MORNINGSIDE (3RD) v ASPLEY (5TH) 2PM JACK ESPLEN OVAL ***Commentary Match***
If Aspley aspire to climb back into the top four and return to the form which saw them last year finish on top of the ladder, they need to change their recent fortunes against Morningside.
The Panthers have had the wood over the Hornets in their previous two meetings including the 20-point semi-final win in 2024 before going on to clinch the premiership.
That was following Aspley defeating Morningside twice during the regular season before the untimely losses in straight sets in last year’s finals series.
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.
Repeating the line from last week, since that big away win over Redland Victoria Point in round seven, the Hornets have suffered losses against the big three above them. PBC (twice), Morningside and RVP took revenge two weeks ago.
No doubt Aspley can take encouragement from their victory at Jack Esplen Oval in round 16 last year by 28 points. Then only last week there was a fighting win in those terrible conditions over fellow finals aspirants Wilston Grange as they aim for more consistency that took them to the finals last year. Liam Dawson returns to strengthen the backline, Templeton’s recent form in the midfield has been exceptional and Stackelberg will again be a problem the Panthers need to solve in the Hornet’s forward line.
Conversely, the defending premiers are looking dangerous again as we approach September and will have appreciated the bye last weekend to freshen up for another finals tilt. The Panthers only loss in recent matches was round 11 to PBC and they showed their ability to bounce back when they met Aspley the following week. Morningside’s depth is being tested with several big names on the sidelines but that might be selling short those inside the white line – Hobley & Rolls have been dominant this year, Cameron-Reeves is kicking goals and with Greenaway and Lovig waxing out of the backline, Aspley will have their hands full.
Morningside currently look comfortable in third place six points clear of both Surfers Paradise and Aspley but will be keen to remain in touch with the top two (PBC and RVP) who are both eight points ahead but are aware of what’s coming from behind.
NOOSA (7TH) V SURFERS PARADISE (4TH) 1PM ROCOCO OVAL (NOOSA)
A crucial clash for both these teams that are battling for best possible finals positions and in a quirk of the draw, the only time they are meeting in the regular season. Noosa are in the traffic jam in the middle of the ladder with only six points between sixth and tenth.
Yet they are only two games behind Surfers so finishing higher on the ladder depending on results over the remaining rounds is a real possibility but so is missing out on finals altogether! Simple equation for the Tigers is to just keep winning and like Morningside they are fresh off a bye and no doubt have planned a final assault on the season. The much-awaited return of Matt Gaul from injury will reinvigorate Noosa’s engine room as he joins Conn, Willoughby and Pettigrove to make the most of Johnston’s rucking efforts. Freeman remains the key forward target and Cates has been a revelation at his feet.
The Demons will be fully aware of the value of a bye following one of their best victories of the season when they toppled Palm Beach Currumbin last week. Conversely, they suffered one of their worst losses at home when Broadbeach recently surprised them off the break.
Now Surfers face a fresh Tigers outfit away and without a number of key players with Shea, Greenwood, Smith, Kennedy and King missing this week - but the return of Cam Ellis-Yolmen will be more than welcome. Never an easy task at Noosa but they will hoping to follow the leads of fellow Gold Coasters Labrador and PBC with recent wins at the venue as they are desperate to maintain that top four spot ahead of Aspley.
LABRADOR (8TH) V SHERWOOD (11TH) 2PM COOKE-MURPHY OVAL
Another crucial pre-finals clash here with a virtual elimination final for Sherwood. They currently sit six points behind Saturday’s hosts so with only four rounds remaining, it is a must win to keep their hopes alive.
Like Morningside and Noosa, the Magpies are also coming off a bye and they would have stewed over a narrow loss in round 15 to a team below them in Coorparoo. Jarrod Cameron returns to the forward line in what may arguably be Sherwood’s strongest named team this year. This assignment might not have been as drastic as it now becomes, but winning at Cooke-Murphy is never an easy task.
Labrador’s issue is that they have only tasted victory once since round 10 (away to Noosa) and that was the make-up fixture against Broadbeach at home. Considering the Cats recent form though, it was a meritorious win by the Tigers. On that day their plethora of running mids did the damage as has been the case each time they’ve performed well this season. Multiple Coombes & Browns, Gregory, Derrington, Scott and the silky Fyfe are only the tip of Labrador’s iceberg.
Around that win it has been two losses to RVP (including last week), a bye, a big loss to Surfers Paradise, a draw with Wilston Grange at home and an away loss to Morningside. Hence their tricky ladder position and a bye waiting for them next week.
Again, there is no previous form to gauge from earlier this year, as this will be the only meeting between these two during the regular season.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN (1ST) V BROADBEACH (9TH) 2PM STALAGMITE OVAL
PBC will be smarting after their away loss to Surfers Paradise last week and face another potential spicy clash here. It was at times uncharacteristic of the Lions who seemed to let Surfers’ stunning play get under their skin, leading to costly free kicks and in the end defeat. One of their key midfielders Tom Simpson was involved in a couple of those incidents and will miss this match through suspension.
Previously, they have appeared unstoppable as they were dispensing all challengers with apparent ease. This clash will be different as despite their current position, Broadbeach have been a different side since the half-way mark. The Cat’s youth has been unleashed recently and the young legs has energised the older guard with great effect.
Amongst a couple of byes, the Cats only recent loss has been as mentioned above to Labrador on the State game weekend. There have been five wins most notably a huge result over fourth placed Surfers Paradise and last week stormed home over Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.
They will be looking to carry that momentum against the Lions, which will be facing a different team from round six but on that occasion, PBC only scraped home by ten points anyway at Neptunes Homes Oval.
The final game in TPIL Lawyers QAFL round 17 sees WILSTON GRANGE (10th) travel to MT GRAVATT after the Vultures almost broke through for a drought-breaking win in the wet against Coorparoo.
Meanwhile, the young Gorillas’ form has been fairly solid despite a heavy loss to PBC in round 15. They pushed Aspley all the way last week and it was only back in round 13 when they upset RVP. Wilston Grange may well find themselves in the eight by Sunday if results go their way.
Only five matches again in round 17 with three teams having the weekend off. RVP, Coorparoo and the bye arriving at the wrong time for Maroochydore who sit precariously in sixth and will have to wait another week to battle for their top eight position.
