AFL Canberra Premier Round 14 Review

Photo Credit: Queanbeyan Tigers - Jack Jovanovic takes a mark in Queanbeyan's match vs Gungahlin

Written by David Redden

WOMENS FIRST GRADE

Competition frontrunners Ainslie produced a clinical display in disposing of Eastlake by 53 points at Alan Ray Oval. Final scores were Ainslie 9.7.61 to Eastlake 1.2.8.

Such was Ainslie’s dominance that Eastlake’s only goal came in the second quarter, where the Demons showed great fight to head into the sheds at half time only 16 adrift of the Tricolours. However, Ainslie put the foot down in the second half, careering away with 6 unanswered goals to consolidate top spot on the ladder ahead of great rivals Queanbeyan.

Ainslie’s goals were evenly shared, with Charlotte Canavan (3 goals), Charlotte Hurn and Katie Williams (2 goals each) effective up forward for the Tricolours. Ryeli Fleming kicked the Demons only goal.

Ainslie’s best players were Emily Bell, Mia Cooper, Shannon Brown, Jamie Clayden, Georgia Patterson and Canavan. Eastlake was best served by Olivia Tapp, Hannah Kearney, Macy Strickland, Madeline Convery, Mikelli Garratt and Eleanor Lidbetter.

Ainslie has a big clash away to Belconnen next week, whilst Eastlake has the daunting task of heading to Patches Asphalt Park to take on hosts Queanbeyan.

Queanbeyan were in a ruthless and dominant frame of mind against last-placed Gungahlin, thrashing the Jets by 90 points at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval. Final scores were Queanbeyan 13.15.93 to Gungahlin 0.3.3.

After a steady first quarter, the Tigers kicked away in the second quarter, leading by 36 points at the main break. 3 goals in the third quarter, then 5 in the final term saw the Tigers run away with a convincing victory.

Sophie Alves had a day out up forward for the Tigers, kicking 5 goals in an impressive display. Representative midfielder Jayde Hamilton chipped in with two majors for Queanbeyan.

Queanbeyan’s best players were Alves, Hamilton, Anita Manning, Jessica Stramandinoli, Mia Jones and star ruck Madison Lustri. Gungahlin was best served by Samantha Rubino, Mackenzie Barton, Amity Yeoman, Clare Warwick, Emily Nutt and Annie O’Brien.

The Tigers host Eastlake on Saturday. Gungahlin can influence the Finals make-up if they can upset TVANFC at Gungahlin on Saturday.

Belconnen readied themselves for a monster Round 15 clash with Ainslie by disposing of Tuggeranong Valley by 64 points at Greenway Oval. Final scores were Belconnen 10.8.68 to TVANFC 0.4.4.

The Magpies raced out to a 23-point lead at quarter time and despite a close second quarter, they kept the foot down for four quarters as their defence had a huge day, keeping Tuggeranong goalless.

Zoe Allen, Katie Taylor and Hannah Wallett all kicked two goals for Belconnen.

Belconnen’s best players were Emma Zouch, Laura Nelson, representative trifecta Adol Abuoi, Amber & Zoe Allen, plus Katie Taylor. TVANFC was best served by Anne-Maree Ghirardello, Lucy McKelvie Hill, Alana Fraser, Abigail McIntyre, Ava Brassil and Hayley Macdonald.

Ainslie is the perfect, tough preparation for Belconnen this Saturday. Tuggeranong make the short trek to play sixth-placed Gungahlin this Saturday.

 

MENS FIRST GRADE

In a thrilling fixture at Alan Ray Oval, Eastlake led at every change before securing a crucial 9-point victory over hosts Ainslie. Final scores were Eastlake 7.8.50 to Ainslie 6.5.41.

