By Chris ‘Yeendy’ Yeend
WILSTON GRANGE v SHERWOOD
Last time they met
Round 18 – 2022
Sherwood 12.4.76 defeated Wilston grange 8.16.64
Leading goal kicker
Wilston Grange – Lachie Rook (5)
Sherwood – Jack Austin and Pat McCarthy (3)
Last round
WILSTON GRANGE flexed its muscles in the Good Friday match on the road to Noosa last week. Lachie Rook and Billy Richardson kicked eight goals between them in the 11-point win. After leading by six goals at half-time, it was challenged by Noosa in the second half; ultimately going goal-less in the final term. The returning Matt Eagles led by example in a dominant display across the back line.
SHERWOOD played one impressive quarter against Mt Gravatt back in the opening round; with five second quarter goals to trail by a kick. Unfortunately for the Pies; they ran out of legs in the second half, going down by 47-points. Its forward line structure of Austin and McCarthy works well with the pair combining for six of eight goals.
Who will win and why
Wilston Grange have more experience and strength across all lines. Lachie Rook could very well be one of the recruits of the season the QAFL after crossing from Far North Queensland in the off-season and he will be difficult to stop across half forward. His four goals last week provided a glimpse of what is to come. Sherwood has some talent in the forward line and it will take quite some time to develop and gel; but they will get there. Having Eagles nesting in that space will deny them of more opportunities to score.
This is an important match for both teams who need to play good football consistently across longer stretches of the game.
NOOSA v MORNINGSIDE
Last time they met
Round 12 – 2022
Morningside 14.12.96 defeated Noosa 14.8.92
Leading goal kicker
Noosa – Aaron Wilson (3)
Morningside – Keegan Downie (5)
Last round
NOOSA had a slow start in its annual Good Friday blockbuster against Wilston Grange, going down by two kicks. Captain Aaron Laskey impressed while Aaron Wilson provided a target up forward with two goals, including a solid first half. Isaac McCrimmon was at his typical nuggety best.
MORNINGSIDE comes into this game in the best form of any team in the competition. Doesn’t a win with a kick after the siren in the season opener constitute as incredible form? The Panthers were more than five-goals down in the third term before an incredible comeback led to Keegan Downie living the boy-hood dream with a goal after the siren to win the game against Wilston Grange.
Who will win and why
Morningside on the road in a tight contest. We’ve seen the best and worst of Noosa in its opening two rounds with a lightening start in the first half against the Sharks and a strong finish in the second half against the Gorillas, with ordinary periods in between; but resulting in two tough losses.
Unless Noosa can dominate the clearances and play at least three quarters of solid football, which it absolutely can; it could be a tough day at the office. One player doesn’t make a difference, but Mitch Robinson in the team for Morningside makes everyone else play that little bit better.
LABRADOR v REDLAND VICTORIA POINT
Last time they met
Round 18 – 2022
Labrador 13.9.87 defeated Redland Victoria Point 8.8.56
Leading goal kicker
Labrador – Harry Law (3)
Redland Victoria Point – Matt Hammelmann (6)
Last round
LABRADOR enjoyed a typical win in the season opener against Maroochydore; tough, gritty and resilient. A 17-point win against a highly attacking team is ideal for new coach Clint Watts and is an ideal foundation to build from. Matt Lee and Jayden Young were typically outstanding while young gun Harry Law proved a viable target.
REDLAND VICTORIA POINT kicked a dozen goals in the second half to sink Noosa by 69-points in the season opener. Hammelmann kicked six goals while Jack Rolls and Brock Aston dominated the midfield after half-time after being jumped in the first term. To put 20 goals on the board in the opening round is a great sign for any team looking to make a statement.
Who will win and why
This is going to be a tough contest and it all depends on who gets the games on their terms. Labrador plays a gritty and contested brand of football that is more conducive to lower scoring; while RVP is a more free-flowing attacking brand that will see the ball transition into the forward-line at break-neck speed. RVP however, does possess some of the toughest players in the competition.
If the winning goal tally is 13 goals or less; Labrador will win, anything more and RVP win. This ground doesn’t see too many high scores produced, so it might suit the home team more
BROADBEACH v MAROOCHYDORE
Last time they met
Round 19 – 2022
Broadbeach 18.7.115 defeated Maroochydore 12.4.76
Leading goal kicker
Broadbeach – Ben Brown and Sam Jasper (3)
Maroochydore – Josh Keleher (2)
Last round
BROADBEACH fought out a famous draw against Aspley in the battle of the reigning Grand Finalists. The Cats had 11 of their 2022 Grand Final list playing that day the 12.8.80 to 11.14.80 result. Max Lower and Blake Erickson impressed while Kasey Nicholas was a stand-out in the backline for his new club.
