By Beth Newman
Caloundra 3.14, 7.18, 9.22, 12.28 (100)
Redcliffe 0.1, 1.4, 2.4, 4.7 (31)
Caloundra kept its finals hopes alive, with a massive win over Redcliffe on Saturday.
The Panthers were dominant all day, but wayward kicking let them down, including a 3.14 opening term.
Aside from their conversion, the home side proved their class in the win, with a number of players stepping up in the match.
Brad Peek and Lee Baker were standouts for the Sunny Coast side.
The result means the Panthers, currently in sixth, can still make finals with a win over Nambour next week, if Coorparoo soundly beats Kedron.
What the coaches said:
Russell Evans (Caloundra):
“We did everything pretty well except finished quite badly. We tackled well, we moved the ball around okay around the ground, but we kicked 28 points.”
“They were trying as hard as they could and had one of those days where they couldn’t kick straight.
“The win was important but also the percentage was really important because it’s coming down to the last round, with Kedron playing Coorparoo and us playing Nambour.”
“Our desperation and tackling pressure was all good but we couldn’t quite get it through the big sticks.”
Steve Jenkins (Redcliffe):
“We were pretty ordinary but our second half was a lot more competitive.”
“Our accountability and our tackling was a lot better and our one percenters after half time were a lot better.”
“They had more options with the handball to help straighten them up.”
“They could have put us away early and didn’t punish us like others have, and that gave us something to hold on to.”
“We’ve been putting work into letting the cogs turn for next season and hopefully next week we can get something to hang our hat on.”
Coorparoo Kings 3.2, 7.5, 13.6, 18.10 (118)
Kenmore 2.0, 2.4, 2.7, 3.9 (27)
Coorparoo continued its finals charge, with a percentage-boosting win over Kenmore on Saturday.
After a tight first quarter, Coorparoo took the game by the throat in the second, keeping the Bears goalless.
The Kings continued their momentum in the second half, kicking 11 goals to one and stamping their authority on the contest.
Cameron Allen and Tyson Spurling finished with three majors each for the Kings.
Jarrod Watkins was the best for Kenmore, while Mitch Stallard was also solid.
With one game left, the Kings can’t lose second spot and with an inferior percentage to Robina, are unlikely to take first.
Hornets 1.2, 7.4, 12.7, 19.12 (126)
Yeronga South Brisbane 5.9, 7.11, 10.15, 11.19 (85)
Aspley snapped a three-game losing streak, with a vital win over Yeronga on Saturday.
The Hornets made a massive statement in the game, beating the third-placed Devils, and reiterating their finals chances.
After being caught on the back foot early, Aspley came out firing in the second and outplayed Yeronga in the latter quarters.
Aspley has shown its ability to beat those around it, having also claimed the scalp of Coorparoo earlier in the season.
Yeronga cannot be displaced from third spot now, with one game left, while the Hornets are in fourth, with a major percentage advantage over fifth-placed Kedron.
What the coaches said:
Adam Holland (Aspley):
“We hadn’t had the best month and good to get back on the winners’ list.”
“I think we had a bit more to play for yesterday. Finals aren’t a certainty for us and they weren’t yesterday and Yeronga’s position cant’ change over the last two weeks.”
They started pretty quick and put the boys under the pump early, but they didn’t panic, which was pleasing.”
“We did have 22 blokes who contributed in their roles. It was that middle tier and the blokes who have been given the opportunity, who stood up, which was really pleasing.”
Alex Hill have some good footballers and they’ve had the wood on us, so we don’t treat them lightly. If anything, they go in as favourites based on previous form against us.”
Chris Ryan (Yeronga):
“We kicked 5.9 in the first quarter, makes it a bit of a mental battle.”
Poor kicking kept them in it, but we were outclassed in the last three quarters.”
“We didn’t deserve to win.”
“We need our best 22 on the park. We know we’re playing Coorparoo now (in the finals), so it’s a mental thing for the boys that they’ve got at the moment.”
“We want to get back to winning form and Kenmore have always had the wood over us.”
Kedron 5.4, 14.7, 19.13, 29.17 (191)
Wynnum 1.2, 3.3, 3.3, 4.3 (27)
Kedron claimed a crucial percentage-boosting win over Wynnum on Saturday.
The Lions are in fifth and face Coorparoo in their final home and away fixture, so a big win was a must to retain their finals spot.
Michael Leamer slotted an incredible 12 goals in the match, setting the tone for the day.
Kedron sits in fifth with one round left, and will have to be competitive against the Kings to stay in the finals, with Caloundra hot on their heels.
Wynnum remains winless this season.
What the coaches said:
James Debono (Kedron):
“I thought we played to our structures well but probably only for three quarters.”
“I still reckon we were lacking that four-quarter effort.”
“Having nine blokes come back from field were a little reason why we didn’t play our structures.”
“We’ll have a red hot go against Coorparoo. You don’t win two premierships in a row as slouches. We respect and them and we’re looking for ward to a tough battle.”
Robina 6.5, 14.8, 24.9, 27.15 (177)
Nambour & Hinterland 3.1, 5.3, 5.6, 10.9 (69)
If it had ever been in doubt, Robina certainly sewed up top spot with a massive win over Nambour on Saturday.
The Roos’ dominant win over the Sunshine Coast side keeps them a game ahead of the rest of the competition, and 27 percentage points ahead of second-placed Coorparoo.
Robina spearhead, Korey Fulton, slotted 14 goals for the Roos in the thrashing, while Nathan Gurciullo also had a day out, finishing with six majors.
The result leaves Nambour in seventh, with six wins, and one match left.
Caboolture 3.5, 5.8, 10.9, 11.11 (77)
Alexandra Hills 2.0, 5.6, 6.6, 8.8 (56)
Caboolture sprung a major upset over Alex Hills on Saturday.
The Bombers have been dangerous all season, but the Lions burst out of the blocks, leading by 11 points at the first change.
Their lead was whittled down to two points at half-time, but the Lions managed to fight off Alex Hills, with a dominant third term.
Mark Schmidt booted five majors for the Lions in the win, while Rhys Nickalls had a standout game for the club.
The win puts Caboolture in tenth, ahead of their local derby against Redcliffe to finish off the season.
Alex Hills is eighth, with six wins.
What the coaches said:
Graham Henwood (Alex Hills):
“It was a very disappointing result, but to their credit, Caboolture were hard at it and they deserved their win.”
