Results:
Broadbeach 25.13 (163) def. Sandgate 10.9 (69)
Labrador 11.15 (81) def. Wilston Grange 11.4 (70)
Mt Gravatt 15.11 (101) def. Morningside 6.10 (46)
Western Magpies 5.13 (43) def. by Palm Beach Currumbin 22.14 (146)
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Edward Sansbury slotted six goals in an impressive performance for Broadbeach as they flexed their muscles against Sandgate and moved into fourth place on the ladder. Young Jack O’Shea chimed in with four, forming part of the massive 163 point score.
The young Hawks fought hard, but despite the inclusion of tall target Brendan Forbes and the performance of goal kickers Connor Stackelberg and Tylor Cester, the Cats powered away after quarter time.
Barry Hall kicked five and Matthew Trewhella seven, in a close contest between the Tigers and Gorillas at Cooke-Murphy Oval, while Sam Stubbs was at his powerful best, booting seven for the Vultures as they got over Morningside.
It was party time for Palm Beach Currumbin, as they won big over the Western Magpies and spread the goal-kicking load around. Stepping back from Southport, Tom Thynne bagged four, as did John Macansh, but the spotlight was on Jarryd Douglas who celebrated his return to the lineup with six snags.
Close call
The Tigers approached the contest with the Gorillas with one of their youngest lineups of the year, fielding the likes of Cooper Portelli, Jacob Kenny, Connor Budarick, Charlton Offermans and Harry Simington.
Wilston Grange also put a young side on the park and without their skipper Steve Brittain, managed to take it up to the reining premiers, in a manner that no other side has done this season.
In the last quarter the ball flew from end to end with Barry Hall threading goals from difficult positions for the Tigers and Trewhella pulling tricks out of his bag in the goal square for the Gorillas.
The Gorillas led by a solitary point after a Trewhella goal, nearly eighteen minutes into the final term, but just couldn’t hold on as Darryn Thomas and Harry Simmington put goals on the board in the final minutes.
Vultures flying
After round 14’s thrilling win over Broadbeach, Vultures coach Troy Moncur said he hoped there wouldn’t be too many more close games, because his hair is going grey with the stress. ‘Monkey’ got his wish, as his Vultures steamrolled a Morningside outfit that has been in ripping form over the past month.
Recent victories over Broadbeach, Palm Beach and now Morningside, set Mt Gravatt up as a very serious finals contender and a deserving holder of third place on the ladder.
After the weekend’s performance Jayden Crawley has to be sitting in the top handful of center-half forwards in the league at the moment. Crawley hits up at the footy with pace and has great hands in the air, then he can gather at ground level and feed players running past. It’s the right time of year to be in this type of form too.
Mt Gravatt has another gem forward flying out of the goalsquare too, in Sam Stubbs, who’s now sneaking up on Bryce Retzlaff on the league goal-kicking table. Stubbs has 48 goals, just behind ‘Retzy’ who has 53. The thing to remember with Stubbs though, is that he’s 20 years old and only getting better.
The question going into the Vultures versus Morningside clash, was if the Panthers would be able to hold up the strength Mt Gravatt has at the coalface. The answer was emphatic; they couldn’t stop the likes of the hard working Frazer Neate, skipper Joe Murphy and young gun Zac Stone.
A positive to come out of the game for the Panthers was Lions Academy youngster Keidean Coleman’s performance. The skillful defender was tidy around the half back line and shows incredible composure for his age. He just seems to have time with the footy. Fellow defender and young gun Campbell Wearne was also impressive out of the backline.
Despite the strong performance of their youth, the question has to be asked of their senior midfielders, if they have what it takes to go head to head with the competition’s heavyweights as the finals approach.
Up hill battle
Palm Beach Currumbin returned to their early season form with a commanding win over the Western Magpies on Saturday, sending alarm bells ringing through the QAFL. As the Lions gradually return to full strength, they’re also gaining the benefits of their younger players needing to shoulder more responsibility during their mid-season slump. Youngster Zac Harrison was again important for the Lions, in a midfield that gained the upper hand early in the contest and never looked like relinquishing control.
For skipper Jesse Derrick it was business as usual as he worked his way around the park, while John Macansh, in his third game for Palm Beach this season collected plenty of the ball through the middle and pushed forward for four goals.
Magpie tall Charlie Pershouse was played in a few different positions on the weekend and showed real promise playing higher up the ground where he could have a bigger influence on the contest. Lachlan Dennis had plenty of the footy, but unfortunately left the field late in the piece with what looked like a serious injury.
After going down by 103 points to the Lions, it looks like an up hill battle for the Western Magpies to make the finals. Though it’s still possible, they face Labrador and Morningside in the next two rounds, then they have the bye in the last round. They’ll need a few cards to fall in their favor, but stranger things have happened in QAFL footy.
By Sean Melrose
Follow @seanmelrose
