1980-Ainslie First Grade Championship Team

There were 7 teams in the 1980 ACTAFL competition, Ainslie, Belconnen, Eastlake, Manuka, Queanbeyan, Sutherland and West Canberra.

At the end of the home and away games Ainslie was on top of the table with 16 wins and no losses and a percentage of 254.

They played second team West Canberra in the Second Semi-Final at Phillip Oval. Ainslie ran out easy winners by 98 points.

• Final score: Ainslie 23.18-156 def West Canberra 8.10-58
• Goal kickers for Ainslie: Miller 7, McCormick 4, Neale 3, Mooney 2, Senjov 2, Brock 1, Davey 1, Shanley 1, C Smith 1, Gerrans 1
• Best: McCormick, Miller, Neeson, Ielasi, Heystraten

Ainslie won the 1980 Premiership by defeating Manuka 21.10-136 to 12.15-87 in the Grand Final at Manuka Oval. Ainslie went through the season undefeated to be awarded their third Championship.

• Final score: Ainslie 21.10-136 def Manuka 12.15-87
• Goal kickers for Ainslie: Neale 8, Brock 5, McCormick 4, Shanley 2, Davey 1, Senjov 1
• Best: Stone, Brock, Neale, Gerrans, McCormick,

Ken Stone won the inaugural Alex Jesaulenko Trophy for the best player in the Grand Final.

The Ainslie Team for the Grand Final was:

• Backs: Tony Ielasi, Greg Croser, Martin Smith
• Half Backs: Alan Smith, Brett Hannam, Peter Neeson
• Centres: Brian Holford, Ken Stone, Ron Davey
• Half Forwards: Terry Mooney, John Miller, Brendan Shanley
• Forwards: John Brock, Kevin Neale, Mick Senjov
• Rucks: Hans Heystraten, Phil Gerrans, Jack McCormick
• Interchange from: David Monaghan, Craig Smith, John Harper

 Ainslie Coach Kevin Neale was the League’s leading goal kicker with a record total of 149 goals, including 8 in the Grand Final.

Ainslie Captain-Coach Kevin Neale holding up the 1980 Premiership Cup

• Captain/Coach: Kevin Neale
• Vice Captain: Martin Smith

John Miller won the ACTAFL Best & Fairest the Mulrooney Medal.

Ainslie U19s finished the home and away season in second place behind Eastlake.

Ainslie played Eastlake in the Second Semi Final but lost by 2 points.

• Final score: Ainslie 12.11-83 def by Eastlake 12.13-85

Ainslie defeated Weston Creek in the Preliminary Final.

• Final score: Ainslie 11.14-80 def Weston Creek 10.10-70

Ainslie played Eastlake in the Grand Final but were defeated by 52 points at Phillip Oval.

• Final score: Ainslie 7.11-53 def by Eastlake 15.15-105
• Goal kickers for Ainslie: G Hincksman 4, Hawke 2, Baxter 1
• Best: Hawke, Baxter, Birch, G Hincksman
• Coach: David Lalor

The Monaro team finished out of the top four.

• Captain/Coach: Laurie Laffan
• Manager: Gil Allen

• Best & Fairest: Brett Hannam
• Runner-up B&F: Terry Mooney
• Most Consistent: Kevin Neale
• Most Improved: Tony Ielasi
• Best First Year Player: David Monaghan
• Best Player in the Finals: Jack McCormick
• Most Serviceable Player in the Grand Final: John Bock

• Best & Fairest: Gordon Marshall
• Runner-up B&F: P O’Loughlin
• Most Consistent: Mick Walsh
• Most Improved: P Foley

• Best & Fairest: Robbie Baxter
• Runner-up B&F: Robert Birch
• Most Consistent: Dale Seymour
• Most Improved: Wayne Kelty
• Best Player in the Finals: Robert Birch

• Best & Fairest: Laurie Laffan
• Runner-up B&F: R Kirby
• Most Consistent: S Morgan
• Best Team Man: Graham Vickers
• Best Clubman: Peter McNair

• President: Keith Heales
• Senior Vice President: Jack McGrath
• Vice Presidents: John Bravo, Robert McCorry, Tom Talsma
• Hon Secretary: Arthur Bennett
• Ass Secretary: Greg Ryan
• Treasurer: Alan Ray
• Committee: Don Andrews, D Eddowes, R Garrett, Bruce Glossop, Roy Hancock, D McIntyre, Peter McNair, Larry Rawson, G Rogers, K Slattery, Les Smith, A White, G Harwood, Ian Mulholland
• Patrons: Ralph Lewis, Harry Gaylard