Image: Anthony Byron
Redland-Victoria Point displayed their premiership winning form in easily defeating rivals Morningside by 52 points at Totally Workwear Park 21.15.(141) to 13.11.(89). The star again being Ray Hughson Medallist Matt Hammelmann kicking seven goals to make it 23 from their last three meetings.
In fact, the star forward flew out of the blocks with four of the Sharks first seven goals before booting three in the final term to replicate his effort when the two teams met in the Preliminary Final. Josh Brown also joined in the goal fest with five (goals) and Max Gardiner (four) as the Panthers had no answer to the Sharks onslaught. The home team leading and then extending the lead at every change.
Campbell Aston dominated out of the middle with 29 disposals, 11 clearances and nine tackles with support from Jake Chapman (23 disposals), Scott Miller (19 and eight clearances) while Craig Malone got the better of Will Wolbers in the ruck with 43 hit outs to 27.
Admittedly, Morningside were missing a few key players including Wylie Buzza, Garrett McDonagh and Preston Cockatoo-Collins who made his debut for the Southport Sharks in the VFL as a quartet of players kicked two majors including Shaquille McLeod and Xavier Veivers-Brown. The midfield trio of Jack Rolls, Tristan Hobley and Cam Loving got plenty of the ball, and so did Liam Dawson down back (probably not the plan!). Notably, RVP were also without Alex Sexton and Charlie Offermans (GC Suns and Brisbane Lions VFL respectively).
In the commentary match at Cooke-Murphy Oval, Palm Beach Currumbin were too strong and classy for an overwhelmed Labrador as the Lions held sway for most of the day to win by 19 points 12.11.(83) to 9.10.(64).The final margin flattered the Tigers who at one stage trailed by over 40 points before finally managing to find the big sticks with five consolation goals in the final term.
The Lions took advantage of the Brisbane Road (northern) scoring end in the opening term kicking five goals to two with a brace from power forward Levi Casboult in the space of three minutes. However, he would only add a further three behinds for the remainder from limited opportunities courtesy of a close checking effort from Jayden Young.
PBC won the game with their defenders, who completely shut out and frustrated the Tigers forwards with their discipline restricting the home team to only four goals by the final change. Labrador were unable to find a target on their forward line as key PBC defenders, Harrison Day, Jake Exell, Marcus White and Sam Graham played their part. Graham and Ethan Sekac on the wing going forward at times to put themselves on the score sheet as well.
After the main break the Lions midfield of AJ Dawson, Tavae Sauni (impressive debut) and Tom Simpson (29 disposals and nine clearances) against his former club took control. Bailey Rawson (two goals) was a busy forward with Corey Beaman kicking two valuable second half goals securing an important win before they take a break next week.
In the end Labrador were in front for most of the statistics but were stifled by their opposition. Jay Foon tried hard for the home team along with Billy Marshall in the ruck with his opponent Matthew Walkerden providing his midfield with opportunities. Labrador's Jake Goldsmith finally getting some room in the final term to finish with four majors and Will Manshanden chipping in with two.
In their third consecutive match, Broadbeach found themselves in a nail-biter but made it two wins in succession with a thrilling 11-point margin over Sherwood - 14.13.(97) to 13.8.(86) at Powenyenna Oval. The Magpies searching for their first win took the early advantage and held a slender 11-point lead at the main break following an entertaining combined 20 goals in the first half.
The premiership quarter belonged to the Cats as they outscored the home side four goals to one and had their noses in front by 5 points entering the last quarter. An amazing final term saw Broadbeach pepper the goals but racked up six straight behinds until Alan O'Neill dribbled one through from the top of the goal square and broke the deadlock at the 25 minute mark to give the Cats some breathing space. After giving the ball back to the opposition across half forward for most of the quarter, Sherwood finally broke through and kicked a goal just before the final siren but it was too late.
Aidan Hare, Blake Erickson, Ethan Weidemann, Hamilton Howard and Mitch Carroll among the best with Joshua Zanker-Close kicking four goals for Broadbeach. While for the Magpies, Owen Collins, Darcy Prest, Oliver Cruice, Harrison Hewitt and Will Fletcher figuring in the stats and Elijah Glass kicked three goals.
Aspley have broken through for their first win of the season by comfortably accounting for a disappointing Coorparoo by 68 points at Giffin Park. The Hornets coping with some major list changes over the summer found their right form as they jumped the Kings from the opening bounce and were never troubled.
Koopa Walsh kicked five goals, Bayley Roberts four, while Jesse-Patrick Doherty and Charlie Hewitt grabbed three each. Ryan Bastinac leading the way with 34 disposals, Jordan Arnold (29), Sinclair Burmeister (27) with Andrew Jeffery (22 and six clearances).
For Coorparoo Angus O'Brien, Josh Ferguson, Oscar Barry and Sam Cowley among their best.
In the remaining two matches Noosa bounced back after their narrow loss to Broadbeach last week by crushing Wilston Grange by 79 points at home on the Sunshine Coast. The Tigers booted 13 goals to just two at half-time to have the game already sewn up.
A host of goalkickers for the home team including Enrique Mazzeo with four, Rhys Free and elusive forward Mav Pettigrove both with three. Sam Tilley and Billy Shanks outstanding again gathering 31 possessions each, Lucas Jellyman-Turner (28) and Sam Willoughby eight clearances and six tackles.
For the beaten Gorillas, Jackson Mills, James Crieghton, Mark Horne had over 30 disposals while Jack Thompson kicked three of the Granges six goals.
In the final match Maroochydore maintained their position on top of the ladder with a 30-point win over a persistent Mt Gravatt away at Southside Toyota Oval.
The Vultures were only 13 points down at the main break, but the third term was the difference with the Roos extending the lead to 34 points at the final change. To their credit the home team refused to let their opposition run away with it like in previous seasons.
Aaron Wilson and Elliot Cavallaro kicked four goals each, while Hugo Papst was amongst a trio with two. A fair effort for the Vultures with Blair Healy stepping up with five goals and Ben Major (four). Jake Torney another stand out effort for the Vultures (34 disposals) with Silivelio Lemana-Pakau (29), Fletcher Clare (26) while Michael Gordon laid an impressive 13 tackles.
A reminder Surfers Paradise had the bye and return to action next week at home in another Gold Coast derby with Labrador.