By Abby Collins
Aspley’s unbeatable run came to a halt thanks to Palm Beach Currumbin’s remarkable second half comeback.
The Lions clawed their way back from a 43-point deficit to stun Aspley with a 13-point victory, leaving Morningside as the only undefeated team in the QAFL this season.
Cheered on by a massive home crowd for their past players celebrations, Palm Beach Currumbin left everything on the field to snatch the win in the final quarter, triumphing 15.13 (103) to 12.18 (90).
Starting strong with back-to-back goals, the Hornets took control early on, keeping the ball comfortably away from PBC.
The defensive trio of Brandon Batchelor, Errin Wasley-Black and Liam Dawson ensured the Lion’s forwards were kept at bay, working expertly together to thwart any momentum they gained.
The first quarter finished with Aspley 36 points ahead, Palm Beach Currumbin only managing to get one goal on the score board before the siren sounded.
Aspley stayed well on top heading into halftime, leading 3.6(24) to 9.13 (67). Building on their advantage in the first six minutes, the Hornets continued to control the game from the outset.
Connor Stackelberg, Nicholas Dodge and Thomas Watson kept the Hornets edging ahead throughout the first half as their snags found home time and again.
Tom Thynne (calf) and Matthew Hollier (hamstring) were taken out of play early in the game due to injuries, forcing the Lion’s to play with only two rotations, making this comeback story an epic.
“We attacked them as hard as we could,” David Armitage, Palm Beach Currumbin’s coach said.
“We were actually two down on the bench due to injuries, so, we had nothing to lose, and we just ran the gauntlet. It certainly paid off in the end with a comeback win in front of a massive crowd thanks to past players day.
“The crowd certainly helped with the comeback and having only two on the bench sort of made the win a bit more special.”
Following the lead of dominating ruckman Tom Hickey, young guns Nelson Beikoff-Smart and Ty Fitzgerald started to step up and go head-to-head contesting the Hornets at every turn.
“Tom Hickey really took the team on his back and carried us at the start,” coach David said.
“He kept winning the ball in the centre and Aspley just couldn’t stop him.”
“There was Nelson Berkoff’s in halfback, and Ty Fitzgerald, both from the SUNS Academy, they both put in the work and really stood up for us too.”
The locker room chat really drove the change; Palm Beach Currumbin played to win for the entire second half.
Never relenting on the pressure their team stepped up the plate ready to take the win back from 43 points down.
“Our forwards had a quiet first half, but they got really involved with pressure, tackle and hunt,” Armitage said.
“They hit the scoreboard hard in the second half.”
The final half of the game saw a complete turnaround with Aspley kicking just three goals while Palm Beach Currumbin piled on 13 majors, mounting a determined fightback much to Aspley’s surprise.
Aspley’s goals scorers continued to try get themselves on the board, landing many minor points due to the high pressure from the Lions.
In the end Aspley’s attempt to wrangle back control wasn’t strong enough against the determined home side.
Palm Beach Currumbin landed a win for their Past Players crowd, sharing the glory with all that had played in their boots before them.
An exciting win for coach David, who credits Aspley as the yardstick of the season.
“We’ve ticked off some pretty good teams that we haven’t been able to beat for many years, like Broadbeach and Redland Victoria Point,” he said.
“Aspley was certainly one that we were hoping to try and get, we respect them immensely.
“The way that we did win against them, it just shows our belief in the group and their ability to turn it around.
“They shouldn’t hold any fears now against whoever we come up against.
“The way we played in the second half is what we are trying to build into our DNA.”
The excitement will continue next week with Aspley facing off against Morningside in a blockbuster clash.
Will there be any undefeated sides following round 10?
Palm Beach Currumbin 1.2 3.6 9.9 15.13 (103)
Aspley 6.8 9.13 12.15 12.18 (90)
Goals
Palm Beach Currumbin Rubock 4, Cilmi 2, North 2, Beaman, Beikoff-Smart, Dawson, Fitzgerald, Hickey, O’Brien, Stafford
Aspley Stackleberg 4, Dodge 2, Watson 2, Craven, Crawley, Myers, O’Dwyer
Best Players
Palm Beach Currumbin Tom Hickey, Salvatore Cilmi, Ty Fitzgerald, Blair Rubock, Tai Hayes, Brad Stafford
Aspley Brandon Batchelor, Errin Wasley-Black, Mitchell Crawley, Connor Stackelberg, Liam Dawson, Matthew Payne
