By Beth Newman
Surfers 2.8, 5.8, 7.12, 10.12 (72)
Noosa 2.1, 5.1, 6.3, 7.4 (46)
Surfers Paradise’s big-game experience showed, in a 10.12 (72) – 7.4 (46) win over Noosa on Saturday.
After failing to capitalise on a multitude of opportunities in the opening quarter, the Demons went into the major break only seven points up.
Surfers Paradise coach, Beau Zorko, said the win was a test of character for his side, over a hard-fighting Noosa.
“When the groups’ character is tested they’re standing up and being counted so to speak, so I’m really happy,” he said.
While the Demons’ forward execution was lacking early, their defensive pressure made all the difference, with Jesse Haberfield playing one of his best games of the season through the midfield.
Zorko said that pressure was a focus going into the match.
“I thought defensively we worked a lot harder than whatwe did last week but I think we need to polish up inside 50,” he said.
“Once we polish that up and look after our key forwards a bit better, we can convert and give ourselves an opportunity to shut games down earlier.”
A stellar final term from Jake Ryan helped the Demons run home strongly, with the 2012 Todd-Duncanson medallist kicking two of their three final term goals, including a pivotal score from a tight angle.
Zorko said the game was a significant one for the side, with the result helping to shore up their spot in the top four.
Courageous Noosa midfielder, Caleb Isles, was strong for the Tigers getting plenty of the ball all day, while defender Jack Tickner played one of his best games of the season.
Noosa coach , Wayne Fletcher, was pragmatic after the match.
“I’m proud of the effort and endeavour from quite a few young blokes out there,” he said.
Fletcher said the experience of players like Ryan in the final term was the difference in the end, against the young Tigers’ side.
“We were in the game for three and a bit quarters but those last couple of goals hurt us and the first one in the last quarter as well.”
After two tough encounters in two weeks, Fletcher said his side would be ready to bounce back against Burleigh, in a potential wooden spoon clash on Saturday.
“We’ve got to come back here next week and focus on a few o those mistakes and be a better team next week against Burleigh.”
Wilston Grange 4.4, 8.6,15.7,18.8 (116)
Western Magpies 4.3, 9.5,11.9,17.13 (115)
Wilston Grange enhanced their status as premiership contenders with a one-point win over the Western Magpies.
The Gorillas survived a final quarter onslaught from the reigning premiers to finish on top, and further cementing their top four spot.
Player- coach, Matt Trewhella, slotted 11 goals for the Grange side, while Brady Allen kicked his second straight bag for the Magpies, with seven.
What the coaches said:
Matt Trewhella (Wilston Grange):
“To have six players out from the week before is hard, not just from the quality of players but the effect on our structure.”
“We let them back in the game when we should have locked down and shut the game down.”
“I won’t lie I was pretty nervous in the last two minutes.”
Palm Beach 3.4, 7.5,12.7, 15.10 (100)
Mayne 4.0, 9.2, 14.4, 15.5 (95)
Palm Beach survived a major scare, with a thrilling win over Mayne Tigers at Enoggera on Saturday.
The Lions trailed for much of the game, but ran out strongly in the final quarter, kicking three goals to one.
Tigers defender Dean Hartley was among the best for Mayne in the narrow loss, while midfielder Tom Falconer continued his solid 2013 form.
What the coaches said
Daryn Cresswell (Palm Beach):
“We didn’t deserve to win the game.”
“Mayne were by far the better side all day, their intensity and willingness to run hard was way better than what we put up.”
“I don ‘t take too many positives but the boys stuck to their task and got us across the line in the end.”
“You just can’t turn up and think you’re going to win.”
Mitch Ferguson (Mayne):
“It was a very entertaining game and it could’ve gone either way.”
“We had a number of players out but we still felt we were in good form, having won our past three, and it gives the boys confidence to know we can match it with most teams.”
“I was really impressed with the way our boys used the ball – we raised the bar playing against someone like Palm Beach.”
