On a warm Saturday morning Maroochydore battled Sandgate to eventually take out the SEQAFL U18 Division 1 Cup Grand Final. The game was played at an exceptional standard with both teams throwing everything into it in the hope of coming out victors.
The first quarter saw a tight tussle with Maroochydore kicking the first couple of goals but Sandgate fought back hard to go in only one goal down at quarter time. The 2nd Quarter was very similar to the first with Maroochydore applying a lot of pressure on the ball and continuing to drive the ball forward with Nic Selman starting to get into the game. Maroochydore headed into the long break with a handy 2 and a half goal lead.
Brett “Snowy” Ayton was going to have to marshal his troops during the long break if they were to stay in it and run over the top of Maroochydore. The 3rd quarter of football from Sandgate was sublime. The intensity on the football, skills around the ground showed exactly why they finished on top of the home and away ladder. Corbin Dickfos and Luke Conroy led the way throughout the quarter in the absence of Tyler Arnott – Hollick who was sent from the ground (Yellow card) for an indiscretion.
Sandgate finished the quarter a solitary point in front of the roos with everything to play for in the last term. Arnott – Hollick was itching to get back on to help his team mates finish the job they started. The flow of the game in the last quarter was end to end football with neither team really able to make an impact until the latter half of the quarter where Maroochydore again through Nic Selman were able to kick away from Sandgate and win the game by 11 points.
The Standard of football played on the day was outstanding with many in the crowd excited at the prospect of some of the talent on show playing AFL Football in the near future.
Maroochydore Forward Nic Selman took out the Best on Ground honours with an exceptional display kicking 8 goals and taking several strong marks around the forward line. Not to be outdone Maroochydore’s Matthew Armstrong, Tom Buckle played well with Nic’s partner in crime in the forward line Hayden Smoothey (3 goals) also contributing around the ground.
Sandgate on the other hand were well serviced by Corbin Dickfos, Tyler Arnott – Hollick with Nathan Buckley (3 Goals) trying everything he could to keep his team in with a chance.
Video tapes of the game game be purchased by ringing Dean Davis Productions at 0412 883 584
GAME DETAILS
Maroochydore Roos AFC 4.2, 6.5, 9.7, 13.9 (87)
Sandgate AFC 3.2, 4.3, 9.8, 11.10 (76)
GOALS
Maroochydore Roos AFC :N. Selman 8, H. Smoothy 3, G. Douglass 1, . Stevenson 1
Sandgate AFC :N. Buckley 3, J. Fuller 2, C. Dickfos 2, C. Heath 1, J. Warden 1, T. Arnott – Hollick 1, J. Parsons 1
BEST
Maroochydore Roos AFC :N. Selman, M. Armstrong, . Allman, T. Buckle, B. Henderson, H. Smoothy
Sandgate AFC :C. Dickfos, J. Giles, T. Arnott – Hollick, L. Conroy, L. Simmons, N. Buckley