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You would've been forgiven if you thought you were on the winter slopes during a blizzard last Saturday as all teams endured some of the coldest winds felt in a fair while!
It was a very mixed day for the Tigers with 2 wins from 5 and the celebration of Lani Watson's 150th Club and Stacey Close 50th 1st Grade games. Sam Jensen made it back to back Muir Medal wins for the Tigers following on Toby Conroy's medal win in 2020.
Tigerette's Reserve Grade
Round 9 vs ADFA Report:
Despite the incredible difficult conditions, the Tigerette’s started off the first half strongly scoring two goal by the end of the first half: adapting quite well to the wet conditions better than their rivals the Rams.
The rain turned the ball, which in dry conditions is an unwieldy and elusive item, to being like a bar of soap. On top of that the water made interceptions difficult as tackles become much more physical as the term “slipped through my fingers” could said of both ball and player alike.
The rain became heavier during the last half of the game. The roar of the rain pelting on the grandstand sounding like the crowd of a full stadium during the days of AFLW games pre Covid-19.
The score of 14-2 maybe small but given the weather and the conditions spawned from it means that 14-2 is no less of score than those that consist of a higher total. In saying that the Tigerettes managed to score two goals in quick succession during the second quarter a feat that was impressive.
MVP: Everyone!
I don’t mind the cold, or the rain, I do however mind it when it is not summer. Wednesday night was truly a scenario that only the Capital Territory can provide: a freezing cold night with rain.
Everyone is an MVP in my book as instead of staying at home with their hot beverages and heating systems, the players & staff and their most loyal of supporters came to attended, including this writer who is nuttier than a fruitcake. Karl Anstey.
ADFA 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2-2 Queanbeyan Tigers 0.3 1.4 1.4 1.8-14 Goal Kickers: S. Arcus Best Players: M. Lustri, H. Verri, M. Czubara, L. Flakelar, B. Anderson, H. Betts
Round 10 vs Molonglo Report:
The midweek game proved too much of a hurdle for the Tigerettes as they battled to back up Wednesday's great win against the defending premiers.
Despite only having 19 fit players, the girls were well and truly in the game at quarter time but the howling wind and fatigue kicked in and the team was eventually run over the top.
Full credit to the tigerettes though, they kept cracking in until the final siren and I am sure they all slept very well Saturday night. The two Madi's continue to impress with great form however the team suffered the long term loss of Lustri with the clubs 8th busted finger in 2021. Captain Flakelar and the experienced Alanna Kolano tried hard as well.
Molonglo 3.1 6.8 8.10 10.12-72 Queanbeyan Tigers 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.3-9 Goal Kickers: C. Hamilton Best Players: L. Flakelar, M. Lustri, M. Martin, A. Kolano, J. Giacoppo, J. Woods
Tigerettes 1st Grade
Hunter/Hunted
The game started quite well with the team in good spirits with Lani Watson playing her
150th game, an incredible milestone and achievement for both her, the team, and the club. The team also saw the return of several injured players back to the field alongside a cohort of under 18 players and Stacey Close taking to the field in 50th game.
The first half of the game started off well enough with the Tiger’s keeping the Tricolours quiet on the scoreboard, aside from a stray point or two. By the end of first half the Tigers led the home team 20-2 and looked set for victory.
At the start of the second half Watson scored a goal, but so did Ainslie. Halfway through the second half, the Tigers suffering casualties, their game play changed drastically. Ainslie soon found their opening within the Tiger’s defensive line with the less seasoned players now under the home team’s direct assault.
The Tiger’s not being able to get the ball out of their defensive line as they watched the Tiger’s lead steadily decreasing, with the final horn blowing at full time the Tigers losing to the home team by one goal, much to the joy of the Ainslie people in the stands.
Next week the Tigers are to battling at home with the number one team of the competition seeking revenge for their defeat at the Nest. Karl Anstey
MVP: Laura Russell
The Spartan
Playing solidly throughout the entire game and with an injury and no mouth guard (fact needs to be checked) Laura Russell took many hits as well as keeping the ball away from the Tricolours. Her solid performance and being on the field for the first time since being injured and having the stamina of a warrior Laura Russell is a Spartan. If you want more proof she also has a brutal kick.
