Queanbeyan registered a 14.7 (91)-11.10 (76) victory on Saturday, July 18 at Allinsure Park, after trailing at every break and overcoming a 28-point margin facing them in the final term.

Inaccuracy plagued the Tigers early, a nine-point quarter-time margin could have been a handy early lead for the home side if not for the 1.5 effort compared with 3.2 from the Tri-colours.

Tigers fans were cautious knowing the squad would not only be without captain Andrew Swan, who returns from holiday next week, but also player/coach Kade Klemke, who was in New Zealand for a wedding- the first time the squad has been without undoubtedly their best player.

It was also noted that Ainslie would have the experience and talent of some of their best NEAFL players given Gungahlin had the bye, assistant coach Dave Corcoran said.

"We missed a lot of opportunities in the first quarter, kicking 1.5, we didn't capitalise when we had the momentum, but we scored 10 goals straight in the middle period," he said.

"We didn't score a lot in the second and third quarters, but when we did we capitalised.

"It was the first game Kade's missed in I think about three years, so we did really well to cover his absence.

"Paul Campbell did a great job coaching with Kade out- he told the boys to impact the contest or affect your opponent and that's what we tried to do.

"I think it was a psychological thing to win when Ainslie had a lot of strong players and without Kade."

But acting-captain Brett Fruend (three goals) was attacking early, providing run through all areas of the ground, Kane Godde (three goals) was a player expected to step up and did, providing run in the midfield and attacking pressure into forward 50. Paul Williams and Alex Page hit the scoreboard when it counted, contributing two goals each.

Backmen Alec McCormick and Jono Bowyer took a number of important marks in the backline, allowing the home crowd, including the 1985 premiership team who were celebrating their 30-year reunion, to breathe a little easier.

"Matt Grocott (one goal) scored a really important goal for us, Alex Page scored a couple of important goals at crucial times and Dean Ross (one goal) has been really important for us lately, providing a hard edge for us and it's good to have him on the halfback line because he provides some versatility and experience," Corcoran said.

"Godde delivered in the midfield and up forward like we were hoping he would and [Fruend] was by far our best player, his workrate was just way above everyone else's."

Queanbeyan's efforts laxed in the third term, but the Tigers piled on a 41-point quarter and conceded just one point in the last to run out eventual winners by 15-points.

The Tigers have a bye this weekend followed by two of their hardest games of the season against Tuggeranong and Belconnen, but Corcoran is hoping with the return of a number of key players they can be competitive.

"Hopefully we'll have most of the players we've had out back, so it'll be a nice test," he said.

"We should have eight players back for first and reserve grade, so we're in prime position to hit the last month full of steam.

"We'll have (Swan) back from his holiday, Kade, Jackson Smith, we might be able to get Mark Armstrong to play one or two more games and Mitch Haley and Jacob Maljers will be big bodies that we'll get back that will be crucial against strong and experienced teams like Tuggeranong and Belconnen.

"The first time we played Belconnen we only lost by two goals and we dominated play, so there's a potential for us to beat Tuggeranong, Belconnen and Ainslie in the finals, but we have to be at the top of our game."