Match of the round
Mt Gravatt vs. Western Magpies. Live blog: https://aflq.com.au/western-magpies-vs-mt-gravatt/
Collision course
It’s been a tough slog through the first half of the season for both Surfers Paradise and Sandgate. The Demons have managed a solitary win, while the Hawks sit in ninth position, yet to get their first.
Wins have been hard to come by, setting up this round’s clash between eighth verses ninth as one to watch. They’re both young sides with a heavy focus on development, but this week it’s about only one thing . . . winning.
Sandgate has been on the up, after drawing their round eight contest with Broadbeach in a thriller. The Hawks will also back themselves physically, considering they’re coming off a bye in round nine.
Hawks highly rated midfielder Tom Overington has made steady progress since returning from injury and could cause some problems for the Demons if he goes unchecked. Skipper Aaron Fabian has been named at centre half forward, where he can use his aerial skills to great effect, but it’ll be interesting to see how long the Hawks coaching group will keep him there if they find themselves behind on the scoreboard.
Demons reliable full back Brody Haberfield continues to get the job done; he’s just one of the best in the QAFL at putting on a spoil or taking a brave intercept mark. Haberfield comes up against an in-form Connor Stackelberg, who’ll line up at full forward for the Hawks.
For the Dees, the key will be their ball movement, if they can get their fast paced, ‘play on at all costs’ games style going, they’ll be hard to contain. It starts with the likes of speedy midfielders Kain Ford and Paddy Rankin, if they get some footy on the outside and start creating forward entries, Matthew Green is capable of kicking a big score at full forward.
There are some notable outs on both sides, big ruck target Brendan Forbes for the Hawks, and spearhead Daniel Green for Surfers Paradise.
The danger zone
The Western Magpies defense gets its shot against the league’s leading goal kicker this round, in Vultures forward target Sam Stubbs. Stubbs plays the traditional full forward role well, bursting on the lead and grabbing the footy with strong hands. This year he’s also been damaging when the ball hits the ground, scrapping and doing everything he can to keep it moving toward the goals. The Magpies defense has also been susceptible to high goal scorers in recent weeks, with Palm Beach’s Mitchell Johnson kicking five and Wilston Grange’s Matthew Trewhella kicking seven.
While Stubbs is the QAFL’s leading goal kicker and looms as a danger man, Magpies goal kicker Jakob De Winter is only one goal behind on the overall table and is in form, after kicking six last week against the Gorillas. Did somebody say shootout?
Under the microscope
Big Cat Mitch Brewer troubled the Palm Beach defense last week, netting himself three goals. The tall target could have had five though, taking into account a brain fade in front of goal and a missed set shot. His sheer size is a conundrum for the opposition; defenders can’t move him and they can’t spoil the ball, making him a huge threat at full forward.
The Cats have a huge test this round against Labrador, who boast two of the competitions best defenders in Wayde Mills and Jayden Young. It’s a great challenge for Brewer and Cats fans will be hoping he can upset another top team’s defense on Saturday.
Coach’s corner
Wilston Grange’s coach Nathan Clarke will enjoy the weekend off this round with the bye, but he took a moment to provide some insight on this week’s games.
Having played the Western Magpies recently, he’s in a good place to analyze their round 10 clash with Mt Gravatt .
“Mt Gravatt look like they’re going pretty well at the moment, they certainly gave us a touch up,” said Clarke.
“The Magpies gave them a touch up earlier in the year, so they’ll certainly be keen on getting revenge.”
Palm Beach take on Morningside at home, in a game Clarke believes will be a significant challenge for the Panthers.
“Palm Beach are as talented as anyone,” said Clarke.
“I think they’re obviously very hard to beat at home.”
In a bottom of the table contest, Sandgate will meet Surfers on the weekend, in a game Clarke thinks could go either way.
“There’s no easy games, similar to the AFL it’s a tipsters nightmare, I wouldn’t know who’s going to win anything,” said Clarke.
“You’d probably have to tip surfers at home, but if they don’t have (Daniel) Green that probably changes things for them.”
Team Lists
Surfers Paradise vs. Sandgate
Download footy record: Demons vs Hawks Round 10
Western Magpies vs. Mt Gravatt
Download footy record: Magpies vs Vultures Round 10
Palm Beach Currumbin vs. Morningside
Download footy record: Lions vs Panthers Round 10
Broadbeach vs. Labrador
Download footy record: Cats vs Tigers Round 10
By Sean Melrose
Follow @seanmelrose
