While the top two or three clubs in the competition are beginning to sort themselves out, there are ladder positions up for grabs for several teams battling for September action. Some intriguing fixtures this weekend will have an influence on the lower part of the ladder, while Surfers Paradise who are fourth must sit out a bye and wait on the weekend’s results.
NOOSA (8th) v MAROOCHYDORE (6th) 2PM ROCOCO OVAL (NOOSA)
A mouth-watering clash awaits here for Sunshine Coast footy fans as both clubs aspire to play finals in this local derby.
Noosa bounced back to winning form with a big win away to Coorparoo last weekend while Maroochydore missed an opportunity to gain a handy break on their neighbours following the narrow loss at home to Sherwood.
In the early season round four clash, the Roos were able to prevail by nine points. They had established a healthy four-goal advantage by half-time, but Noosa fought back outscoring the home team by two goals but could not close the gap.
Back on home turf the Tigers will be aiming to reverse the result to stay in the finals race and a win would level them up with the Roos on 28 points. Conversely, if Maroochydore clinch a victory, they can consolidate a place in the top six and possibly be fifth after the round is complete.
Rhys Free and Ethan Slaney are notable ins to strengthen the Tigers back end whilst Hunter Moore leaves a hole for the Roos but the return of Elliot Cavallaro and young gun Caylen Murray are welcome.
ASPLEY (5th) V REDLAND VICTORIA POINT (2nd) 2PM AUTOMALL OVAL (GRAHAM ROAD)
Finals football has arrived in July for Aspley! Last week it was ladder leader Palm Beach Currumbin that stormed away from them after half-time and this week they must contend with second placed RVP. Only three weeks ago it was defending premier Morningside that inflicted another defeat so the Hornets are desperate to prove they can beat a top four side.
Well of course they have and did! It was RVP in round seven where the teams met at a neutral venue – Everleigh AFL Precinct – and the Hornets played some of their best football of the season to win by 50 points.
Will Wolbers dominated the ruck that day and is a notable big IN this week. The midfield was led by Ryan Banks-Smith, Coen Harker and Cody Stackelberg and along with Joel Leahy, they’ll again be looking to provide supply up forward for Connor Stackelberg who booted five goals last time. Notably, RVP’s gun spearhead Matt Hammelmann did not play in that match but also looks to be missing again this time as the teams have been released.
The Sharks however sit 2nd on the ladder for a reason and will just need to find a different way on Saturday. Dylan Smith, Campbell Aston & Jake Chapman are crafting out fantastic seasons and add the experience of Scott Miller with Adrian Williams down back and the Hornets task will be tough.
Like the first preview, the pros and cons for a win or loss are significant for the Hornets. A win sees them jump back into the four at the expense of Surfers Paradise that has the bye, but a loss leaves them in a pack battling between fifth and tenth.
Conversely, RVP need to keep winning to stay in touch with PBC and to keep Morningside at bay who are only one game behind.
MORNINGSIDE (3rd) V LABRADOR (7th) 2PM JACK ESPLEN OVAL
The defending premiers are looking dangerous again prowling the top two in third place. Morningside have only suffered three losses for the season but two of those at the hands of PBC and the other a surprise loss away to Broadbeach. Another loss has been key playmaker Nakia Cockatoo, but the Panthers certainly have made the right adjustments.
Tristan Hobley and Jack Rolls leading the way in the midfield combined with the ruck work of the recently returned Brad Hodge and Matthew Waters who also leads the Panthers goalkicking. While Darcy Cameron-Reeves and Preston Cockatoo-Collins provide handy targets up forward.
Oddly, this is the first meeting between these two teams for the season – but remaining in the back of the mind of the Panthers would be the surprise 96pt thrashing inflicted on them by the Tigers in round thirteen last season.
Labrador will be ruing a missed opportunity to claim full points in the draw with Wilston Grange last week. It is the first of two big weeks for the Tigers who will also be travelling to RVP next week. Like Aspley, finals football has arrived early for Labrador so if there are September aspirations these contests need to be approached accordingly.
WILSTON GRANGE (9th) V PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN (1st) 2PM HICKEY PARK
Can Wilston Grange do it again? That is the question being asked as they host the ladder leaders after recording a gallant victory over Redland Victoria Point at home in round 13.
In fact, the Grange’s form probably reads a bit better than ninth, but a recent loss to a resurgent Broadbeach has thrown them into that pack of five or six sides vying for the top eight. Like Labrador, their finals credentials will be tested over these two weeks as Aspley awaits in round sixteen but naturally the focus this week is trying to inflict only a second season defeat on PBC.
Inspirational Gorillas captain Jacquin Mifsud has been showing the way for his team kicking a match winning five goals over the Sharks and another five last week including two vital goals in the final quarter in the draw at Labrador. No doubt he will be asked to do some heavy lifting again this week, but his team have shown they can be up to the task.
Whether home or away the Lions have been in sparkling form and no better example than the second half blitz against Aspley last week.
A formidable midfield containing Harry Benson, Tom Simpson, Rhys King and co will be at the forefront of the Gorillas coaching staff. Then co-ordinating the defence to minimise the influence of Levi Casboult, who has been in devastating form. The Lions have virtually sewn up a top two spot on the ladder but this is too early to flirt with form.
In the remaining two matches of TPIL Lawyers QAFL Round 15, SHERWOOD will be out to carry the same momentum that saw them clinch a vital win at Maroochydore last week to stay in finals contention. The Magpies host COORPAROO at Powenyenna Oval where their form has been a little bit mixed but just need a win here to pressure those above them.
The Kings might have only two wins on the board but have shown glimpses of form including giving Aspley a fright recently. Trademarks of a team not to be underestimated at this stage of the season.
The freshest team in the competition should be BROADBEACH following their second weekend off in just over a month. The Cats have not discounted themselves from finals football and in the run home MT GRAVATT is the first hurdle. The Cats took three-and-a-half quarters to tame the Vultures in the final round of the 2024 season at Neptune Homes Oval so they won’t want to take things lightly either.
As mentioned earlier, Surfers Paradise have the bye and will see where they land following the weekend results. Whatever the case, the Demons will be in full preparation mode for ladder leaders Palm Beach Currumbin at home next week.