Footy is Back - Round 1 Review

Following a long wait (287 days in fact), there were plenty of smiles on the faces of many people as football made its return to Aulich Park last Friday night.

The club hosted the TVAFC in both 1st Grade games to kick off the 2022 AFL Canberra Season followed by three games on the Saturday against the same opponents.

In an experiment, the Tigers decided to play their Round 1 First Grade Games on the Friday Night with the hope it may draw a big crowd and a big crowd showed up with the club recording its largest attendance at home vs. Tuggeranong in over 5 years!

Then we moved to some Saturday afternoon footy where another big crowd showed up for both Men & Women Reserve Grade games and the Rising Stars, the club also hosting a welcome event for this years RS parents on the Growler Deck.

To complete the weekend, the club secured 4 wins from 5 games in a great start to 2022. Below is a quick wrap of all games.

Rising Stars

Queanbeyan 18.18-126 def TVAFC 1.2-8

QBN Goals: Koby Gibbs 4, Scott Lee 3, Will Kellar 2, Max Banic 2, Tobey Clifton 2, Michael Armstrong, Zak Levine, Elijah Brennan, Gabriel Gill, Josh Simms

QBN Best: Will Kellar, Koby Gibbs, Jordan Bogie, Max Banic, Elijah Brennan, Michael Armstrong.

A great start from the young cubs who went into the game without 3 of their Academy Players and a host of U16s helping out the squad. Led by former club greats Jason Gilbert, Guy Mertz, Rod Gisik, Stephen West and Michale Kennedy, the youngsters enjoyed their preseason and have hit the ground running.

Will Kellar had his best game for the club and had the ball on a string driving out of the midfield countless times with help from fellow mid Jordan Bogie. Max Banic showed his dash and how important he will be throughout the season while the forwards impressed as well.

Koby Gibbs, Scott Lee and Michael Armstrong provided plenty of options for the team and Tobey Clifton marked his long return to football with 2 goals.

It will be a tough assignment this coming Friday night at EPC Park when they play Marist with up too 9 players missing due to Academy duties but no doubt this group will have a

fair crack.

Women's Reserve's

Queanbeyan 3.4-22 def by TVAFC 4.4-28

QBN Goals: Lani Watson 2, Zalie Betts

QBN Best: Hollie Betts, Sophie Jensen, Brooke James, Maddi McLachlan, Zalie Betts

The seconds started strong with pressure being applied on the TVFC lines with the training and lessons learned over preseason kicking in.

However, it was the TVFC that got on to the score board first. This goal was thanks to a weakness within the Tigers defence.

An exploit that the visitors took full advantage of, unbalancing the Tigers and forcing them to adapt to a more defensive stance. The first quarter ended but a storm was just starting.

The Tigers fought back with three goals during the second quarter which brought the Tigers back into the game. However, the rain started and by half time it was pouring down. The third quarter could be described as pure attrition. For the most part both sides battled it out in and around the centre.

The Tigers looking poised found themselves fighting against both their opponents and the weather, TVFC and the rain working well together, the Tigers letting the ball slip through their fingers. Metaphorically and literally (Damn rain).

With the rain an unending barrage from the sky, the Tigers needed only one more goal to win but alas couldn't get it through the big sticks.

Despite the loss, it’s the first game of the season and two the weather was atrocious. Also, they should feel good as those who played now know what it’s like playing in wet weather and the trials and tribulations that come with wet weather play.

Congratulations to the debutants who were playing for the first time ever with the team or literally ever. You got thrown in the deep end and you lost my the closest of margins, with a single goal between victory and defeat. Written by Karl Anstey

Women's 1st Grade

Queanbeyan 10.10-70 def TVAFC 1.8-14

QBN Goals: Liz Wilson 4, Mindy Quade 3, Hayley Rauter 2, Maya Suzuki

QBN Best: Jayde Hamilton, Kate McGrath, Elizabeth Wilson, sidonie Carroll, Madison Lustri, Maya Suzuki

You can tell it is the start of the football season. The grass has been freshly mowed, the sound of cadences and encouragement fill their air and that crisp cold breeze - Yes, that crisp bone- chilling breeze.

