It’s the Cats’ whiskers for Broadbeach in the wet
By TERRY WILSON
Photo: Courtesy Broadbeach Cats Australian Football Club (Facebook)
THERE are a lot of people who have been tipping Broadbeach as a genuine top-three chance in the QAFL this season.
A solid financial and recruiting off-season has led a horde of quality players to the club and they showed on Saturday against cross-Coast rivals Labrador just why they are so highly rated.
The Cats took the battle of the felines by 13.16 (94) to 4.8 (32) at Subaru Oval for their second successive win (they had the bye in round one) and they now head into a tough examination away to Sherwood next weekend.
Taking advantage of their derby rival’s bout of injuries, the Cats controlled the game from quarter-time when they were in front by 2.4 to 1.4.
Their work around the many muddied contests was eye-catching and their use of the ball when they broke free was levels ahead of what the Tigers managed.
It has to be pointed out that Labrador were savaged by a run of injuries. Broadbeach coach Craig O’Brien conceded as much.
Labrador limped out of Subaru Oval with a truckload of casualties.
They had three players out of action by half-time – Jon Beech (hamstring), Tom Miller (quad) and Rhys Nicholls (ankle) – and finished the match with two more wounded troops in Jarrod Mills (concussion) and Blair Rubock (ankle).
“They were unfortunate because they lost three good players before half-time,” said O’Brien.
“We knew coming into the game they have had some really good first halves but they’ve faded. But then to lose the quality they did they were always going to struggle.
“Our guys didn’t let them back in and we played pretty well I thought. It was tough conditions and we were good around the ball.”
O’Brien was rapt with performances from some of his Victorian recruits. Brad Lowe, who annoyed the hell out of Tiger little man Alex McKay, and Max showed QAFL footy is their cup of tea while Rhys Clark, from Southport, as ‘really good’ according to O’Brien.
“We had an even spread and another one was Ryan Gilmore (three goals) who took the pressure away from Jordan Moncrieff (four goals),” he said.
“And Rhys Clark from Southport, he was really good. We had an even spread – Ryan Gilmore took the pressure from Moncrieff, Sam Cunnington.
For the Tigers the cause of their demise was easily explained. They simply ran out of troops to be competitive with a good side
For the Tigers their bye next round could not have come at a better time as they assess the damage to key playing personnel.
Defender Jayden Young, ruckman Fraser Thurlow and youngster Matt Lee tried hard against the odds.
A sobering thought for Broadbeach’s rivals is that they are going to get stronger and stronger as more top-liners come back into the ranks.
Classy onballer Nick Burton played in the reserves on Saturday, as did key position utility James Royes, and also due back soon are ex-Brisbane Lions player Clay Cameron, Matt Fowler and Kai Sheers, among others.
“We’re in a healthy position,” was the understatement from O’Brien regarding that matter.
Morningside take Brisbane’s cross-river derby
THE son of a club great was a star act when Morningside downed west Brisbane rivals Sherwood by 33 points at Jack Esplen Oval on Saturday.
Luke Edwards kicked four goals as the Panthers took the derby by 12.22 (94) to 9.7 (61) in wet second-half conditions.
Edwards is the son of triple Morningside premiership player and captain, former Brisbane Bears defender Brad Edwards and looks set to continue on a Morningside Edwards tradition, one that includes the unrelated former champions Craig and Dean.
Morningside started well and had a 22-point lead at quarter-time before the Magpies muscled up and put on six quick goals in the second stanza for a lead of seven points at the big break.
But when the Panthers fired up in the third it was all over as they put on 7.13 to 2.3 in heavy rain.
Away from Edwards, youngster Jack Rolls and Redland-listed Matt Hammelmann stood out and for the Magpies ex-Brisbane Lion Ryan Harwood and ever-consistent Will Fletcher were best.
Across town at Dittmer Park, Mt Gravatt lasted just long enough to beat competition newcomers Maroochydore for their first win of the season.
The Vultures led by 10 points at the last break but just held on to win by 8.14 62) to 8.13 (61).
Stars of the match were Todd Carbone, Luke O’Sullivan and Tom Matthews (Mt Gravatt) and Mitch Scholard, Ben Cadzow and Jai Larkins (Maroochydore).
Down on the Gold Coast at Salk Oval, Palm Beach Currumbin trounced Wilston Grange by 13.7 (85) to 1.4 (10).The Grange ‘s only goal came in the second quarter as they were completely dominated by last year’s grand finalists.
Southport-listed pair Mitch Johnson (four goals) and Jamison Shea (three) led the scoring with Shea, Tyler Cornish and Tom Thynne on top in the middle.
Best for the Grange were Mitch Crawley, Tahj Abberley and Andrew Boston.
