First Grade
Swans Too Skilled
On another perfect day for football in Canberra the injury riddled Ainslie took on the mighty Sydney Swans with a place in the four at stake. In a fast opening the Swans had 3 goals on the board before the Tricolours settled. As the quarter wore on Ainslie was starting to win more than there fair share of ball but just could not find the big sticks and unfortunately their opposition could only do the opposite and at quarter time they led 6 goals to the Tricolours 6 straight points.
The second quarter started with the Ainslie boys winning the clearance and with the backline holding firm and the forwards finally putting some goals on the board the margin was being reduced. However the class of the Swans was never far away as Ainslie dominated the quarter but were still 40 points down at the long break.
Once again the third quarter saw Ainslie slam on 4 quick goals to get within a couple of goals of the tiring Swans but with 2 pieces of class football Swans star Nick Davis booted two 60 metre goals to snuff out the Tricolours revival. The fourth quarter saw the Ainslie team out score their more skilled opponents. The young side continued to impress with their running and enthusiasm to find the ball but their decision making and skill errors often undid all their hard work with the Swans running out 36 point winners.
Best players in an even team performance were ruck man Stone, on ballers Holmes, Lewis, I Lawless and Pettersson, wingman Montague, back men Ghobriel and Tuohey and young forward Ash Harris.
Under 18’s Ainslie V Marist
Marist defeated Ainslie 10.8 to 4.12.
Ainslie went into this game following two strong wins against Belconnen and Queanbeyan. It was a test of Ainslie’s improvement; as Marist were victorious on the previous meeting 14.5 to 9.9.
Without half of its regular midfield with Jesse Griffin (injured), Josh Creaser (ill) and Shaun Campbell (seniors), Ainslie were able to come in at the quarter time break level at 2.3 each and without any midfield dominance.
The second quarter saw Marist take the advantage with harder running and supporting handball behind the contest line. Ainslie squandered easy set shots at goal in this term and came in at half time 15 points in deficit. This could have easily been only 9 points, but for a reversal of an easy set shot in front of goal just before the half time break.
Our discipline was tested in the 2nd quarter and to the boys credit they came out focused and ready to play in the second half. Marist continued to move the ball quickly and efficiently and dominated the 3rd term despite strong defence led by Joel Fraser and Matt Vickers. The deficit at 3 quarter time was 28 points.
Despite the team’s best endeavors’, Marist were able to prevail, winning by 32 points. They were harder at the ball, faster on their feet and worked harder for the four quarters of the game. They pushed numbers back in front of our strong leading full forward and kept numbers behind the contest line to run the ball forward with great effect.
Players that did well were Joel Fraser, Matt Vickers, Jeremy Hirst, Corey Baxter, Ben Spencer and Jordan Flanagan.
Last Modified on 02/06/2008 23:11