Submitted by Chris Yeend
LABRADOR v NOOSA
Ladder
Labrador – 4th (48 points – 164.28%)
Noosa – 5th (38 points – 125.04%)
Players to watch
Labrador – JAY FOON – with experience at the Southport Sharks in the VFL under his belt; his game-high 12 tackles against the Lions last week was outstanding. He is one of the most physically competitive player in the competition and he’s very capable of winning clearances and getting the ball inside the forward 50. He had 18 touches last week and about 50-percent of his kicks resulted in an inside 50.
Noosa – TOM BAULCH – there is few players that have that hardcore inspiring passion that he has. With 22 disposals in the win over Grange last week, a staggering 17 of them were contested. He thrives off the intensity and the heat of the contest which brings him to life and his team mates.
How important is the result of this game
A win for Labrador could see it push to 2nd if Aspley and RVP lose and earn that double chance. Aspley is the unlikely of the pair to lose its final game of the season. Should Noosa win, we’ll likely see this clash as a dress rehearsal for week one of the finals. A loss and a win from PBC will see Noosa slide to sixth.
Who wins
Labrador; aside from the Cats, is the most in-form team of the competition defensively and up forward in the last month. Its form has peaked at the right time and the opposition have felt it. They should win here, however; there is that bit of romance of seeing Noosa set the finals alive after finishing win-less in 2021 and a win here boosts its confidence for a likely rematch against the southern Tigers.
SURFERS PARADISE v MT GRAVATT
Ladder
Surfers Paradise – 10th (16 points – 63.08%)
Mt Gravatt – 12th (12 points – 54.56%)
Players to watch
Surfers Paradise – MATT DORAN – was easily best afield last week with 32 disposals, 13 of which were contested and had 14 clearances, the most of any player in the competition last week by a long stretch. He’s running hot and it’s great to see him finish the year strongly.
Mt Gravatt – JOEL LEAHY – has had a great season for the Vultures and continued that last week with 24 touches, 14 that were contested and a team-high nine clearances. He’s had an outstanding season and deserves reward for his effort.
How important is the result of this game
It’s been said all season that Surfers Paradise is a far better team than its results suggest. After a challenging start to its 2021 campaign with some heavy losses; consecutive heavy wins to close out the season will lift this team into 9th spot. Should Mt Gravatt win, it will lose the dreaded wooden-spoon and leap frog Sherwood who have a tall ask facing Aspley.
Who wins
One has sounded like a broken record all season but Surfers Paradise is a better side than its position has it and be too strong at home, especially after a 56-point win over the Pies last week.
MORNINGSIDE v BROADBEACH
Ladder
Morningside – 9th (16 points – 68.07%)
Broadbeach – 10th (68 points – 157.53%)
Players to watch
Morningside – NATHAN COLENSO – a crafty half-forward who can win plenty of the ball in the midfield. A fantastic player to watch and really stands out. He had 21 touches and laid seven tackles last week in the loss to the Roos and also kicked two goals.
Broadbeach – JORDAN MONCRIEFF – the reigning Grogan Medalist will be looking fit and strong as he heads into the finals. With knee injuries plaguing his season, if you’re a fan of the Cats, you’d just love to see him take a game by the scruff of the neck and add some more excitement to the reigning premiers on the eve of the finals. This is his chance.
How important is the result of this game
Morningside last year was a chance to win this fixture. A win here would see it remain in ninth position, a loss could see it move to 10th. Broadbeach won’t have its ladder position impacted at all. It won’t want a loss on the eve of the finals.
Who wins
Broadbeach has named a really strong side on the park to provide the ideal preparation heading into the finals campaign. We’re accustomed to a number of regular changes in the team but this one, it looks like it’s one of the best teams it can put on the track. This may serve as a big warning for not only the Panthers, but the entire top six.
ASPLEY v SHERWOOOD
Ladder
Aspley 2nd (52 points – 170.35%)
Sherwood – 11th (12 points – 63.98%)
Players to watch
Aspley – REECE TOYE – with 21 touches last week in the loss to the Cats, this dangerous midfielder has the whole competition on alert. His 21 touches were at 95-percent efficiency and as he wins a lot of the ball under pressure (12 times last week), he makes good decisions in tough situations.
Sherwood – RILEY GREENE – a talented player who uses the ball well. Had 21 touches last week, and finished the game with 10 marks, five that were uncontested. No stranger to kicking goals either.
How important is the result of this game
If Aspley wins, it finishes its maiden season in the QAFL in second position. If it loses and both the Sharks and Labrador win, it slips to fourth depending on percentage. Win, and it’s a double chance unless RVP makes up an extra 12-percent in percentage. If Sherwood wins, it could launch to 10th, a loss and it could be on the bottom depending on percentage.
REDLAND-VICTORIA POINT v MAROOCHYDORE
Ladder
RVP – 3rd (52 points – 159.88%)
Maroochydore – 7th (30 points – 91.57%)
Players to watch
RVP – BROCK ASTON – back to his best last week with 43 touches, eight tackles and 11 clearances. One last game to cement outright favouritism for the Grogan Medal and would hope some of his mates in Caleb Franks and Jack Rolls have quiet weeks to make it a greater chance.
Maroochydore – JACKSON BURY – another 30+ possession game last week in the win over the Panthers. He is a ball-winning magnet and the architect across half back. He has more than his fair share of 30 disposal games in a break out season.
How important is the result of this game
The Sharks will be praying Aspley stumbles against Sherwood so a win can secure second place. A loss and it slips into the second Elimination Final. A win still keeps it in third and a chance for a spot in the game to determine the Grand Finalist in the semi-finals. A win for Maroochydore secures seventh position. A loss and a win by Wilston Grange sees it slip to eighth. It’s been a disappointing 2022 season for the team that made the 2021 Grand Final.
Who wins
RVP will be just too strong . This Sharks outfit will want to play its best football from here on in. We all remember what happened to this team last year when it finished third and lost to the sixth placed Maroochydore in week one of the finals. Noosa and or PBC will be a tough sixth team. RVP’s finals campaign starts now.
WILSTON GRANGE v PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN
Ladder
Wilston Grange – 8th (28 points – 86.04%)
PBC – 6th (36 points – 114.30%)
Players to watch
Wilston Grange – MATT PAYNE – 28 touches and 17 contested possessions last week. He’ll be a major contender for the Grogan Medal and this is his time to shine against a dynamic PBC midfield. He is most capable of doing enough damage to be the best onballer in this game.
PBC – TOM THYNNE – the leader of the team always leads well by example. In a tough game against Labrador last week, he led the game with 39 touches, 20 of those were contested. He had a game-high nine inside 50s and mixed up his disposal count with more handballs than kicks. He is a creative player who works hard to get to the right spots.
How important is the result of this game
For the Gorillas to get as close as it has with a super young and developing list to making the finals is a success in itself. This is a two-to-three year build and it has a really good chance on winning and moving into seventh position on the ladder. A loss and it stays in eighth. PBC moves to fifth if it wins and if the southern Tigers take down the northern Tigers. Like this game, that one could go either way. A loss and it stays in sixth, and a good position to be in according to the Roos last year.
Who wins
Wilston Grange is a massive chance to win here as its brand of football is exciting and quick enough. PBC will need to play to its potential, and there is a lot of it. The Lions to be just too strong in a tight contest.
Catch the game on CLUCH TV here.
