Chris ‘Yeendy’ Yeend
Just when the QAFL Senior Men’s competition had reached some epic highs in recent weeks, it continues to take some massive turns that keep fans guessing on what will happen next. Round 17 threw some major surprises.
Broadbeach has achieved what no other has done in recent years by taking down the top two teams in the competition after the mid-way mark of the season. After defeating Aspley at home by eight goals the previous week, it led a hard-fought encounter against Redland Victoria Point to salute its way to a nine-point victory.
Palm Beach Currumbin and Labrador fought their way to the second draw of the season with Labrador fighting back late in the game to square the contest in the dying stages; Maroochydore saluted to its second win against a top-six team when it defeated Wilston Grange on the road by 43-points; Aspley responded from its loss to Broadbeach with an impressive 52-point win over Noosa; Morningside dug deep to secure a valuable win over Mt Gravatt by 20-points on the road; while Surfers Paradise proved yet again that it’s the sleeper of the competition with a classy 81-point win over Sherwood.
BROADBEACH 7.9.51 defeated REDLAND VICTORIA POINT 6.6.42
This was always going to be a major contest between the pair. If Broadbeach were to take the four points, it had to do so with an undermanned forward line and in a low-scoring encounter. If Redland Victoria Point were to win, it would do so with a goal-kicking masterclass.
The game was played in near-perfect conditions with a slight breeze and in an extraordinary performance. The Cats’ defenders held the Sharks scoreless in a quarter for the first time this season to lead by 14-points.
The Sharks responded in the second term to close the margin to just two-points, 28 to 26. The Cats firmed tight across the backline; that was despite losing Josh Searl to injury in the first half as they led by eight-points heading into the final term.
With the game in the balance, Tom Matthews made the final term his own for the Sharks with a big-time goal on the run to close the gap to a few points, while Ben Major – by name and by effort, kicked the Cats’ only goal of the last quarter to close the game out for the home team.
The hero for the day was Broadbeach backman James Gledhill. He shut Matt Hammelmann out of the game, forcing him to get kicks further up the ground and even forcing him to make some uncharacteristic mistakes with dropped marks and kickable goals. He went goalless while Gledhill gathered 11 touches and made him earn every touch.
The impact of Jacob Townsend in the midfield worked well for the Cats. Working in spells on and off the bench, Townsend predominantly played in the midfield and in a tagging role on Brock Aston, negating his influence. This was another match-winning move from the coaching master mind of Craig O’Brien.
Redland Victoria Point had the impressive influence of Tom Matthews who was a key on the wing. Matthews kicked his team’s only two goals in the second half and was outstanding in a defensive role on the wing while setting up play through the corridor nicely. Team mate Adrian Williams was at his usual best in the backline with 11 intercept marks – by comparison, Broadbeach had 11 as a team.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN 12.17.89 drew LABRADOR 13.11.89
In one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, Labrador was able to come from behind in the later stages to force a draw.
The Lions led at every change before the Southern Tigers stormed back late in the last quarter to take the game down to the wire.
Dean Katsiris kicked his fourth goal of the game for the Lions at the 28-minute mark to open up an eight-point lead.
Labrador launched into action at the 30-minute mark when the Lions attempted to clear in their defensive 50 only for Cooper Anderson to pounce on the ball 60 metres out; run inside 50 and kick truly from long range to level the scores.
With PBC launching a big kick inside 50 at the 32-minute mark, Matt Cecchin went back with the flight of the play to take a telling mark for the Tigers. Tommy Thynne sent the ball back inside 50 for the Lions who were desperate to force a behind and put themselves ahead by a point. After multiple stoppages and the ball on the edge of the goal square, the siren sounded in a dramatic draw.
For the Lions, Cory Beaman and Dean Katsiris each kicked four goals, while captain Thomas Thynne had a staggering 34 touches and 15 clearances. Tyler Cornish had his best game of the season with 27 touches while Corey Joyce did his chances of a recall into the Southport VFL team no harm with 26 touches.
For the Southern Tigers, Lachy Henderson and Harry Law each kicked three goals while Matt Cecchin celebrated his heroic mark late in the game with a team-high 32 touches and Charlton Offermans enjoyed six clearances with his 24 touches.
MAROOCHYDORE 15.11.101 defeated WILSTON GRANGE 10.8.68
This well-storied rivalry took another major turn at Hickey Park with the Gorillas looking to solidify their place in the top five of the competition and the traveling Kangaroos looking to keep their slim finals aspirations alive.
The pair had fought in many major battles in recent seasons, but this was the game that had far more at stake than previous encounters.
The Gorillas led a tight first term by one kick in a low-scoring start: 15 to 9. Both teams traded blows like Rocky and Drago in Rocky IV with just one point separating the pair at the main break.
Maroochydore had the better of the scoring opportunities in the third term with three goals to one to create a 12-point separation heading into the final change before slamming home six goals to three in a remarkable display to push ahead to a 43-point win and just its second victory over a team in the top six to keep its finals chances alive.
