Our weekly ‘Match of the Round’ including around-the-ground results from each game
:This week, we focus on the AFL SportsReady QIS match of the round: First XVIII Brisbane Boys’ College v Anglican Church Grammar School.
There are no second chances in the competitive First XVIII Division this season, with a solitary loss putting a team’s finals hopes in jeopardy.
Churchie were coming off a loss to the powerful Nudgee College, and were in dire need of a win to keep their finals hopes alive.
BBC, last year’s runners up, were coming into the competition after a first round bye with fresh legs and hopes of going one step further this season after finishing runner up last year.
This all made for a fascinating encounter at Yeronga, especially with the curtain raiser Year 10 match finishing with BBC overrunning Churchie by less than a goal.
The intensity was high from the first bounce, with Churchie having the early forward 50 pressure, peppering the goals with Declan Smith looking very dangerous. Inaccuracy cost them with only one of the four shots on goal registering a major.
BBC retaliated with more accurate kicking and lead at quarter time 3.1.19 to 2.3.15.
The second quarter was a tough battle and once again Churchie having the Lion’s share of shots on goal but inaccuracy again cost them. BBC were quick to move the ball out of defence however only registering a behind for the quarter, leaving Churchie with a four point lead at half time 3.6.24 to 3.2.20.
The intensity lifted again in the third quarter with parents and supporters witnessing a tough, physical encounter and some fabulous midfield battles for possession. BBC’s Jordie White and Macauley Robinson were more than useful and great support for the prolific Henry Watson.
Churchie’s Josh Mazoletti and Harry Baxter were excellent finding space, and again helping deliver the ball to Smith in the forward line. With Churchie edging ahead by 11 points at three quarter time, it was going to take a big effort from the boys in the green, white and black in the final quarter.
The boys were fired up but Churchie again kicked clear, and at the final siren won the match 7.10.58 to BBC 5.4.34.
Coaches Jason Wynne-Markham (Churchie) and Mark McConnachy (BBC) were both full of praise for the players post-match, as were the families and supporters present.
The competition now sits in the balance with BBC to take on Nudgee in a grand final replay next Wednesday at Zillmere, and in keeping with competition tradition will play for the ‘Foundation Cup’, annually contested by the previous season’s finalists. BBC currently hold this trophy and will no doubt do everything they can next week to retain it.
With Churchie sitting second on the ladder with a win and a loss, Nudgee on top and BBC third, the result of Wednesday’s match will determine the grand finalists for Friday 25th May.
In other Round 2 results, the Year 10 competition is one of the most closely contested in recent times, with all four teams evenly matched. Out of two rounds, the largest winning margin has been 5 points with this round seeing Nudgee draw with Brisbane State High and Churchie go down to BBC by 5 points.
This Friday sees the Year 8 and 9 competitions continue at Yeronga, with Churchie taking on BBC in the Year 8’s and Nudgee taking on BBC in the Year 9’s. Matches are at 4:15pm and 5:15pm respectively.
