Photo by Highflyer Images
An extraordinary final quarter where they slammed on nine unanswered goals has seen PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN defeat fellow finals aspirants MORNINGSIDE in the match of the day by 50 points at Jack Esplen Oval – 19.12.(126) to 11.10.(76).
In fact, Morningside led by two points heading into the last quarter when the Lions led by their star forward Levi Casboult kicked two goals to start the onslaught then added a third late in the game to finish with a haul of eight for the match.
Other PBC stars to get amongst the action in the score-fest were Tom Simpson (including 32 disposals and 11 tackles), Rhys King, Cory Beaman, ruckman Sam Wundke grabbed two goals and Sam Cilmi put the icing on the cake at the end as he kicked his third for the match. The result left the home team and supporters stunned.
The Lions had jumped out of the blocks to hold sway by 27 points at half-time, but whatever was said in the Panthers dressing rooms worked. The defending premiers rallied back into contention booting six goals while holding the visitors to a solitary major to have that narrow lead at three-quarter time.
Preston Cockatoo-Collins and Matthew Waters helped bring Morningside back into the contest with three goals apiece, along with Brock Aston, Jack Rolls and Tristan Hobley was his usual influential self.
In the end some frustration crept into the Panthers side as the game slipped away from them. There was just no answer to the Lions powerful display who maintain their number one position on the ladder.
Meanwhile on the Gold Coast at Cooke-Murphy Oval, second placed REDLAND VICTORIA POINT stamped their premiership credentials with a 29-point away win over LABRADOR 17.11.(113) to 13.6. (84).
The victory was set up in the opening quarter when the Sharks kicked seven goals while keeping the Tigers goalless. This was despite losing star ruckman Craig Malone with a hamstring injury and playmaker Mitch Stallard later under concussion protocols.
Up forward Matt Hammelmann was the star with seven goals and Josh Brown celebrated his 100-game milestone with three himself. However, it was ‘second’ ruckman Jarrod Huddy who took over the centre bounce dominance with 66 hit outs, 10 contested possessions and eight clearances. His performance earning high praise from his teammates and assistant coach Jarrod Keogh in post-match discussions. Charlton Offermans and Campbell Aston being the main beneficiaries of Huddy’s efforts with over 30 disposals and 18 contested possessions apiece.
To their credit Labrador fought their way back led by Jayden Young who kicked five majors. The home team outscored their rampaging opponents by nine goals to six in the second half and at one stage the Tigers threatened an amazing comeback. Bailey Brown, Justin Krok and Harry Sullivan also among the best for Labrador.
RVP and PBC are both tied at the top of the ladder with 34 points and now are six points clear of their nearest rival ASPLEY (28).
Speaking of which, a huge upset was on the cards when COORPAROO belied their recent form to give the Hornets a huge fright at Giffin Park. The Kings started so well holding a well-earned 13-point lead at quarter-time before their more fancied opponents hit back.
However, inaccuracy from the visitors kept the Kings in contention as they managed only 3.9 after half-time. Coorparoo could have applied more scoreboard pressure to pinch an unlikely victory but missed chances to kick 3.7. themselves.
Aspley relieved to hear the final siren with a 20-point buffer to scramble home 10.19.(79) to 8.11.(59)
The competition’s leading goalkicker Connor Stackelberg was relatively well held with ‘only’ three goals, but it was Nicholas Dodge who returned to the senior team with a vengeance to be a match winner with four goals. Prime movers Ryan Banks-Smith, Tom Templeton and Cody Stackelberg (two goals) helping the Hornets back into the top four.
Meanwhile Matt Suckling was a standout for Coorparoo with 34 disposals supported by Nathan Dowsett, Tyan Prindable with Harvey Bannister and Kyah Moncur kicking three goals each.
In Friday’s preview we indicated a rejuvenated BROADBEACH could be a force in the second half of the season and that is exactly what happened as SURFERS PARADISE found out in a disappointing 56-point loss at home.
The Demons, third on the ladder heading into Saturday were never in the contest as they were jumped at the start. The Cats kept pressing to break the game open in the second half and finally registered their second win of the season 15.14.(104) to 6.12.(48)
The return of Hugh Greenwood and the influence of Zac Smith in the ruck for Surfers was not enough to stop the likes of Adrian Speedy (32 disposals), Riley Bowman (31 hit outs) and Beau Bailey while forward Jye Lockett kicked three goals for the victors.
In the remaining matches of TPIL Lawyers QAFL Round 11, SHERWOOD were unable to capitalise on the home ground advantage as WILSTON GRANGE proved too strong with a convincing 32-point win – 16.6.(102) to 10.10.(70).
The Gorillas join the Magpies now on four wins for the season but face an interesting away clash to Broadbeach next week.
Meanwhile MARROCHYDORE relished being back at home on the Sunshine Coast with a percentage boosting 141-point victory over MT GRAVATT.
The Roos have been steady improvers and now find themselves sixth on the ladder level on 24 points with Surfers Paradise (5th), who have a healthier percentage.
NOOSA had the bye and no doubt enjoyed the break before taking on the equal top of the table Redland Victoria Point away next week.
The Ray Hughson Medal has seen the Shark’s Matt Hammelmann (39) and PBC’s Levi Casboult (36) after their goal-kicking feats on the weekend close the gap on Aspley’s Connor Stackelberg who still leads on 45.