Photo by Highflyer Images
Half the weekend’s fixtures were decided by under ten points as the ‘Finals in July’ preview lived up to its name as the race tightens for September action.
Noosa took a major step towards the finals inflicting a second consecutive narrow loss on neighbours Maroochydore in a thrilling local derby.
Angus Byrne was the hero for Noosa as he grabbed a contested pack mark then kicked his second and most important goal of the match late in the final term to edge his team in front. The Tigers were able survive a late surge by the Roos to prevail by three points – 11.18 (84) to 12.9 (81).
As illustrated by the scores Noosa’s inaccuracy almost cost them victory as they kicked 2.6 in that last quarter while the visitors had three straight goals. In a tight tussle all day Maroochydore levelled the scores at 75 apiece midway through the quarter after consecutive goals to Jackson Bury and Elliot Cavallaro’s conversion from a sharp angle. Five minutes later following a great smother on the wing by Adam Smyth, Cavallaro had the ball in his hands again from a Bailey Hahn pass. He kicked truly and the Roos found themselves in front.
Then moments later from a boundary throw in on the wing, Tigers ruckman Mac Johnson brilliantly tapped the ball down to a waiting Mitchell Conn and it was his kick into forward line that led to Byrne’s match winning goal.
The victory sees Noosa now in seventh and join Maroochydore (6th) on 28 points but behind on a substantial differential of 13 percent.
After defeating the Roos by four points away last week, Sherwood suffered the same fate at home at the hands of an inspired Coorparoo at Powenyenna Oval - 12.8.(80) to the Kings 13.6 (84). As mentioned in Friday’s preview it was a potential danger game for the Magpies as the Kings took control in the middle two quarters kicking 10 goals to six and holding that four-goal margin at three-quarter time.
A goal apiece early in the last quarter still had the visitors comfortably in front before Sherwood’s Ryan Gilder scored from an uncontested goal-square mark. However, they managed only a behind over the next ten minutes as the King’s scoring too had dried up.
Connor Ashcroft gave the Magpies supporters hope when he kicked a goal from long range and minutes later when Ethan Duke found Jack Austin free on the forward line and the latter converted, the match was set for a thrilling finish.
However, Coorparoo repelled any attack to retain possession and deservedly held on for their third win of the season while Sherwood missed an opportunity close within two points of Labrador (8th).
Despite missing several key players including star forward Matt Hammelmann, a more accurate Redland Victoria Point were able to turn the tables on Aspley from their round seven meeting to get home by nine points 14.5.(89) to 11.14.(80) at Graham Road.
Again, this was even contest until either side of three-quarter time when the Sharks kicked the last two goals of the third term and then the first two of the final quarter through Darryl McDowell-White and Josh Brown to open what appeared to be a match winning 23-point break.
Aspley though stormed back into contention with the next three goals. Leading goalkicker Connor Stackelberg from a set shot, Calen Harrop after a brilliant tackle and when Coen Harker ran around a couple of opponents and snapped truly from the forward pocket the margin was back to four points after 22 minutes.
A missed set shot to hit the lead was followed by another behind, but two minutes from time at the other end, Alexander Pope took a mark deep in the forward pocket and kicked the steadying goal for the Sharks.
Cooper Pell stepped in for the missing Hammelmann booting five goals with Adrian Williams three while Campbell Aston gathered 28 disposals and eight tackles.
Will Wolbers returned for the Hornets and dominated the ruck again with 55 hit outs providing plenty of opportunities for busy playmakers Jordan Hayden, Ryan Banks-Smith and Tom Templeton. Following his four goals of the match Connor Stackelberg returned to equal top of the Ray Hughson Medal list with 66 in Hammelmann’s absence (61).
Levi Casboult joined Stackelberg on that 66-goal total after he kicked six majors in Palm Beach Currumbin’s 67-point win over Wilston Grange at Hickey Park 18.25.133 to 10.6 (66). The Lions set up the win with a scintillating 9.10 second term while keeping the hosts scoreless including four goals in five minutes in the latter part of the half.
To their credit the Gorillas mounted a mini comeback with four unanswered goals in the third term, but the margin blew out again in the final quarter when PBC kicked five goals to one. Their powerful midfield to the fore once again with Harry Benson, Tom Simpson and Rhys King racking up 93 disposals between them while Corey Beaman, Sam Cilmi and King chipped in with two goals each.
Carter Simpson kicked four goals for Wilston Grange while Archie Smith, Jackson Mills and Ned Rosenbrock were among their best.
In the remaining two matches, Morningside continues to push for a top two spot after a comfortable 46-point win at Jack Esplen Oval over Labrador 20.6.(126) to 11.14.(80). The Tigers were outpointed by their more accurate opponents and hang onto eighth place on the ladder with other teams ready to pounce.
Broadbeach returned from a second bye in a month and continue to press their claims for a finals berth following a convincing win over Mt Gravatt.
Surfers Paradise sat out the bye this round, but face ladder leaders PBC next week which once again contain fixtures with finals implications. However, please note that there only five matches in the TPIL Lawyers QAFL Round 16 with Morningside, Noosa and Sherwood all having the weekend off.