Sandgate kept their faint Finals hopes alive with a gutsy, come from behind, win over the reigning Premiers Noosa and the Western Magpies proved too strong for the Pumas.
Sandgate kept their faint Finals hopes alive with a gutsy, come from behind, win over the reigning Premiers Noosa .
Sandgate were 13 points down at the last break, Coach Ben Long called for a big last quarter and got what he wanted with the Hawks keeping the Tigers goal less while adding 3 goals to secure an 8.4.52 to 7.8.50 victory.
“A week is a long time in footy,” said Long. “The loss against Mayne last week could come back and bite us where it hurts, we now have to win our remaining game and hope that other results go our way,” he added.
“We had a players meeting during the week to talk about commitment to the jumper and the guys seem to have taken it on board because the pressure they applied and the way they came together as a team was a vast improvement on previous weeks.” Long said.
Ben Beavan was outstanding in the centre with Pat Walton playing the loose defenders role to perfection, Troy Millard and Michael Silman were also big contributors to the Hawks win.
For the Tigers Todd Panaho, Tom McKittrick, Owen Bailey and Caleb Isles played well.
Noosa Coach Wayne Fletcher was obviously very disappointed with the teams’ performance,” we’ve been down on form over the last 3-4 weeks, the commitments seems to have gone missing and this is something we will be addressing over the next few training sessions,” Fletcher said.
“We have the bye next week and this will give us time to work on the problem with an aim to be back at the top of our game for the vital clash against the Western Magpies in the final round. The bye will also help our injured players like Adam Bovalino, Peter Trompf, Nathan Winter and Jason Boydle a chance to get fit ” He said.
The loss to Surfers Paradise last week and this weeks defeat by Sandgate have put the Tigers in jeopardy of losing 2 nd spot which would mean they would lose the right to host the Qualifying Final.
A near full strength Western Magpies confirmed their premiership favoritism with a strong win over a game but under strength Springwood at Lowe Oval.
The Pumas were outplayed in just about every position in the 1st half, “we were pretty ordinary, they were just too good for us,” said Springwood Coach Tony King. “Our turnover rate was a big problem early and we didn’t offer a whole lot of resistance. When the sting went out of the game after half time we had a go but the difference between the two teams was a real reality check for us.” He added.
Magpies Coach Peter McClennan was happy with the way his team finished the game,” it’s the first time in 6 weeks I can say we have come out of a game with no serious injuries,” he said.
“Even though the scores weren’t close it was a tough game which was what we needed. We had players like Val Pope, Reid Dobson, Ed McDonald and James Rozynski coming back from injury and we were able to manage their game time without any dramas,” McClennan said.
The Magpies forward line combination of Matt Thompson, Anthony Corrie and Alex Dickfos all played well with Ben Heffernan-Roper also having a strong game.
For the Pumas Nick Tronk, Josh Brown, Mark Hopkins and Josh Mitchell gave it their all.
A HOME qualifying final is now on the agenda for Palm Beach-Currumbin after the Lions smashed south Coast rivals Coolangatta in their derby at Len Peak Oval yesterday.
Despite being without at least five regulars, the Lions were way too good for the battling Blues and took the match by 27.29 (191) to 7.6 (48).
PBC went into the derby knowing premiers Noosa, their rivals for second spot on the ladder, had been beaten by Sandgate on Saturday, a result that put the Lions four points clear of the Sunshine Coast club with two rounds to go to the finals.
PBC should go eight points clear this weekend when they play Burleigh and Noosa are idle with the bye.
PBC pulled a surprise by fielding coach Daryn Cresswell. The former Sydney Swan star is now one game away from being qualified for the finals to cover for any injuries.
Big man Michael I’Anson, so good for Queensland at the national Country Carnival, was a star again at centre half-forward, while half-back Jordan Bates and tagger Lick Sickler were also good.
Best for the Blues were all defenders, Papuan Stanis Susave, Tim Norman and Gerard Robinson.
Burleigh belied their lowly position on the ladder when they ran finals-bound Wilston-Grange to 14 points at Hickey Park in Brisbane.
For a side with only one win on board for the season, the Bombers did well and earned a wrap from coach Zane Doubleday for their effort.
“It was encouraging especially because we had our chances to win it wee missed some gettable goals late,” Doubleday said.
“Then again, Wilston-Grange missed some easy ones early on.
“But it was pleasing that we never chucked it in.
Doubleday said the lack of an extra one or two players for a midfield rotation hurt because Cole Agosta, the Gorilla playmaker, cut loose after being well held up to half-time.
Nick O’Reilly starred for Burleigh, hauling in almost 20 marks at centre half-forward.
Matt O’Brien on the ball and half-back/wingman Zac Tschirn were others who stood out.
