By Beth Newman
Tomorrow’s clash between Wilston Grange and Surfers Paradise looms as a pivotal one.
Both the Demons and Gorillas have shown themselves to be a force to be reckoned with, but a win against another contender would really cement their September credentials.
Demons coach, Beau Zorko, knows exactly how big this game and said his side was looking to build on their upset win over Western Magpies a fortnight ago.
“It’s an extremely important (game),” He said.
“Having beaten a side of that calibre a few weeks ago, we need to really ensure that…we continue to play a consistent level of football each week.”
Zorko said a 4-1 record would be more than handy going into the middle of the season.
“Four and one gives you that nice breathing space,” he said.
“We’ve got a six-week block of games coming up that will either make or break our season and that bit of breathing space is something we’re after.”
Surfers Paradise will be boosted by the debut of Jason Torney, a former Richmond and Adelaide player and current Gold Coasts SUNS academy director.
Torney is one of only three inclusions for the Demons this week, alongside Steven Snell and Clint Cassidy.
Zorko said Torney’s size and experience will add a great deal to the relatively young Demons outfit.
“Torney brings an enormous amount of experience and another great person and another great teacher to have in our group,” he said.
“They’re (Wilston Grange) certainly a big side and it’s very important to match up physically well against them and I think (his inclusion) evens out that advantage in the height department.”
Zorko said on a smaller oval at Wilston Grange, the game will be decided on the contest in the middle.
The Gorillas’ midfield has been solid in recent weeks, led by the brilliant Steve Brittain, someone whose influence will play a major part in determining the winner tomorrow.
Wilston Grange will certainly not be lacking in motivation, after suffering their first loss to Mayne last weekend.
Coach Matt Trewhella said after that game that he was disappointed with the result and the sluggish start from his side.
Trewhella will be looking for Wilston Grange to come out firing this weekend, with the chance to redeem themselves.
The Gorillas were beaten out of the blocks by an enthused Tigers side, and will need to make sure they start better at home tomorrow.
A titanic clash between Western Magpies and Palm Beach headlines the other Round five matches.
After a loss in their most recent outing, the defending premiers will be looking to reassert themselves against the Lions at Chelmer.
There will be plenty of fire in the match-up too, with Magpies premiership players Ben Heffernan-Roper and Matt Dillon playing against their old side for the first time this year.
Burleigh is still searching for its first win of 2013, up against Sandgate at home.
The Bombers will hope an extra week’s rest will help them against the Hawks, who have developed a habit of grinding down their opposition.
Mayne and Noosa will face off, in a Tiger match-up, with the home side coming off a confidence-boosting win over the Gorillas last week.
The north Brisbane side started to show their potential last week, with a handful of injured players making their comeback, and will likely go up another level as more of their wounded return to full fitness.
University of Queensland faces a massive challenge, playing the undefeated Springwood tomorrow, at UQ.
The well-rested Pumas will look to increase their gap on the rest of the lead, and maybe pick up some handy percentage points, against the Red Lions.
Probably the most intriguing match of the round, is between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.
Both coast sides have shown they can mix it with the best, but have also had some narrow losses.
This will be a good chance for the two sides to establish themselves in the competition.
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