GO THE TIGERS Show ‘Em what Queanbeyan’s made of! 1802022 Queanbeyan out to overcome Sydney's AFL edge

By Andrew Johnston against yourself mentally before you ■ AUSSIE RULES even go out and play. “Once you get to that stage you NEAFL grand final become a better footballer and you ■ Who: Queanbeyan Tigers v can really compete in those big games. That’s something our younger Sydney Swans players will get better at. ■ Where: Manuka Oval “This weekend is still a learning experience for our team but at the ■ When: Sunday, 2.15pm same time we’ve definately got the ability to get over the line with the WHILE Queanbeyan will take on players we have now.” the Sydney Swans on Sunday The only player in Queanbeyan’s afternoon for NEAFL premiership line-up with AFL experience, glory, the Tigers’ more telling battle Atkinson is looming as Queanbeyan’s may be won or lost before a ball is X-Factor against a star-studded kicked. Sydney outfit. In the lead-up to this weekend’s But while the Tigers may be clash, Queanbeyan’s young squad lacking the big game experience of must first convince itself the Swans their more seasoned opponents, can be beaten. Atkinson said Queanbeyan’s playing That in itself is a daunting ask. The roster was more than up to the task of Swans have comfortably prevailed in matching the Swans man-on-man. each of the two club’s previous “You don’t need to be on an AFL meetings this season, including a 55- list to get the best out of yourself and point victory two weeks ago in the to be a dangerous player,” He said. major semi-final. “Most of our blokes are pretty good A host of Tigers will also be one-on-one who can match it with experiencing their first exposure to the Sydney players. the glaring spotlight of a first-grade “For us it’s just about our grand final. preparation as a team. The Swans By contrast, Sydney will field no obviously do all the basics well which less than 12 listed players, many of is something we can struggle with whom have already proven their sometimes but if we can stick to pedigree at AFL level. everything we’ve been doing during “A lot of players, especially the the year we shouldn’t have any younger guys can overthink big problem getting over the line.” games and make things more difficult for themselves than it has to be,” > Queanbeyan star Jarrod Atkinson is Queanbeyan star and former confident the Tigers can defeat the Essendon player Jarrod Atkinson says. Sydney Swans in this weekend's “It’s something that comes with NEAFL grand final. experience, not having to battle Photo: Ben Southall photography GO THE TIGERS! Proudly supported by the heart and soul of the Queanbeyan Community See next Friday’s edition of

for ALL the EAT ‘EM ALIVE! Grand Final * Photos of the Tiger’s wrap up. 2012 season are available for sale at our Monaro St office. 1801694dsd The energy GO THE TIGERS! behind the Tigers ActewAGL extends best wishes to the Queanbeyan Tigers for this Sunday’s NEAFL grand final against the Sydney Swans Reserves. Go Tigers! 1801934w

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ActewAGL Retail ABN 46 221 314 841. queanbeyanage.com.au The Queanbeyan Age, Friday, September 14, 2012. 25