QFA NORTH MATCH OF THE ROUND
Mayne vs. Noosa
Saturday April 9, 2:00pm, Mott St
There will be no easing into it for new Noosa coach Sam Faure, it’s a baptism of fire.
But there is no better time than the present to show what Noosa will look like this year than a game against the reigning premiers.
Mayne showed in the pre-season that there will be no premiership hangover, pushing Sandgate all the way in the Alpha Sport Pre-Season Cup grand final, but the real stuff starts now.
With Danny Craven and Clint Brunnenmeyer now in charge of the Tiger train they will also be keen to start with an unblemished record.
Noosa were thereabouts last year, but just couldn’t bridge the gap to the top two, but 2016 is a fresh start, and what better way to start your year that knocking off the competitions yard stick
The game will no doubt be brutal in the middle, both teams will crack in all afternoon, so contested ball will be king.
If one team can wrestle control during the slow stuff, the run and carry will follow.
Caleb Brown showed in the pre-season he will continue to bring his own footy to games, so Noosa will have to keep a close eye on him, but we all know what Brett Moloney and Robert Copeland can do for the Tigers if they are allowed any time and space
Where it will be won: putting your head over the footy
QFA SOUTH MATCH OF THE ROUND
Burleigh vs. Coorparoo
Saturday April 9, 2:00pm, Bill Godfrey Oval
These two teams come into this week after polar opposites of round 1 games.
For Burleigh, they scrapped over the line in a one-point thriller against Alexandra Hills, whereas Coorparoo romped home in a massive win over Coomera.
Burleigh’s kicking in front of goal was the reason Alexandra Hills hung around.
The kicked 13.16, something they can’t afford to do this week.
If the 2015 prelim final is anything to go by, this one will be a corker.
On that day, the Kings just got the job done, holding off a late Burleigh surge to make the grand final.
Shutting down Chris Cant up forward will no doubt be a big priority for Burleigh, but they can’t put all their eggs in one basket, the have to stop the forward line as a whole.
They key for the Bombers will be using the space of Coorparoo, particularly the wings, to spread the ball and make it an attacking game.
Where it will be won: The spread
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
