Article reproduced from the AFL Canberra Record round 2 2010.
Hughes too good for Hawks
By
Sarah Browne
Ainslie
centre half forward Ben Hughes enjoyed an impressive season opener, recording
seven goals in a triumphant win against a lacklustre Hawks outfit at Greenway
Oval on Saturday afternoon. Ainslie
impressive 23.13 (151) to 10.10 (70) victory over last year’s wooden spooners,
which included a 48 point half time lead, has shown that 2009’s runner ups will
be even fiercer competitors in 2010.
New
Player/ Assistant coach and former Adelaide Crow Robert Shirley told the
Canberra Times he was very impressed with his new team mate Hughes. “‘’He’s
mobile, he’s tall and he’s brave, so you really want someone who can take a
grab but can also force a contest,’’ Shirley said “The forward line worked really well,
especially early and everyone played their role.’’
Hughes
was instrumental in his side kicking out to a 91 point lead at three quarter
time and the eventual smashing of the Hawks by 81 points on their home soil.
The
tall and agile forwards straight kicking and excellent marking did not go
unnoticed by Ainslie coach Chris Rourke, but he did not want to talk up his young
star “Ben was very good, he played to the team plan and his kicking was very
good”
“He
is a very important part of our forward structure as he provides a good target
for us…, we are hoping for him to be a consistent but like all young players he
will still have his ups and downs, I don’t expect him to kick 7 every week just
so long as he does the team things”.
Ainslie
will be determined to remain consistent this season after a heart wrenching six
point loss to Belconnen in last year’s AFL Canberra Labor Club Division 1 Grand
Final. Hughes, who contributed one goal and was one of the best for Ainslie,
was still not good enough to help his team win their first premiership in 12
years. Leading by seven points at the final break, the lead changed four times
in the last quarter. Unfortunately for Ainslie, with only minutes remaining
Belconnen snapped the goal that would seal them the flag. Ainslie will be
looking for a second win against strong flag contenders Eastlake in their journey for redemption in
2010.