Ainslie 0.0 0.2 1.2 5.5-35 Queanbeyan Tigers 1.2 3.2 4.4 4.5-29 Goal Kickers: M. Quade, K. McGrath, L. Watson, S. Close Best Players: K. McGrath, A. Morschel , L. Watson, K. Woodward, S. Arcus, T. Bruce
Men's 1st Grade
The Annual Muir Medal highlighted the all important 1st grade clash between two old
foes. A win keeps the tigers at the top of the ladder while a loss drops the team back into the mix.
After a slow start against a 4 to 5 goal breeze, the tigers settled late in the 1st quarter to keep themselves in the game with the wind at their backs in the second qtr. Led by the eventual Muir Medalist Sam Jensen, the Tigers quickly regained the lead and set up an important gap leading into half time.
It's called the Premiership quarter and that lived up to it's name with the tigers lifting their pressure rating, again int the wind with 18 tackles and numerous 1% efforts to kick 3 goals to 1 to set up victory.
To walk away from Alan Ray Oval with a 50 point win is very rare but appreciated by the lads after a hard fought win. Apart from Jensen, Jacob May played his best game for the club, Dean Ross was back to form stopping everything and evergreen Toby Conroy still racking up the numbers.
Ainslie 4.3 5.4 6.5 7.5-47 Queanbeyan Tigers 2.3 7.6 9.8 14.14-98 Goal Kickers: A. Swan 3, J. Lehman 2, A. Page 2, D. Ross 2, J. Stapleton 2, T. Conroy, K. Klemke, S. Jensen Best Players: S. Jensen, T. Conroy, D. Ross, J. May, Z. Derksen, W. Griggs
Men's Reserve Grade
Another week of low numbers drew out some familiar faces to help out the 2s squad
with 2012 NEAFL Premiership players Jeremy Kirkwood & Brett Fruend lining up along with last years captain Ben Gisik.
Despite the lack of number, this group continues to impress and keep themselves in the fight and the hope will be that when luck changes they will certainly press deep into the finals. For now they just need to stick together and keep working hard, it will turn!
The 3rd quarter was the nail in the coffin for the group as Ainslie used the wind to perfection to gain a match winning lead. Captain Jed returned from injury and led his charges well as did Daniel Hespe and Aidan Bowyer, all three pushing hard for a senior call up.
Ainslie 2.6 4.10 7.13 7.14-56 Queanbeyan Tigers 2.0 3.2 3.3 6.6-42 Goal Kickers: J. Manners 2, T. Ashton 2, K. Shea, S. Kyle Best Players: J. Simpson, D. Hespe, A. Bowyer, T. Ashton, J. Manners, W. Taylor
Rising Stars
Like the reserves squad, the RS have had to battle with a lack of players and have had
some narrow losses which has been tough on the young cubs.
They continue to show up week in week with no complaints or lack of effort and Saturday showed that hard work and dedication does pay off with a resounding win. Led by Captain Bailee Gibert and ruck Zac Levine, the team stayed in the fight and remarkably had the lead into the wind at the end of the 1t qtr.
Jon Silver continues his impressive form and it was great to see Lachy Fitzpatrick return to his damaging best. Jarrod Barker and Caden Spinks held the defense together while Max Banic and Jack Armstrong proved too strong in the forwards.
To make these efforts by the lads even more impressive is that most have to back up with 17s and they are currently 3rd on the ladder. Every player in these squads need to be commended for their efforts they are giving their teammates and the club.
Ainslie 1.0 1.3 3.7 4.7-31 Queanbeyan Tigers 1.4 3.6 4.6 6.10-46 Goal Kickers: L. Asbock 2, Z. Levine, T. Russo, M. Banic, J. Armstrong Best Players: B. Gilbert, J. Silver, Z. Levine, L. Fitzpatrick, J. Barker, C. Spinks
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