Redland Victoria Point is back on top of the ladder as their star forward kicks another bag, Maroochydore record a valuable away win, and Broadbeach continue its late season surge being some of the highlights from another enthralling round of fixtures in TPIL Lawyers QAFL round 18.
RVP has comfortably defeated top four rival and last year’s premiers Morningside by 47 points in a match winning second half and a sensational nine-goal haul by spearhead Matt Hammelmann. The Sharks led by 12 points at half-time before doubling their opponents goal tally after the break - ten to five – and run out winners 17.11.(113) to 10.6.(66).
The Panthers were still within 16 points in the latter stages of the third term before RVP broke the game open kicking four of the last five goals - including two to Hammelmann - and established a match-winning break of 34 points heading into the last quarter.
Aside from Hammelmann’s performance, Craig Malone was outstanding in the ruck with 56 hit outs,14 contested possessions and added a goal to boot. There were many other contributors with Josh Brown and Dylan Smith gathering 22 disposals, Scott Miller, Darryl McDowell and Jake Chapman. Their tackling pressure was a feature as well with Tajuan Bromwich and Myles Callaghan leading the way with seven apiece.
The home team were just more efficient with their scoring opportunities with 58 percent compared to 39 even though Morningside had more overall disposals. Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds (28), Jack Rolls and Tom Bennetts 25 apiece, Thomas Griffiths and Kai Purslow listed among their best while Benjamin Lillico and Oscar Tanks grabbed two goals each.
Maroochydore’s finals hopes remain alive following a stirring 13-point victory over Wilston Grange at Hickey Park 10.10.(70) to 7.15.(57). The scoreboard tells the story for the Gorillas as inaccuracy was costly and should have been closer at the last change but instead had 4.12 on the board and trailed by 21 points.
Fletcher Callaway scored a goal early for the Grange followed by Hayden Hall and another opportunity just went the wrong side of posts to make the margin seven and the home crowd roaring them home.
But the Roos have learned from their previous close outings and stayed strong as first Koby Young pulled down a strong mark in the goal square then Thomas Holt converted another one to ensure the crucial win. They are now in seventh spot leaping over Labrador while Wilston Grange slip to tenth.
Zac Stone, Benjamin Thomas, Bailey Hahn (12 tackles) and Max McDonald major contributors for the victors while midfielder Ned Rosenbrock was magnificent for the Grange with 37 disposals 16 clearances 9 tackles and Matthew Pearce as usual battling hard in the ruck with 44 hit outs and 23 disposals.
Broadbeach continued their dramatic climb up the ladder and into sixth with a dominant 78-point victory over Coorparoo 18.9.(117) 5.9.(39) at Neptunes Homes Oval. The Cats were rampant in the first half keeping the Kings goalless while booting nine goals themselves to completely shut out their opponents.
Busy forward Sam Jasper kicked five goals and Joel Fillipone four as the midfield ran amok with Liam Nelson 32 disposals 12 clearances and two goals, Beau Bailey (36), Blake Erickson (32) and Maddox Iverach laying nine tackles. In fact, the Cats racked up over 150 more disposals than the Kings.
Surfers Paradise kept their opponents Aspley out of the top four with a tremendous away win at Graham Road 16.8.(104) to 11.14.(80). It was a fast start by the Demons that set up the victory kicking six goals to one in the opening term. After that it was even with ten goals apiece, but the damage had been done early.
Lucas Snowball making his presence felt again with four goals among his 16 possessions (10 contested), Mitch Patten grabbed three first half goals and Kane Gordon also kicked three for the match. Key midfielder Benjamin Woodburn had 29 disposals with support from Matt Doran (26) Joshua Nieass (23) and Billy Beardsell (20).
Credit though to Aspley ruckman Will Wolbers with 55 hit outs, 26 disposals plus a goal, who dominated his opposite number Zac Smith in trying to get the Hornets back in the contest. Tom Templeton and Coen Harker were prominent and after a slow start leading sharpshooter Connor Stackelberg ended the match with six goals.
That takes him to 79 goals for the season and remains in front in the Ray Hughson Medal from Matt Hamelmann on 74 after his haul of nine while Palm Beach Currumbin’s bye left Levi Casboult on 71.
In the last match for review, Noosa missed an opportunity to join Broadbeach and Sunshine Coast rivals Maroochydore on 32 points when they went down at Sherwood 14.15.(99) to 12.5.(77).
Following an even first half the Noosa Tigers held a narrow margin through Jono Freeman’s four goals and were able to extend it to 17 during the third term before it became the Harry Jones and Elijah Glass show. The Magpies pair scoring two late goals in the term to trail by only five points.
The final quarter saw the home side continue the momentum with Dylan Nelson early on kicking his third for the game before Jones and Glass goaled again, but Rhys Free pulled one back for Noosa to make it a one goal game. A string of behinds mainly to Sherwood followed before more goals to the Jones and Glass combination to finish off the visitors. The Magpies forwards joining Nelson with three majors.
The loss keeps Noosa in ninth place and in the finals race but there are still so many variables with teams in contention over the remaining two rounds.
As mentioned earlier PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN (1ST) had the weekend off but received the news of the sudden passing of young clubmate Jackson Graham. A difficult time for the club heading into finals with numerous messages of support from the AFLQ community and naturally condolences to family and all concerned.
LABRADOR (8TH) will be thankful for the Noosa result to stay where they are on the ladder while MT GRAVATT also had the weekend off.
