Atrocious wet weather wreaked havoc across the competition on Saturday with many of the clashes expected to be close contests but in fact most were lopsided.
The headline act was at Graham Road where ASPLEY (4th) were hosting PALM BEACH CURRMBIN (2ND). However, the hosts were mauled by the Lions who were fresh off a break and kept the Hornets to only one goal by half-time and trailing by 25 points.
A more evenly matched third quarter saw two goals apiece, but PBC grabbed the four points in the final term booting four goals to one and won running away 11.10.(76) to an inaccurate Aspley 4.11.(35).
Consecutive losses now for the Hornets saw them drop to fifth on the ladder while the Lions consolidated their top two position.
The well publicised clash between opposing full-forwards - Aspley’s Connor Stackelberg and PBC’s Levi Casboult - never really eventuated in the wet conditions with the Lion’s powerhouse having the better of his rival with three goals to one.
The former still holds a comfortable lead of ten (34 for the season) in the Ray Hughson Medal. Casboult moved to 23 goals with Matt Hammelmann (Redland Victoria Point) just ahead on 24 after the weekend bye.
Another eagerly anticipated contest was at Esplen Oval with MORNINGSIDE (6TH) at home to NOOSA (5TH).
In this clash last season, the Tigers were in it for a long way, but on Saturday, the rain combined with the Panthers flexing a bit of premiership muscle in the waterlogged conditions washed away any hopes and the hapless visitors were kept goalless for three quarters.
Morningside asserted their authority in the second term kicking 3.3 while keeping Noosa scoreless and a further three majors after the half-time break put the issue beyond doubt. The highlight being the performance of Panthers goal sneak Kelly Castle who revelled in the wet with four goals including a sensational individual effort late in the second quarter resulting in brilliant snap for goal.
A couple of consolation goals in the final term added some respectability to the scoreboard for Noosa but in a low scoring affair Morningside prevailed 7.7.(49) to 2.5.(17).
The closest margin of the round was 16 points at BROADBEACH where MAROOCHYDORE stormed home in the final quarter with six goals – including the last three of the match - to win 11.11 (77) to 8.13.(61).
For the Cats it was the similar story to last week where the lapse in concentration occurred just before half-time against Redland Victoria Point. On Saturday, the home team celebrating their Ladies Day fixture, led by 12 points at the final break after restricting the visitors to only five goals at that stage.
The lead changed a couple of times in a hectic last term, but the floodgates opened for the Roos and their hero was Benjamin Thomas.
He booted three goals – including two in quick succession to give them the lead. Riley Bowman briefly returned the Cats advantage before majors to hulking forward William Jones, Thomas and then Elliot Cavallaro with his second of the quarter sealed the victory and leave Broadbeach stranded on one win for the season.
In the remaining matches of TPIL Lawyers QAFL round nine, SURFERS PARADISE had little trouble travelling to Powenyenna Oval to account for SHERWOOD by 42 points.
The turning point coming in the second quarter when the Demons piled on five goals while the young Magpies only managed one and were unable to peg the margin back in a dour struggle after the main break.
In their second meeting in recent weeks WILSTON GRANGE again proved too strong for COORPAROO. In the round three clash at Hickey Park, the Gorillas won by 18 points in muddy conditions and this time - away at Giffin Park again in the wet - they extended the margin to 53 points.
Like Surfers Paradise, the turning point came in the second quarter, when the Gorillas booted six unanswered goals eventually safely holding the Kings 10.17.(77) to 3.6.(24)
Playing their third consecutive game at home LABRADOR had little trouble disposing of bottom placed MT GRAVATT at Cooke-Murphy Oval. Although the Vultures were in the game at half-time trailing by only 15 points, the Tigers revved up after the break to the tune of nine goals to two and ran out winners by 66 points and climbed into the eight.
REDLAND VICTORIA POINT had the bye but return to action at home next week in round 10 against Coorparoo.
Finally let’s give credit to all concerned in all grades – players, club staff, umpires, spectators and camera/video personnel for coping with the deluge and the terrible conditions that presented on Saturday. What a way to begin the winter season and it was a magnificent effort by all to compete so well.
Photo credit: Anthony Byron Sports Photography