Queanbeyan recorded just its third win this season with a four-point win over Ainslie at Dairy Farmers Park, while for the second time this season Eastlake recorded a draw this time against the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

The result means Eastlake is undefeated at the top of the AFL Canberra ladder, while Queanbeyan is two points clear in fourth spot from the Sydney Swans.

Queanbeyan co-captain Ryan Quade was pleased to keep in touch with the top three.

''We haven't had a great start to the season, but our aim for this next round of games was just to get a bit closer and not let these top teams get away,'' he said. ''We think we are just as good as any of them on our day.''

Queanbeyan received a boost in the forwards when Paul Williams, standing in for an injured James Kavanagh, played his first senior game for the Tigers this year and shot 4.5 from nine shots on goal.

''Willo is always a dangerous forward and to have him down there sitting next to Mark [Armstrong] was great,'' Quade said.

In the game at Manuka Oval, Belconnen centre-half forward Andrew Ainger kicked nine goals for the second consecutive week to take the lead in the AFL Canberra goal-kicking list.

Ainger has now kicked 37 goals in eight games.

Mark Armstrong and Ben Hughes kicked four and three goals respectively to stay close behind on 33 and 28 goals as AFL Canberra's leading goalkicker title looks set to be a three-way race.

Next week all first grade AFL Canberra games will be on Sunday to accommodate Saturday's Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs game at Manuka Oval.

llllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllAT A GLANCE

AFL Canberra round eight yesterday: EASTLAKE 16.10 (106) drew with SYDNEY SWANS 16.10 (106) at the SCG, QUEANBEYAN 12.13 (85) bt AINSLIE 12.9 (81) at Dairy Farmers Park, Queanbeyan. BELCONNEN 22.12 (144) bt TUGGERANONG 13.13 (91) at Manuka Oval.