Friday 3 September 2010
Champion Morningside ruckman Jacob Gough is set to miss Sunday’s QAFL second semi-final showdown with Labrador at Cooke-Murphy Oval, but the Panthers are remaining coy on the extent of the 30-year-old’s rib damage.
Teenage talent Tom Hickey will have to shoulder the ruck burden against experienced Labrador giants Trent Knobel and Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt in what could be a significant advantage to the Tigers.
“He (Gough) is a fantastic ‘rehabber’ but we are preparing as if he is not going to play,” said Panthers club development manager Jack Barry. “It is doubtful that he will play again this year and if he doesn’t we will have to see if another one of the young guys can step up.”
Morningside produced a superb team performance in their qualifying final demolition of Southport and will take heart from the fact they overturned a seven-goal second quarter deficit to beat the Tigers at Labrador in Round 7.
Labrador won the rematch in another high class encounter and will be close to full strength on Sunday.
Colourful Mt Gravatt key forward Shane Morrison plays his 150th QAFL game in the first semi-final against Southport at Fankhauser Reserve tomorrow as the Vultures look to extend their winning streak to nine matches.
While Morrison’s side is set to lose the skilful Josh Vearing with a bad ankle, the Sharks have been forced into a raft of changes due to injury, with premiership stars Darren O’Brien and Dane Carmody missing and skipper Danny Wise likely to join them.
Mt Gravatt have the best record of any side at Southport in the last 25 years, having won there on four of their last five visits, but are taking nothing for granted.
“They are a proud club with a tradition of success and we are expecting them to turn up ready to play,” Morrison said.
