ASPLEY (4TH) V PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN (2ND) GRAHAM ROAD
There are some cracking matches this weekend with teams closely matched on the ladder, but this is the headline act for round nine.
Aspley are licking their wounds after coming unstuck at Labrador last week and to make matters worse one of their key playmakers Ryan Banks-Smith will be missing after a leg injury from the same game.
Despite a huge effort from ruckman Will Wolbers against the Tigers providing first use of the ball with 82 hit outs, the Hornets rued some missed chances at vital stages last week and will be out to rectify those back at home. They will have better memories of the previous round when they knocked off then ladder leaders Redland Victoria Point and on Saturday again attempt to bring down a higher ranked opponent in PBC.
The Lions though are refreshed coming off a bye and would have circled this match and prepared accordingly. No doubt their coaching panel studied how Labrador went about their team defence last week and hope to apply similar pressure on Saturday.
One of the eagerly anticipated match ups will be at opposite ends of the ground with two of the competition’s leading forwards in action. Aspley’s Connor Stackelberg has been in tremendous form with 33 goals for the season and PBC’s Levi Casboult after the weekend off sits on 20.
Aside from Wolbers in the ruck for the Hornets, the midfield battle for both sides will go a long way to determining the outcome of this clash. The likes of Cody Stackelberg, Tom Templeton and Coen Harker up against the Lions Harry Benson, Tom Simpson and Rhys King providing valuable forward 50 entries.
MORNINGSIDE (6TH) V NOOSA (5TH) JACK ESPLEN OVAL
A vital game for both teams who are looking to consolidate their place in the top-flight part of the ladder. Morningside have won three consecutive games with their last loss in round five away to Palm Beach Currumbin.
The Tigers too have winning form but like Saturdays opponents, recent losses have been against higher ranked teams – Redland Victoria Point and Aspley respectively.
Noosa challenged Morningside for three quarters before being blown away late at the same venue last year. However, given their first part of the 2025 season, they look much better prepared to test the defending premiers who are yet to fully hit their straps.
SHERWOOD (8TH) V SURFERS PARADISE (3RD) POWENYENNA OVAL
A contest that the travelling team will not want to take lightly. Sherwood came off a bye last week when going down to the defending premiers Morningside by 32 points after matching them early. A run under their belt and a consecutive game at home should benefit the young Magpies who were encouraged before their break by getting within eight points of Aspley in round six at Graham Road.
Surfers Paradise warmed up for this clash with a comfortable victory last week, but like their opponents, also suffered a recent loss to Morningside in a close contest.
The positions in the top four seem to be changing each week so the Demons will need to be at the top of their game to maintain theirs.
In other matches, an intriguing battle looms at Giffin Park where COORPAROO (10TH) hosts WILSTON GRANGE (11th).
Both teams sit on two wins and already they meet for a second time this year with the Gorillas being stronger in the Hickey Park mudpit back in Round 3. What did the coaches learn and what will they implement to change the result this time around? A timely chance to climb away from the bottom section of the ladder beckons.
BROADBEACH (12TH) under new coach Lewis Chiodo would have been heartened by some of his team’s play last week despite the loss to Redland Victoria Point. A lapse just before halftime and a one man show by Sharks forward Matt Hammelmann (7 goals) proved the difference.
The Cats lingering on just one win will be looking for a more consistent four quarter effort when they host Maroochydore (7th) at Neptune Homes Oval.
Despite a couple of heavy losses, the Roos have four wins and been involved in a few close matches. This could end up being a similar contest and an opportunity awaits to grab a valuable away win to remain inside the top eight.
This round is a special annual fixture for Broadbeach as the club will be celebrating Ladies Day dedicating the day to a chosen charity. This year it is Havafeed.org with the players wearing a specially designed jumper.
After their upset win last week over Aspley, LABRADOR (9TH) will be looking to consolidate their form as they host for the third week in a row at Cooke-Murphy Oval. However, the visiting MT GRAVATT may see an opportunity here with the Tigers drawing deep into their squad given some unavailability of players through injury and VFL requirements
Meanwhile REDLAND VICTORIA POINT back on the winners list and back on top of the ladder has the bye.