Let the games begin: AFL Canberra Preliminary Season Preview

The 2023 AFL Canberra season is set to kick off, and our six Preliminary clubs are geared up to showcase top-notch footy and compete for the flag. 

Here’s a preview of what you can expect from the Preliminary competitions this upcoming season.

Men’s First Grade

The Queanbeyan Tigers will be coming into the season with confidence as the reining 2022 premiers, aiming to replicate their dominant performance from last year.

Belconnen will be seeking a resurgence following their narrow defeat in the Grand Final. The Magpie’s will be coming into the season with a sense of determination to get the job done this time around.

Despite falling short of getting to the big dance, Ainslie came tantalisingly close and are now poised to bounce back stronger. The Tricolours will be confident that they have what it takes to go all the way this season.

Although last season didn’t go as Eastlake hoped, they managed to maintain their position as a premiership threat. The Demons will aim elevate their game to compete at the top of the table this year.

Tuggeranong Valley and the Gungahlin Jets will want to address any weaknesses and areas of improvement from last year to be more competitive in 2023. 

TVAFNC Club President Kellie Hogan says, “the club has invested significant time in the playing group with continued focus on skill execution, ball movement and structures.”

“We’ve added new players to the squad to complement the existing list which will add some extra layers to our competitiveness.”

Gungahlin Jets’ Club President Brandon Hardwicke says, “we expect to be more competitive across the board this year. We’ve recruited well into our first-grade men and have shown strong improvements in that space.”

“We have seen improved commitment and effort at training, which we think have helped address some of the issues we’ve seen in the past. Our coaching panels have expanded to bring extra knowledge and strategy into the teams.”

Women’s First Grade

Queanbeyan will be entering the new season with excitement and confidence, having achieved an incredible feat of defeating previously undefeated Ainslie in the 2022 Grand Final and securing a remarkable double premiership for the club in both the men’s and women’s first grade competition. While the Tricolours will be determined to make a strong comeback after their undefeated season came to a deflating end with the Grand Final loss. 

Belconnen and Eastlake will enter the upcoming season with a sense of dissatisfaction with their finals performances last year. Both teams are expected to make improvements and emerge as strong contenders for the flag this season.

Tuggeranong will be looking to make significant improvements on last season, and Gungahlin will aim to reinvent themselves after a tough winless season.

Hardwicke says, “our women have had a really strong pre-season and we hope to continue narrowing our margins in the seasons to come.”

Men’s Second Grade

Despite finishing the regular season at the top of the ladder with a 14-1 record, Ainslie will enter the season with a chip on their shoulder following their frustrating loss to Belconnen in last year’s Grand Final. Watch out for the captivating back-and-forth rivalry between the Tricolours and the Magpies over the course of the 2023.

Despite finishing fourth in the regular season, Queanbeyan fought their way into the preliminary final, though fell short in disappointing fashion. The Tigers will look to prove themselves as strong contenders this season.

Eastlake’s loss in Finals Week 1 may have been disappointing, but their solid regular season performance will have the Demons feeling optimistic about being potential premiership contenders.

Both Tuggeranong and Gungahlin are confident that their game has elevated, and they will outdo last years performances.

Hogan says, “The junior coaches have been magnificent in developing and motivating our juniors who are now starting to appear in our senior sides, our experience is growing, and our culture is strong.”

“We’re excited to see our players experience further success as they continue to implement the plan that has been building over the last few seasons.”

Hardwicke says, “we have added depth to our second-grade men and are excited by this. We’re excited as we’ve seen a new wave of young talent hit our senior ranks as well as some new to the club players with some good experience under their belts and we are optimistic that this will help us on the field this year.”

Women’s Second Grade

This season is witnessing an exciting development of the women’s game, with the second-grade competition evolving from the community grade level to a Preliminary competition, comprised of 6 teams.

This development offers greater opportunity for women to play AFL at an elevated level in Canberra.

Round 1 Fixtures

Queanbeyan Tigers v Tuggeranong Valley Football Club

Eastlake Demons v Ainslie Tricolours

Belconnen Magpies v Gungahlin Jets 

Written by: Liam Wyllie

Photo by: Fiona McQueenie