Submitted by Chris Yeend.
SENIORS
QUALIFYING FINAL – Broadbeach v Aspley
Recent Form
Broadbeach has had the picture-perfect completion to the home and away season in its premiership title defense. This group has won games by big margins; worked hard in a true grind against the better teams; and even celebrated victory with a goal after the siren (against Labrador).
The pleasing aspect about this group of talent is the ability to play well to position. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was praised during the premiership years for identifying what role he wanted each position to have; and it worked to perfection with three premierships to his name as coach for that method. Craig O’Brien does the same thing. If players are unavailable, he has others from outside the starting 22 to come in and they play that role.
Its biggest win against a top six side this year was against Aspley, by 28-points with numerous wins by less than a goal.
Aspley game into the competition from the VFL with much of the unknown about it. How many players could it retain from its VFL list? How would it adapt to the style of the QAFL? Could it run with the best? All three of those questions were met with positive responses with great retention from 2021 with its list; playing the QAFL style so well; and it has pushed the best in the competition and beaten most of them.
Aspley has the best attack in the competition and is the only team to average more than 100 points per game (105 points) and was just short of the best defense. It has kicked 100 points or more on nine occasions with half of them coming in the last two months including its highest score of the season in the final round against Sherwood; 167 points which was also had one of the biggest winnings margin of the year; 131-points.
Players to Watch
BROADBEACH
Brad Lynch – hard running goal kicking utility who can play as a sweeper in defense, burst through the midfield and even present well as a leading half forward. Has more than 30 goals to his tally in a star-studded team in 2022, going goal-less twice and multiple goals in 10 of 15 games. His speed is a worry for Aspley where he can easily play their attacking style to great effect for his team.
Black Erickson – a tough bodied midfielder who wins lots of contested ball and gets in the right places at the right times. As Vice Captain of the team; he provides valuable leadership to the engine room and is one of the architects to numerous inside 50 entries.
Lucas Jellyman-Turner – after returning from injury; it’s hard to not be impressed with what he can do. He is versatile and has break-neck speed abilities that all teams wish they could have. The key factor he brings to this team is that he has premiership experience this year; playing a gruelling finals series and a premiership win for St Mary’s in the Northern Territory Football League. Could he win three flags in 12-months?
ASPLEY
Nick Dodge – quality half forward and midfielder. Kicked six goals in his last outing and has 33 for the season. He has kicked three goals in an earlier game against Broadbeach but none last time.
Liam Dawson – one of the best backmen in the competition. Quality defender that thrives off the one-on-one contest and rarely loses. Does he take Moncrieff?
Reece Toye – he has potential stamped all over him. He is explosive through the midfield and a quality ball winner. He doesn’t always play to his potential; but when he does, he has his finger prints all over an Aspley win and is due for a massive contest.
Who will win and why
Is there any reason to pick against Broadbeach? Until this team can be beaten; it’s impossible to back against them. They’ve been able to win matches from all positions and the greater the pressure, the better they play.
ELIMINATION FINAL – Redland-Victoria Point v Palm Beach Currumbin
Recent Form
Redland-Victoria Point played one of the best first quarters of the year last week and to do it in an Elimination Final, that was special. Its accuracy in front of goals was outstanding and to kick 14.2 with the breeze, in a final against an equally attacking team in the form of Noosa, it takes talent.
Adrian Williams was a key leader down back and Tom Matthews was a key impact player for the team. The pair formed part of a formidable force against a team that was equally determined to win.
RVP play a very up-beat tempo style of football and it’s very attractive to watch. Defensively, it has impressed, conceding 88 points in a match once (last week) and 87 points on two occasions, where both were losses. Otherwise, it’s been solid
Palm Beach Currumbin put in a performance of a life time last week when it came from four goals down into time on in the third term to beat Labrador, on the road by five-points. It was one of the most courageous performances of the year and one that it needed to produce to beat a quality outfit.
Malachi Dumas put on the performance of a life-time but it was captain Thomas Thynne that was the leader the team needed to get back in the game. I think the team allowed Lachy Henderson into the game defensively at times, but worked hard to keep him out of the play when they had that momentum in the final 30 minutes.
PBC were lead by small forwards through Beaman, Dumas and Sekac while Jed Walter played a key role as the designated key target.
Players to Watch
RVP
Peter Yagmoor – trademark run on the wing and half-back; while pressing forward. Kicking goals from outside 50 from a set shot or on the run is something he does for fun, and he does it so well and so frequently.
Kaliem Baker – an explosive wingman that wins lots of the ball and is a great inside player. He may be short in size but his intensity in aerial contests in outstanding. He loves a goal.
Jarrod Huddy – this is his game to shine. PBC have youth in the ruck with Will Bella, so Huddy should beat him for size, strength and experience; while also pushing forward to kick goals. This is a confidence booster for him and one where he could potentially kick a small bag and win lots of the midfield hit-outs.
PBC
Ethan Sekac – even prior to being the hero with the winning goal in the last minute last week, he was a major threat. He would be one of few players to kick goals in every Senior game he has played this year in the competition for those who have played 10 games or more. His moment in the sun came in the final minute last week; but that goal after the three-quarter-time siren with so much riding on the kick, that was his true moment. PBC came out and put three goals on the board to start the last pretty quickly thanks to his momentum shaping kick.
Brad Stafford – a genuine work horse through the midfield that is loaded with class.
Nick Crowley – he had four key talls to take on for Labrador last week that threatened to blow the game apart. He was outstanding considering the tasks at hand and won most one-on-one battles. Doesn’t get the accolades he deserves.
Who will win and why
This is one of the most challenging games to tip in quite some time. If RVP get off the chain and play their attacking style of football and need a minimum of 14 goals to win; they’ve got this.
PBC has conceded 100 points or more on two occasions; in a shootout loss to Noosa and a shock 10 goal loss to Morningside. Aside from those two games; no team has scored 14 goals or more against it.
If we’re going to see a low scoring arm-wrestle, PBC will win. If the game opens up, RVP win. PBC has an element of Maroochydore of 2021 about them, and after just missing finals last year, could add another big scalp. Either way, it’s a must-see game.
