at Dairy Farmers Park at 2.00pm in what will be a clash of two desperate clubs to record their first victory in season 2014. Underlying the game will be injuries to a number of key players in both teams with depth now being an all important factor at the Tigers selection table during the week.

Sydney Swans 6.712.819.1126.11-167Queanbeyan0.01.23.53.12-30

Sydney Swans

Goal Kickers: T. Membrey 8, J. Hiscox 3, L. Perris 2, D. Robinson 2, H. Marsh 2, M. Dick 2, J. Lloyd 2, D. Preen , P. Mitchell , M. Vicic , S. Naismith , T. McCaffrey Best Players: T. Membrey, C. Bird, J. Lloyd, H. Marsh, M. Dick, A. Aliir

Queanbeyan

Goal Kickers: B. Fulford 3 Best Players: J. Bryce, J. Atkinson, J. Robinson, H. Kelly, K. Klemke, B. Fulford

AFL Canberra First Grade

The inclusion of ADFA and ANU into the AFL Canberra 1st Grade competition has added interest into the competition with the Cadets providing a good contest against the Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

A strong opening first quarter paved the way for the Tigers to record a 55 point victory in their first outing of the season.   Coach Paul Campbell enjoyed the benefit of having a number of experienced players in the team to assist what is a very young combination.

The Tigers recruited Nic Hull during the off season from East Wagga but a knee injury has restricted his training pre-season. With two goals to his credit and with the NEAFL combination desperate for another “tall” it may not be long before he is rushed into the NEAFL team.   Mal Fernie posted 4 goals and was his ever elusive self as was Cam Griggs who added another 3 goals. Developing players Sam Adams, Dean Ross, Cody Haub and Stephen Camp were competitive throughout the match.

The Tigers next match is at Dairy Farmers Park this Saturday against current title holders Ainslie.ADFA1.03.15.47.5-47Queanbeyan5.58.710.915.12-102

ADFA

Goal Kickers: P. Kane 3, J. Courtney 2, R. McNiff , H. Mexted Best Players: T. Barr, J. Stewart, M. Grant, H. Mexted, M. O”Callaghan, D. Lyon

Queanbeyan

Goal Kickers; M Fernie 4, C Griggs 3, C Haub 2, N Hull 2, S Adams, N Irwin, M Lawrence, K Shea. Best Players: M Fernie, C Kickett, C Griggs, D Ross, S Camp, S Adams.

Under 18 Rising Stars

The Tigers Under 18 Grade Rising Stars featured a Friday night encounter with Marist at Greenway with Artic Park living up to its name with a cold drop in temperature and rain as the evening progressed.   The game provided the many parents and family members in attendance an entertaining encounter by two very competitive teams.

It was lively contest, fast with exception skills considering it was the first ‘hit out” with 17 new players in this grade from last year’s grand final team.

The Tigers senior grade teams will benefit in future years (if not this year) with many talented players coming through the ranks. Heading that list is Matthew Grocott who has strong hands and a long driving kick that rewarded him with three goals last Friday night. Brad Cummins and Alex Page have pace to burn and with the likes of Jed Simpson, Mitch Wallis and Shaun Franks are likely contenders for promotion in the near future.

2014 Under 18 Grade v Marist 001

2014 Under 18 Grade v Marist 006

Special mention must be made of Brandon Lagana and Jarrod Thompson both of whom showed exceptional leadership skills prior, during and after the match with strong and positive encouragement to the entire group.

This week they take on reigning Premiers Ainslie on Saturday at Dairy Farmers Park at 9.30am. The Tricolours defeated the Tigers in last years Grand final but both teams will vastly different as players have move into their respective senior grade teams.Marist1.12.34.34.4-28Queanbeyan3.44.96.129.17-71

Marist

Goal Kickers: J. Kidd , L. Tutty , J. Ellis , C. McManus Best Players: M. Pert, J. Kidd, A. Dryburgh, B. Clark, S. Jarosz , L. Tutty

Queanbeyan

Goal Kickers: M Grocott, A Page, J Carrol – Tape, S Franks, J Smith, M Solway Best Players: M Grocott, J Monck, S Franks, J Simpson, A Page, B Cummins.

Tigerettes

The Tigerettes played Ainslie last Friday night on the spacious Alan Ray Oval and proved worthy competitors against the Division 1 team. They held their own for the majority of the game and once again have shown vast improvement over the off season as reigning Division 2 Premiers.

In the absence of Coach Robert Anderson, assistant coach Peter Skinner held the reigns and was justly proud of the Tigerettes performance as they held control for lengthy periods of the match. Two goals in third quarter provided the Tricolours with a three goal advantage going into the last term of which they extended by one goal by games end.

It was an encouraging performance by the Tigerettes who had many first time gamers in the team. Ainslie have been a powerhouse in the Ladies competition for a long time but even they credited the Tigerettes with applause for the competitive nature of the game.Ainslie1.12.14.35.5-35Queanbeyan1.01.01.11.1-7

Queanbeyan Best: E Rose, M Eldridge, M Godfrey, S Ingall, L Watson, F Leischke

Queanbeyan Goals: E Rose