Submitted by Chris Yeend
LABRADOR v NOOSA
Labrador has motored into the finals as one of the most in-form teams of the competition when it took down Noosa at home on Saturday.
Labrador had won five of its six previous matches that commenced following the after-the-siren loss to Broadbeach mid-year. Noosa had been one of the dream teams to watch in season 2022 and looked to head into its first finals campaign in the QAFL with a win against the Southern Tigers.
Labrador had kept Noosa at arms’ length for most of the game with a four-to-five goal buffer in an other-wise tight arm-wrestle.
It proved to be too strong in the end, winning by 24-points, 14.12.96 to 11.6.72.
For Labrador, Charlton Offermans was outstanding; and complimented the hard work of Matt Lee, Connor Ambler and Luke Coombes in the midfield. Lee’s work across the season has been admirable and has been the key to the team’s turn around in form and resurrection up the QAFL ladder in the back half of the season.
Jake Goldsmith was unstoppable up forward with four goals; his best haul since he kicked six against Mt Gravatt in Round 12.
For Noosa, it was a bold performance from a team that went winless in its first season in the competition last year. It challenged one of the best teams in the competition. Ryley Buntain was outstanding across half-back and Jai Fitzpatrick was outstanding on the wing. Aaron Wilson was a stand-out up forward with four goals to take his tally to 24 goals in the past six weeks and 32 for the season.
SURFERS PARADISE v MT GRAVATT
The Vultures finished the 2022 season on a high when it triumphed over a red-hot Surfers Paradise outfit by 28-points at Sir Bruce Small Park.
The Vultures secured its third win in four games after tasting victory just once in the first 16 rounds of the season.
Surfers Paradise, fresh off a seven-goal final term in the win over Sherwood in Round 20; started the game how it finished the Round 20 clash, when it sent home five of the first six goals of the game to open up a handy 22-point quarter-time lead.
Both teams traded blows in the second term, kicking three goals apiece but neither side could convert its chances as the Demons had the lead trimmed down to 21-points at the half.
Mt Gravatt played its best quarter of the 2022 season when it scored a staggering 9.3 in the third quarter and holding the Demons to just one-point to take a 35-point lead into the final term. This was a remarkable 56-point turn around in the space of a quarter.
Mt Gravatt held firm in the final term to close the game out winners, 14.17.101 to 10.13.73 to finish the season in 11th position; percentage behind Surfers Paradise.
Dylan Smith kicked four goals for the winners and Rising Star Harry Milford kicked three goals. Tom Smith impressed for the Demons with four goals while Nick Williams and Mitch Dinneen tried hard.
MORNINGSIDE v BROADBEACH
The 2020 and 2021 premiers went toe-to-toe in the final round of the QAFL home and away season. The 2020 premiers, Morningside, looked to give its supporters something to cheer about to close off the season while 2021 premiers Broadbeach looked to continue its premiership title defence with another flawless performance.
Broadbeach burst out of the blocks early to lead by 34-points in a blistering opening quarter. Liam Nelson and Blake Erickson were outstanding early as Jordan Moncrieff and Sam Jasper looked dangerous up forward.
Morningside responded well in the second quarter with Wilson Barry, Max McDonald and Nathan Colenso looking dangerous.
The Panthers battled hard after quarter time with the margin increasing by just three-points across the remaining three quarters. Both teams kicked seven goals each for the remainder of the game with the margin staying around the five-to-six-goals.
Jasper kicked three goals for the winners to finish the season with 46 and fourth overall on the season’s goal kicking ladder. Keegan Downie kicked two for the Panthers to finish the season with 33 and seventh overall.
Broadbeach has not dropped a game since it went own to Sherwood in Round 13 in 2021; or 420 days at the conclusion of the home and away season.
WILSTON GRANGE v PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN
Wilston Grange went into the clash with PBC filled with confidence and hope that it could cause some doubt in its opponents’ finals aspirations.
A month earlier, this match was a contender to determine which of these two would make the top six.
The home side started strongly to lead by seven-points at the first change before the visitors responded well in the second term with five goals to lead by four-points at half-time.
The third quarter was a struggle for both teams with Wilston Grange unable to hit the scoreboard and PBC unable to completely close the door on its opponents. The final term was hotly contested and despite the best efforts from Wilston Grange, it was no match for the finals-bound Lions.
PBC won by 29-points; 14.17.101 to 10.12.72 and leap frogged Noosa into fifth position.
PBC was well led by Tommy Thynne in the midfield while Malachi Dumas, Ethan Sekac and Corey Beaman impressed up forward with three goals each.
Zach Derksen impressed for Wilston Grange up forward with four goals while Bailey Gordon impressed. A big upside for Wilston Grange was the debut of Jack Manly for the Brisbane Lions in the VFL. He kicked a goal on debut and impressed in other areas.
ASPLEY v SHERWOOD
IF there was one team that would be a mighty chance to the QAFL premiership throne and a contender to knock off Broadbeach, Aspley proved to be one fine contender.
The Hornets showcased a remarkable four quarter display that would cause doubts over the best of teams when it triumphed over Sherwood by 131-points. The winning margin and score (167) was the best for the Hornets this season. It had 12.11 on the board in the first half and doubled its score in the second half with 13.6.
Nick Dodge kicked six and Connor Stackleberg kicked five goals for the winners with Liam Dawson in outstanding form.
For Sherwood, it was the end of a tough season for the club, one that saw the incredible growth and development in its junior teams and young players getting the chance to make their mark at the top level. Bruce Reville and Riley Greene tried their hearts out against bigger bodies with 2/3rds of its team playing as one point players on the day and showing the depth and development of its list for the future.
Any team was going to have a tough day against Aspley as this group is in some extraordinary form.
REDLAND-VICTORIA POINT v MAROOCHDORE
It was a mighty battle at Victoria Point between two of the powerhouse teams of the 2021 season. The Sharks were desperate for second spot and the Roos were desperate to keep it off them and finish on a telling note.
The Roos took the game up to the Sharks, leading by 12-points at quarter-time, four-points at half-time; and two-points at three quarter time.
RVP clicked into gear in the final term with 5.1 to 2.1 to run away 16-point winners, 12.13.85 to 10.9.69.
The Roos were back to some of their best football and tried hard against the Sharks all day. Jackson Bury was relentless, Brent Pearson was a force in the ruck and Lochie Land and Mitch Scholard kicked three each.
For the Sharks, Noosa awaits and they look forward to the challenge on the back of Caleb Franks dominating in the midfield with three goals and Adrian Williams a rock in the backline.