University of Queensland 6.2, 8.8, 10.12, 11.15 (81)
Burleigh 3.2, 7.5, 8.12, 11.14 (80)
UQ clinched its second win of the season, by a single point, over Burleigh.
The Red Lions got the jump on the Bombers with a six-goal-to-three opening quarter, and did enough to survive a final quarter comeback.
It was UQ’s young brigade who starred, with a slew of players out injured, with
Jack Pershouse, Zak O’Gorman and Zac Southern among the side’s best again.
Burleigh’s Jay Koehler starred for the Bombers through the middle.
What the coaches said
Matt Stewart (UQ):
“They really did want win and they gave 100 per cent and did really well in their effort.”
“In the end it was a one point win and it could’ve gone the other way and the conversation’s could have been a little bit different.”
“Our young guys have had to step up and they’ve really taken it on and they’re playing really well. It’s a really big positive for the club.”
Shane Williams (Burleigh):
“It was absolutely shattering, heart-breaking.”
“We gave them a three—goal start in the first quarter and we were jut chasing from then on.”
“It was a high quality contest –people sometimes don’t think that when the bottom sides are playing, but it shows the evenness of the competition and the way the standard’s lifted.”
“It’s definitely the one that got away.”
Springwood 3.6, 8.6, 12.8, 17.14 (116)
Maroochydore 4.1, 7.3, 8.4, 11.6 (72)
Springwood’s unbeaten stretch is out to seven, after a comfortable win over Maroochydore.
It wasn’t a great start for the Pumas, with captain Mark Thompson a late withdrawal, but the ladder-leaders proved their ability to run out games, storming home in the second half.
Maroochydore were hit by injuries, down to only one on the bench.
Roos small forward Jarryd Hill had another strong game for his side, finishing with five goals.
Pumas youngsters Josh Brown and Jake McGill stepped up for Springwood in the absence of experienced campaigners, Thompson and Albert Proud.
The win sets up a blockbuster clash with the Magpies at Chelmer next weekend.
What the coaches said
Tony King (Springwood):
“It’s generally an even contest at the start and then it’s a matter of if teams can go the distance and we can.”
“Our boys are a little bit stronger and they get through the games stronger.”
“It was always a danger game for us after a big game last week, and we came out and did the job, so I’m pretty happy with that.”
Brett Maloney (Maroochydore):
“It was pretty similar to last week – our third quarter let us down badly.”
“In the second half springwood’s bigger bodies took a toll on some of our smaller bodies and we couldn’t compete physically for long enough.”
“We’ve got a lot of young guys and they’re starting to learn what it’s like to play good consistent senior footy.”
“To be a good side is really hard work – be mentally consistent and mentally consistent week in and week out.”
Sandgate 2.3, 9.4, 12.5, 18.8 (116)
Coolangatta Tweed 1.5, 3.5, 6.11, 11.12 (78)
Sandgate are well in finals contention, after a comfortable win over Coolangatta on Sunday.
The Hawks have a 4-3 record, after seven rounds, and sit in sixth, with only percentage separating them from the Western Magpies.
A seven goal second quarter, backed by a strong breeze, broke the game open for the Hawks and the Blues couldn’t claw back the ascendency.
Position switches for Tyson Allsop (centre-half forward to centre-half back) and Dan Affleck ( backline to on-ball) were worth the gamble, with both playing close to their best games of the season.
The game leaves Coolangatta in ninth, with a 2-5 record.
What the coaches said
Rob Dickfos (Sandgate)
“It was really happy with it and it was important that we played somewhere towards our better footy able to do that.”
“If someone were to come to me at the start of the season and tell me we would be 4/7 games I would’ve said that’s something we’d be dreaming of.”
“To be where we are, the club’s extremely happy, not about the victories but combining a lot better as well.”
“There’s a lot of respect amongst the group, and a great camaraderie.”
“The important thing is we’re building a good base for the future.”
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