Allied Pickfords Cup Rd 11 Review

It ended up as a comfortable 18.17 (125) – 8.7 (55) Palm Beach win, but the Lions’ clash with Sandgate certainly didn’t start that way.

The Lions were out played early by a fighting Sandgate side, who once again proved their ability to mix it with more experienced opposition.

Sandgate outran Palm Beach in the opening half, with punishing counter-attack, set up by Michael Richardson in defence, with Jackson Dickfos and Tom Overington linking up well in the midfield.

The tackling pressure from the Hawks’ small midfielders stopped any flow that the home side could get, giving them

Lions coach, Daryn Cresswell, wasn’t surprised by the Hawks’ incredible start.

“We always knew they’re a good young side put on a lot of pressure. I warned the boys early on but they didn’t take it on board,” he said.

“Full credit to Sandgate and the way they came out. They played some really good footy and took it up to us.”

Things couldn’t have been more different in the second, with the Hawks failing to score a single second half major to answer 13 of Palm Beach’s.

The Lions’ produced some strong run off half-back from Angus Munro and U18 player, Thomas Thynne.

Clint Kelly provided a strong marking target in the third quarter, kicking four for the term.

It was their ability to stop the Hawks’ attack that was most impressive, with the Lions keeping the visitors goalless in the second half.

Full back, Sam Bourke, was a rock in defence in the second half, taking crucial marks in the defensive 50.

Midfielder Zane Murphy suffered a neck injury in the second term, and played no further part in the game, but the Lions’ youngsters covered the loss well.

Sandgate coach, Rob Dickfos, was as unsurprised with his team’s second half as Creswell was with their first.

“The test for us was going to be able to play over four quarters and be disciplined and switched on enough,” Dickfos said.

“We came ready to play but against the better sides, who will chip away and stick to their game plan, we were totally lost.”

Dickfos sang the praises of his smaller players after the match,

“The majority of our better players are always our little blokes,” he said.

“There was not enough from our bigger bodies.

“It’s one thing to be big, it’s another to play big.”

The loss likely rules Sandgate out from finals, two games off the pace with five games to go, but that wasn’t a concern for Dickfos.

“You can’t go into a game and just expect things are going to happen,” he said.

“We put in the effort for half the game and got just rewards and we didn’t put in the effort and we got what we deserved.

“It doesn’t hurt sides to go through games like this. They’ll learn.”

While the focus this year has been firmly on development for Dickfos, Cresswell’s side is well and truly gunning for a flag.

And with no wiggle room for the Lions, each game is a must-win in their battle for top spot with Springwood, who have a favourable run home.

Cresswell said their run home, which sees them face off against all of three of the top five sides, could help them going into finals.

“We believe it’ll hold us in good stead to play the best sides in the lead up to finals,” he said.

“We believe Springwood are going to win their last five games so if we drop one we’re probably going to lose that opportunity to have a week off.”

“So we just need to keep winning – whatever it takes.”

Western Magpies                5.5,  8.8,  16.12,  24.17  (161)
Burleigh                                3.3,  8.7,  11.7,  12.8  (80)

With its fifth spot under pressure, the Magpies did exactly what they needed to, notching up a comfortable win over Burleigh.

In a tussle until the final change, the defending premiers finished far stronger, with an eight goal final term sealing the win.

Anthony Corrie once again stood up for the Magpies, kicking eight goals, while Kale Reed kicked seven.

“Up til three-quarter time they were amazing.”

“Then the old habits came back. When it gets to a stage where they’ve really got to grind a game out, they jut  stop doing all those things that get them into that position.”

 “They’ve proved all year they’re capable of matching the best sides.”

We’ve got to win as many games as we can from now.”

“We have to think we can five out of five and that’s got to be our aim.”

Mayne                                   13.13,  22.20,  22.20,  22.20  (152)
University of Queensland                3.2,  4.4,  4.4,  4.5  (29)

A 0-4 start to the season seems a distant memory, as Mayne notched up its fourth straight win, thumping UQ.

The Tigers welcomed a number of key players back into their side for the game, and were clinical against the Red Lions.

With 16 percentage points keeping them out of fifth place, the margin could be just as important as the win for the Tigers, with five home and away matches left.

Young midfielder Dom Smith was the best for the Tigers, while Sam Paterson and Shaun Daly were also strong for the visitors.

An undermanned uni side struggled against Mayne, but showed plenty of spirit on a tough day.

What the coaches said

Mitch Ferguson (Mayne):

“Eerything went to plan.”

 “We look forward to playing teams around us on the ladder. I can’t think we could be better prepared than what we are.”

“We got four players back yesterday and a couple more available next week if we can fit them in somewhere.”

“We had a real freshen up over the bye, and it worked well for us.

Matt Stewart (UQ):

“I was happy with the effort they showed, but Mayne were just a much better side.

“It’s Important for the guys to get a look at the gap of where we are and where we want to be and use that motivation to turn into action to improve.”

“Their ball use is just much better.

“Basic things like hitting targets and improving their skills. Good teams do it a lot better and for a full game.”

“Even though we got beaten, the guys gave 100 per cent for four quarters and it we have that attitude now, then as you improve it will really help you.”

Maroochydore                            2.3,  5.6,  9.13,  11.17  (83)
Wilston Grange                          1.5,  4.7,  7.9,  9.16  (70)

Maroochydore produced the surprise result of the round, upsetting Wilston Grange on Saturday.

