Results:
Morningside 27.11 (173) def. Surfers Paradise 6.5 (41)
Mt Gravatt 24.7 (151) def. Sandgate 15.11 (101)
Wilston Grange 9.4 (58) def. by Broadbeach 16.17 (113)
Western Magpies 13.12 (90) def. by Labrador 14.11 (95)
Tiger tail
They nearly did it, they nearly beat Labrador . . . A thrilling quarter saw the Western Magpies claw away a significant deficit and hit the front midway through the last, in a 37-point turnaround – but it wasn’t to be.
The Magpies were on fire in the centre clearances with Gareth Crawford and Tom Ielasi looking unstoppable pressing the ball into their forward line, where youngster Caleb Franks displayed some nice forward craft. Their 84 to 69 point lead quickly fell away though, as the Magpie’s hand slipped from the Tiger’s tail.
Tiger mid Adam Clarke was simply amazing in the final quarter, using his frame as a battering ram and amassing a huge share of the pill. Defenders Jayden Young and Wayde Mills regained a measure of control in defense, while youngster Charlie Offermans showed some deft touch around the ground.
Clutch goals to skipper Bryce Retzlaff and Darryn Thomas just got the Tigers over the line, the siren blaring before Magpie Brenton Saunders could steal the game back with a final snap.
Props have to go to the Magpies whose season was on the line, they very nearly pulled it off and they leave Labrador looking mortal with the finals approaching.
A statement from the Panthers office
After a disappointing loss to Mt Gravatt in round 15, Morningside were back to their best on Saturday against Surfers Paradise. To quote coach Steve Wildschut, “I think there was a lot of guys who were stung . . . our performance last week wasn’t what we want to stand for.”
Free of niggles, key forward Alex Mitchell put on a footy clinic in the forward fifty, seemingly marking every ball aimed in his direction by the likes of clearance king Sam Godfrey, Ashley Evans and the experienced Matthew Logan.
The noticeably younger Surfers were in the contest at quarter time but soon became overwhelmed as Morningside made it clear they were not interested in sharing the footy. Jack Prestegar found plenty of the ball and the nimble Lefeuvre again showed some promise across half forward.
Panthers defender Keidean Coleman didn’t have his best game, but had some flashes that were a clear reminder of how just much talent the Lions Academy prospect has. He’ll be important in the finals.
Hungry Hungry Hippos
It was an old fashioned shoot out at Dittmer Park, as the Vultures took on the Hawks and while Sandgate racked up a big score they were simply outgunned by an in-form Mt Gravatt.
The QAFL goal-kicking table became even closer, as Vulture full forward Sam Stubbs closed the gap further on Labrador’s Bryce Retzlaff. Stubbs kicked six snags against the Hawks, to Retzlaff’s five – leaving them well clear of the rest, on 54 and 57 goals respectively.
Vultures Brendan Telford and Andrew Smith also collected bags, Telford kicking four and Smith three. At the other end it was big Brendan Forbes doing the damage, slotting five majors for the visitors, while fellow key forward Connor Stackelberg kicked two.
Vultures midfielder Michael Hamill got his hands on the footy all over the ground and looked composed. Beside Neate, Murphy and Stone, Hamill is another one that will be crucial to the Vultures in the coming finals.
Against the tide
Matthew Trewhella battled away for the Gorillas against Broadbeach, kicking over half his team’s score with five goals. As the saying goes, however, the ladder doesn’t lie and the higher placed Cats put the Gorillas to the sword with a solid contribution from the entire lineup.
Broadbeach finished the game with an even spread of goal kickers, as Carthew-Zimmer, Kerr, Shreeve, Royes and Burton all hit the scoreboard with two each.
Cat Benji Neal put on a bit of a show for the Bendigo Bank Oval crowd, running hard and showing some real pace down the wing.
By Sean Melrose
Follow @seanmelrose
