Women's Queanbeyan Tigers coach Adrian Pavese out to make AFL Canberra history in finals

But the Queanbeyan Tigers women's coach has the chance to do just that if his side beats Ainslie on Saturday morning at Alan Ray Oval to make the grand final the following weekend.

Pavese could become the only coach to ever lead a team to the men's first grade title, then the women's crown in consecutive seasons.

To add to the incredible record, both Queanbeyan teams are eyeing back-to-back grand final wins, which was another AFL Canberra first last year.

"I'm excited and nervous. It's been a massive effort," Pavese told The Canberra Times.

"We've got some big moments of footy to come this weekend. First thing is first, we've got to get to the grand final. We've got very good opponents at Ainslie, and they want to reclaim their throne and in the men's comp, too."

Pavese was Tigers co-coach with Kade Klemke when they defeated Belconnen in a thriller in the grand final last year.

Following the victory Pavese planned to retire, but when the women's coach position became free, he put his hand up.

"They asked me to have one more year, so I thought I'd help out. Retirement lasted a week and then I took on the girls' side, and I'm still the general manager of the club, too," Pavese said.

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The coach was excited to get involved in the women's game, and has noticed a buzz around the club in recent weeks, which could well be off the back of the Matildas' success at the World Cup.

"On Sunday for the elimination finals, I haven't seen a crowd like that in a long, long time," Pavese said. "It was huge.

"I'm sure there'll be an impact from the Matildas but we're also lucky in Canberra that the girls are well-supported. If it can take it to another level though, that would be great."

The AFLW kicks off this weekend and league bosses are equally keen to continue the momentum from the World Cup for other women's sports.

There are currently five former Queanbeyan players in the AFLW and Pavese is hoping some more Tigers graduate to the national stage in the coming years and benefit from the league's rise.

"We've got some really good prospects coming through the club's under-18s and under-16s programs, and there's one or two playing now that I'm sure if they put their hat in the ring, they'd get a look," Pavese said.

Queanbeyan Tigers

Cynthia Hamilton - Sydney Swans, Alexia Hamilton - Sydney Swans, Hannah Dunn - Port Adelaide Power, Jackie Parry- Geelong Cats, Tarni Evans - GWS Giants

Ainslie Tricolours

Tess Cattle - GWS Giants

Belconnen Magpies

Emily Pease - GWS Giants, Jodie Hicks - GWS Giants

Eastlake Demons

Cambridge McCormick - GWS Giants

Men: Ainslie Tricolours v Queanbeyan Tigers, Saturday 1.15pm at Alan Ray Oval.

Women: Ainslie Tricolours v Queanbeyan Tigers, Saturday 11.20am at Alan Ray Oval.

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