The big game of round 14 in the SEQAFL Division 1 Pineapple Hotel Cup is the clash between Ladder Leaders Western Magpies and the only side to beat them this season Wilston Grange.
By Terry Wilson
Gold Coast Bulletin
When they played in round 3 the weather was very similar to what it is now, heavy under foot and a slippery ball, the gorillas adapted to the conditions far better than the Magpies winning by 31 points.
Since then the Magpies have shown consistent good forms beating all comers and virtually sealing top spot.
Both sides have a number of players that were not part of the round 3 clash (Magpies 8, Gorillas 7) so it will be interesting to see how they man up this time round.
Gorillas Coach David Martin conceded that this was a big game for the Clubs finals aspirations, “when you play the top side at this time of the season it’s important that you give it everything you have, it’s a test to see how you are going with the finals so close,” he said.
Injuries have take their toll at the Magpies with Will Fozzard, Val Pope, Reid Dobson and Sean Mewing missing from last weeks line up however Peter McClennan was happy with the Clubs preparation,” we have a number of young blokes that have stepped up when we have problems with injury and this week will be no different, it will come down to who wants the ball the most in the wet conditions,” he said.
No matter how you look at it his will be a top game played in trying conditions between two sides that will refuse to give an inch.
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THE Surfers Paradise Demons have set a target of winning all of their remaining matches before they start talking about finals.
The Demons are playing Springwood the same team they have a catch-up match against next month and coach Beau Zorko is understandably worried that the improving Pumas do not look to be the pushovers they once were.
“We’re not talking finals, we have to worry about Springwood first because they are a very dangerous proposition and they’re playing with new-found enthusiasm and energy,” Zorko said.
Springwood’s improvement has coincided with the mid-season signing of former Brisbane Lions midfielder Albert Proud, who has added plenty of spark to the Pumas. Coach Tony King agreed,”Alberts arrival sparked a resurgence in the playing group and with the addition of Greg Friis and Ethan Reading also from Mt Gravatt, we have got a group that are starting to believe in themselves.”
“We’re setting ourselves to win very weekend so we can secure fourth spot and a home final,” Zorko said, keeping in mind the Demons have a postponed round four match against them to be played on Wednesday night, August 8.
For the trio to Lowe Oval in Brisbane today, the Demons have five changes.
They have lost Dan Green (family reasons), Sam Folan (hamstring), Rhys O’Brien (knee) and Trent McIntyre (ankle).
Into the side are spearhead Korey Fulton, centre half-back Jake Tooma, onballer Mitch Ryan and 17-year-old Zane Smith, a former Southport player for his seniors debut.
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MEANWHILE, Burleigh have suffered a huge blow with a season-ending knee injury to captain and central defender Tim McKay.
McKay, who has been forced to drop out of the Queensland Country squad, had been experiencing some discomfort but the knee blew up badly after Burleigh’s drought-breaking win against Coolangatta last weekend.
Scans confirmed McKay has ripped an anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo reconstructive surgery.
The Bombers will also be without Cameron Rowlands (dislocated kneecap) for their match against Sandgate at Bill Godfrey Oval.
Sandgate have been going through a horror patch latterly with only one win (over Coolangatta) since their round 9 victory over Wilston Grange. Any thoughts they have of playing the finals will go down the drain if the lose to the Bombers.
The last time they met the Hawks had an easy 54 point victory, it will be a lot closer this time.
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IT does not get any easier for struggling Coolangatta, who were banished to the foot of the ladder when Burleigh beat them last weekend.
Today they are at home to premiers Noosa at Len Peak Oval in Kirra.
Asked how he could get his team up for the occasion Blues Coach Neil McKay said,” there is no magic pill you just have to appeal to the competitive nature of each individual player and hope they get the message. We have picked up a couple of bigger bodies since the hiding at Noosa and we will be a lot harder this time.”
Noosa Coach Wayne Fletcher said,” even though we beat them by 125 points in round 3 we are expecting a lot tougher game this time and won’t be taking them lightly.”
With the experience of Peter Trompf and Captain Adam Bovalino missing from the line up due to injury Fletcher was happy to get some talent players back from injury,” we get back Dayne Frew and Zac Smith and we have promoted Jack Hendrie and Dominic Waterman which should give us a well balanced squad, “he said.
It will be nothing short of a miracle if the Blues “could knock” off the Tigers but will certainly be closer than last time.
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Mayne and Maroochydore had a very interesting tussel in round 3 with the Tigers only managing to break away from the Roos in the last Quarter, on that day Luke Faulkner was the difference between the two sides, this week the damaging forward is sidelined with injury.
Tigers Coach Mich Ferguson said,” we will field a totally different side to our first encounter, injuries have take a big toll on our lineup over the past few weeks, but on the bright side former Aspley speedster Nikos Kiem will make his Senior debt with the club and is sure to make an impact.”
“This will be a big challenge for us,” said Roos Coach Roger Delaney. “ We have been able to keep virtually the same side on the track over recent weeks, they are very young and are in the middle of a huge learning curve,” he said.
“We have been keen to persist with the youngsters, to give them a chance to prove themselves, we have a strong group in our u18’s and we expect most of them to play Senior football in the near future,” Delaney said.
Like most other games of round 14 the weather and ground conditions will play a big part in the final result, but this will be a close fought, entertaining game.
