Chris ‘Yeendy’ Yeend
Sherwood has received a hit to depth in its playing stocks with Glass, Collins and Reville joining the Brisbane Lions VFL squad in Frankston on Saturday night; with one 16-year-old and two 18-year-olds making their debut at Senior level for the club. Comngratulations to Ryleigh Utting; Julian Cruice and Owen Capling on their debuts with one of them to take Connor Stackleberg.
Aspley welcome back Ryan Banks-Smith from VFL duties with Southport having the bye; and he lines up in place of Nick Dodge.
Noosa welcome James Magner in place of Malachi Owens.
Redland-Victoria Point welcome back Brad Murdoch, Jake Harrison and Damien Steven in place of Tyler Hausfield, Will Johnson and Jack Rolls.
Labrador welcomes back Lachlan Henderson in place of Matt Watmuff. Morningside welcome back Cam Macqueen and; Adam and Marcus Peak with Kyle Dunkley the key absentee due to VFL commitments.
Broadbeach welcomes in Masters, Townsend, Harringtom. Reeves, Finn and Dawson in place of O’Brien, Bettiol (both omitted), Chadwick, Hooker, Cooper (inj.) and Riley Bowman (VFL).
Wilston Grange welcome back Billy Ruichardson and Taylor McCubbin while Matt Eagles is the key absentee.
Surfers Paradise welcome the addition of Marlin Corbett for his first game of the season having spent the season with Gold Coast in the VFL.
Maroochydore welcome Nathan Jensen into the team in place of Lochie O’Toole.
Palm Beach Currumbin welcome back Jamison Shea from VFL duties and James Frawley.
Mt Gravatt is the only team this weekend to take an unchanged line-up into Round 8.
SHERWOOD v ASPLEY
LADDER
Sherwood – 12th (0 – 57.24)
Aspley – 1st (26 – 207.74)
LEADING GOAL KICKER (Last week)
Sherwood – Pat McCarthy – 16 (4)
Aspley – Connor Stackelberg – 18 (1)
LAST WEEK
SHERWOOD has been riddled by injuries to key personnel this year with the vast majority of its best 22 absent to long-term injuries; so the fact that this group was able to compete for 2.5 quarters against Mt Gravatt last week is a testament to the belief in this group. So many players have come into the team with much Senior experience but like it has shown time and time again; there is that desire to compete. The 61-point loss to Mt Gravatt was on the back of a 10 goal to 2 second half from the winners. Pat McCarthy kicked four goals for the Pies.
ASPLEY was outstanding in its win over Redland Victoria Point on the road. To secure four points on the road; by five goals in the first of at least three contests between the pair this season was a great psychological edge over a mighty foe. Liam Dawson was outstanding with countless intercept marks in one of the best defensive performances of the year.
X FACTOR
Sherwood – PAT MCCARTHY – it’s hard not to be impressed with what he delivers each week and he’s maturing well as a footballer under the guidance of new Senior coach and previous assistant at Aspley; Jarad Marsh. Quality young forward that is brilliant in the air.
Aspley – RYAN BANKS-SMITH – with Southport having its first bye of the season in the VFL; the 2022 Grogan Medal winner returns home to the Hornets for the first time this season. Ryan has picked up the tempo extremely well in an injury-hit Southport line-up with tremendous work-rate and second efforts showing just how good he is. Most of his goals this season have come from plays that he started in the backline and finished inside 50. He averages 14 touches and five marks per game; showcasing his mark; kick; run; mark, between the arcs.
WHO WILL WIN
Sherwood will put up a mighty fight at home but will find the challenge greater Collins, Glass and Reville joining the extended bench for Brisbane in the VFL and blooding two 16-year-olds; but the Hornets sent a strong message to the competition last week with their win over the Sharks and it doesn’t matter who comes across them, they’ll feel the brute-force that what this all-round quality Premiership winning team can deliver. Aspley played second fiddle to Broadbeach last season to win the flag; it is now looking for a team to play second fiddle to them.
NOOSA v REDLAND-VICTORIA POINT
LADDER
Noosa – 11th (8 – 78.79)
RVP – 2nd (20 – 135.81)
LEADING GOAL KICKER
Noosa – Aaron Wilson – 15 (3)
RVP – Matt Hammelmann – 36 (4)
LAST WEEK
NOOSA’s movement of the ball; especially in the second half in its win against Labrador, on the road; was something clearly outstanding. To kick 20 (21) goals in a game; something it executed once last year (24) against a quality defensive unit is amazing. That nine-goal last quarter was bliss and Michael Bussey (4) and Will O’Dwyer (6) led the goals.