It’s definitely the start of the football season and tonight on April fool’s day the Queanbeyan Tigers took on the Tuggeranong Valley Football Club fresh and ready from the long months of pre-season training the Tigerettes were led on to the field by this year’s Captain Kate McGrath.

The team started off from the get-go hard and fast mauling the TVFC’s centre and defensive line within the first five minutes of the game. Mindy Quade scoring the first of many goals of this season.

The second quarter saw the TVFC comeback with a renewed fighting spirit the Tigerettes’ defensive line coming under immense strain from the newly sustained pressure placed upon them, TVFC pouring it on like gravy on roasted beef.

Weary, the rest of the third quarter and the full fourth was the Tigerettes dominating the field of play. The forward line being set up by the centre’s hard work of keeping the ball away from the defensive fifty.

The Tigers win with the final score of 70- 14, TVFC scoring their first goal during the final minutes of the game.

I can hear the girls singing loud and proud the first of what will be many more victories to come. It is a long season ahead, but this is a perfect start for the first-grade girls campaign this year. Written by Karl Anstey.

Men's Reserve's

Queanbeyan 5.12-42 def TVAFC 5.6-36

QBN Goals: Jack Manners 2, Matthew McKenzie, Thomas Ashton, Sam Bowden

QBN Best: Thomas Bonson, James Bolton, Michael Evans, Bailey Greenwood, Daniel Potts, Matthew McKenzie

5 new players, 2 returning and 3 players from good friends and affiliate club the Googong Hogs seen a new look two's team take the field under new head coach Tim Hull last Saturday afternoon.

You could've forgiven the team if they lost the game with such a high turnover of players but full credit to the leaders and everyone involved as the team came back from a 3qtr time deficit to snatch a well earned victory.

These wins are probably the most important in both belief and bonding as it brings a the group closer and shows that they can overcome hurdles.

Tom Bonson who had an incredible preseason showed selectors he's ready for the seniors with a match winning performance off half back while newcomer Mick Evans also showing his footy knowledge and experience also off half back to steady the team.

It was great to see two former juniors who have returned in 2022 also having a big impact with Matt McKenzie and Bailey Greenwood playing like they had never left. Then you have your leaders with Jed Simpson, Dean Lord and Wilson Morshead making fine contributions as well.

Again a big thanks to Sam Bowden (Hogs 1st Grade Coach), Shaun Ebert and Nathan Edwards for jumping on board and playing.

Men's 1st Grade

Queanbeyan 20.20-140 def TVAFC 2.6-18

QBN Goals: Jacob May 4, Andrew Swan 3, Jed Winter 3, Michael McCormack 2, Rhys Pollock 2, Tyler Collins, Toby Conroy, Josh Bryce, Aidan Bowyer, Lachlan Highfield, Alessandro Sergi

QBN Best: Tyler Collins, Joshua Bryce, Aidan Bowyer, Jacob May, Lachlan Highfield, Rhys Pollock

Prime time Friday Night Football was on the agenda as our 1st Grade men's team played their first ever night game at home and they didn't disappoint the big crowd in attendance.

The lads welcomed new players Jed Winter and Michael McCormack into the squad and hit the ground running with a 7 goal to 1 first term albeit with a strong wind favouring the home team in the 1st qtr.

Heading into the wind in the 2nd, the lads didn't hold back with another 6 goals added tothe scoreboard and players such as Jacob May, Lachlan Highfield and Josh Bryce all carrying their great 2021 form into 2022.

To the Valley's credit they kept coming and their ball use was the best it has been in a long time. The influence of playing the young guys certainly showed, their speed on transition and skill execution will trouble some teams as the year progresses for sure.

From our end, it was great to see a few guys who have had a tough run with injury over the past two years back on the park after uninterrupted preseasons, these guys are like recruits and if Friday night was an indication, we are expecting big years from Tyler Collins, Aidan and Jono Bowyer.

We head north this weekend to take on the Jets as we look to continue our build up coming into Easter, there were a few niggles from the game Friday night so it will be another interesting night at the selection table.