Queanbeyan Tigers coach Adrian Pavese re-signs with AFL Canberra club

They are, after all, the only ones bearing the weight of expectation, the only ones that dictate wins and losses, the only ones responsible for delivering another premiership flag.

Except, as they retreat into the Margaret Donoghoe Oval rooms, they are far from the only ones defining the fate of the Queanbeyan Tigers.

The impact of club chaplain Scott Minchin cannot be understated. He goes to remarkable lengths to ensure Queanbeyan's players and staff are in a good mental space off the park.

There are those on the board, those on the other side of the canteen bench, those running water and strapping ankles.

People like those made it so easy for Adrian Pavese to sign a one-year contract extension and continue balancing the roles of head coach and club general manager.

It comes as Queanbeyan look to force their way into AFL Canberra's top two in a clash with the Tuggeranong Hawks at Margaret Donoghoe Oval next Sunday.

"I am so fortunate at Queanbeyan, we've got so many people around that the workload is really shared," Pavese said.

"Even though I'm the only paid employee, I've got so many volunteers willing to put their hand up and help out. I've been very fortunate in that respect, blessed really."

Pavese' signature follows that of a huge crop of talent with Tim Shea, Jason Taylor, Jed Simpson, Jeremy Bridger, Dean Simpson, Jack Carroll-Tape, Alex Page and Tyler Collins all committing to the club for 2020.

They will not rest there - the Tigers are in the midst of signing some of the women's competition's elite players as they continue an unbeaten start to the season.

Captain Carly Res, Ella Ross, Hannah Dunn, Amy Dwyer, Megan Godfrey, Lauren Flakelar and Ash Jakim have already re-signed in a boost to the club's bid to avenge grand final heartbreak.

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Names like those have Pavese confident the club is on the rise as they set their sights on adding more flags to those standing next to the '100 Club' pavilion at their Karabar base.

"Our players are only going to keep getting better because they are still very young," Pavese said.

"I think people forget, when they won the 2015 premiership, nearly half the group were 20 and under. The Alex Page's and the Jack Carroll-Tape's of the world, they would have been 18 or 19 years old.

"We all know they don't hit their peak until they're 26 or 27. We're still pretty excited about how much is left in this group, absolutely.

"We started the process two weeks ago, trying to secure our talent both in the men's and women's programs.

"Next week we're talking to a fair few players that have left the club over the past few years that have gone to another years. We hope to have some success there in trying to drag them back.

"Then we'll start looking at recruiting. I don't think we'll need a lot to be honest, our list is quite strong and there is plenty of upside.

"I don't think we need to bring massive amounts of players in, but we need one or two more to complement the current group."

That current group sits third heading into round 12, behind reigning premiers Ainslie and the Belconnen Magpies.

Both of those two outfits have given the Tigers a fair touch-up this season, results Pavese believes simply reflect the nature of the competition.

"You've only got to be five or 10 per cent off when the other sides play as well as they can, and you do get a bit of a trouncing," Pavese said.

"Our challenge over the next four rounds leading into the finals is just minimising the gap between our best footy and our worst footy.

"We certainly believe our best is good enough to compete really well, but when we drop off it's a big drop off."

AFL CANBERRA ROUND 12

Saturday, July 27: Belconnen Magpies v Ainslie Tricolours at Kippax Oval, 1.15pm. Eastlake Demons v Gungahlin Jets at Football Park, 3pm.

Sunday, July 28: Queanbeyan Tigers v Tuggeranong Hawks at Margaret Donoghoe Oval, 1.15pm.