All grades have now turned the corner on to the premiership straight, so let’s head Around the Grounds to see the latest results in AFL Canberra’s lower grades.
By Caden Helmers, AFL Canberra Journalist
Belconnen toppled Tuggeranong by eight points in what could be a preview of the Second Grade Major Semi-Final, but for now, Ainslie has leapfrogged the Hawks in to second position with a thumping win over the Tigers.
Ainslie collected the points over the Tigers in the Rising Stars after a fast start left Queanbeyan playing catch-up footy. Belconnen won their third game of the year in devastating fashion over the Hawks.
The Third Grade finals picture didn’t get any clearer, with the competition’s top three sides all claiming wins, with the remaining finals hopefuls all on the wrong end of the score line as Woden, ANU, and ADFA/RMC emerged victorious.
Harman has all but wrapped up the Fourth Grade minor premiership with their eleventh win of the season, whilst elsewhere ANU and ADFA/RMC collected the points.
Cootamundra continued their battle with Goulburn for the Regional Grade minor premiership, easily accounting for an Ainslie outfit that find themselves entrenched in a battle for fourth spot.
The Women’s Grade has been split in two divisions ahead of the final stages of the regular season as we step closer to September, with Tuggeranong and Eastlake both running out victorious in Division One. Queanbeyan pushed their claims for the Division Two favourites tag with a dominant win, with Molonglo joining them in the winners’ circle.
SECOND GRADE (ROUND 11)
Ainslie 24.17.161 defeated Queanbeyan 6.1.37
Eight goals from William Oldfield catapulted the Tricolours in to second position on the competition ladder, dismantling the fourth-placed Tigers away from home. Ainslie dominated from the opening bounce, taking a 74-point lead in to the main break. There was no suggestion of complacency, as the visitors went on with the job to complete a massive victory.
Belconnen 12.10.82 defeated Tuggeranong 11.8.74
The Magpies collected their tenth win in eleven outings in the 2015 season, toppling top-two hopefuls Tuggeranong by eight points at home. Leading at quarter time, Tuggeranong were unable to score a point in the second term, as the Magpies kicked five unanswered goals. The Hawks fought back in the second half, but had fallen just short when the final siren sounded.
Gungahlin and Eastlake had the Bye.
RISING STARS (ROUND 11)
Ainslie 6.16.52 defeated Queanbeyan 5.4.34
The Tricolours shot out to an early lead in the first term, establishing a 27-point buffer that eventually proved too much for the second-placed Tigers to overcome. The loss spoiled Queanbeyan’s aspirations to move in to top spot on the table, and forces them wait for another crack to move in to the competition lead.
Belconnen 20.15.135 defeated Tuggeranong 0.1.1
The Magpies ensured that their third win for the season was a memorable one, as Cameron Johnson booted six goals to put the exclamation point on a remarkable win. The Magpies have a sniff of September action, but will need to produce more of the same if they want to play finals football.
Marist and Eastlake had the Bye.
THIRD GRADE (ROUND 14)
Woden 18.18.126 defeated Batemans Bay 5.4.34
Woden moved one step closer to securing the minor premiership with a thumping 92-point win over the Seahawks. Ashley Carter kicked five for the victors, who remain two wins clear on top of the competition table. Batemans Bay remain locked in a battle for fourth position with Molonglo.
ADFA/RMC 18.11.119 defeated UC 7.11.53
Three goals from Liam Humphrey propelled the Rams to their seventh win of the season that sees them secure third spot on the ladder. Ben Ayling was the best of a beaten bunch for the Magpies, who will be looking to ruin the chances of the fourth-place hopefuls for the rest of 2015.
ANU 13.10.88 defeated Molonglo 9.5.59
The Griffins flew to a 34-point lead at quarter time, before a Juggernauts fightback in the second term reduced the margin to fifteen. ANU once again showed why they are one of the teams to beat this season, flexing their muscle in the third term to sew up their ninth victory of the year.
FOURTH GRADE (ROUND 14)
Harman 13.12.90 defeated Woden 8.6.54
Four goals from Joel Percy helped the Hogs to their eleventh win of the 2015 season, to all but wrap-up the Fourth Grade minor premiership. The Blues were within seven points heading in to the final stanza, but could only manage two behinds as Harman piled on five majors to secure the points.
ADFA/RMC 15.20.110 defeated UC 6.10.46
Matthew Dobney booted six goals for the Rams in a Best on Ground performance, taking his season tally to twenty majors. The win sees the Rams move one step closer to playing finals football, while UC now face an uphill battle to run around in September.
ANU 14.7.91 defeated Molonglo 3.5.23
The second-placed Griffins were comprehensive victors over the Juggernauts away from home at Stirling Oval. Tim Robb slotted eight for the winners as they overcame a spirited challenge from Molonglo, who are in search of a finals berth.
REGIONAL GRADE (ROUND 14)
Cootamundra 16.22.118 defeated Ainslie 2.7.19
The Blues continued their charge for the minor premiership, easily accounting for an Ainslie outfit that find themselves entrenched in a battle for fourth spot. Stephen Chant and Timothy Smeeth both slotted three goals each for the visitors.
Goulburn defeated Cooma
WOMEN’S GRADE (ROUND 1)
The Women’s Grade has been split in two divisions ahead of the final stages of the regular season based on ladder position, and as such, the competition draw has restarted at Round 1.
Division One
Tuggeranong 7.9.51 defeated Riverina 0.3.3
The top two teams from the season so far clashed in the Division One opener, with Tuggeranong running out comprehensive winners on the back of Annie Ghirardello’s four majors. The Hawks’ victory has well and truly established them as the team to beat in the top division.
Eastlake 19.13.127 defeated Gungahlin 0.0.0
Eastlake were dominant against a Jets side that pipped Queanbeyan for a position in the top grade, on the back of a superior percentage. The Jets ran in to a black and red wall, as the Demons’ defensive pressure refused to concede a point. Kristen Veal kicked seven for the victors.
Belconnen had the Bye.
Division Two
Queanbeyan 8.7.55 defeated ANU 1.0.6
Hannah Dunn kicked five goals in a Best on Ground performance for the Tigerettes at Town Park. The win sets the reigning Division Two premiers up for another charge to the Division Two flag, having all but sewn up the minor premiership.
Molonglo 3.7.25 defeated Ainslie 3.1.19
The Juggernauts collected a vital win in their search for a finals berth, with the win pushing them two games clear of fifth-placed ADFA/RMC. Last year’s Division Two grand finalists trailed at quarter time, but sheer weight of scoring shots proved the difference when the siren signalled full time.
ADFA/RMC had the Bye.
Last Modified on 22/07/2015 11:34