MATCH OF THE ROUND
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Morningside vs. Palm Beach Currumbin
Saturday April 9, 2:00pm, Jack Esplen Oval
This has ball-tearer written all over it.
Both of these sides are predicted to feature in finals football this year, and their round 1 performances did nothing to suggest otherwise.
Palm Beach backed up their pre-season hype with a sizzling second half performance against UQ, and will look to carry that straight into the first quarter this week.
Recruits Croad, Grant, and local boy Stephen Thynne were all excellent, and their running game was on song.
This week will be a big test though; the Lions have a monkey on their back when it comes to beating Morningside, which they would love to shake it.
They would also like to do it for their skipper, Jesse Derick, who plays his 100th game for the club this weekend.
Morningside will be looking click into another gear tomorrow, especially at home for the first time when they celebrate the life of their Dr. Zolte, a previous club doctor.
We know how strong they will be around the ball, but the key will be their delivery into the forward 50.
It’s its clean, they will kick a big score, if its not, the Lions will burn them on the rebound.
Keen as a bean to see how this one plays out.
Where it will be won: delivery to the forwards
Surfers Paradise vs. Broadbeach
Saturday April 9, 2:00pm, Sir Bruce Small Oval
Lets dub this one the battle of the back yard.
This rivalry is like two brothers kicking the footy out the back. Neither want to give an inch, both want bragging rights.
If Surfers start like they did last week against Sandgate, this one could be over pretty early.
Pope and Cassidy Haberfield’s influence needs to be squashed, and Broadbeach can’t give Danny Green the delivery he had last week, or he will kick another bag.
Having said that, Broadbeach match up pretty well against the red and blue.
They still might be missing a couple of senior heads, but their game style will go toe-to-toe with the Demons.
Like a well mixed drink, the blend between winning the stoppages, and using the space out wide will be something to watch.
Both teams are more than capable; it’s a matter of who can do it better.
Where it will be won: Out wide
UQ vs. Labrador
Saturday April 9, 2:00pm, Field 9, St Lucia
There are two big question marks hovering over this game.
How will Labrador bounce back after last week, and how will they deal with UQ’s home ground advantage.
Labrador will be hungry to put their loss to Wilston Grange behind them as quickly as possible, and that beings with the opening bounce tomorrow, so look out UQ.
But… if the Tigers had one weakness last year, it was how they played on small ovals.
Oval 7 may now be known as Field 9, but the dimensions haven’t changed.
UQ should smell blood in the water and hit the ground running.
Billy Hicks comes back for the Tigers, which injects a lot of run into the midfield, something they lacked last week. He is a barometer.
For UQ to win, they have to fly like the wind, take risks, and have no fear.
Macanawai may only be a young bloke, but if he gets his hands on the footy early like he did last week they will be in a good position.
Beware a team on the rebound, but also beware a team full of kids with nothing to lose.
Where it will be won: midfield
Western Magpies vs. Wilston Grange
Saturday April 9, 2:00pm, Leyshon Park
It’s fair to say these two teams had unexpected first weeks.
The Western Magpies were disappointing against Mt Gravatt, and with all due respect to Wilston Grange, not many expected them to knock off Labrador.
Now comes the test, can the Magpies respond, and will Wilston Grange back up after a getting themselves up for a big day at home.
The last time these two squared off was funnily enough also at Yeronga, in last years second week elimination final.
On that day, the run and spread late of the Gorillas got the job done, the same way they hunted the Tigers last week.
Key for them this week will once again be the output from their kids, like Lliam Molan up forward and Nixon-Smith in the middle, but inclusions like Kettle, Satchell and Leong will also make a big difference.
For the Magpies, they need to bounce back, it’s early in the year, but their top three aspirations will take a big dint if they are 0-2.
They need to control the stoppages and keep the game in the corridor.
Where it will be won: Whoever wins the contested ball stats
Sandgate vs. Mt Gravatt
Saturday April 9, 2:00pm, Lemke Rd
Mt Gravatt arrived last week, now they can’t fall victim to the second week slump after a big game.
Any doubts on their ability to mix it with the best this year are gone, if they are on, they could beat anyone.
If Carbone has 20 or so touches, if Crawley kicks a couple, if Estall gets out the back for a few snags, they are more than a show this week, and every week.
Sandgate are going to have their hands full, but this one isn’t rubber stamped just yet.
Yes, things didn’t go to plan last week, but they have the list to bounce back.
Tom Overington will be hard to keep in check, and the Aden Rutledge Nick Tronc battle in the Hawks forward 50 will be fascinating to watch.
There is also a little added incentive to perform well with one of the most respected men in the change rooms, their skipper Trent Fuller playing game 100 for Sandgate.
This is going to be closer than people expect.
Where it will be won: between the arcs
ROUND 2 MILESTONES:
Trent Fuller – 100 senior games at Sandgate
Jesse Derrick – 100 Palm Beach Currumbin senior games
150 year fact: QAFF www.q150.net.au
Over a half a century before University of Queensland joined the QAFL in 2014, the club played one season in the A Grade premiership in what was then the QANFL. It was 1960, and in their first game in the top flight they beat Western Districts at the Toowong Sports Ground, now known as Oakman Park.
Uni finished eighth out of ten teams that year. Here are the club notes on the day they played their first game in 1960
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
