They had six players on the sidelines, a host of new recruits still finding their feet, and they met a side who had just put the cleaners through the reigning premiers.
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But still, the Gungahlin Jets managed to compete.
"There is no way known that would have happened 12 months ago," Jets coach John Love said.
Gungahlin's 36-point loss to the ladder-leading Queanbeyan Tigers at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval on Sunday mightn't look too flash on the surface.
But Love can see positives, adamant they are slowly beginning to close the gulf between themselves and AFL Canberra's "big four" in a six-team competition following their 12.17 (89) to 8.5 (53) defeat.
"This is the closest the club at this level has ever gotten to Queanbeyan, the club has never beaten Queanbeyan before," Love said.
"We had six players out that are coming back in next week, so to compete at this level and start to play the style of footy I want the group to play, there is no way known that would have happened 12 months ago.
"We're closing the gap with the big four. The club is a little bit excited. I know we don't have great depth, but we've got enough to compete and perhaps knock off one of the top four soon.
"To compete with a team that smashed Ainslie a week prior is good for the competition. It's only round six and we've got a lot more footy to play this year so I'm a bit excited.
"Some people don't believe this in sport, but we're just starting to click. We have a lot of new recruits who understand what I want, understand their teammates, and we're starting to click.
"With that comes belief."
Belief that a breakthrough victory over Queanbeyan, Ainslie, Belconnen or Eastlake perhaps isn't too far away.
While the Tigers were wasteful in front of goal, Queanbeyan coach Adrian Pavese can see the gap is closing.
Put simply, the sooner the Jets and winless Tuggeranong Hawks - who were thrashed by reigning premiers Ainslie on Saturday - can compete with the top four, the better.
"That's twice now we've played them, and twice they have pushed us all the way which is a good sign," Pavese said.
"Their NEAFL players played very well which helps. We were a bit off, we had 29 shots on goal. But every time we turned it over, their pressure was outstanding and they got full benefit.
"More teams will be very wary of the Jets as the season progresses."
Just as they already are of Queanbeyan forward Matt Grocott, who booted four goals to orchestrate the Tigers' second consecutive win.
Grocott and Liam Greenwell were among the best for a Tigers outfit firmly entrenched in their place at the top of the competition table.
"The hard thing for Matty is he has been in the competition for a while now and everyone knows him," Pavese said.
"He gets a lot of attention, so it's good that he is starting to find his way through it and getting on the scoreboard, which is great.
"The forward line had plenty of opportunities, 12.17 we kicked, so the forward line had plenty of opportunities - we've just got to make it pay.
"We just wanted to grind out another win and it keeps us well-placed in the top two."
AT A GLANCE
AFL Canberra round six:
GUNGAHLIN 1.0 3.2 3.2 5.5 (35)
QUEANBEYAN 3.6 5.10 8.13 12.17 (89)