Photo by Anthony Byron Photography
In a seesawing battle the defending premiers put last week’s fade out behind them to eventually overpower their top four rivals in the final term to run out winners by 33 points. While other matches in Round 12 saw the teams in finals contention assert plenty of authority over their opponents.
At Automall Aspley Oval (Graham Road), Morningside worked hard to hold what appeared to be a match winning 32-point lead at half time. Their smart play typified in the second quarter by a bouncing ball kicked into their forward line where Darcy Cameron-Reeves cleverly tapped the ball down to Garrett McDonagh running past who kicked long to the goal square where Keegan Downie took a telling mark and then duly converted.
However, in scenes reminiscent of last week, the Panthers went to sleep in the third quarter to allow Aspley back into the contest with four unanswered goals. Josh Chapman led the revival with two majors either side of Ryan Carter’s six-pointer and when Chapman goaled again at the end of the term the margin was trimmed to only six points at three-quarter time.
Aspley peppered the big sticks early in the final term but could only manage three behinds. Morningside though were not about to have a repeat of last week. Instead, they were the aggressor and despite kicking a string of behinds were able to settle the issue with the last four goals of the game while keeping the Hornets goalless. A clever piece of roving by Cam Lovig and a set shot by Wyatt Greenaway late in the match saw the Panthers home 12.16.(88) to 8.7.(55).
The defending premiers were led by Tristan Hobley and Jack Rolls who had 60 possessions between them with the latter gathering 12 clearances. The scoring was well spread too with nine individual goal kickers including Preston Cockatoo-Collins (a Goal-of-the-Year nomination), Darcy Cameron-Reeves and Keegan Downie with two each.
Besides Chapman’s three goals for Aspley, leading sharpshooter Connor Stackelberg was again restricted for the second week with only two. Liam Dawson led the way with 22 disposals supported by Coen Harker, Joel Leahy and Matty Payne while ruck duo Charlie Hewitt and Jake Howson won the hitouts 59 to 38.
The loss saw the Hornets drop out of the four sliding down into sixth while Morningside move into third.
The beneficiaries of Aspley’s loss were SURFERS PARADISE and MAROCHYDORE. The Demons bounced back from their loss to Broadbeach and into fourth on the ladder with a resounding 110-point win over MT GRAVATT at Southside Toyota Oval (Dittmer Park). Mitchell Patten the star with 11 goals and Lucas Snowball four, while Benjamin Woodburn was outstanding gathering 43 disposals including 16 clearances.
Following a second consecutive victory on home soil, MAROOCHYDORE now find themselves fifth by comfortably accounting for COORPAROO by 83 points.
The Roos had many good players including, Joshua Govan (32 disposals and 12 clearances), Jonty McIvor (29 possesions and 16 tackles) while on the forward line Koby Young kicked six (goals) and Aaron Wilson five.
Tyan Prindable did not stop trying for the Kings amassing 17 tackles amongst his stats while Kyle Dunkley, Nathan Dowsett and Harvey Bannister were listed in their best players.
BROADBEACH continued their post bye resurgence breaking away from WILSTON GRANGE after quarter-time kicking nine goals to a solitary major to win by 58 points - 12.16.(88) to a very inaccurate Gorillas side 3.12.(30).
Matt Harvey, Ryan Dienjes and Beau Bailey among the best for the Cats with two goals apiece to Jye Lockett, Harrison Mackenzie and Blake Erickson.
The two teams at the top of the table had no trouble disposing of their opponents on Saturday.
REDLAND VICTORIA POINT were too good for NOOSA who were coming off a bye. The Sharks Matt Hammelmann booting nine goals to take the lead in the Ray Hughson Medal with 48. He is now ahead by one over the Hornet’s Connor Stackelberg.
Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN were too powerful for SHERWOOD with Lions star forward Levi Casboult after his six-goal effort now only six off the lead in the goalkicking race with 42 for the season.
LABRADOR had the bye but a reminder after next weeks clash with traditional rivals Surfers Paradise (away), the Tigers will host Broadbeach on July 5 to make up for the fixture lost at the start of the season due to Cyclone Alfred.
That date will be the same weekend as the QLD State games to be played in Tasmania.