AFL Canberra Weekly Wrap – Round 15 Review and Wet Weather Round Preview

Written by David Redden

AFL CANBERRA ROUND 15 REVIEW
WOMENS FIRST GRADE:

Tuggeranong Valley went a long way toward securing an Elimination Final spot with a clinical 72-point win over the Gungahlin Jets at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval on Saturday. Final scores were TVAFC 11.6.72 to Gungahlin 0.0.0.

After a tight first quarter, the Valley kicked four unanswered goals in the second quarter to head into the main break leading by 34 points. Gungahlin provided excellent resistance in the third quarter, but Tuggeranong kicked 5 goals in a huge final term to consolidate their spot in the Final Four.

Morgan Baker led all goalkickers with 3 majors, with her teammate Taylah Bacon, Ava Brassil and Kelly Ghirardello all chipping in with 2 goals apiece.

In the rescheduled Round 6 on Saturday, Gungahlin finishes off their season with a daunting task, competition leaders Ainslie at Alan Ray Oval. Tuggeranong Valley has the perfect lead-in to the Finals, making the short trip to Patches Asphalt Park to play hosts Queanbeyan.

Queanbeyan produced a dominant display against Eastlake at Patches Asphalt Park, comfortably accounting for the Demons by 49 points. Final scores were Queanbeyan 8.14.62 to Eastlake 2.1.13, a result that just about finished the Demons’ chances of sneaking into the Finals.

The Tigers jumped out to a 22-point lead at quarter time, and increased their lead at each break, keeping the Demons to solitary goals in the second and third quarters. The Tigers are preparing for a monster Qualifying Final against arch rivals Ainslie on 23 August, with this result a solid build-up to the business end of the season.

Billie Hamilton kicked 3 goals for Queanbeyan, and she was aided and abetted by Emma Dunn, who chipped in with two majors for the Tigers.

The Tigers host Tuggeranong Valley in the rescheduled Round 6 on Saturday. Eastlake head to Adero Law Nest on Saturday to play third-placed Belconnen.

In by far the best game of Round 15, first-placed Ainslie came from behind at half time to defeat a dogged Belconnen by 14 points at Adero Law Nest. Final scores were Ainslie 6.9.45 to Belconnen 5.1.31.

Belconnen jumped out of the blocks, kicking 3 goals to 1 to lead by 11 points at quarter time. However, Ainslie miserly defence kept the Magpies to just 3 effective shots on goal over the final three quarter as they gradually reigned Belconnen in, taking the lead in the third quarter and drawing away as they maintained first place over Queanbeyan. The Tricolours will be satisfied that they were put under pressure by the talented Magpies outfit and came though with a solid result, especially away from home.

Madison Kilby led the Tricolours goalkickers with two majors on a tough day for forwards. Belconnen’s goalkickers were not listed at the time of writing.

Ainslie’s best players were Emily Bell, Shannon Brown, Greta Larkey, Elizabeth Hill, Charlotte Hurn, and Jamie Clayden. Belconnen’s best players were not listed at the time of writing.

Ainslie host the Gungahlin Jets this Saturday as they finalise their preparations to meet the Tigers in the Qualifying Final. Belconnen finishes off their Home & Away season by hosting Eastlake.

MENS FIRST GRADE

Tuggeranong Valley made short work of sixth-placed Gungahlin Jets on Saturday, crushing the Jets by 104 points at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval. Final scores were TVAFC 16.17.113 to Gungahlin 1.3.9.

The Valley led by just 9 points at the first break, but then they kicked 5.8 in the second quarter whilst keeping the Jets scoreless. The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Valley unleashing with 7 goals in a merciless final quarter.

Tuggeranong shared the goalkicking duties well. Nick Jarosz kicked 3 goals, receiving support from Riley Budd, Logan Gray, James McIntyre and Jake Whyte, all of whom chipped in with 2 majors each.

Tuggeranong Valley’s best players were Noah Budd, James McCabe, Nicholas Gordon, Blake Bennie, Whyte, and Adam Walker. Gungahlin was best served by Lachlan Smith, Logan Bryant, Isaac Baldwin, Patrick Aves, Jett Jones, and Caleb Henderson.

In a cracking game at Patches Asphalt Park, Eastlake prevailed over hosts Queanbeyan by 23 points. Final scores were Eastlake 13.10.88 to Queanbeyan 10.5.65.

The Demons went in at the main break just 1 point ahead, after the Tigers kicked 3 goals to 1 in the second quarter. Eastlake gradually drew away from the Tigers in the second half, kicking 7 goals to 4 in a composed display.

It was a day for key forwards to shine. Demons gun full-forward Josh Bruse kicked 6 goals in a match-winning effort. Jackson Crowe and Will McTaggart chipped in with 2 majors each for Eastlake. Queanbeyan key forward Jack Jovanovic, fresh off 10 goals last week, kicked 4 goals for the Tigers. Jethro Snelling managed 2 majors for Queanbeyan in support of Jovanovic.

Eastlake’s best players were Bruce, Alex Smout, Luke Morfoot, Hugh Strickland, Lucas Hurse, and Rohan Hosking. Queanbeyan was best served by Bailee Gilbert, Jason Taylor, Aidan Bowyer, Rhys Pollock, Lachlan Mertz, and Jovanovic (43 goals), who trails Bruce (46 goals) by 3 goals in the League Goalkicking race ahead of the rescheduled Round 6 on Saturday

Eastlake, the 2025 Minor Premiers, head to Adero Law Nest on Saturday to take on hosts Belconnen. Queanbeyan host Tuggeranong Valley at Patches Asphalt Park.

