Image: TJ Yelds
Palm Beach-Currumbin have come from behind to defeat Redland-Victoria Point in another classic on the Gold Coast while ladder leaders Maroochydore and Surfers Paradise continue their unbeaten start to the season after Round Five of the TPIL Lawyers QAFL.
Another stellar contest between the Lions and the Sharks virtually came down to the wire with PBC eventually running out winners by 22 points 19.13.(127) to 17.3.(105). The match highlighted by another sharpshooting display at either end of the ground by the respective forwards Levi Casboult (six goals) and Matt Hammelmann (eight).
Through amazing straight kicking, RVP looked like they had taken a leaf out of Collingwood's accuracy book from the AFL match against Hawthorn last Thursday as they hardly missed in the first half. The Sharks had kicked 11.1 by halftime with Hammelmann at his damaging best with six goals and his team up by 19 points.
PBC slightly pegged back the margin to only ten points at the final change slotting home five goals to four in the third term. The scene was set for another thrilling finish between these two powerhouses, and the last quarter did not disappoint. Benjamin Holian got things moving for the home side grabbing two goals (taking his match tally to three), but the RVP full forward cancelled that out with his eighth.
Another goal apiece and it was still only two points in it entering time-on, but the Lions second half pressure came to fruition.
They kicked the last four goals of the game including two from Casboult and a beauty from key midfielder Tom Simpson from the boundary line to put the result beyond doubt. Simpson finishing the match with 29 disposals and 10 clearances.
Cory Beaman also finished with three goals while Jai Larkins, Rhys King and Bailey Rawson (nine tackles) among the key contributors. The Lions using Casboult, Matthew Walkerden and the return of Tom Hickey to triple-team the influence of Sharks ruckman Craig Malone. Campbell Aston with two goals in his 20 possessions and six clearances with Luke O'Sullivan, Cooper Pell, Jett Jensen and Taj Bromwich handy for RVP.
There were a number of one-sided contests and huge winning margins and the next closest to the above contest was at Giffin Park where Maroochydore maintained their lofty spot at the top of the ladder with a convincing 38-point win over Coorparoo 14.15.(99) to 8.13.(61). Again, the Roos jumped out of the blocks with four goals in the opening term while keeping the Kings goalless.
There was momentary hope for the home supporters as Coorparoo closed to within 14 points with four unanswered goals either side of three-quarter time. However, Maroochydore responded with five of the next six majors to restore their advantage to cruise to the siren.
Koby Young continuing his terrific recent form with four goals with the Roos midfield consisting of Sam McLachlan, Benjamin Thomas, Bailey Hahn and Jonty McIvor leading the stats. While Lachlan Taylor and Noah Polinski saw plenty of the ball for Coorparoo with Oscar Barry, Josh Altus and Kell Gadsen among their best.
Broadbeach would have been hoping to catch unbeaten Surfers Paradise off guard like their previous meeting last year. Surfers Paradise though had memories too and never gave the Cats a look-in by thumping the home team by 84 points 20.9.(129) to 6.9.(45).
The Demons piled on 10 goals in each half to snuff out any thoughts of a Cats comeback.
Forwards Joshua Minogue and Kane Gordon with four goals each and Joe Kennedy back in the side with three. The midfield led by skipper Matt Doran (32 disposals and eight tackles) Ben Woodburn (30 disposals eight clearances) Billy Beardsell (29), ruckman Zac Smith dominated with 10 clearances and Hugh Greenwood free from Gold Coast Suns VFL duties applying plenty of pressure with 10 tackles.
Labrador put their previous two losses to Surfers and PBC behind them by returning to winning form over a lacklustre Wilston Grange by 76 points. The Tigers were in a rare scoring mood and had reached the century by three-quarter time. Aiden Fyfe back in form with an eight-goal haul, and Mackenzie Riddle relished a more forward role kicking four goals. Tom Miller missed last week against Surfers but back to gather 30 disposals, with skipper Matt Lee, Liam Odea and Rhys Nicholls some of the many Tigers who would have pleased coach Chris Rourke with the manner of the victory.
Labrador again illustrating they can beat the teams around them - but need to replicate this form with the teams higher on the ladder. Meanwhile, the Gorillas young list must be wondering what has gone wrong since last season.
Morningside picked off the prey of lesser opposition with a demolition job over a disappointing Sherwood with a percentage boosting 149-point victory. Shaquille McLeod and Wylie Buzza relishing their time in front of the big sticks with six and five goals respectively and that was without Preston Cockatoo-Collins who laced up for Southport Sharks VFL duty.
Regular Panthers ball magnets Cam Lovig, Tristan Hobley again dominated with support from Thomas Griffiths, Kelly Castle and Kai Purslow as the home team amassed 50 more forward-50 entries than the opposition.
Aspley recorded their second win of the season with a comfortable 56-point home win over Mt Gravatt at Automall Aspley Oval. The half-time margin could have been greater than 32 points after 18 scoring shots to just six. However, the Hornets straightened up in the third term kicking 6.1 to prevent any comeback from the Vultures.
Ryan Bastinac continuing to stand up for the Hornets with five goals and Jesse-Patrick Doherty kicked three (goals) with Jordan Taylor, Finbar Delbridge and Joshua Chapman part of the supporting cast.
Special mention to the Vultures quartet of Fletcher Clare, Jake Torney, Kaeden Corboy and Silivelio Lemana- Pakau combined for over 130 disposals with the latter an impressive 11 clearances in a losing side.
A reminder Noosa had the bye and looking ahead to next week, the Sunshine Coast Tigers will travel to Redland-Victoria Point to face the reigning premier off a stinging loss.