Is two weeks a trend?
A draw in football these days is pretty unusual, to draw twice in two weeks is as rare as hen’s teeth, but that’s exactly what the Wilston Grange QAFL reserves have managed to do. The eerie thing about it was how similar both weeks were. In both games, a point was kicked in the final 15 seconds to level the scores, and before either team could have a crack at winning the game, the siren sounded.. Oh so close but oh so far has been taken to a new level by the Gorillas.
The haircut
When James Royes returned from a holiday during the week, he had added some interesting additions to the feathers on top. In a throw back to the 90’s hip-hop scene, Royes was rocking the cornrows. I wouldn’t be ripping them out any time soon though; Royes was instrumental in the middle in Broadbeach’s win over Morningside on Sunday afternoon. He may have just found his home, and his permanent hairstyle.
Double ton
Who said the days of big full forwards are dead? In Cairns on Saturday, within minutes of each other, both Matt Walsh and Kye Chapple booted their 100th goal of 2015 at different venues. The two spearheads won’t have to wait until after this weekends final round to hear the news on who will take out the league goal kicking, as they will be looking at each other from opposite ends of the ground. Walsh leads on 101, with Chapple sitting on 100. I reckon both midfields will be lowering their eyes and attempting to hit their full forwards at every opportunity possible this weekend.
Cant catch him
Speaking of goal kickers, the QFA South goal-kicking crown went right to the wire. Coming into this week, Coorparoo’s Chris Cant was leading by seven goals, on 84. Comfortably enough right? Wrong. Cant couldn’t play on Saturday, meaning the opportunity was there for Springwood’s Luke O’Shea to pinch the title, needing seven to level, and eight to win, which was not out of the question at all. O’Shea was the best forward on the ground on the day, but could only manage the five majors, falling just short of Cant. Mind you, anyone who averages close to six goals a game like Cant does, would be stiff not to take it out.
The bright side
When you’re out of the finals hunt like Sandgate are in the QAFL, and depleted with injury, the half glass full approach is the opportunity to blood a few kids, and see if they have what it takes. The Hawks not only blooded a few more on Saturday, but they uncovered a gem. Mitch Crawley, at just 17 years old, on debut, was cooler than the other side of the pillow. Now that he has a taste for senior football, don’t expect him to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Eagles soaring late
Zillmere Eagles are coming home with a wet sail in the QWAFL, and finals certainly aren’t out of the question. They kept 2015 alive and kicking with a crucial win over second place Coolangatta-Tweed on the weekend, all be it by the barest of margins. That moved them to just four-points behind Wilston Grange in forth. Grange have the bye this week, so if Zillmere beat UQ on Saturday, it’s a winner takes all final round game between the two clubs for fourth spot. Elimination final come early!
By Andrew Wiles – @andrewjwiles
