COVID-hit Queanbeyan Tigers set for stern AFL Canberra test against Belconnen Magpies

One glimpse of the AFL Canberra ladder shows the Queanbeyan Tigers sitting pretty with two wins to start the season. They've scored 245 points and conceded 39.

But make no mistake, "we've battled". Injuries and COVID-19 have battered the Tigers leading into their round three clash with the Belconnen Magpies at Kippax Oval - dubbed The Nest - on Saturday.

Queanbeyan coach Pavese expected as much coming into the season with the shadow of the pandemic still looming large, "we were just hoping it wouldn't happen so quick".

"We had a solid win against Tuggeranong and then we had eight out the following week against Gungahlin. We get a few back this week but we've had to postpone the reserves, so thanks to Belconnen for that," Pavese said.

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"We've got that many guys unavailable at the moment, as close contacts and things like that, so the reserves won't be going ahead. It's been a bit of a grind. We've just got to keep ticking over the wins.

"We're probably still seven or eight players off our best team at the moment, we're really happy with our depth to do what we've done and we've still got a very good side [for Saturday], but still missing some key players that have been a permanent fixture in our squad for the past three years."

The Tigers travel to Belconnen for a major test against another competition heavyweight. Wins have been far and far between at Kippax for Queanbeyan in recent years.

"It's always a challenge but I think we're a lot stronger in our spine and our resolve. The success we've had over the past three years has built some resolve," Pavese said.

"The boys know, it doesn't matter what sort of adversity they're under, they can compete well. We go with confidence but it's always a tough challenge."

Queanbeyan's women's program faces a similar challenge on the COVID-19 front. Players have backed up from reserve grade to fill squads in first grade. Even recently retired Megan Godfrey pulled on the boots again to help out.

Clubs across a number of codes have been taken a hit on the player depth front, with COVID-19 significantly altering the local sport landscape.

"Our first grade squad has been decimated in the first two weeks which has been a drain on our reserve grade squad. You only need three or four in the reserve grade squad to be in the same boat," Pavese said.

"To their credit, they've found a way to fill teams and they've done it again. It just seems to be the way it is, our numbers are very light in both programs compared to where they've been in previous years.

"That's a combination of factors where players have decided to travel because they haven't had that chance in the past two years, players are getting married and having families."

AFL CANBERRA ROUND THREE

Saturday: Men's - Belconnen Magpies v Queanbeyan Tigers at The Nest at Kippax Oval, 1.15pm; Eastlake Demons v Gungahlin Jets at Phillip Oval, 1.15pm; Tuggeranong Valley v Ainslie Tricolours at Greenway Oval, 3.30pm.

Women's - Belconnen Magpies v Queanbeyan Tigers at The Nest at Kippax Oval, 3.45pm; Eastlake Demons v Gungahlin Jets at Phillip Oval, 11.20am; Tuggeranong Valley v Ainslie Tricolours at Greenway Oval, 1.15pm.

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