Former Morningside champion David Lillico will present the 2024 Joe Grant Medal to the player judged best on ground at this Sunday’s QAFL Grand Final between Morningside and Redland Victoria Point at Brighton Homes Arena.
2004 GRAND FINAL RECAP
By Jack Barry
Twenty years ago, in the 2004 QAFL Grand Final, Southport and Morningside, two powerhouses of the league, clashed for the seventh time in a grand final. At that point, Southport led the series 4-2, but an upset was on the horizon.
David Lillico, the star midfielder, was a tower of strength particularly early in the game when the Panthers needed to stay in touch with the Sharks. It was a mighty effort considering Lillico had broken his ankle earlier in the season against the Labrador Tigers.. The newly appointed skipper would make a remarkable return after over 10 weeks on the sidelines. His resilience and performance were critical for Morningside, who managed to turn the tide against the mighty Sharks.
Gary’s Smart’s Grand Final review in The Courier Mail ran the headline ‘Panthers Pounce Again’ after the underdog caused a big surprise and knocked off the mighty Sharks.
Southport had finished with minor premiers’ honours with 16 wins, whilst Morningside, the 2003 reigning premiers, followed closely with 15 wins.
Broadbeach, who finished third, accounted for the Panthers by just one point in the Qualifying Final to advance to the Second Semi Final where the Cats went down by 82 points.
Morningside defeated Suncoast Lions then Broadbeach in consecutive weeks to advance to the Grand Final and a chance for back-to-back Premierships.
Smart’s report noted: “In a game that had everything, Morningside prevailed 12.18 (90) to Southport 12.11 (83). The Panthers trailed the Sharks by significant margins—11 points at quarter time and 20 points midway through the third term—but clawed their way back into contention.”
The victory allowed Coach John Blair to secure consecutive premierships, a rare achievement in the club’s history.” Best on ground for Morningside included David Lillico (Joe Grant Medal), Kent Abey, Michael Ward, Matt Pardew, Mark Dowley, and Robert Green. Southport’s top performers were Dane Carmody, David James, Jayson Pate, Kev Tandogac, and Andrew Morrison.
At the end of his illustrious career, David Lillico’s honours included captaining both the Panthers and Queensland, playing in eight Grand Finals, and winning premierships in 2003, 2004, 2009, and 2010. He was twice awarded the Best & Fairest (Devery-Kelly Medal) at Morningside and also won the Zane Taylor Medal in a match against Western Australia. In 2014, Lillico was inducted into the Queensland Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Note: Part Research More of the Kangaroo.