RVP knew that it was in for a fight against Aspley; and that’s exactly what happened. It went down by five goals with a host of quality contributions from some of its elite midfielders. The result is not a cause for concern; not be any stretch but back-to-back losses at home can take away the mental edge that this group has over the competition with the fear factor at The Tank being altered, a tad.
X FACTOR
Noosa – CHRIS O’ROURKE – yes, the Senior coach. Chris deserves a special mention this week. He filled in as a team runner for the Colts earlier in the day; and then backed up with a master-mind performance in the box against one of the greatest coaches and players in Queensland football, Clint Watts. Chris is a fine example of dedication and commitment within the club and for Colts players, potential Senior players, to have the person of his caliber delivering messages only speaks volumes of Chris himself, but the future direction of the club.
RVP – PETER YAGMOOR – the former Collingwood product is an invaluable asset to the team and is one of the best left foot kicks in the competition. He is tough, agile and makes a major impact, particularly if others are struggling to get wins over their opposition.
WHO WILL WIN
Could Noosa make it three wins in a row and force RVP into a three-game losing stretch? It’s possible. It’s hard to tip against RVP in any contest because it has a quality team of stars that find a little bit more when the pressure is on. If Noosa does win; it will be one of the shocks of the competition; but boy, wouldn’t it make for a juicy run to the finals. The Sharks to end a two-game losing stretch but not without a fight from the Northern Tigers.
LABRADOR v MORNINGSIDE
LADDER
Labrador – 8th (12 – 97.33)
Morningside – 3rd (20 – 106.01)
LEADING GOAL KICKER
Labrador – Nathan Wright – 11 (1)
Morningside – Keegan Downie – 16 (DNP)
LAST WEEK
LABRADOR will be disappointed with its loss to the Northern Tigers, Noosa. With injuries and players missing to the VFL, it struggled to stop the momentum of Noosa at home who finished all over them in the final term with nine goals. The loss was made challenging especially as Noosa has struggled to put big scores on the board this year; but with Lachlan Henderson missing from the backline; it’s been a challenge to restructure and find that key balance. This week will be a different story.
MORNINGSIDE unearthed a special talent with Jake Godwin making his biggest impact since joining the Senior team this season with six goals in a stunning team-performance against Broadbeach. The 22-point win was its best of the season and the capacity to bounce back in the final term with seven goals after conceding eight in the third; and recording a win, that was special.
X FACTOR
Labrador – ALEX FYFE – walked into Senior football like he had been a veteran of the competition for over a decade in the game against Noosa. The young debutant turned in one of the best performances from a young debutant in recent years with a five goal effort to be a lead focus for his team; and his best football is still ahead of him.
Morningside – JAKE GODWIN – kicked six goals last week and is starting in the midfield this week. He’ll continue to add key layers to his game and strengthen the quality of this line-up as it works towards a finals campaign; making him a very important asset.
WHO WILL WIN
Labrador is a team that should always be in the picture of playing finals this year. It sits in eighth position and has the potential to be greater than that. Morningside is building some serious momentum and may very well get the job done in one of the more intriguing matches of the weekend that could shape the layout of the finals.
BROADBEACH v WILSTON GRANGE
LADDER
Broadbeach – 4th (18 – 113.14)
Wilston Grange – 5th (15 – 117.37)
LEADING GOAL KICKER
Broadbeach – Sam Jasper – 13 (5)
Wilston Grange – Hugh Fidler – 12 (7)
LAST WEEK
BROADBEACH played 1.5 quarters of solid football in the 22-point loss to Morningside. The 8.3 third term was nothing short of outstanding and a showcase of its best football. Its worst football was shown in the final term when it conceded seven goals in a five-goal turn-around late in the game. This group is pushing hard with injuries to key personnel and blooding young talent; so you will expect periods of the game where the young players and inexperience of the 22 playing together to have its challenges.
WILSTON GRANGE played some of its best football to beat Maroochydore on the road by eight-points and add another key chapter in the rivalry between the pair. The final term was outstanding with 6.0 to turn a 15-point deficit into a win. Hugh Filder with seven goals and Jack Campbell stepping up to his great levels of ability were key factors.
