Queanbeyan ousted in Foxtel Cup

It was always going to be a tough outing for the under strength Queanbeyan side, who were up against it, facing last years Foxtel Cup finalist and one of the VFL’s Powerhouse side, plus the added difficulty of travelling for this historic match.

On the night, Werribee had seven North Melbourne players in the team, and the gulf in class showed as the VFL side kick three easy rebounding goals to start the game, and eventually take a 26 point lead into the first break.

Gysberts, Will Sierakowski and Taylor Hine, North’s three emergencies from Sunday’s heartbreaking loss to Adelaide, led the way.

To Queanbeyan’s credit, they responded in the second term showing some of form that lead them to beat a strong Swans outfit in last years Eastern Conference Final.

They lifted their tackle pressure which seemed to worry Werribee when they had ball in hand, allowing Queanbeyan to rebound and control play effectively.

However, after half time they were unable to maintain the effort from the second quarter, conceding seven goals in the final quarter.

Gysberts, who switched clubs from Melbourne during last year’s trade period, was industrious through the midfield, gathering 22 disposals, four clearances and four inside-50s – mostly before three-quarter time.

For Queanbeyan, Kaine Stevens, who last year received the Alex Jesaulenko Medal for winning the club’s best and fairest award, demonstrated his class and continued his strong form with 16 disposals and two goals.

Toby Conroy was relentless around stoppages, while Will Griggs enjoy plenty of touches and gave Queanbeyan plenty of spark when moving forward.

Player-coach Kade Klemke worked tirelessly down back and was dually assisted by Jarrod Atkinson, who both showed that they can match it with some of the VFL’s best up and coming stars.

Werribee will now play East Fremantle in the first semi-final of the Foxtel Cup on Tuesday, July 9 while Queanbeyan will have a short turn around when they face Eastlake in the NEAFL on Sunday.

Werribee 5.3 6.8 9.14 16.17 (114)
Queanbeyan 1.1 2.2 3.4 4.4 (28)

Goals

Werribee: Brown 3, Maric 3, McGennis 2, Clouston 2, Sierakowski 2, Ross, Tudor, Castello, Speight.
Queanbeyan: Stevens 2, Griggs, Franchi.

Best

Werribee: Gysberts, Sierakowski, Hine, Kennedy, Brown, Maric.
Queanbeyan: Conroy, Stevens, Klemke, Daniher, Atkinson, Griggs.