Maroochydore have secured a finals berth by defeating Morningside, Palm Beach Currumbin on an emotional day dented Noosa’s finals aspirations in a one-point thriller and Sherwood brought Broadbeach back to earth were just some of the highlights after another exciting round of fixtures in TPIL Lawyers QAFL round 19.
On the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore have shown they deserve a finals berth following a hard-fought six-point win over the defending premiers 11.8.(74) to 10.8 (68).
It was a tight first quarter with only three goals kicked and visitors leading by five points. Then off the back of a crucial win last week, the Roos threw everything at the Panthers to kick five goals in the second term and a further four in the third while Morningside could only manage four goals in the same period to trail the home team by 23 points at the final change.
The Panthers finally clicked into gear. Four goals in 10 minutes brought the reigning premiers within reach, but Maroochydore sealed the deal when Koby Young swooped on a loose ball on the forward line and made no mistake from close range.
Lachlan Robinson and Mitch Scholard kicked two goals each for the victors, while Caylen Murray led the way with 30 disposals, Josh Govan 24 and six clearances, Bailey Hahn (23 and six) and Benjamin Thomas (21 and 10).
Morningside had eight individual goal kickers with Tristan Hobley and Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds the best with two apiece and the latter collected 34 possessions and nine clearances. Best of the others Jack Rolls (31 and six) and Tommy Horne (30 and nine).
A memorable win for the Roos and the confidence boosting win should prepare them for a huge away clash at Surfers Paradise in the final round.
Sunshine Coast neighbours Noosa suffered an agonising one-point loss at Palm Beach which just about put paid to their finals hopes. It was an emotional day at Stalagmite Oval as prior to the first bounce, both teams paid tribute in a heartfelt ceremony to young Lion Jackson Graham who tragically passed away last week.
There was little separating the sides throughout the afternoon as the margin never went beyond 14 points in the Tigers favour. PBC reached the lead in the third quarter following three quick goals, but they were answered by a brace to Kaine Cates. Another major to the Lions Matthew Hollier followed by a few behinds to both teams and scores were tied at 48 apiece at the last change.
Momentum swung back and forth in the final quarter but when Cates capitalised on a dropped PBC mark and kicked truly for his third for the match, Noosa were two goals up heading into time-on.
They almost had another to seal the contest when Charlie Bowes waltzed into an open goal, but it was called back as the umpire ruled an illegal disposal in the way it was handballed to Bowes.
Spurred on by the events of the week, the Lions were not going to be denied and the ball travelled quickly to their forward line where Ben McInneny snapped a beauty from the pocket, then the normally accurate Casboult hit the post from a set shot to put the margin under a kick. From a boundary throw-in Lions playmaker Rhys King brilliantly roved the pack to run around and his left foot shot sailed through for a goal to give his team the lead at the 26-minute mark.
A further tense eight minutes followed with Noosa trying to attack but desperate team defence from the Lions denied any more scoring. The siren sounded soon after with PBC in front 9.15.(69) to 10.8.(68). Players from both teams collapsed to the ground with the efforts they had given and a fair bit of emotion as well.
A devastating defeat for Noosa who tried hard all day but were unable to hang on and remain only one win outside the eight heading into the last round. They have a vastly inferior percentage so some amazing things would have to happen next week to sneak into the eight.
Sherwood produced another surprise when putting an end to the great run of Broadbeach at Neptunes Home Oval winning 10.18.(78) to 9.5.(59). The Cats were slow out of the blocks as the Magpies peppered the goals in the opening term but only managed 3.5.
The home team fought back in the second to make it a one-goal game at half time. However, Sherwood broke away in the third quarter and again inaccuracy was the issue as they kicked 4.7 to 2.1 but they stretched the lead to four goals at three-quarter time. This was reflected with the Magpies for the match having 27 more inside 50’s than the home team.
The Cats kicked two of the first three goals early in the last quarter, but Sherwood held on gamely to produce one of their best wins of the season. Owen Collins again back from the Southport VFL, proving the difference amassing 40 disposals with support from Jonathan Giles (30), the busy Will Fletcher (31) who also booted four goals and the amazing ruck work of Ethan Harris with 53 hit outs!
The well-earned victory is probably to no avail as like Noosa, it leaves the Magpies one win outside the eight with a poor percentage - ironically behind Broadbeach – and would need to overcome a wounded Morningside by a big margin next week.
Conversely due to their healthy percentage Broadbeach appear to be safe enough in the eight even if they lose to Gold Coast rivals Labrador next week. They are one game and at least 16% clear of Sherwood and Noosa so they would both need easy wins and the Cats get thrashed themselves for any dramatic changes.
Surfers Paradise achieved their aim of a top four finish when they demolished Wilston Grange at Sir Bruce Small Park (Kallibr Homes Oval) by 75 points – 20.14.134 to 9.5.59.
No matter what happens next week when they host fellow finalists Maroochydore, Surfers will finish third and secure a double chance.
The Demons were never in danger despite a high scoring opening term kicking 6.6 to 4.1. They proceeded to slam on another 14 goals for the next three quarters while restricting Wilston Grange to just five.
Axel Moore kicked four goals, Joe Kennedy back from Southport VFL duty grabbed three and in form Lucas Snowball and Oscar Wood two each. Benjamin Woodburn was his damaging best in the midfield collecting 38 disposals, 12 clearances plus five tackles, along with Matt Doran (32), Alby Jones (28) and Samuel Jewel who recorded an amazing 90% kicking efficiency in his 16 disposals in assisting Zac Smith with the ruckwork.
Unfortunately for Wilston Grange they will have to wait until 2026 to redeem themselves as they are the unlucky side to incur a bye in the final round next week.
Like the other clubs just missing out on the eight, the Gorillas will be rueing some missed opportunities ending the season on six wins and a draw. They will also be disappointed to slip down from a top four finish in 2024, but you can expect this club to do everything possible over the summer to bounce back next year.
Another Gold Coast team to secure finals action is Labrador after they comfortably accounted for Coorparoo at Giffin Park 20.14.(134) to 5.11.(41). Similar to the Surfers Paradise match it was an even first quarter but then the Tigers stepped into overdrive slamming on 18 goals to just three over the next three quarters.
Aiden Fyfe had a day out in front of the big sticks with 10 goals, Zak Marshall (four) and Riley Coombes (three). As mentioned above they have a date at Broadbeach next week and depending on results they can finish any of sixth, seventh or eighth!
Coorparoo came back into TPIL QAFL this season and showed glimpses of form at times, but like Wilston Grange will try to regroup over the summer and aim to climb a few spots in their second year back.
The last match to review ended up being closer than people would have expected and it was a win to Redland Victoria Point but not for the first time this season it was virtually a one man show. Matt Hamelmann kicked 11 of his teams 15 goals in the 31-point victory at Dittmer Park (Southside Toyota Oval).
In fact, the sharpshooter had eight of RVP’s nine goals by half-time and the haul propels him to 85 goals and six clear in the Ray Hughson Medal ahead of Aspley’s Connor Stackelberg (79) who had to sit out the weekend with the bye. PBC’s Levi Casboult added two in the thrilling win over Noosa and remains in third with 73.
Following their weekend off, Aspley(5th) travel to Mt Gravatt next week where they would be expected to win and their top four hopes remain alive after the loss by Morningside. Another loss by the Panthers next week to Sherwood and they would swap places with the Hornets.
The finals maybe two weeks away but it will start next week with a mouth-watering entrée and top spot up for grabs when Palm Beach Currumbin host Redland Victoria Point as the headline act with other top eight places to be decided.
