Photo by Highflyer Images
LABRADOR have recorded an upset win over top four ladder contenders ASPLEY in a thriller at Cooke-Murphy Oval on Saturday. Missing several of their stars, the Tigers held on for a gutsy win by six points despite a late challenge from the Hornets - 13.5.(83) to 11.11.(77).
Labrador jumped out of the blocks by kicking five goals in the opening term while keeping Aspley goalless. The Hornets bounced back to boot six majors in the second term but the Tigers still managed three themselves to hold an 11-point lead at the main break.
Following their big win over Redland Victoria Point last week most would have expected the visitors to run over their opposition in the second half but Labrador had other ideas. The Hornets with 10 more inside 50’s, a staggering 82 hitouts and 24 more clearances for the match will be rueing wasted chances in the third term where they managed 2.4 to the Tigers 1.1 and the margin cut to two points.
The scene was set for a thrilling last term and a couple of behinds to Aspley levelled the scores before Mackenzie Bristow restored the Labrador advantage.
The Hornets leading competition goalkicker Connor Stackelberg tied the scores again at 71 apiece at the 23-minute mark. But when Bailey Brown kicked his third for the match followed by a huge contested mark in the forward pocket and goal to Riley Coombes, Labrador had some breathing space closing in on full time.
However, a poor kicking error in defence gifted Connor Stackelberg his fourth goal and gave the Hornets supporters some fleeting hope from the centre bounce. Another clearance saw them press forward but the Tigers defence stood firm and when the siren sounded the home supporters were naturally ecstatic and the Labrador theme song was sung long and loud in the rooms.
There were a couple of costly injuries though with playmakers Ryan Banks-Smith (Aspley) forced from the field early in the first quarter with a leg injury and ended the game on crutches while Tigers gun Matt Lee also hobbled off late in the game with what appeared to be an ankle complaint but that did not stop him celebrating on the ground with his teammates.
Aside from Brown’s match winning heroics for the victors in front of goal - he collected 28 disposals as well - along with Luke Coombes (29) Rhys Nicholls (25) and Mason Field (24). Meanwhile for the Hornets Will Wolbers domination in the ruck was a highlight together with nine clearances and Tom Templeton continued his good form with 33 touches. Coen Harker (25 disposals) kept his team alive with a final term goal and Cody Stackelberg was a standout with 16 tackles.
Labrador’s third win of the season leaves them just outside the eight on percentage while Aspley drop a place to fourth.
In the commentary game, a stunning seven goal performance from forward Matt Hammelmann combined with a BROADBEACH lapse close to half-time helped REDLAND VICTORIA POINT return to the winners list at Totally Workwear Park.
The Sharks led the Cats by only five points at the twenty-minute mark of the second quarter when Hammelmann kicked two quick goals supported by majors to Matt Owen and Joshua Brown and suddenly the home team led by 29 points at the main break.
The Sharks sharpshooter was not finished yet as he slotted his fourth soon after half time then a further three in the final quarter to help steer his team home.
To their credit, Broadbeach under interim coach Lewis Chiodo showed some resilience to narrowly outscore RVP in the second half to loom within 15 points in the third quarter before Hammelmann and the Sharks steadied to win by 25 (points).
In other TPIL Lawyers QAFL round eight results MORNINGSIDE proved too strong for SHERWOOD at Powenyenna Oval comfortably accounting for the young Magpies by 32 points.
Four goals to skipper Jonathan Freeman and three apiece to Mitchell Conn, Maverick Pettigrove and Archie Shannon kept NOOSA in the top six (a game in hand) with a percentage boosting win away to MT GRAVATT.
While SURFERS PARADISE inflicted similar pain at home over Coorparoo leading at every change to run out winners by 66 points. The victory saw the Demons climb into third place on the ladder just above Aspley on percentage.
On the Sunshine Coast MAROOCHYDORE held a determined WILSTON GRANGE at bay in a hard-fought contest to grab their fourth win of the season by 19 points.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN had the bye but face a wounded Aspley away at Graham Road next week in a top of the table 2nd v 4th clash.
Aspley’s Connor Stackelberg maintains his lead in the Ray Hughson goalkicking medal tally with 34 but after his day out on Saturday the Sharks Matt Hammelmann jumped into second place on 24. PBC’s Levi Casboult stays on 20 with the bye and Noosa Tigers skipper Jono Freeman is now only one behind on 19 following his four goals on the weekend.