QAFA B Central
Semi Final 1
Zillmere vs. UQ
Friday August 12, 8:00pm, O’Callaghan Park
It’s the matchup we have been waiting weeks for. The two biggest, and strongest sides going at it.
They are fresh, and ready to rock and roll after the first week of finals off.
Zillmere’s strength is their use of the football going forward. They are extremely good at peeling off one-by-one into the space, or getting at the feet of the big blokes.
UQ will have to roll back in numbers, and find a man waiting on the forward 50 arc.
Oh, and UQ, don’t kick it to Dickfos coming out of the back line. Use the other side.
The Red Lions are probably a bit bigger over the ball, and have a ruck advantage. Their best bet in controlling the tempo through the middle.
Winner of this one goes straight to the grand final.
Semi Final 2
Jimboomba vs. Woodsmen
Friday August 12, 7:30pm, Collingwood Park
Another week, another do-or-die game for these two.
We knew Jimboomba would be tough to push around over the footy, but they made a statement last week. They aren’t just making up the numbers.
Martin and Tomlinson need to be stopped in the forward 50. If you don’t lock down on them, they will hurt you.
The Woodsmen left their run late last week. If they start slowly this week, it could be all over by half time.
For the Woodies to get up, they have to at least match it with the Redbacks in the middle, but hurt them in transition with their foot skills.
The winner of this plays the loser of the other game next Friday night.
QAFA Sunshine Coast
Preliminary Final
Gympie vs. Maroochydore
Saturday August 13, 2:00pm, Gympie
It’s the penultimate week in the Sunshine Coast competition, with the winner of this booking a ticket to the grand final against Pomona next week.
Last week, Maroochydore held off a gallant Nambour, while Gympie just couldn’t get within striking distance of Pomona.
The Cats lead the head to head count 3-1 this year, so will go in confident of getting the job done, but there hasn’t been much between the two in any of their meetings to date.
Gympie need a big day from Hendry in front of the sticks, and a lot of ball in Ellingsen’s hands.
For the Roos, Mitch bird is in good touch, and needs that to continue. If he can win his own footy, and impact the scoreboard, that will go a long way to them wining.
Colts Division 1
Elimination final 1
Caloundra vs. Aspley
Saturday August 13, 9:30am, Moreton Bay Oval 1
Like the AFL finals model, it is do-or-die for the bottom four teams in the Division 1 finals this year.
Caloundra only missed out on the top four by half a game, so will be kicking themselves if they get bundled out week one of the finals.
They got into that position though with some really strong footy, that challenged the top teams, proven when they knocked off Maroochydore.
If they can replicate that, it should be a good day for them.
But you only have to look back two weeks to see how closely placed these two teams are… in fact, just three points separated them in Caloundra’s favour.
It’s going to be a grind, it’s going to be tight in the middle, and definitely not a shoot out.
Reality is, it’s anyone’s game. Who wants it more?
Elimination final 2
Broadbeach vs. Labrador
Saturday August 13, 9:15am, Ord Minnett Oval
The footy gods were smiling down at this one, ensuring that these two teams meet on the day their QAFL seniors play… at the same ground.
You’d think it was planned!
This could be the tightest game of the week. They have met twice this year, with a total margin of six-points, after they have taken out one encounter each.
Both love to play a quick, positive brand of footy. They talent pool is there, with line-ups filled with kids who can turn a game on its head very quickly.
They key to this will be controlling the speed. If one can restrict how the other transitions the football out of defence, they should win.
Qualifying final 1
Mt Gravatt vs. Western Magpies
Saturday August 13, 11:15am, Dittmer Park
The Vultures are yet to put a foot wrong in 2016, entering this finals campaign with an unblemished record.
Now that they have arrived though, that doesn’t mean much. It’s a clean slate for the top four teams.
The only time these two teams have played in 2016 was way back in round 1, where Mt Gravatt skipped away to the tune of 95-points.
The Magpies have improved since then, but still face a massive task this week.
Josh James has been the spearhead for the Vultures, and will be looking for another big game in front of the sticks, getting fed the ball from guys like Joel Leahy and Lewis Bowley.
The Magpies come into this on a four game winning streak, so their form is good.
Dominic Misso and Liam Reynolds are the two guys to put the spotlight on. They have been super this year, but need another big day.
I think Mt Gravatt will continue their streak.
Qualifying final 2
Maroochydore vs. Southport
Saturday August 13, 11:30am, Maroochydore
Talking about standout seasons, Maroochydore come into this with just the one loss next to their name courtesy of Caloundra.
But they have had Southport snapping at their heels for the majority of the season, so this should be a cracker.
We know Southport lost their leading goal kicker, Valentino Beynon early this year, but Hayden Correa and Nick Gardyne have really stepped up to fill the void.
Combine that with the ball use of Harris and McDonald, and they are a hard team to stop in full flight.
The Roos’ biggest strength is the way they share the load. To stop them, you can’t focus on individuals. If they play the quick brand of footy want, and their midfield can hit the scoreboard, they should book a week off, and head straight to a prelim final.
Colts Division 2
Elimination final 1
Noosa vs. Mayne
Saturday August 13, 9:30am, Graham Road
The head-to-head reads one all this year, but it was Noosa who had the more convincing win of the two.
It’s going to be close though.
Mayne aren’t the tallest side around, but they have a solid spine. They will look latterly to open the game up by foot. If they are allowed time and space they will hurt Noosa.
But the Tigers can score as quickly as anyone if they are given the corridor to run though.
Don’t be surprised if both teams kick a big score here.
I think Noosa will just be that little cleaner though.
Elimination final 2
UQ vs. Cooraproo
Saturday August 13, 12:00pm, Lemke Rd
UQ had a very tough month heading into this, coming up against some of the top teams in the entire comp.
That might not be a bad thing though. It shows them the level they need to be at, and if they can raise the bar to that tomorrow, look out Coorparoo.
Cooraproo’s form line hasn’t been great either coming into this, with losing six in a row, but they had an important confidence-boosting win over Wilston Grange last Saturday.
That will lift the spirits, and instill a bit of belief in the group. You’re only as good as your last game, right?
These two teams haven’t met so far this year, so there is a bit of an unknown heading in. Quarter time will be very important to move a few magnets around and get a better understanding of the opposition.
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