X FACTOR
Broadbeach – TAINE DAWSON – it may be out of left field to name a debutant as an X Factor but Taine is an incredible product of the club’s junior program. Taine was picked to make his debut for Gold Coast in the VFL before making his Senior debut in the QAFL. He kicked a goal with his first kick and held his own from limited game time against a solid Southport backiline. Great overhead and an outstanding prospect.
Wilston Grange – HUGH FIDLER – seven goals last week and we’re seeing the talent that he can produce at Senior level. A product of the Academy system with the Brisbane Lions; he is strong, quick and gets outstanding purchase of the ball when he kicks it. Hugh needs to build more of that consistency; and when he does, he is box office.
WHO WILL WIN
Broadbeach will look to respond from its road loss to Morningside last week and the depth of talent will be a tad too much. However, a Wilston Grange win would be outstanding for the competition because it builds more depth with the quality of teams pushing for a place in the top six; and at its best, Wilston Grange can beat anyone. The Cats to respond well in an entertaining contest.
SURFERS PARADISE v MAROOCHYDORE
LADDER
Surfers Paradise – 7th (12 – 111.42)
Maroochydore – 10th (8 – 80.53)
LEADING GOAL KICKER
Surfers Paradise – Byron Finch – 14 (1)
Maroochydore – Mitch Scholard – 19 (5)
LAST WEEK
SURFERS PARADISE went down by a kick in one of the matches of the season and one of the most anticipated battles heading into the contest. After leading in the first half; the Demons kicked 2.2 in each of the last two quarters and were just overpowered in the final term in an absolute thriller. Brody Haberfield was outstanding across the back half of the ground and Alby Jones was a key cog in the machine. The Demons are coming.
MAROOCHYDORE really needed the win against Wilston Grange last week but the eight-point loss creates issues for the more-than-capable team from the Sunshine Coast. Jesse Malthouse was classy and vice captain Mitch Scholard impressed with five goals; this group just couldn’t sustain the pressure for longer periods of time against a hungry Gorillas outfit.
X FACTOR
Surfers Paradise – JAMISON SHEA – with Southport having the bye in the VFL; Shea will be a key cog in the midfield for the Demons. He has been agile around half forward and through the midfield this year with repeat efforts around contests that have seen him not only set up goals; but kick them. He’s in good form.
Maroochydore – JOSH GOVAN – this is the moment for the Roos’ captain. He is loaded with talent; offers so much for this playing group and is an outstanding user of the ball. With his team’s aspirations of playing finals hanging by a thread; this is the game where he shows the competition that Maroochydore is here to contend, and not to pretend.
WHO WILL WIN
Surfers Paradise is one of the hottest acts emerging from the bottom half of the competition to stun the competition come finals. They’ll be a touch too strong here.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN v MT GRAVATT
LADDER
PBC – 6th (16 – 83.85)
Mt Gravatt – 9th (12 – 82.87)
LEADING GOAL KICKER
PBC – Carl Nicholson – 9 (3)
Mt Gravatt – Dylan Smith – 19 (5)
LAST WEEK
PBC held on to record a famous win over Surfers Paradise in one of the toughest games of the season by a kick. After trailing for most of the game; the team turned it on in late in the second half to record a very gutsy win in difficult scoring playing conditions.
MT GRAVATT shrugged off a determined Sherwood outfit in the second half last week with 10 goals to secure an impressive victory. Joel Leahy impressed with another classy performance and Dylan Smith was on fire up forward as the Vultures secured their third win of the season.
X FACTOR
Palm Beach Currumbin – TYLER CORNISH – is making his way back from a tough injury last season and is starting to produce some of his best football for the year. He is a goal kicking midfield and can do some incredibly flashy things to lift his team mates.
Mt Gravatt – DYLAN SMITH – it’s now or never for this bright athletic spark in the Vultures’ forward line. The difference between his best and worst is remarkable; going goal-less twice; but with a minimum of 3 goals in all other contests with his best haul being a bag of five against the Pies last week. When he doesn’t hit the score sheet; his team has scores of 47 and 41; but when he hits the scoreboard, his team averages 14 goals per game. That total will win this contest quite easily. If he kicks his minimum amount this year; it could be enough to secure victory.
WHO WILL WIN
Mt Gravatt will do everything it can to secure victory here in a tough contest; but the Lions should continue their march up the ladder with a solid performance at home.
