By Abby Collins
This Saturday Wilston Grange will be taking on the formidable Redland Victoria Point in a Preliminary Final rematch.
The last time these two teams met, Redland Victoria Point won by 53 points, gaining them entry to last season’s Grand Final.
Currently sitting comfortably in fourth and fifth, the Sharks and Gorillas are looking to continue their pursuit up the seasons ladder and will be battling it out for this weekend’s four points at the Totally Workwear Oval this Saturday.
“They beat us in last year’s Preliminary Final,”Wilston Grange Coach Brent Moloney, said.
“We know they are a very good side, and we are very excited to play them.
“We are looking for a bit of revenge.”
Wilston Grange will be walking onto the Oval with a full side as they welcome back key players from injury, alongside their Lions VFL and Allies players to further bolster their line up.
Rhys Mathieson is a key in for the Gorillas this week, alongside VFL talent Will Martyn and forward Jacquin Mifsud. The young gun Allies added to the Gorillas side this week are Fergus McFadyen in their interchange and Billy Richardson in full back.
“We gain Matho back from injury, and others are returning from VFL,” Moloney said.
“They are listed with the Lions, but they have their full list at the moment, so they have been pushed back to us, which is great for us.
“We have a few of our Allies playing this weekend, Fergus McFadyen and Billy Richardson. They are very talented boys; we are lucky to have them available.”
The Sharks will have some minor changes to their line-up.
The home team will welcome back Ethan Petterwood from a calf injury and Daniel Annable who has been away playing with the Allies.
Making room for these players are Nathan Smith who returns to the reserves and Byron Finch who steps into the Southport Sharks VFL side this weekend.
Some key players to keep an eye out for according to their Wilston Granges head coach are Mathieson, one of their key ball carriers this season, Martyn and Kailem Baker, a formidable back line duo, and the Gorillas’ midfield Mr consistent, Daniel Bowles.
“It’s good to have Rhys Mathieson back this week,” Moloney said.
“Will Martyn has been solid for us too, he was last year’s best and fairest winner.
“Also, Daniel Bowels and Kailem Baker have been playing very good footy.”
Redland Victoria Point will be looking to make waves with their key kickers and top-notch defenders.
“We obviously have some recognised goal kickers in Matt Hammelmann, Clay Cameron and Joshua Brown,” Paul Carse, Redland Victoria Points coach said.
“Adrian Williams has also been having a really strong season as a key defender.”
Sitting one win above the Sharks on the ladder, Wilston Grange won’t be underestimating this weekend’s rivals.
“We respect Redland Victoria Point as a footy club and are looking forward to the challenge,” Moloney said.
“We know they’re a very good kicking and clearance team.
“We’re going to have to bring our A game to beat them.”
With shared respect and equal excitement over the challenge, the Sharks are looking to add to their wins’ column.
“They are a really good side, they made the premier final last year and have recruited really strongly this season,” Carse said.
“They will probably go to another level again this year.
“We are going to have to be at our absolute best to beat them, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
In other games, Aspley will be taking on Surfers Paradise hoping to not succumb to the same fate as Palm Beach Currumbin. Maroochydore makes the trek south to face off against Labrador on the Gold Coast. Palm Beach Currumbin and Morningside will be wrestling for top of the table this Saturday at Veracity Oval. Mt Gravatt will play host to Noosa for their match up. Sherwood and Broadbeach go head-to-head, each fighting for their third win of the season.
