2013 Ainslie NEAFL Squad
There were 9 teams in the NEAFL Eastern Conference, Ainslie, Belconnen, Eastlake, Hills Eagles, Queanbeyan, Sydney Swans Reserves, Sydney University, Tuggeranong and UWS Giants. Teams in the Northern Conference were Aspley, Brisbane Lions Reserves, Broadbeach, Gold Coast Suns Reserves, Labrador, Morningside, Mt Gravatt, NT Thunder, Redland, Southport.
Chris Rourke continued as Coach and during the season had his contract extended for a further two years.
Ainslie finished the home and away games in third place with 11 wins and 7 losses.
In the Qualifying Final Ainslie were defeated by Belconnen at Kippax Oval. Ainslie trailed by 5 points at half time but fell away in the second half only kicking 4 goals to Belconnen’s nine.
Final score: Ainslie 12.14-86 def by Belconnen 18.16-124.
Goal kickers for Ainslie: J Bennett 3, N Heyne 2, J Hirst 2, A Harris 2, M Lawless 2, J Gourlay 1
Best: J Fleming, N Heyne, D Walker, L Crook, J Hirst, J Bennett
In the First Semi-Final Ainslie had a good win over UWS Giants by 64 points.
Final score: Ainslie 15.15-105 def UWS Giants 5.11-41
Goal kickers for Ainslie: J Bennett 5, S Ellis 3, K Morris 2, J Gourlay 2, N Paine 1, A Vandenberg 1, J Fleming 1
Best: K Morris, A Vandenberg, R Tuohey, N Paine, N Heyne, J Bennett
Ainslie met Belconnen again in the Preliminary Final. Belconnen opened strongly and had a 33 point lead at quarter time and increased this to 50 points at half time. Ainslie fought back in the third quarter kicking 7 goals to 2 to reduce the margin to 21 points at the last change. In the last quarter Ainslie closed the gap but a late rally by Belconnen gave them the win by 16 points.
Final score: Ainslie 16.11-107 def by Belconnen 18.15-123
Goal kickers for Ainslie: N Paine 5, M Lawless 4, M Crook 3, J Bennett 2, N Heyne 1, J Gourlay 1
Best: A Vandenberg, K Morris, M Crook, N Paine, J Fleming, M Lawless
The Ainslie team for the Preliminary Final was:
Ian Lawless (Capt.), Nick Paine, Michael Lawless, Marcus Crook, Josh Bennett, Nick Heyne, Jono Gourlay, Jason Fleming, Kane Morris, Aaron Vandenberg, Chris Barrie, Damien Bowles, Ash Harris, Jeremy Hirst, Blake Renet, Cameron Bernasconi, Eric Stone, Dale Walker, Robert Tuohey, Sean Ellis, Lachlan Crook, Jack Cuzner
In the NEAFL Eastern Conference Grand Final the Sydney Swans defeated Belconnen, 15.11-101 to 6.13-49. The NEAFL Northern Conference Premiers the Brisbane Lions defeated the Sydney Swans in the NEAFL Grand Final, 12.9-81 to 10.13-73.
Josh Bennett was the leading goal kicker in the NEAFL Eastern Conference with 71 goals.
Marcus Crook, Michael Lawless, Nick Paine and Robert Tuohey played their 100th First Grade games for Ainslie.
Four Ainslie players were selected in the NEAFL Eastern Conference Team of the Year: Josh Bennett, Ash Harris, Nick Heyne and Aaron Vandenberg.
Josh Bennett, Shaun Campbell, Jed Costigan, Aaron Vandenberg and Dale Walker represented the ACT in the game against GWS. Josh Bennett, Jono Gourlay and Aaron Vandenberg represented the NEAFL Eastern Conference in the game against Tasmania.
Second Grade
The Ainslie second grade team played in the AFL Canberra Division 1 competition.
At the end of the home and away games Ainslie Division 1 finished on top of the ladder.
In the Second Semi-Final Ainslie defeated Belconnen.
Final score: Ainslie 20.17-137 def Belconnen 10.8-68
Goal kickers for Ainslie: M Jillard 4, B Hackett 3, A Mathis 3, L O’Neill 2, A Grozinger 2, S Bromley 1, S Campbell 1, T Carracher 1, M Renet 1, P Schroder 1, J Whatman 1
Best: S Campbell, M Jillard, M Mulroney, L O’Neill, J Costigan, T Carracher
Ainslie played Belconnen again in the Grand Final with Ainslie running out winners by 28 points to win the Premiership.
Final score: Ainslie 10.20-80 def Belconnen 7.10-52
Goal kickers for Ainslie: A Grozinger 2, J Hirst 2, T Carracher 1, B Hackett 1, M Jillard 1, M Lawless 1, L O’Neill 1, M Renet 1
Best: S Boden, M Mulroney, J Hirst, C Bernasconi, L O’Neill, A Birch
Ainslie Division 1 – Premiers 2013
The Ainslie Division 1 team that played in the Grand Final was:
Cam Bernasconi, Alex Birch, Steven Boden, Seamus Bromley, Tyson Carracher, Lachlan Carter, Alex Grozinger, Ben Hackett, Colin Haining, Reuben Haupt, Jeremy Hirst, Mark Jillard, Michael Lawless, Andrew Mathis, Ed McCowan, Mitch Mulroney, Lucas O’Neill, Blake Renet, Matt Renet, Brady Scholes, Peter Schroder, Jake Whatman.