Maroochydore led the inside 50 count 66 to 40, hit outs 71 to 41, and clearances 55 to 22.
Mitch Scholard had his best performance for the season with 6.0 from seven kicks including five marks inside 50 while Ben Thomas was outstanding with 28 touches to lead the way for Maroochydore.
For Wilston Grange, Hugh Fidler was unstoppable with 5.0 from seven kicks with four marks inside 50 while Will Martyn impressed with 32 touches.
ASPLEY 18.20.128 defeated NOOSA 12.4.76
In a highly entertaining contest, reigning premiers Aspley returned to the winners’ list with a 52-point win over Noosa.
The Northern Tigers went toe-to-toe with the reigning premiers in the first term, trailing by just 13-points: 4.0.24 to 5.7.37. The goals continued to flow for both teams in the second term with the Hornets sending through six goals to the Tigers four, to lead 11.11.77 to 8.1.49 for a return of 126 points, one of the highest-scoring first halves between two teams this season.
Aspley, albeit through inaccuracy, pushed ahead in the third quarter with 3.6 to 3.2 to lead by 32-points before kicking away in the final term with four goals to one to win by 52-points.
It was a great response from the Hornets and a brave effort from the Northern Tigers in a spirited performance.
Connor Stackleberg was outstanding with 7.3 from 11 kicks and eight marks inside 50 while Tom Templeton was outstanding with 22 touches for Aspley.
For Noosa, Mav Pettigrove impressed with three goals while Jesse Touhey worked hard for his 26 touches.
MORNINGSIDE 10.24.84 defeated MT GRAVATT 9.10.64
The Panthers are back in town and firing from all cylinders after an impressive win on the road against a hungry and determined Vultures outfit.
With finals positions on the line, it was a must-win game for both teams as that all-important sixth position is being fought for by five teams.
The Vultures led inaccurate Panthers in the first term by 11-points: 4.1.25 to 1.8.14 and held on in the second term with 3.2 to 3.6 as the margin closed to seven-points at the main break.
Morningside dug deep in the third term up forward and restricted its opponents with 4.6 to 1.1 to turn a seven-point deficit into a 16-point lead in an impressive 23-point turnaround.
Mt Gravatt had its troubles in front of goal in the final term with 1.6 as it fell short of Morningside by 20-points.
Morningside led the inside 50 count 62 to 38 and the hit-outs 47 to 34. It edged ahead in the defensive element of the gamer with eight more effective spoils and intercept marks, and 13 more tackles.
Mitch Robinson continued his return from injury with a staggering performance for the winners. He had 40 touches, kicked 2.2, had 12 clearances, 14 inside 50s and seven tackles. He was well supported by Dylan Swann (25 touches) and Brad Hodge (36 hit-outs).
For Mt Gravatt, Joel Leahy impressed with 32 touches, seven clearances, eight inside 50s and a goal while Matt Pearce was a rock in the ruck with 32 hit-outs and five clearances. Jonah Licht impressed with three goals.
SURFERS PARADISE 16.14.110 defeated SHERWOOD 3.11.29
There is very little that can stop Matt Lappin and his Demons at present as his team recorded another impressive win against a competitive Sherwood outfit.
The Demons were challenged in the first half with leads of 12 and 14 points at the opening two breaks as six goals were kicked for the first half between the pair.
Surfers Paradise stormed out of the blocks in the third term with an outstanding 7.1 to extend the margin to 55-points and closed the game out with five goals to one in the final term.
The Dees kicked 12.5 to 1.5 in the second half which is a reflection of how well this group is performing at present.
Despite the lop-sided margin, Sherwood competed in all key areas of the game. Surfers Paradise led the inside 50 count by 18, the clearance, hit out, and intercept mark count by two, and trailed the tackle count by one.
Tom Smith was outstanding for Surfers Paradise with six goals including seven marks inside 50 while the forward 50 pocket rocket duo of Byron Finch and Max Pescud each kicked three goals. Jamison Shea was outstanding with 31 touches.
For Sherwood, there were still some positives as Will Fletcher had 31 touches, young gun Josh Cooper had 27 touches, while Owen Collins continued his great season with 25 touches. Connor Bulley bullied the Demon backline with all three goals.
LADDER
1 – ASPLEY (54 – 193.46%)
2 – RVP (48 – 166.03%)
3 – BROADBEACH (42 – 133.53%)
4 – SURFERS PARADISE (40 – 125.78%)
5 – WILSTON GRANGE (36 – 105.37%)
6 – MORNINGSIDE (28 – 88.41)
7 – Labrador (26 – 88.07%)
8 – Palm Beach Currumbin (26 – 79.34)
9 – Maroochydore (20 – 99.01%)
10 – Mt Gravatt (20 – 82.44%)
11 – Noosa (16 – 73.04%)
12 – Sherwood (4 – 51.61%)
