Labrador have found their feet
With the young Tigers making a slow start to the season, many thought it might be a long 18 rounds as the club rebuilds. As the sun sets on Round 8, they’ve just knocked off the third placed Aspley to make it three wins in the past four weeks. Taking on Mt Gravatt in Round 9, and an all important away trip to Noosa in Round 10, the Tigers could find themselves nestled inside the top 8 in the coming weeks.
Hammer is back
After spending a couple of weeks on the sideline through injury, Matt Hammelmann has returned in style booting seven majors to steer Redland Victoria Point to a 25 point victory over Broadbeach. With 10 marks from 15 possessions, Hammelmann had a big day out as the ladder leaders bounced back after their first loss of the season last weekend.
Academy Talent Shines
As the Coates League “talent” begins to filter back into the TPIL Lawyers QAFL, the next gen have shone. Headlined by Tyan Prindable’s (Coorparoo) 39 disposals and this weeks Rising Star nomination, Archie Hill (Broadbeach - 19 disposals and five inside 50s) and Alex Pope (Redland Victoria Point - 24 disposals and nine inside 50s) all had quality performances. Keep an eye out for the young guns across the TPIL Lawyers QAFL and Bond University QAFLW over the coming weeks.
Is Matt Gaul the recruit of the season?
After only lodging three wins in 2024, Noosa currently sit fifth with a record of 5-3 from their first eight matches of the 2025 season. Whilst significant work has been done by Leuenberger and the broader club, it's hard to go past the recruitment of Matt Gaul being one of the biggest 'ins' across the competition. Leading the TPIL Lawyers QAFL for total disposals (27 average), clearances (7.5 average), contested possessions (15 average) and tackles (11 average), the impact Gaul is having on the Noosa Football Club and the broader competition is hard to ignore.
TPIL Lawyers QAFL Round 9 will significantly shape the ladder
With many of the sides inside the top eight lodging wins against those higher on the ladder in the past few weeks, Round 9 provides us with a number of ladder shaping match ups. Aspley (4th) host Palm Beach Currumbin (2nd) where a win could see the Hornets slot into second spot, whilst a win on the road for the Lions could see them into top position. Noosa (5th) head to Morningside (6th), and Sherwood (8th) host the in form Surfers Paradise (3rd). The competition continues to be extremely tight, and with no flag favourite emerging just yet, we're anticipating some big movements in the ladder in the coming weeks as we turn into the winter months.