Image: Empiria Digital
Commemorative services were held across the football community ahead of each match on Saturday as Maroochydore won the battle of the Sunshine Coast to highlight TPIL Lawyers QAFL Round 4 action.
An enthralling contest for three quarters, the Roos broke away from their neighbours Noosa in the final term to run out winners by 34-points 13.18.(96) to 8.14.(62).
The margin was only nine points at the final change courtesy of a goal towards the end of the third quarter. The Roos then stunned the home crowd with six unanswered majors before Noosa kicked a couple of consolation goals.
Koby Young continuing his terrific recent form with five goals as the ladder leaders scoring power illustrated with Young, Aaron Wilson (two goals) and Hugo Papst sitting just behind Redland-Victoria Point's Matt Hammelmann in the Ray Hughson Medal. In fact, their returns could have been better with the trio misfiring in the match with eight behinds between them.
The midfield consisting of Sam McLachlan, Benjamin Thomas and Bailey Hahn provided plenty of supply to an eager forward line.
Noosa will be disappointed with another final term fade out after the round two loss to Broadbeach. Billy Shanks amongst the main ball-getters again for the Tigers with Sam Tilley, Sam Willoughby and Mav Pettigrove.
Surfers Paradise proved too strong for Labrador at Kallibr Homes Oval by 26 points 12.11.(83) to 8.9.(57). Led by an outstanding display by gun recruit David Swallow with 30 disposals, seven clearances and numerous tackles, the Demons kicked four goals in each of the first three quarters to overpower their opposition and open a match-winning 37-point margin at the final change.
It was like a Gold Coast Suns reunion with Zac Smith in the ruck and making his debut Oleg Markov impressing especially in the first half. Markov starting his career at Richmond before a brief stint at the Suns, but achieved premiership glory with Collingwood in 2023.
The Demons midfield including skipper Matt Doran and Ben Woodburn displaying their usual class while Alby Jones, Matt McGuiness, Kane Gordon and Michael Luxton provided plenty of drive off the backline.
Labrador like last week fought the game out strongly kicking the only two goals of the last quarter while the home team managed only three behinds. The Tigers just lacking that finishing polish to apply more scoreboard pressure. Billy Marshall worked tirelessly in the ruck, Jay Foon, Bailey Brown both prominent with Liam Odea laying strong tackles. Zak Marshall was a late inclusion for Will Manshanden who was injured during the warm-up. The Demons remain unbeaten but lie four points behind Maroochydore due to sitting out the bye last week.
Morningside enjoyed the return of key players in their thumping 18.19.(127) to 8.6.(54) win over Wilston Grange. The Gorillas kicked the first two goals of the match to surprise the visitors, but they were quickly reigned in as the Panthers secured the victory over the next two terms booting 12 goals to two. Preston Cockatoo-Collins bagged six majors while Cam Lovig, Tristan Hobley, Garrett McDonagh and young Oscar Tanks dominated the Panthers engine room.
Sherwood and Coorparoo were both looking for their first wins of the season at Powenyenna Oval, but it was the visitors who stormed away to win by 66 points 16.10.(106) to 5.10.(40). The Kings slamming on 10 goals after half-time, while the home team could only manage a misfiring 2.8. including a goalless last quarter.
Coorparoo had 18 more inside 50's with forward Harvey Bannister reaping the benefit with five goals and Kyah Moncur three.
Noah Polinski ran riot in the middle with 29 disposals and nine clearances, new recruit Lachlan Taylor (26 and seven) and other match winners including Kell Gadsen, Angus O'Brien, Lachlan McClare and Nick Braby.
Broadbeach made it three wins in succession with a comfortable 44-point victory at home over Aspley. The Cats were never troubled leading at every change and continue to show improvement under new coach Darren Pfeiffer. Alan O'Neill, Cooper Hynes and Jack Mentink kicked three goals each while Hamilton Howard, Aidan Hare, Max Hudson and Liam Nelson among the stats leaders.
Ryan Bastinac, Finbar Delbridge, Jordan Taylor, and Mason O'Sullivan some of the better players for the Hornets while Koopa Walsh was the lone target up forward with four of his side's seven goals.
Another masterful 10-goal display by champion forward Matt Hammelmann steered Redland-Victoria Point to a comfortable 79-point victory over Mt. Gravatt at Dittmer Park. The reigning Ray Hughson Medallist booting six of the Sharks first eight goals by half-time and he now has a total of 28 goals in just four matches this season!
Despite that effort, the Vultures only trailed by 20 points at the main break before RVP pressed home the advantage in the second half kicking 12 goals to three. Craig Malone (over 50 hitouts) with another outstanding performance in the ruck and Campbell Aston racked up 39 disposals with many other contributors as the Sharks were back to their premiership best.
Jake Torney and Kaeden Corboy both had 33 disposals leading the way for Mt Gravatt, with Zac Young, Michael Gordon and Silivelio Lemana-Pakau all having over 20 possessions.
A reminder that Palm Beach-Currumbin had the bye and looking ahead to next week, the Lions will host the highly anticipated match of the round where they take on the in-form Redland-Victoria Point.