QUEANBEYAN Tigers completed the perfect season on the weekend, when they defeated Belconnen Magpies to remain undefeated and salute for the 2024 AFL Canberra flag. After a tight first half, the Tigers managed to kick away with five goals to one in the second half and seal the 7.7 (49) to 2.4 (16) victory.

The Tigers went into the match as heavy favourites, having gone 16-0 for the season between the home and away portion and qualifying final, but grand finals can produce some upset results, and the Magpies had enough quality on their list to worry the minor premiers and ladder leaders.

Across the first term, opportunities were scarce, with the Magpies not able to fully take their scoring chances and finished with just three behinds, as the Tigers put the sole major on the board. They extended the lead out to six by the main break as both teams had scoring chances and kicked a goal apiece.

It was not until the third term where the class rose to the top with Queanbeyan putting the foot down and booting three goals to one to stretch the lead out to what looked to be a safe 21-point lead. Not taking any chances for granted, the Tigers finished off strongly with the only two goals of the final term to enjoy a 33-point victory at EPC Solar Park.

Emma Dunn was the star, booting three goals in the win to be a key difference between the sides, while talented hard nut Jayde Hamilton was also a standout through the middle. Phoebe Highfield and Maddi McLachlan were named in the best, with Cleo Cook kicking two goals in the victory.

For the Magpies, bottom-age young gun Isla Wiencke kicked one of her side’s only two goals, while Thea O’Donnell and Maddie Dwyer were named as Belconnen’s best in defeat. The loss marked Belconnen’s second consecutive defeat – and third in five years – in a grand final, while for Queanbeyan, it was the Tigers’ fourth flag in the competition, all of which have come in the past seven years, making their sixth grand final in that time and only missing last year’s decider.

First Grade Men

Queanbeyan Tigers 11.8 (74) defeated Eastlake Demons 9.5 (59)

Queanbeyan doubled up on flags with the minor premiers also winning the First Grade Men’s title with a 15-point win over Eastlake. Incredibly, the Tigers trailed by 21 points at the main break, but found a way to get back into the contest. Booting five goals to one in the premiership term, the Tigers hit the front by the last change, then went on with it kicking three more goals to one, making it an eight goals to two second half.

Will Kellar was the star with four goals, while Andrew Swan backed up his sensational season with two majors in the victory. Josh Bruce and Arran Harsdorf kicked a couple of goals each for the Demons, while Lachlan Highfield, Aidan Bowyer and Alex Page all stood out for the Tigers.

Rising Stars Women

Ainslie Tricolours 6.14 (50) defeated Tuggeranong Valley 2.0 (12)

Ainslie Tricolours successfully defended it’s 2023 flag with a 38-point victory over Tuggeranong Valley. The Saints have not just won flags, but being so dominant they have gone undefeated the past two years. The Tricolours kept Tuggeranong Valley scoreless in the first term, then were force to weather a mini-comeback before booting the last 3.9 (27) of the game while keeping their opponents scoreless for another two quarters.

Promising young gun Mia Cooper capped off another best on ground in the grand final – her second successive accolade – as well as having jointly won the league best and fairest with teammate Georgia Patterson, and named captain of the Team of the Year. Tessa Wilcox and Lily Quigley also impressed in the victory, while for Tuggeranong Valley, AFLW Academy member Ash Patton and Willow Kildey were both strong.

Rising Stars Men

Ainslie Tricolours 6.4 (40) defeated Belconnen Magpies 4.4 (28)

In an incredible finals performance, Ainslie Tricolours completed the junior double with victory in the Rising Stars Men, coming from fourth on the ladder at the end of the home and away season to topple minor premiers Belconnen Magpies in the decider. The Tricolours had an 8-8 record heading into the finals series but successfully got through the post-season series and came out on top in the grand final.

Sam Oliver caught the eye to be a standout on the day, while William Beardsley and Alex Arthur also were named among the best. Riley Hamilton and Harry O’Connor both kicked two goals for the winners.