Image: Sharon Vella
Surfers Paradise withstood a late charge to defeat Morningside, while Labrador and Maroochydore remain undefeated with the Roos sitting on top of the ladder. Meanwhile Palm Beach Currumbin and reigning premiers Redland-Victoria Point returned to winning form to highlight TPIL Lawyers QAFL Round Two.
Under warm but windy conditions at Benowa, Surfers Paradise despite some inaccuracy, outscored Morningside in the final term to prevail in an entertaining clash by 19 points 12.17.(89) to 10.10.(70).
The match was off to a slow start as both teams tried to adjust to the tricky conditions. Morningside took over 20 minutes to score the opening goal while the Demons misfired early and it was not until 15 minutes into the second term they recorded their first major.
The Ashmore-Nerang Road goals seemed to be the favoured end to score and Surfers finished the half with a flourish leading by 23 points.
The home team seemed to be in control in the third quarter as the lead was extended to 37 points. Suddenly, the Panthers sprung into action and booted seven of the next eight goals in a hurry to lead by a slender margin to set up a thrilling final term.
The Demons kicking towards their large supporter base and the scoring end responded and eventually broke away from the Panthers through goals to David Swallow, Lucas Snowball and Laurence King to bring up their second win.
Overall Surfers dominated the uncontested possessions and capitalised on Morningside's turnovers which proved crucial in the victory. Swallow enjoying his time in QAFL racked up 33 disposals and three goals, with Snowball, King, skipper Matt Doran, Hugh Greenwood, Billy Beardsall, Sam Jewell, Michael Luxton and Josh Minogue up forward all played their part.
For the Panthers it was a great battle in the midfield and the usual suspects of Garrett McDonagh, Tristan Hobley, Jack Rolls, Liam Dawson, Jake Howson and Wylie Buzza with three majors kept the visitors in the game.
Broadbeach and Noosa fought out a thriller at Merrimac before the Cats recorded their first win under new coach Darren Pfeiffer. 16.17.(113) to 16.8.(104)
In a seesawing last quarter, the Noosa Tigers grabbed a 14-point lead through goals to Hunter Lewis (his fifth) and Enrique Mazzeo booted his fourth for the match following an 'insufficient intent' free kick in the forward pocket. It looked that might be enough for the visitors and Broadbeach would suffer a consecutive narrow loss, however, the home team was not done yet.
Quick majors to Max Hudson after a strong mark in front, then Blake Erickson kicked a goal on the run after just missing a set shot to tie the scores entering time-on. A flurry of minor scores followed for the home team before Erickson sealed the win at the 31-minute mark with a set shot from the pocket.
Aside from Erickson's efforts, Cooper Hynes booted five goals, Ryan Gilmore, Adam Hare (game-high 31 disposals) Charlie Harmelin and Hamilton Howard with a few others helped Cats over the line.
Besides the outstanding efforts of Lewis and Mazzeo in front of the big sticks, Noosa's Sam Tilley (30 possessions), Lucas Jellyman-Turner, Billy Shanks and Patrick Monk among their best.
Maroochydore stormed to the top of the ladder in a high scoring affair away at Hickey Park against Wilston Grange. It was a contrast to the previous meeting between these two with only 16 total goals kicked. On Saturday they combined for 37 majors in the fine conditions as the rampant Roos ran out winners by 39 points 21.18.(144) to 16.9.(105).
It was an entertaining first half with the sides combining for 19 goals and the Gorillas holding a one-point lead. The Roos put the pedal down in the second half outscoring their opponents 12 goals to six to sit in rarefied air on top of the ladder on percentage.
Maroochydore capitalised on a superior inside 50 rate as their forward line of Aaron Wilson (five goals among his 22 disposals), Hugo Papst off to a great start to the season with four majors this week, Koby Young and Brad Castine with three apiece. Matthew Gaul , Benjamin Thomas ever present in the midfield alongwith Sam McLachlan and Bradley McDonald's hitouts to advantage.
It was the Gorillas first hitout and no doubt improvement to follow with Taj Abberley amassing 41 possessions (23 contested), Jake Fazledeen four goals and two each to Darby Breeden Fletcher Callaway and Carter Simpson.
Labrador joined Surfers Paradise and Maroochydore making it two wins with their own second half comeback away to Aspley.
The Hornets led by the Bastinac brothers and Jordan Arnold jumped the Tigers in the first two quarters to lead by three goals at the main break.
Whatever Tigers coach Chris Rourke said at half-time obviously worked as Labrador restricted the Hornets to only five behinds for the remainder while scoring eight goals themselves including six in the final term to run out winners 12.13.(85) to 7.6.(48).
The visitors also had +44 differential in handballs as they took over after the main break. Zak Marshall kicked four goals, Tom Foon, Rhys Nicholls Harry Sullivan and Luke Coombes leading the way for the Tigers. Jordan Taylor, Charlie Hewitt and Finbar Delbridge in the ruck acquitting themselves for Aspley.
In the remaining two matches the reigning premiers Redland Victoria Point and Ray Hughson Medallist Matt Hammelmann regained their form to overwhelm Sherwood by 33 points at Powenyenna Oval 17.14.(116) to 12.11.(83). Hammelmann starring with eighty majors and Charlie Offermans (33 disposals) as the Sharks set up the win with seven goals to two in the opening term.
To the Magpies credit they kept pace with RVP after quarter-time as they kicked 10 goals apiece. Ball-magnet Will Fletcher, Owen Collins, Elijah Kim, Oliver Cruice and Tristan Meekin among the Magpies best, However, the Sharks kept the home team at arms length.
In the final match a very accurate Palm Beach Currumbin also returned to the winners list in convincing fashion on the Gold Coast against Mt Gravatt. Liam O'Brien kicked six goals and Levi Casboult three as the Lions dominated just about every stat available. Their powerful midfield on top with Tom Simpson the standout with 39 disposals and 15 clearances.
A reminder Coorparoo had the bye and return to action for their first home game of the season at Giffin Park hosting Aspley.