ASPLEY V MORNINGSIDE SATURDAY 2PM GRAHAM ROAD (AUTOMALL ASPLEY OVAL)
A rematch of last year’s semi-final which Aspley probably do not need reminding and will be desperate to reverse that result. That was following the Hornets defeating Morningside twice during the 2024 season before their untimely losses in straight sets and the Panthers going on to win the premiership.
The two sides did not meet this season till round 12 at Graham Road and despite a close contest at three-quarter time the Panthers ran away in the final term to win by 33 points while keeping the Hornets goalless in that period.
However, in the return match in round 17, Aspley finally turned the tables on the defending premiers at Jack Esplen Oval in a thriller by five points.
The margin was 17 points entering time-on and two quick goals to the Panthers set the scene for an exciting finish and that victory helped the Hornets finish top four as did Morningside’s surprise consecutive losses to lower ranked teams to end the season.
The Panthers though showed what they are capable of by returning to winning form with a five-goal burst in the final quarter to shake off a determined Broadbeach last week. Meanwhile Aspley would have been disappointed with falling away after a competitive opening term against the minor premiers – Palm Beach Currumbin.
Both teams have enough firepower all over the ground with Aspley’s leading goalkicker Connor Stackelberg, brother Cody in the midfield along with Coen Harker, Tom Templeton, Ryan Banks-Smith, Jordan Hayden and Liam Dawson with Will Wolbers such a valuable asset in the ruck.
Jack Rolls (this week nursing a calf injury) and Tristan Hobley have been dominant in the midfield for the Panthers with Tom Bennetts, Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds Preston Cockatoo-Collins and Cam Lovig. While up forward Matthews Waters and Darcy Cameron-Reeves lead their scoring while Keegan Downie and Preston Cockatoo-Collins know their way around the goal square.
Another intriguing chapter awaits these two rivals on Saturday who are used to playing finals. The winner will stay in Brisbane to play Redland Victoria-Point the following week.
SURFERS PARADISE V LABRADOR SATURDAY 2-15PM SIR BRUCE SMALL PARK (KALLIBR HOMES OVAL)
These traditional rivals are set to do battle again on Saturday to keep their premiership hopes alive. However, based on their two previous meetings one would think Surfers have it all over their Gold Coast neighbours.
In round four on the Anzac weekend the Demons won by 63 points at Cooke-Murphy Oval then in round 13 at Saturday’s venue the margin was 101 points when Labrador were coming off a bye.
In that game Oscar Wood kicked six and one of their prime movers Cam Ellis-Yolmen kicked three goals from his 27 disposals with Surfers having 22 marks inside 50 to only five!
The Demons earned their double chance finishing the season strongly with three good wins including over the minor premiers Palm Beach-Currumbin. Last Saturday was always going to be a challenge playing away at Redland Victoria-Point, but they could not have wished for a better start leading at one stage by 40-points with Joe Kennedy, Mitch Patten damaging up forward and the midfield in control.
RVP showed why they finished second when they clicked into gear in the second half and stormed over the visitors and no doubt lessons were learned out of that defeat.
There is enough talent to rebound on home turf aside from the aforementioned players, with Ben Woodburn who averages about 30 disposals per game, Matt Doran, the inform Lucas Snowball, skipper Harrison Fraser, Laurence King and Jamison Shea. Former AFL player Hugh Greenwood (Adelaide, Gold Coast, Nth Melbourne) missed last week and will be a welcome return while another former Gold Coast Sun Zac Smith exerts so much influence in the ruck.
Throughout this season Labrador have been unsettled with injuries and players required elsewhere but rallied with two away wins in their final two regular season contests and that form continued last week at home with a comfortable win in their elimination final over Maroochydore.
The Tigers appear to be better prepared for this cut-throat clash and again will welcome the availability of players free from Southport Sharks duties including Christian Webster, Charlie Rowe, Harry Sullivan, Marcus Khoo and Justin Krok.
Combined with key playmakers co-captains Rhys Nicholls and Matt Lee (who missed a few games with injury), ball-magnet Bailey Brown, Luke Coombes, Mason Field and Ky Nicholls. Up forward Zak Marshall, Aiden Fyfe lead their goal kicking while William Manshanden, Riley Coombes and Jayden Young have scoring ability and the latter can be used in defence as well.
The Tigers will be out to prove those regular season matches were an aberration while the Demons will be looking to capitalise on the home ground advantage and will settle for nothing less than another crack at the top two on the ladder.
One thing is assured and that is a Gold Coast side will be in the Grand Final as the winner of this match plays PBC next week in the Preliminary Final.