Image: Empiria Digital
Surfers Paradise have stormed home to defeat Noosa, Broadbeach and Labrador fought out another thriller while other results basically went to script in round seven of TPIL Lawyers QAFL.
After they established an early lead, Noosa fell short against unbeaten Surfers Paradise who received a huge fright on the Sunshine Coast. Noosa Tigers continued where they left off in beating Redland-Victoria Point last week as they jumped the visitors in the opening quarter booting the last four goals of the term to lead by 29 points at the first change.
The second saw Surfers try to claw back, but they were off target and still trailed by five goals at half-time. The third quarter was similar as the Demons applied more scoreboard pressure kicking 4.6, but Noosa were answering those challenges responding with three majors of their own.
However, in the last quarter, Surfers were not going to allow their unblemished start to the season be halted and three quick goals in the first ten minutes closed the margin to only three points.
At the 14-minute mark Sam Jewell received his second ruck infringement free kick in front of goal to put the visitors in front. Then approaching time-on Billy Beardsell took an intercept mark in the centre, but again the Tigers will rue another indiscretion as the playmaker was awarded a 50-metre penalty for encroachment in the protected area.
He duly kicked the sealer as the Tigers were unable to find the answers and managed just one behind in the final term. The Demons ran out winners by 12 points 12.18.90 to 12.6.78.
A quartet of Demons Joshua Minogue, Kane Gordon, Laurence King and Jewell kicked two goals each while skipper Matt Doran led the way with 36 disposals, Ben Woodburn (27), Zai Millane stepped up with (26) and ruckman Zac Smith who had colours lowered in the hit outs, but his clearance work proved invaluable.
Tigers ruckman Patrick Monk (46 hit outs) provided plenty of drive especially to his key playmakers Rory McKenzie (35 disposals), Sam Willoughby with 24 disposals, seven clearances, 14 tackles plus two goals was everywhere, Billy Shanks and Lucas Jellyman-Turner both had 25 possessions. Jai Mure kicked three goals and Kaine Cates snapped a couple great goals as well.
It could have been a season defining victory for Noosa, but at the very least they have shown that the Sunshine Coast teams are to be reckoned with this year.
At Neptune Homes Oval, Broadbeach and Labrador added another thrilling chapter in their established rivalry reversing their round one clash by the same margin of two points but in similar circumstances. The Cats scraping home 13.10.(88) to 12.14.(86) in front of a large band of supporters and past players, who were celebrating their 30-year reunion of club triple-premiership success back in 1996.
It was an even first term before the home side completely outplayed and controlled their opponents in the middle two quarters and by time-on in the third term, had doubled the visitors total and led by 40 points.
Tigers coach Chris Rourke pleaded with his charges for one last effort and they responded quickly as the forward line (missing Luke Coombes and Harry Sullivan) headed by Jake Goldsmith slotted home two quick goals and Noah Casalini back from VFL duty also finding space and the scoreboard. Fellow forward Zak Marshall then received a free kick in the left forward pocket and calmly converted at the southern end to put the visitors in front entering time-on.
The script had not ended there and like round one when Cade Gregory stole it for the Tigers at Cooke-Murphy Oval, the Cats had a rare foray forward and Charlie Corke was the man on the spot who gathered the ball and snapped truly to put his team back in front to the delight of the parochial crowd. In the frantic final few minutes, Labrador fritted away their winning chances by blazing away at the big sticks and missing.
In fact, the visitors had 16 to five inside 50's in the last quarter!
But the Cats celebrated loudly and in the rooms afterwards, coach Darren Pfeiffer gathered the past players with the current crop to record the moment that no doubt will remain part of the club's history.
Part of the new crop was debutante Judd Mooney, son of former Sydney Swan and Geelong player Jason Mooney. The young gun kicked three goals along with the clever Copper Hynes, and another youngster Joshua Zanker-Close a valuable target up forward. Hamilton Howard (28 disposals), Ethan Weidemann (25), Aiden Hare (23) were all fantastic while the Cats welcomed back Riley Bowman from VFL duties.
Wilston Grange have had a difficult start to the season but finally broke through for their first but deserved win by eventually overcoming Mt. Gravatt at Southside Toyota Oval by 35 points 16.9.(105) to 10.10.(70).
A five-goal burst in the third term including two to Jack Thompson (ending with four goals) proved the difference as the Gorillas broke the game open then withstood any challenge in the final quarter. Aside from Thompson, Carter Simpson, Bailey Morgan, Jack Manly and Fletcher Callaway all kicked two each, while Darby Breeden (nine tackles, six clearances), Mark Horne and Hayden Hall were busy ball-getters.
Other than the third quarter, the Vultures matched their opponents on the scoreboard and will be disappointed to let this one slip. The Corboys dominated their scoring with Kaeden Kicking five goals and Liam two, while Fletcher Clare was hard to miss racking up 40 possessions and 12 clearances. Jake Torney, Silivelio Lemana-Pakau and Bailey Tome also listed prominently amongst the stats.
Redland-Victoria Point returned to the winners list with a comfortable win at home against Aspley 17.15.(117) to 14.6 (90). Led by an eight-goal haul by champion forward Matt Hammelmann, the reigning premiers put the score on the board when required in the middle two quarters to set up a six-goal lead at the final change. It extended to 44 points before the Sharks took the foot off the pedal and Aspley kicked four of the last five majors to edge a bit closer at the final siren.
Joshua Brown chipped in with three goals and Campbell Aston two (among his 36 possessions), Alexander Pope a standout with 39 disposals, Scott Miller (14 contested possessions), Jake Chapman and Harry Taylor some of their best.
Koopa Walsh leading from the front for the Hornets with three goals with the trio of Jordan Taylor, Ryan Bastinac and Jesse-Patrick Doherty also booting two goals each.
Sinclair Burmeister, Andrew Jeffrey, Luke Hodoniczky acquitted themselves well, while ruckman Finbar Delbridge (33 hit outs and eight clearances) had a great battle with Sharks big man Craig Malone.
In the remaining two matches Morningside recorded their second successive percentage boosting win by easily accounting for Coorparoo at Jack Esplen Oval by 96 points.
Shaquille McLeod, Blake Coleman and Darcy Cameron-Reeves each booting four goals with Kai Purslow grabbing three while Kyah Moncur was a standout in front of the big sticks for the Kings with four goals.
Likewise, Palm Beach-Currumbin backing up from last week were not complacent in having little trouble disposing of Sherwood by 73 points. Levi Casboult and Cory Beaman led the goalkickers with four each while midfielders Tom Simpson, Liam Jones, and AJ Dawson as usual saw plenty of the ball, Rhys King and Jai Larkins also listed among the best.
A reminder that top of the ladder Maroochydore had the bye and even though Surfers Paradise joined them on 24 points, the Roo's better percentage keeps them on top.
However, looking ahead to next week there are three big clashes involving teams in the top eight - Maroochydore head to the Gold Coast to play PBC, Labrador host Morningside and another home game for RVP who play the improving Broadbeach.