Shaun Campbell won the AFL Canberra Division 1 Best & Fairest Award, the McNamara Trophy.
Coach: John Tootell
Ass.Coach: David Love, Paul Neiberding
Manager: Bill Matthews
2013 Rising Stars (U18)
At the end of the home and away games Ainslie Rising Stars finished on top of the ladder with 14 wins and 4 losses ahead of Queanbeyan on percentage.
In the Second Semi-Final Ainslie defeated Queanbeyan to move through to the Grand Final.
Final score: Ainslie 9.18-72 def Queanbeyan 7.7-49
Goal Kickers for Ainslie: N. Beaumont 2, M. Richardson 2, A. Nolan 2, T. Faul , D. Smith , M. Sheldon
Best: T. Nunn, T. Powell, M. Ganley, M. Richardson, M. Sheldon, J. Maynard
Ainslie played Queanbeyan again in the Grand Final and defeated them by 8 points to win the Premiership.
Final score: Ainslie 10.15-75 def Queanbeyan 10.7-67
Goal Kickers: T. Nunn 4, D Spinks 2, B Tomkins 1, N Foley 1, M. Richardson 1, C Boyton 1
Best: M. Sheldon, T Nunn, M. Richardson, C. Boyton, C. Dwyer, A Nolan
The Ainslie Rising Stars team that played in the Grand Final was: Nicholas Beaumont, Matthew Boak, Charlie Boyton, Matthew Brown, Conor Dwyer, Thomas Faul, Nelson Foley, Matthew Ganley, Jordon Hedington, Sebastian Hogan, Josh Maynard, Billy Muir, Angus Nolan, Tyson Nunn, Harry Palmer, Hugh Phillips, Tom Powell, Max Richardson, Matthew Sheldon, Daniel Smith, Hamish Smith, Darcy Spinks, Blake Tomkins, Alex Vickers.
Ainslie Rising Stars – Premiers 2013
Coach: Justin Foley
Ass.Coach: Anthony Ganley, Greg Bishop
Manager: Glenn Brown
2013 Ainslie Division 2 (Thirds)
The Ainslie Thirds played in the Division 2 competition. After the home and away games the Thirds finished in fourth position out of 10 teams with 10 wins and 6 losses.
Ainslie were defeated by Belconnen in the First Semi-Final to finish in fourth place.
Final score: Ainslie 6.7-43 def by Belconnen 12.13-85
Goal Kickers for Ainslie: M. Jillard 2, M. Howe 1, M. Davis 1, B. Scholes 1, T. Binks 1
Best: D. Stewart, D. Alsford, T. Zouch, M. Robertson, L. Svilicic
Coach: Ben Kenny
Captain: Miles Davis
Ainslie 2013 Division 3 (Fourths)
The Ainslie Fourths played in the Division 3 competition. After the home and away games the Fourths finished in eighth position out of ten teams with 3 wins and 14 losses.
Coach: Andrew Ferrell, Ben Kenny
Captain: Tom Lemmon
Ainslie 2013 Women's Team
Ainslie Women finished the home and away games in fifth position in Pool 1 with 6 wins and 8 losses missing out on finals.
Three Ainslie players played in the ACT Representative game: Luisa Marzotto, Meredith Wells and Penny Wilmot.
Luisa Marzotto was selected in the AFL Canberra Women’s Team of the Year.
Coach: Brian James
Ass.Coach: Gary Keegan
Manager: Sarah Dent
Club Awards
First Grade
Best & Fairest: Aaron Vandenberg
Runner Up B&F: Ash Harris
Third B&F: Nick Heyne
Coach’s Award: Damien Bowles
Rising Star: Kane Morris
Richard Fleming Memorial Award: Dale Walker
Second Grade
Best & Fairest: Shaun Campbell
Runner Up B&F: Matt Renet
Best Clubman: Nathan Robertson
Coach’s Award: Ben Hackett
Under 18
Best & Fairest: Tyson Nunn
Runner Up B&F: Matthew Ganley
Best Clubman: Harry Palmer
Most Promising Player: Angus Nolan
Coach’s Award: Alex Vickers
Bev Trebilcock Award: Tom Powell
Third Grade
Best & Fairest: Giles Tranter
Runner Up B&F: Darcy Paine
Best Clubman: Tim Binks
Coach’s Award: Tom Zouch
Most Improved: Fraser Cloney
Fourth Grade
Best & Fairest: Joshua Butcher
Runner Up B&F: Brent Ford
Best Clubman: Angus Thornton
Coach’s Award: Paul McGuire
Best First Year Player: Matt Tyrrell
Women
Best & Fairest: Luisa Marzotto
Runner Up B&F: Zoe Skyrianos
Coach’s Award: Stephanie Nelson
Most Improved: Claire Wheaton
Player’s Player: Meredith Wells
Club Officials
President: Ian Muir
Senior Vice President/ Secretary: Lee Phillips
Vice President: Mark Sinclair
Treasurer: John O’Loughlin
Committee: Ian Muir, Lee Phillips, Mark Sinclair, Salvo Delorenzo, John O’Loughlin. Brett Hannam, Troy Klep, Michael Johnston, Richard Baumhammer, Matthew Jamieson
Manager Football Operations: John Smith
Patron: Alan Ray