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neafl article
Tigers captain Ryan Quade battles it out
with Ainslie’s Michael Ghobrial
By Michael Minns
Only a sublime final
quarter from reigning
premiers Ainslie
proved the difference
between them and the
Tigers at Dairy Farmers
Park on Sunday.
With the scores locked at 11.9.75
apiece at three quarter time, the
premiership-winning experience of
Ainslie’s midfield shone through as
they secured a 25-point victory.
The result was a feather in the cap
of Queanbeyan seeing as Ainslie
are genuine title contenders,
second on the ladder only to
the rampaging Sydney Swans
Reserves.
The Tigers have a fantastic chance
to finish the season on a high this
weekend against Tuggeranong,
who became just the second victim
this season for the bottom-placed
Belconnen Magpies.
The tough, physical display against
the best Canberra team in the
league was pleasing for Coach
Adrian Pavese who said that his
side is progressing well for next
season.
“We’re getting better every week,”
he said.
“I think we are building in to
10
something special for the future.”
Following the pattern of most of
the season, the Tigers were led
once again by their impressive
young midfield.
Will Griggs, Todd Dickinson and
Steve Joliffe were particularly
impressive having plenty of
disposals and providing great
service for their forward line.
In an imposing physical performance,
Ainslie finished with just
one healthy reserve on the bench
as a result of Queanbeyan’s hard
attitude at the ball and fearless
efforts for their teammates.
Complimenting
the Tigers efforts
was an unlikely
source, Ainslie coach
Chris Rourke. “We
really had to dig deep
in patches and they
were terrific” he said.
In a season that has registered
just three wins, the young Tigers
have plenty to take in to the off
season and next pre-season with
performances like this and their
young midfield starting to match it
week-in and week-out with their
opposition.
Their final match of the year comes
this Saturday at 2pm at Diary
Farmers Park against the fifth
placed Tuggeranong Hawks.
Last time for
the Manual
Scoreboard.
Technology has finally reached
the Tigers Scoreboard. An
electronic scoreboard should
be operational at today’s
game IF it has arrived from the
USA and IF we have had time
to install it. IF it isn’t operational
then today will mark the
last occasion our seasoned
volunteers will “man” the
scoreboard. It has become
quite an institution with a
small army of supporters
assisting our volunteers over
the far side of the ground. The
Bright Family have operated
the scoreboard since our move
to Dairy Farmers Park in 1979.
The late Allan Bright along
with wife Jill and daughter
Nicole have been the constant
face of scoreboard operations
with rarely an error occurring.
Michael Rutherford has also
assisted along the way as
have members of the McClure
and Beer Families. Our thanks
and appreciation to everyone
who has assisted with the
scoreboard. There could be a
few tears shed at the close of
business today (and maybe a
few wines consumed).