A finals race tighter than Capper's shorts: why any team could win it

If ever there's been an AFL Canberra season to win the qualifying final and jump straight into the grand final this is it. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading $ 0 / $ NaN /year All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue All four of the top teams - Queanbeyan, Ainslie, Eastlake and Belconnen - have beaten each other at some point during the year - it's so tight that the idea of relying on a second chance might come back to bite you.

Queanbeyan and Ainslie get that first bite, in the qualifying game on Saturday. Eastlake and Belconnen play on Sunday, and the loser of that game is gone. "It's been one of those years where on the day anyone can win," says Ainslie coach Jason Tutt.



"It's good for the competition for it to be so tight at this point of the year ...

and I guess that's why it's important to grab one of the top two spots." He knows his team will have to pull out its best against the Tigers. "AFL Canberra is celebrating 100 years, so is Queanbeyan, it's been a big year for them," he says.

"I'm sure they'd be keen to wrap it up with a premiership. "They play a hard, contested style of footy, they're really good in the contest, rely on some key players to get the ball moving forward, they bring a lot of physical pressure to the game." Ainslie Football Club co-captains Josh Maynard and Matthew Teasdale.

Picture by Elesa Kurtz Tutt began his journey at Ainslie in 2007, before he was drafted into the AFL in 2009. He remembers losing the grand final that year against Belconnen. "We were beaten by a goal right on the siren, it was heart-breaking, and then we lost to Belconnen again last year too by about 40 points, so my grand final playing record isn't great.

" Tutt, who played 40 AFL games with the Western Bulldogs and Carlton, hung up the boots this season to concentrate on coaching. The club's just re-signed him until 2027. "If you asked me at the start of the season whether I would have enjoyed coaching full-time as much as I have I probably would have said no," he says.

"I've really enjoyed waking up on Sundays and being able to walk. Belconnen Magpies and Ainslie have both made the women's finals. Picture by Elesa Kurtz "You can still have a real influence on the game, on what is happening in the middle, having that trust in players to go out and execute the game plan.

" Two of the players he'll be turning to in the finals are co-captains Josh Maynard and Matthew Teasdale, who've both played more than 100 games for the club. They've been with the club since the "four-peat" run, where Ainslie won the flag from 2016 to 2019. "They're really driving the next generation of players through which is exciting," Tutt said.

He names Matt McGrory, Tom Faul, Luke Crocker and Tommy Muir among his best players this season, but he's revelled in seeing improvement in young players such as Joe Bishop and Callum Clapp. "They've really come along this season, they've played a good chunk of seniors now, and tasted finals footy last season, they'll be raring to go against Queanbeyan," he said. In the elimination final Belconnen will be confident going in against Eastlake.

The teams last met in the final round on August 17, with the Magpies easy winners - 14.7 (91) to 6.17 (53).

The last time Ainslie and Queanbeyan met was in round 10, where Ainslie won a thriller - 7.11 (53) to 7.9 (51).

Tutt expects the qualifying final to be just as tight. And he wouldn't want it any other way. AFL Canberra finals Men's: August 31, qualifying final: Queanbeyan v Ainslie, 2.

25pm, Karabar. September 1, elimination final: Eastlake v Belconnen, 2.25pm, Ainslie.

Women's: August 31, qualifying final: Queanbeyan v Belconnen, 10.45am, Karabar. September 1, elimination final: Ainslie v Eastlake, 10.

45am, Ainslie. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Karen Hardy Canberra Times sports journalist Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.

com.au Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.

com.au More from Canberra A finals race tighter than Capper's shorts: why any team could win it 5m ago No comment s Could a tech tax make Google and Meta pay for news they profit from? 8m ago No comment s CPSU calls out Labor for 'half-baked' LGBTQIA+ census decision 25m ago No comment s A beer, a nude run and an apology. Why these grand final teams hate each other 42m ago No comment s Hotel guest allegedly caught with illegal rifle and ammunition, police say 1hr ago We demonise it but life without plastic seems impossible 1hr ago Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team.

Also includes evening update. Loading..

. DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading.

.. WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters.

Loading...

WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Loading..

. DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading.

.. AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service.

Loading...

DAILY DURING PARALYMPICS The Paralympic Breakfast Get the best news and analysis from the Paris Paralympic Games in a daily update. Loading..

. WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Sunday explore destinations, deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around Australia and the globe. Loading.

.. WEEKLY Property Get the latest property and development news here.

Loading...

WEEKLY What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Loading..

. WEEKLY Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Loading.

.. WEEKLY Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers.

Loading...

WEEKDAYS The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep.

Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Loading..

. TWICE WEEKLY The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Loading.

.. WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner.

Loading...

TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading..

. AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Loading.

.. DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper.

Ready to read from 5am! Loading...

DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading..

..