In a game where scoring proved difficult (only 13 goals were kicked all afternoon), Eastlake led by 7 points at the main break. In an amazing last quarter, the Tricolours kicked the first 3 goals of the quarter to lead by 10 points at the 9-minute mark. Eastlake rallied superbly, kicking the next 3 goals, taking the lead in the 15th minute and maintained their narrow lead in a wonderful game of football between two Finals-bound sides.

Josh Bruce, Will McTaggart and Ciaran O’Rourke all kicked 2 goals for the Demons. Ainslie had 6 players kick 1 goal each.

Eastlake’s best players were representative stars Nicholas Kelly and Alex Smout, Luke Morfoot, Donald Roberts, Thomas Robertson and Hugh Strickland. Ainslie was best served by Nick Cameron-Neser, Jesse Dunstall, Charlie Boyton, Thomas Tyquin, Joe Bishop and Josh Porter.

Eastlake, who are basically guaranteed the Minor Premiership, Qualifying Final spot and the double chance, head to Patches Asphalt Park on Saturday to take on hosts Queanbeyan. Ainslie travel to Holt to play hosts Belconnen in a monster clash on Saturday.

Queanbeyan methodically disposed of hosts Gungahlin by 160 points at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval. Final scores were Queanbeyan 28.11.179 to Gungahlin 3.1.19.

Such was Queanbeyan’s dominance that they kept the Jets scoreless at half time, with the Tigers leading by 84 points at the main break. Queanbeyan went right on with the job in the second half, kicking 15 goals to 3 in a massive boost to their percentage.

Jack Jovanovic “reached the promised land” in booting double figures (10 goals) for the Tigers. Tyge Matters also kicked 4 goals for the Tigers, and co-skipper Tyler Collins kicked 3 majors as they simply ran riot in front of goals. Gungahlin had three players kick 1 goal each.

Queanbeyan’s best players were Jovanovic, Collins, Aidan Bowyer, Jordan Gilbert, Bailee Gilbert and backline general Jack Nunn. Gungahlin was best served by Lachlan Smith, Logan Harrison, James Noble, Jay Pennay, Patrick Aves and Caleb Henderson.

The Tigers host first-placed Eastlake on Saturday. Gungahlin host TVANFC, hoping for their first win of the season.

Belconnen absolutely exploded out of the blocks in the first quarter, leading 47 points the first break over TVANFC at Greenway Oval. Scores were even over the final three quarters as Belconnen ran out 13.10.88 to 5.9.39 victors, ahead of their huge clash with the Tricolours this Saturday.

Belconnen ran amok in the first 30 minutes, kicking 7 unanswered goals to set up their victory. Tuggeranong showed much better application as they won the second half by 4 points, but the Magpies blitz in the first quarter set up their impressive victory.

Harry McMaster, Thomas Simpson and Matthew Stephens kicked 2 goals each for the Magpies. Tuggeranong had 5 individual players kick 1 goal each.

Belconnen’s best players were Luke Wharton, Alexander Jones, Will Axelby, Oliver Withers, Thomas Savage and Lachlan Malcolm. Tuggeranong were best served by Blake Bennie, Hayden Ashcroft, Adam Walker, Jack Sanson, Ben Paton and Noah Budd.

Belconnen host Ainslie in a season-shaping Round 15 fixture at their home in Holt on Saturday. Tuggeranong Valley heads to Gungahlin to play the last-placed Jets.

 

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Jack Jovanovic, Queanbeyan Tigers

Jack Jovanovic from Queanbeyan Tigers is our feature player of the round. Jovanovic quite simply torched the Gungahlin Jets in a magnificent forward display.

From 19 kicks and 4 handballs, Jovanovic kicked 10.4, and added 3 Score Assists to boot. Jovanovic secure 10 contested possessions whilst his kicking efficiency rating was an impressive 74%. Jovanovic’s KVA-P was an extraordinary 172, 27 rating points higher than the next best player on the ground, representative ruckman Aidan Bowyer.

An in-form Jovanovic will be a major weapon for the Tigers going into the final two rounds and then, in all probability, the Elimination Final.