MAROOCHYDORE put up a brave battle in its season opener against Labrador. Missing captain Josh Govan in the midfield on the day, the Roos trailed by a point at quarter-time and 15-points at half-time with little fluctuation in margin in the second half. Josh Wagner impressed on debut while Brent Pearson was at his usual rock-solid-best in the 8.11.59 to 11.10.76 loss.
Who will win and why
Both teams will be expected to be close to full strength following the Easter break that should shape a very interesting contest.
Broadbeach exceeded all expectations in the season opener against Aspley in the draw. It’s a massive challenge when there is a large turn-over of personnel in the off-season and stand up and deliver like it did with its new recruits could very well see this squad continue a new chapter of instilling fear into the competition.
Maroochydore do have a strong forward line with Harrison Kerr at centre half forward; a player that was very underrated while at the Sharks. Mitch Scholard at his best is one of the best forwards in the competition and teaming up alongside Kerr will cause headaches.
Broadbeach will go in as red-hot favourites, especially after its recent match with Aspley. Maroochydore will fight for the full four quarters and its matches like this where it needs to do more than fight: but win.
Ultimately the home team still have more winners across all lines that will make them too strong.
MT GRAVATT v SURFERS PARADISE
Last time they met
Round 21 – 2022
Mt Gravatt 14.17.101 defeated Surfers Paradise 10.13.73
Leading goal kicker
Mt Gravatt – Dylan Smith (4)
Surfers Paradise – Noah Bradshaw and Billy Beardsell (2)
Last round
MT GRAVATT was outstanding across three quarters in its eight-goal win over the Pies in the season opener. Harry Milford provided glimpses of some of his best with three goals and it’s a positive sign of his ability to take the next big step following the efforts of last year. Jaked Torney was so good across half-back and that run and dash that he shows so well will be a key for this team in 2023.
SURFERS PARADISE challenged Palm Beach Currumbin in the season opener before going down by 16-points. In a contest that had a delayed start after an horrific injury in the first 15-seconds of the game to PBC co-captain Jonathon Croad, it probably came as no surprise that they responded strongly to lead by four-goals at the opening change. From there, it was a tight contest. Jack Prestegar was outstanding in the midfield and Alby Jones was rock-solid in the backline.
Who will win and why
This game is massive for both teams and it may be the most difficult game to tip across the weekend. The Dees don’t want to be sitting 0-2 after a solid pre-season while the Vultures will have a spring in their step at 2-0. It will be a hard slog and low-scoring affair and we’ll definitely learn a lot about both teams when the final siren sounds. Mt Gravatt, just.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN v ASPLEY
Last time they met
Round 12 – 2022
Aspley 11.10.76 defeated Palm Beach Currumbin 8.8.56
Leading goal kicker
Palm Beach Currumbin – Malachi Dumas and Jedd Foggo (3)
Aspley – Will Peppin and Nick Dodge (3)
Last round
ASPLEY played out a remarkable draw against Broadbeach on April 1 at home while unfurling the 2022 Premiership flag in the Grand Final rematch. The Hornets kicked 2.5 in the final term to 2.1 in the draw. Nick Dodge and Will Peppin kicked three goals each while Jono Freeman was a stand-out in his return to the club.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN responded to the heartbreak of losing co-captain Jonathon Croad in the opening 15 seconds with the opening four goals of the game against Surfers Paradise and did what it had to do to win a tight game. It was a tough experience by 21 players in a PBC jumper but to win like they did is a true test of character; even added with the late change of Senior coach in the off-season.
Who will win and why
Aspley have winners across all lines and quality premiership experience. It would have wanted to secure that first up win against Broadbeach, the draw that could play a pivotal role in the make up of the ladder.
PBC is tough and strong; but with no David Armitage in the team, it takes away from that experience. Aspley lacks a bit of experience up forward without Connor Stackleberg that could see James Frawley play a key role down back for the Lions. Look out for recruit Ti Cuffe who makes his debut for the team and fits that grit that Tommy Thynne showcases.
This one will have a margin inside four goals.
