The Ainslie Tricolours have reinstated their claim to the AFL Canberra throne with a 17.175(117) to 3.6(24) triumph over the winless Tuggeranong Hawks.
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Star forward Hayden Armstrong led the charge and booted six goals for the visiting side while midfielder Aaron Wiles kicked two and one behind. Assistant coach Jim Rice praised the forwards dominant performance but attributed the overall result to the team's collective effort.
![Tuggeranong's Luke Andreatta is wrapped up. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos Tuggeranong's Luke Andreatta is wrapped up. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75lmym9vvuuektv97ii.jpg/r0_458_5568_3601_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It was good for those guys to get on the scoreboard and convert their hard work," Rice said. "Credit to our forwards, they carried the ball really well and created a lot of space for each other which meant they were able to convert a lot of opportunities. We struggled with that over the last couple of weeks but it was pleasing for them to kick a few goals today.
"Everyone had their opportunity to shine and that's what we were striving for."
The triumph comes after the reigning premiers suffered a 52-point thrashing by the Queanbeyan Tigers last week. While the Tricolours managed to bounce back with a dominant victory over Tuggeranong, Rice believes the scoreline doesn't reflect the Hawks' effort.
"They were pretty happy to win after the loss last week," Rice said. "It was a good hard fought game in the clinches and we were able to make the most of it. Both sides tackled and contested the ball really hard so the scoreboard didn't reflect the each team's endeavor.
"The Tuggeranong side was as good a side as we've played in a long time. They should be happy with how they went about their game."
But the victory tasted bittersweet as Mitch Ward was taken to hospital to have a scan on a possible fractured eye socket. The Tricolour went to the ground and bumped into an opponent's shin with just ten minutes remaining on the clock.
Matt Teasdale also came limping off the field after rolling his ankle in a marking contest moments before halftime.
Meanwhile, the Canberra Demons celebrated skipper Aaron Bruce's 150th NEAFL game in style with a 24-point triumph over Sydney University at Football Park.
The Demons leapfrogged the Students into fifth on the competition ladder with a 13.10 (88) to 8.16 (64) triumph as Alex Smout continue his rich vein of form with 26 disposals.
Harrison Carr booted four goals and Alex Paech added three while the visitors were left to rue their inaccuracy in front of goal, heading back up the highway with their tails between their legs.
Bruce managed just four touches as he became just the fourth player in NEAFL history to notch up 150 games but the ultimate success has eluded the Canberra forward to date.
It is one thing he is desperate to change as the Demons set their sights on climbing up the NEAFL ladder and making a run come finals time.
Twelve months ago the Demons were orchestrating a stunning run to the playoffs and their latest outing has sparked hope a return to that stage may be on the cards this year.