By Caden Helmers
First Grade: Queanbeyan Tigers 14.11.95 defeated Tuggeranong Hawks 11.8.74
Queanbeyan surged in to the 2015 First Grade Grand Final with a stunning 21-point upset win over the Hawks at Startrack Oval last Saturday.
A dominant first half saw the Tigers boot nine goals to three heading in to the main break, riding a wave of momentum in to the second half.
Kade Klemke was again one of his side’s best, proving hard to stop as the Tigers shot out of the blocks in the early stages.
Kane Godde and Alex Page booted three goals apiece for the black and golds, as they moved to within one win of their first premiership since 2012’s NEAFL campaign.
Boasting one of the best midfields in the competition, Tuggeranong were highly-fancied favourites heading in to the game, but it was Queanbeyan’s midfielders that reigned supreme.
A strong performance in the middle laid the platform for Queanbeyan’s forwards to find open space inside the 50 metre arc, often resulting in goals.
Tuggeranong outscored the opposition in the second half, but the boot of an old foe dashed any hopes of a late come from behind victory.
Tigers veteran Mark Armstrong turned in one of his most dominant performances of the season, nailing two majors to thwart Tuggeranong’s fightback.
The encounter marked Tuggeranong’s first preliminary final appearance in eighteen years, and will look to push for bigger and better things in 2015.
Queanbeyan now face the unenviable task of toppling the undefeated Belconnen Magpies in the Grand Final.
Second Grade: Belconnen Magpies 9.9.63 defeated Ainslie Tricolours 3.7.25
Belconnen will be looking to cap off a stellar Second Grade season with a Grand Final win, after comfortably dismantling Ainslie at StartTack Oval on Saturday.
Having dropped just two games in 2015, the Magpies were comfortable favourites heading in to the do-or-die Preliminary Final.
Ben Turnbull was one of Belconnen’s best as his side raced out to an early lead, one that the Magpies continued to build on steadily throughout the contest.
Ainslie were unable to muster a goal in the opening term, putting them on the back foot in the early going.
Belconnen have progressed to within four quarters of securing the flag, with a firing Tuggeranong Hawks outfit awaiting them in the big dance.
Rising Stars: Marist College 10.12.82 defeated Eastlake Demons 11.9.75
Six goals from Eastlake’s Nicholas Ryan was not enough to secure his side a Grand Final berth, as they went down to Eastlake in a thriller at Startrack Oval.
Inaccuracy cruelled the minor premiers in the final term as their 2015 campaign comes to an end after being bundled out of the finals in straight sets.
Marist held the lead at every break, but their lead never stretched beyond three goals as two of the competition’s best sides played out a nail-biter.
Marist are now gearing up to face Ainslie in the decider this Saturday at STartrack Oval.
Last Modified on 25/09/2015 09:30