Photo by Highflyer Images
The battle between the two teams at the bottom of the eight lived up to its billing when Labrador and Wilston Grange played out a thrilling draw on the Gold Coast. In a seesawing final term where both teams had many chances for the outright points, the scores were tied at the final siren with the Tigers 14.12.(96) and Gorillas 15.6.(96).
The Grange continued their form from the second half against Redland Victoria Point two weeks ago. They stunned Labrador with four goals in the last 10 minutes of the opening term to lead by 22 points.
The Tigers gradually fought their way back into the game over the next two quarters to hold a slender eight-point lead at the final break.
Both coaches knew the importance of a win and pleaded with their charges for an extra effort with so much to play for in the last quarter which went for 36 minutes.
It was goal for goal as both sides traded blows with four goals apiece with skipper Jacquin Mifsud booting two for Wilston Grange. Labrador skipper Rhys Nicholls returned the favour when he pounced on a loose ball in the goal square at the 25-minute mark and the home team led by 10 points before adding another behind.
The game then turned dramatically in the Gorillas favour when Jackson Mills (30 disposals) was awarded a free kick at the top of the square and goaled. Soon after Jake Fazldeen was awarded a free kick on the outer wing, but the Tigers defender inexplicably ran over the mark before play-on was called and a 50-metre penalty was given. He duly saluted and the visitors had hit the front by a point after 32 minutes.
As the parochial home crowd kept yelling out how much time was left, the Tigers Will Derrington, who earlier crumbed a goal from close range to give his side an eight-point buffer, made a great tackle and had a set shot from 40-meters out to win the game. His effort though drifted to the right and was lucky to scrape through for a minor score to tie the game. The siren sounded seconds later as players fell to the ground in disbelief after a titanic struggle.
Mifsud ended the day with five goals, Fazldeen and Darby Breeden three each. Ruckman Matthew Pearce created plenty of drive with his 44 hit outs, 15 possessions (nine contested) and the busy Ned Rosenbrock (20 and 12).
For Labrador, Luke Coombes kicked four goals and Kane Godlevsky three amongst his 26 disposals. Harry Sullivan also gathered 26 possessions and Marcus Khoo toiled bravely in the ruck whilst skipper Rhys Nicholls was his usual influential best.
The drawn result makes it an exciting run home with sides sixth to tenth on the ladder only separated by two games but with two-point intervals.
However, both Labrador and Wilston Grange have two big weeks ahead which could affect their finals chances. The former face Morningside and Redland Victoria Point both away, while the latter must contend with PBC and Aspley. At least both of those contests are at Hickey Park.
That tenth side is Sherwood which remained in finals contention by clinching another thriller on the Sunshine Coast against Maroochydore.
Like at Cooke-Murphy Oval this was a match with many momentum swings as the home team started well but the visitors hit back in the second quarter to lead by four points at half-time. The Roos again taking the ascendancy in the third quarter to edge in front by seven points at the final break.
However, Sherwood showed plenty of resilience to score three goals to one in the final term to win by the same half-time margin of four points – 12.8.(80) to 11.10.(76).
Harry Jones kicked two goals in the first eight minutes of the last quarter (the second after a 50-metre penalty was quickly taken from the backline) and when teammate Jonathan Giles kicked another five minutes later, the Magpies had a nine- point buffer. Both teams only managed behinds including the Magpies Jett Clarke, who after a scintillating run into an open goal, somehow missed. Maroochydore’s Aaron Wilson then clutched a big pack mark and kicked his third goal of the match from directly in front to bring his team within two points.
In the desperate last few minutes, Sherwood survived several late attacks by the Roos, scrambled a couple more minor scores to hold on and claim the vital four points. Jarrod Cameron and Ethan Duke kicked three goals apiece for the victors, Owen Collins had 27 disposals and besides his match winning goal, Giles also grabbed 27 disposals with seven clearances.
Palm Beach Currumbin and Redland Victoria Point maintained their status quo as the top two on the ladder with comfortable victories in their respective matches. PBC though were matched early and at half-time only led by five points over Aspley who were aiming to climb back into the top four.
Following an inaccurate first half, the Lions straightened up the in the second stanza and kicked 11.5 while restricting the Hornets to 3.3 with the final margin stretched to 55 points.
Levi Casboult won the battle of the power forwards with five goals for the match while Hornets spearhead Connor Stackelberg managed two. The dynamite Lions midfield of Harry Benson, Tom Simpson and Rhys King were dominant again while Liam Dawson, Ryan Banks-Smith, Brandon Batchelor and Cody Stackelberg performed well for Aspley who remain fifth on the ladder.
RVP were never really troubled in their top four clash at home with Surfers Paradise. The home side maintaining a healthy advantage throughout the day to eventually win by 40 points 19.14.(128) to 13.10 (88).
The Ray Hughson Medal race tightening up and heading to a thrilling conclusion after Sharks gun forward Matt Hammelmann slotted through nine goals to close within one of Connor Stackelberg (62) and Casboult lying in third (60) as that trio has cleared out from the remainder.
Despite the loss the Demons cling on to fourth spot on percentage from Aspley and both are one win ahead of Maroochydore who missed their opportunity to join them on 32 points.
In the remaining matches Noosa returned to the top eight (replacing Wilston Grange) and a valuable percentage boost when they regained form with a vengeance at Giffin Park defeating a disappointing Coorparoo by 80 points 20.16.(136) to 8.8.(56).
The Noosa Tigers piled on 12 goals by half-time with Jono Freeman booting seven for the match with Kaine Cates and Daniel Rich three apiece. Charlie Bowes racked up 40 disposals and Mitchel Conn 30. Former AFL players for the Kings Matt Suckling and Kyle Dunkley with 35 and 29 respectively.
Morningside (3rd) kept in touch with the two ladder leaders (PBC & RVP) and opened a six-point break on both Surfers and Aspley with a resounding win away over Mt Gravatt.
Broadbeach (11th) sat out their second bye in a month and following last week’s loss to Labrador, the Cats will be keen to return next week to keep their finals hopes alive.