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ASPLEY (3RD) V MORNINGSIDE (4TH) GRAHAM ROAD
These two teams are aiming to stay in touch with ladder leaders Palm Beach Currumbin and Redland Victoria Point in this highly rated match on Saturday.
The equal top pair have opened a mini break of six points so the loser of this match will slip further behind and be in danger of being replaced in the top four by sides beneath them.
Since beating RVP in round seven, Aspley’s form has been indifferent with a loss away to Labrador, a heavy defeat at home the following week to Palm Beach Currumbin and last week inaccuracy in front of goal saw them scramble home against Coorparoo.
Meanwhile after a sluggish start to the season, Morningside had won five consecutive games and last Saturday were narrowly in front of PBC at three-quarter time before being mauled by the Lions in the last quarter allowing nine unanswered goals. The loss of Nakia Cockatoo to injury added to the Panthers woes but the re-inclusion of Tommy Horne and Garrett McDonagh this week is welcome.
It is the first meeting of these two sides since the semi-final at the same venue last year. On that occasion Morningside was largely in control and prevailed by 20 points before going on to win the premiership.
It was more painful for Aspley which after losing to the Panthers, went down narrowly in the final seconds of the game the following week again at home to RVP in the preliminary final therefore missing out on a grand final berth.
As mentioned earlier teams immediately below them - Surfers Paradise (5th) and Maroochydore (6th) - are snapping at their heels and both have winnable games so there is a lot at stake at Graham Road.
SURFERS PARADISE travel to Southside Toyota Oval (Dittmer Park) to take on struggling MT GRAVATT and the Demons will be smarting after last week’s loss to Broadbeach.
Meanwhile MAROOCHYDORE have a second consecutive game at home at the Multi Sports Complex where they host COORPAROO.
Like Surfers last week, the Roos will not want to take this game lightly as the Kings showed marked improvement in the same round to trouble Aspley.
BROADBEACH (12TH) V WILSTON GRANGE (10TH) NEPTUNE HOMES OVAL
Normally a clash where these teams are placed on the ladder might not attract a lot of interest, but this is not one of those. Fresh off their second win of the season over rivals Surfers Paradise, the Cats looked a different side after their rejuvenating bye. They will be out to continue that form and break a winning drought at home where their only win this season was against the defending premiers Morningside in round three.
WILSTON GRANGE have won two of their last three and pressed the Panthers in round 10 to within 15 points. The Gorillas are only a game outside the eight so again plenty of motivation here to stay in finals contention. Jackson Mills is putting together a stellar year and Matthew Pearce delivered a vintage performance in the ruck last week.
On paper the two remaining matches have the respective ladder leaders both at home and planning to continue their dominance over lower ranked opponents.
REDLAND VICTORIA POINT (2ND) host NOOSA (7th) at Totally Workwear Park and since the loss to Aspley and the return of star forward Matt Hammelmann, the Sharks have been in the form which took them to last year’s grand final. Last week illustrated their depth as well when they still proved too strong away at Labrador despite losing key playmakers Mitch Stallard and ruckman Craig Malone. NOOSA though come off a bye and would have done some homework in readiness for this clash. The Tigers are one of several teams that have finals aspirations so an upset win here will go a long way in reinforcing that belief.
Ladder leaders PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN (1ST) host SHERWOOD (9TH) at Stalagmite Oval and will go in as hot favourites following their outstanding final quarter effort last week against the reigning premiers. SHERWOOD have found it tough competing with top four sides in recent weeks and were expected to go close against similar placed Wilston Grange last week. However, the Magpies were never in the hunt and were disappointed not to take more advantage of a home fixture. Maybe they can throw some caution to the wind and apply some pressure away to the ladder leaders.
LABRADOR (8TH) have the bye and will see their ladder position under threat with the other fixtures. However, the Tigers will appreciate the break to recharge the batteries, mend some bruised bodies from recent hard contests and hope some key personnel are ready to return for the remainder of the season.
