1. Jacko jumps in
Jackson Emblem was brilliant for Palm Beach in their qualifying final on the weekend. His defensive marks would have hit double figures and he picked off a bunch of Labrador’s attacking drives. He is one of the Lions’ most valuable players and his match-winning performance on the weekend just reminded everyone why that is.
2. Strength to strength
The QAFL teams left in the 2014 flag hunt have timed it well, coming into the finals series without relatively healthy lists. We saw the effects of having near full-strength teams play against each other – good footy. This weekend is no different and in fact the teams could look even more intimidating, welcoming some key figures back into the fold.
3. Underdogs out of the shadows
Mt Gravatt were written off by many at the start of the year, with one of the youngest lists in the competition, but they have proven themselves to be contenders with their win over the Cats. They have improved immensely theough the season and the injection of players like Adam Boon has certainly helped. They were lightning quick at H&A Oval and blew Broadbeach apart.
4. Spreading the love
Each of the finals sides have some handy forward targets, but goals came from some different places on the weekend. Most notable was the six-goal haul from Jesse Green for Mt Gravatt, while midfielders contributed across the board. In the absence of Bryce Perry-Bolt, Palm Beach’s Clint Kelly was well-held but Palm Beach found goals from Brock Askey, Dylan Troutman and Kristen Higgs.
5. Footy feast
The weekend’s results mean that QAFL fans will be treated to a third instalment of the Palm Beach-Morningside rivalry that has delivered in spades this season. The top two sides at the end of the regular season will fight it out once again at Jack Esplen Oval. Both their previous clashes have been high quality, intense match ups and this weekend will hopefully live up to the hype once again.
