It will be somewhat of a historic day at Clarke Oval on Saturday when the Blues take on the Ainslie Saints for the first time in either Club’s history.
The Ainslie Club are something of an institution in the ACTAFL competition with a stunning history over many, many years and have quite a strong historical connection with the Blues.
Two of the Clubs greats in Matt Conway and John Read are household names at Ainslie and former Blues star Phil Guthrie played alongside Conway in a Senior ACTAFL Premiership under David Cloke in the early 90s.
Conway himself played in something like seven senior premierships with the club, with all three being named in the Blues team of the half century.
Danny Jaques, probably the greatest ruckmen, to be produced by the Blues, and his brother Roy also had stints with the Saints in their illustrious careers.
The Ainslie Club has only fielded a team in Division 3 this season showing that AFL is still expanding in the nation’s capital and are currently sitting midfield with three wins.
The Blues with last weekends thumping over the Murrumbidgee Juggernauts have moved into fourth spot on the ladder and will be desperate not to drop a game and move back with the growing pack.
The Blues will be without a number of troops with the ANU connection unavailable and will again have their overall strength tested.
With the ground expected to be heavy, the Blues will need to revert to wet weather football and play aggressively. Conditions certainly won’t worry Blues skipper Stephen Chant who has once again been in superlative form and his play at ground level together with Mick Knagge, Toby Johnston and Dylan McDermott will be crucial to the side’s chances.
One important inclusion could be the return of on baller Scott Reid who looks to have recovered from a slight hamstring injury and he should revel in the conditions.
A bigger bodied on baller, Reid has been sorely missed over the past two matches and if fit would be a huge boost for the Blues.
One would expect that the Blues, even though depleted, would start the match as favorites, even if only due to the home ground and crowd advantage, but will need to put together a solid four quarters of football and if as, expected, the ground is heavy tackling, shepherding and numbers at each contest will be crucial.
The match will start at 2pm and the Blues will welcome all members of the fairer sex to their annual ladies day.
Last Modified on 25/05/2012 23:14