In a season-shaping thriller at Adero Law Nest, Ainslie came from 11 points down at three-quarter time to defeat an inaccurate Belconnen by 1 straight kick, rocketing the Tricolours into the box seat for the crucial double chance. Final scores in a simply wonderful game were Ainslie 7.6.48 to Belconnen 5.12.42, with the Magpies unable to take advantage of their 17 effective scoring shots to Ainslie’s 13.

The teams were separated by a mere 2 points at both quarter time and half time, with the Magpies in front at both breaks. Belconnen kept Ainslie goalless in the “premiership quarter”, but kicking only 1.4 themselves was to prove critical. Ainslie came home with the proverbial wet sail, kicking 4 goals to 1 in the final term as they leapt into second place behind Minor Premiers Eastlake.

Mackenzie Carman and representative forward Thomas Faul kicked 2 goals each for Ainslie. Belconnen had 5 players kick 1 goal each.

Ainslie’s best players were Cameron Terry, Thomas Tyquin, Faul, Tommy Muir, Guy Richardson, and Luke Crocker. Belconnen was best served by Ryan Turnbull, Alexander Jones, Thomas Simpson, Will Axelby, Dom Bunyan, and Sam Glyde.

Ainslie host the Gungahlin Jets in the rescheduled Round 6 on Saturday, whilst Belconnen host Minor Premiers Eastlake at Adero Law Nest.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:

Our player spotlight this week is Eastlake Demons midfield general Alex Smout.

Smout picked 38 touches in a magnificent display at Patches Asphalt Park against hosts Queanbeyan. Made up of 25 kicks, 13 handballs, 9 clearances and 3 score assists, inclusive of 13 contested possessions, and again without his comrade-in-arms Angus Baker, Smout’s big day out was pivotal in yet another win for the Demons.

Smout’s player rating of 134 was far superior to anyone else on the ground, and an almost-certain 3 votes in the Mulrooney Medal await the talented, experienced midfielder.

How teams handle the 1-2 combination of Smout and a refreshed Baker will be crucial during the Finals Series. In this form, it is probable that Ainslie will have a run-with player on Smout from the opening bounce in the Qualifying Final. Eastlake are playing sustainable, consistent, match-winning football and they will be extremely hard to stop when the Finals start on 23 August.

RESCHEDULED ROUND 6, WOMENS:

Round 6 has been rescheduled to this Saturday. Barring a minor miracle, involving a big Eastlake win AND Gungahlin causing the Upset of the Millenium at Alan Ray Oval, the Top Four is set in the First Grade Womens Competition.

Ainslie host last-placed Gungahlin at Alan Ray Oval, with the Jets playing their last game of the season and the Tricolours already looking at their blockbuster Qualifying Final against Queanbeyan on 23 August.

Fourth-placed Tuggeranong Valley has the huge task of taking on Queanbeyan at Patches Asphalt Park.

The Valley would absolutely love to upset the Tigers, as fifth-placed Eastlake will throw everything at Belconnen across town at The Nest. Tuggeranong will also throw everything at Queanbeyan, with the Valley needing to race out of the blocks early to put pressure on an exceptionally talented Tigers outfit.

Belconnen host Eastlake in the final game, with the Demons needing an upset AND an extraordinary result in Queanbeyan to make the Finals. Like the Valley, the Demons must play offensive-minded football at all times in a bid to upset the Magpies.

RESCHEDULED ROUND 6, MENS:

Round 6 has been rescheduled to this Saturday, and there are three important fixtures to finish off the Home & Away Season. Ainslie host winless Gungahlin at Alan Ray Oval on Saturday, and the Tricolours expected victory will secure the double chance and at least one crack at arch rivals Eastlake in the Finals Series.

Queanbeyan host Tuggeranong Valley at Patches Asphalt Park, with the Tigers putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the Elimination Final on 23 August. After a disappointing season, the Valley will be looking for a huge upset to finish off their season.

The Match of the Round sees third-placed Belconnen host Minor Premiers Eastlake at Adero Law Nest. Belconnen just missed out in a thrilling (if low scoring) contest against Ainslie last Saturday, and they could not have a better preparation than the Demons this week.

Key Questions:

Will Eastlake rest any key players with niggling injuries ahead of the Qualifying Final, and will Belconnen try some different options in the midfield and up forward ahead of their probable Elimination Final against the Tigers? This should a cracking game at The Nest.

COMMUNITY FOOTBALL FINALS WEEK 1 RESULTS:

Womens Division 1:

Qualifying Final, Rockley Oval:

Googong Hogs 8.11.59 def Batemans Bay Seahawks 2.2.14

Elimination Final, EPC Solar Park:

Woden Blues 3.3.21 def ANU Griffins 1.2.8

Mens Division 2:

Qualifying Final, Kingston Oval:

Murrumbateman Eagles 11.8.74 def Molonglo Juggernauts 5.6.36

Elimination Final, EPC Solar Park:

Southern Cats 17.5.107 def Woden Blues 5.3.33

Mens Division 1:

Qualifying Final, Kingston Oval:

Batemans Bay Seahawks 6.7.43 to Woden Blues 6.4.40

Elimination Final, EPC Solar Park:

ADFA Rams 4.8.32 def ANU Griffins 4.5.29

 

COMMUNITY FINALS WEEK 2 SCHEDULE, SATURDAY 16 AUGUST, PRELIMINARY FINALS:

WOMENS DIVISION 1:

Batemans Bay Seahawks vs Woden Blues, Hanging Rock Sportsgrounds, Batemans Bay, 10.00am

MENS DIVISION 2:

Molonglo Juggernauts vs Southern Cats, Hanging Rock Sportsgrounds, Batemans Bay, 12 noon.

MENS DIVISION 1:

Woden Blues vs ADFA Rams, Hanging Rock Sportsgrounds, Batemans Bay, 2.00pm