We’ve reached the halfway mark in another exciting QAFL season.
Undefeated and eight points clear of second, Broadbeach own the top spot on the 2021 ladder, but Craig O’Brien says it’s a position he isn’t taking for granted.
The Cat’s Coach admitting there were still open wounds from last year’s Grand Final defeat.
“The only way we can get over the hurt that we still feel from last year, is to try and get yourself in a position to have another crack at it,” he said.
“The start of our season has been a huge credit to the boys, I feel like they are getting better every week.
“We’ve had to trust the depth on our list, and they just keep standing up week in, week out. It’s a long season though and winning premierships are not easy.
“However, we are doing everything right at the moment, and that’s all you can do.”
Percentage only separates second to fourth, with Maroochydore, Labrador and Morningside all sitting on 24 points.
Maroochydore has been one of the rising stars of 2021; playing finals in their first season in the QAFL last year, the Roos are looking to push even further this season. The only concerning thing? They are yet to defeat a top five team.
They’ll get the chance to squash that this weekend though, when they play Labrador for the second hit out this year.
After a disappointing season last year, the Tigers, under the guidance of premiership Swan – Nick Malceski, have been purring nicely. Minus a hiccup against Sherwood and a decent showing against Broadbeach in round one, Labrador has been formidable.
Talking about formidable, Morningside was precisely that in the 2020 Grand Final. Although they might not have the same personnel this season, they are still there and about. They, too, have only lost to Broadbeach and Sherwood.
Newcomers into the competition, Redland-Victoria Point are a game behind in fifth place. The Sharks have looked dangerous but are yet to put a string of wins together, as they hunt for a 2021 finals berth in their first year back in the QAFL.
Rounding out the top six is Surfers Paradise, who’ve been challenging the top teams. The Demons only losing to Labrador by eight points and Broadbeach by 10 points. So, although they may have only won four games, they could be a dark horse in the second half of the year.
It was a slow start for last year’s preliminary finalists – Sherwood, losing their first three games. However, they have rectified it in recent weeks, defeating Labrador and Morningside, stating that they cannot be discounted from finals calculation in 2021.
Palm Beach Currumbin were also preliminary finalists last year and find themselves outside the top six. The Lions have only lost games against clubs in the top-5, though and are a game behind sixth, so like Sherwood, they definitely cannot be discounted from playing finals this year.
Mt Gravatt and Wilston Grange are both a game behind PBC. The Vultures had a great win against local rivals Sherwood in round two, but their only other win so far this year was against Noosa. Wilston Grange’s two wins have come against Noosa and Mt Gravatt.
The most north and newest team in the QAFL this year, Noosa, haven’t won a game yet but have toiled hard and is not too far away from opening their account and chalking up their maiden win – which prize scalp will they claim in 2021?
