Photo by Highflyer Photography
NOOSA (7TH) V PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN (1ST) ROCOCO (NOOSA) OVAL
Noosa have faced some tough tests in recent weeks and it does not get any easier by facing the ladder leaders at home on Saturday. Heading into Round Nine the Tigers were fifth and travelling ok. However, over the past month in amongst a bye in Round 11 - they lost in muddy conditions against Morningside at Jack Esplen Oval, a loss at home to Labrador (8th) and last week an even bigger defeat away to Redland Victoria Point.
It is a competitive battle for positions in the bottom half of the eight and if the Tigers aspire to play in the topflight, they will be out to prove a point against the powerful Lions.
Noosa’s Charlie Bowes, Mitchell Conn, William McKenzie, and Maverick Pettigrove have been solid when playing lesser opposition but should be aware on Saturday they will have to step up to take on quality PBC midfielders Harry Benson who leads the Syd Guilford trophy count, Tom Simpson, Rhys King and co. Up forward Kaine Cates and Jono Freeman have had their moments in front of goals for the Tigers too.
At the opposite end for the Lions though, the strong marking Levi Casboult sits third on the goalkicking list and has had great support in recent matches from Corey Beaman, Sam Cilmi and a few other scoring avenues.
PBC have only lost one game for the season and will be fully aware that a hungry Tigers outfit awaits them up the Bruce Highway.
MORNINGSIDE (3RD) V MAROOCHYDORE (5TH) JACK ESPLEN OVAL
Maroochydore will be hoping they fare a little better than their Sunshine Coast neighbours when they take on the Panthers, hopefully in better conditions than the Tigers faced in Round Nine.
The Roos have been steady improvers so far in 2025 after finishing seventh with nine wins last year, they have already won seven games this season (same as Aspley 6th). They have opened an eight-point buffer on the sides sitting seventh and eighth in Noosa and Labrador respectively, but their finals chances will receive a huge boost if they can take a big scalp here.
Maroochydore’s midfielders including Ben Thomas, Josh Govan and Jonty McIvor will be hoping to capitalise on many of Max McDonald’s hit outs who sits 5th on the tap ladder.
Despite the last quarter fade out a couple of weeks ago to PBC, Morningside are starting to regain some of their 2024 premiership form with new playmakers such as Tristan Hobley, Jack Rolls and Cooper Hodge making his much-anticipated QAFL senior debut.
However, the recent knee injury to Nakia Cockatoo is a big blow to the club but no doubt will provide some extra motivation for the remainder of the season.
SURFERS PARADISE (4TH) V LABRADOR (8TH) SIR BRUCE SMALL PARK (KALLIBR HOMES OVAL)
Another huge game that has finals implications for both these teams. The Demons suffered a disappointing loss two weeks ago to a side coming off the bye in Broadbeach and face a similar scenario here with Labrador fresh off a break.
Surfers are desperate to finish in the top four to ensure a double chance, but Labrador are in a bunch vying just to play finals. The Tigers will no doubt benefit from the bye following some tough games with the highlight being a hard-fought win at home over Aspley and are hoping for the return of some key personnel from injury.
In the remaining matches for Round 13, BROADBEACH (11TH) are full of confidence since winning both games since their bye. The Cats believe finals are still possible and can take a further step on Saturday when they travel to Powenyenna Oval to play SHERWOOD (10TH). By the same token the Magpies are only one game outside the eight and have not won at home since Round Three. Two weeks later though they came within two points of Redland Victoria Point at the same venue and the young Magpies are hoping they can return to some of that form to keep their finals dream alive.
Like Noosa, WILSTON GRANGE (9TH) have a tough assignment this week in trying to topple REDLAND VICTORIA POINT (2ND) at Hickey Park. The Gorillas too have had some tough games against stronger opposition and trying to stop Sharks star forward Matt Hammelmann and an in-form midfield will not be an easy task.
Two weeks ago, an inaccurate ASPLEY (6TH) kept lowly Coorparoo in the game and were able to scramble home. After slipping outside the four in last week’s loss to Morningside, the Hornets will be looking to bounce back against MT GRAVATT while COORPAROO (12th) has the bye.
A reminder that apart from the Labrador v Broadbeach blockbuster, next week is a competition bye so there is plenty to play for this weekend. There will be more on the state fixtures Queensland v Tasmania in Tassie next week
