The under 14’s team, except for Zain Clark and Reece Matheson who were missing for the photo.

The Swamp Tigers knew they were in for a tough game on Sunday, as the Bathurst Giants controlled possession from the first bounce. Inaccurate kicking from Orange/ Forbes and strong pressure from the Giants in the first quarter enabled the Giants to dominate but Orange/Forbes were able to stay in touching distance at the first break, trailing by only 17 points. 

Orange/Forbes made the same mistakes and Bathurst flexed their muscles and used their superior height to kick four goals to none to put the Swamp Tigers away and take an 8.12 (60) to 0.6 (6) victory. 

Despite the loss there were several promising signs for Orange/Forbes with the midfield performing well and the two best players for Orange/Forbes being debutants Logan McMahon and Raphael Milsom. 

The under 17’s featured the debut of Forbes’ Reece Matheson and it was a great day out for Reece and the rest of his teammate as Orange/Forbes took a first round win over a determined Giants 7.4 (46) to 4.5 (29). 

The third quarter saw the Swamp Tigers take control keeping the Giants scoreless while kicking 2.1 and it was even better in the fourth quarter as Orange/Forbes kicked 3.2 to take a strong win 7.4 (46) to 4.5 (29). 

Best on ground for Orange/Forbes was Harvey Shephard who kicked two goals and Reece Matheson was impressive in his debut game of AFL. 

In the other games the under 12’s won 11.9 (75) to 4.4 (28) whilst in the Youth Girls Orange won 6.9 (45) to 2.6 (18). 

Next week will see Orange/Forbes taking on the Bathurst Bushrangers over in Orange. 

Thank you for all of your support this year, it has been amazing! 

Auskick 2023 registrations are still open. Auskick is a wonderful way for kids to play, learn and develop skills that can be applied to any sport in a fun environment. Auskickers receive an awesome pack when registering, have the opportunity to play at half-time during a GWS Giants home game, and can enter in the NAB Auskicker of the year competition. The cost for the 2023 season is $70. Register online at www.playhq.com/afl/register/fcd3a1.

The under 12 and under 14 Orange/Forbes Swamp Tigers won their grand final matches on Sunday in Bathurst. This is the under 14 team with their medals and trophy.

The Orange/Forbes Swamp Tigers claimed the 2022 AFL Central West under 12 and 14 junior premierships in front of a big crowd at Bathurst on Sunday.

The two teams beat Dubbo Junior AFL and the Bathurst Giants respectively in two nail-biting matches.

The under 14’s won a thriller thanks to Cayden Metzeling. He kicked the match-winner from 30m out on an angle just seconds out from the final siren to beat the Bathurst Giants by five points.

Orange/Forbes and Bathurst took turns leading through the match. The fourth quarter was tightly contested and with just under a minute left in the game, the Swamp Tigers surged forward and put the ball into their attacking 50. While contesting for the ball Cayden Metzeling was taken high in a bump by a defending Giants player and was awarded a free kick. Metzeling had the game on his boot and he kicked the only goal of the last quarter to take the lead with seconds remaining. The final score was Orange/Forbes 6.7 (43) to Bathurst Giants 5.8 (38).

Orange/Forbes had just a little too much class for an incredibly gutsy Dubbo, winning the under 12s grand final by 14 points.

Dubbo had by far the better of the early exchanges, but neither team were able to score a goal in the first quarter with Dubbo leading by one point, while Orange/Forbes led by five points at half time.

Dubbo wrestled back control in the third term with one point lead 8 9. In the final term the Swamp Tigers were leading by 20 points, but Dubbo refused to die and scored a goal to close the gap to fourteen. Final score Orange/Forbes 4.5 (29), Dubbo 2.3 (15). 

The FJAFL would like to congratulate its players on their success and thank everyone for their involvement.

By Alex Milsom

The Orange/Forbes under 12s team will play in the AFL Central West Junior Grand Finals in Bathurst on Sunday against the Dubbo Demons.

The Orange/Forbes under 12s and 14s will take on the Dubbo Demons and Bathurst Giants respectively in the 2022 AFL Central West Junior Grand Finals in Bathurst on Sunday. 

For the fourth straight game in 2022, the Orange/Forbes 12s and 14s stormed past the Bathurst Bushrangers in the second half to take big wins and lock in the grand final spots. 

In the under 12s the Swamp Tigers were comfortable victors – winning 16.8 (104) to 5.3 (33). 

The Swamp Tigers got off to a strong opening and was leading by 39 at the first break, and by 31 points at half time. Orange/Forbes then shattered the Bathurst resistance in the second half piling on 58 points while conceding only 18 late in the fourth quarter to take the win, the minor premiership and claim the first spot in the grand final. 

The under 12s opponent next week will be the Dubbo Demons after they upset the second placed Bathurst Giants 6.7 (43) to 3.2 (20) last weekend. 

Orange/Forbes also claimed the minor premiership and the first spot in the grand final for the under 14s division when they claimed victory over Bathurst Bushrangers. 

The Swamp Tigers’ four goals in the opening quarter gave them a 20-point lead at quarter time, and extend their lead to 29 at half time. 

Bathurst had a 35-point deficit at three-quarter time, and with no score in the last quarter the Swamp Tigers took the win 7.7 (490 to 2.1 (13). 

The victory secured Orange/Forbes the minor premiership and a spot in this week’s grand final playing the Bathurst Giants. The under 14s Grand Final has the potential to be the game of the day, as barely anything has separated these two teams all year. 

By Alex Milsom