The Roos have been hard to read all year, but fielding one of their strongest sides this season, showed the talent they have in their list.

Wilston Grange were missing a number of players, including star midfielder Steve Brittain, but were simply outplayed by the Roos throughout the afternoon.

The loss could be a costly one for Wilston Grange, who are now back on an even keel with Surfers Paradise, with an 8-3 record, and only .19 percentage points separating the two now.

Maroochydore teen, Cameron Stevenson, was solid in his return from state U18 duties, while Jarrod Gale and halfback Kane Tyson were among the side’s best.

Brett Maloney

“Good result for the effort they put in.”

“We saw it as an all or nothing type game. I feel we have a slender chance of playing finals but we certainly went into the game with that in our mind.”.

“It was a really even contribution. Most of the guys would have won their position on the day.”

“It’s a big challenge now to back it up against Sandgate, who have been really good this year, so it’s going to be another difficult assignment.”

Matt Trewhella (Wilston Grange):

I thought they probably played the way we wanted to.”

“We were found out and we were out-enthused, which is usually something we pride ourselves on.”

“We seem to struggle after byes and lose momentum or focus. It happened with Mayne after we beat Palm Beach, so it seems to be a bit of a trend after byes.”

“At the start of the year, this is where I’d expected to be.”

“From my point of view, we need to work harder. I don’t know if it’s fitness or just that time of the year when guys are carrying a few niggles.”

“If t we’re off by 15 per cent, we keep teams in the game.” We need to be playing at our best. You can’t afford to have lapses.”

Springwood                5.2,  7.4, 10.7,  15.13  (103)
Noosa                                   3.2,  5.3,  9.6,  9.8  (62)

A massive final quarter effort from Springwood gave them a solid win over Noosa on Saturday.

The last time the two faced off at Weyba Rd, the Pumas returned 20-goal losers and set about trying to emulate the class of the powerhouse Noosa.

Just over a year later, the tables have turned, with the Pumas now one of the benchmark sides.

With only a seven point lead at the final change Springwood show the finishing skills that have gotten them out of jail a number of times this season, with a five goal-to-none in the last quarter.

After losing three players in the first quarter, including Daniel Welch who had three in the opening quarter, Noosa was on the back foot and fought valiantly to stay in the match.

The Pumas’ Jake Furfaro had one of his best games for the season, while Jacob King was the best of the forward.

Young defender Jack Tickner continued his recent improvement for the Tigers, in a standout performance.

The win was only the second for the Pumas at Weyba Rd in the club’s history.

What the coaches said:

Tony King (Springwood):

“They;’ve been a bit unlucky , losing a few games by less than six points, si it was definitely a danger game coming off the bye.”

“We were a little bit patchy with our efforts and I’m pretty happy with the way we finished off.”

“Every game is important to us to try and get a bit of percentage but keen to win the game.”

“It was one of those things. It’s amazing when everyone’s mind gets on the job at the same time; how much better you play.”

“At the start of the year, we wanted to reward the club with a home final  and finishing at least fourth, so we’re in a better position.”

It’s important that we enjoy the journey and enjoy every game but every game is important.”

“Every game is a danger game, they want to win and it’s important we keep trying to improve and trying to improve on all aspects of the game.”

Wayne Fletcher (Noosa):

“The boys have a lot of character to be able to get themselves in that position where we could have won the game.”

“The guys showed a lot of character to keep themselves in the game by three-quarter time, but the marking power of Springwood in the last quarter was a bit too much to counter.”

“Just got to keep putting in the same effort, stick together and work hard as a team and hopefully snag a couple of wins.

Surfers Paradise                        3.4,  7.7,  11.9,  21.9  (135)
Coolangatta Tweed                       4.1,  5.3,  9.6,  11.6  (72)

Stuck in the mid-table logjam, Surfers Paradise picked up a crucial win over Coolangatta on Saturday.

The Demons are currently in fourth, with percentage keeping them out of the top three, and every game is a must-win in their ongoing battle with third-placed Grange.

After a sluggish start to the match, Surfers carried a narrow lead into half time, and Coolangatta had a massive sniff.

A 14 goal to six second half put to bed any hopes Coolangatta had of victory and most likely snuffed out their finals chances as well.

A red card to Zac Brain put the Blues a man down in the final quarter, making their it jut that little bit more difficult.

Papua New Guineans Stanis Susuve and Brendan Bono were among the Blues’ best, with Beno kicking four goals.

Trent McIntyre was a star for Surfers in the match, while the return of Cassidy Haberfield from state U18 duties was a handy boost to the side.

What the coaches said:

 Beau Zorko (Surfers):

“I was happy with the end result, but not with how it was done.”

“The first three quarters, we were very sloppy, we made a lot of mistakes, we messy and we made way too many fundamental errors that kept our opposition in the game.”

“Our last quarter was terrific. We were really sharp in the way we set up and, as a result we were able to kick right away from our opposition.”

“For us to fulfil our goal of finishing top three, we needed a minimum of five wins from these last six and this is one tick and we’ve got to make sure we tick four more boxes.”

Daniel Hawkins (Coolangatta):

“It was a hard fought game as all Gold Coast derbies are. They just had a little bit more class in the end.”

“I think our aggression at the football’s been really good all year and we really stepped it up again.”

“It’s the same old thing for the whole year. We’ve pushed a lot of sides but just one quarter’s let us down and it comes down to our finishing skills.”