Photo by Anthony Byron Photography
By Abby Collins
In a hotly contested Round 10 clash, Zupps Aspley Oval was packed out as the Aspley Hornets stunned previously undefeated Morningside Panthers, handing them their first loss of the season.
Aspley buzzed off the field taking the win, the final score reading 11.13 (79) to 8.10 (58).
In a high-intensity battle from start to finish, both teams left everything on the field.
The first quarter was a grind as both teams struggled to get points on the scoreboard early.
Connor Stackelberg finally opened Aspley’s account in the 25th minute before Morningside responded quickly through Harry Taylor.
Defence was the main focus for each side as they attempted to thwart the other’s scoring chances, with Aspley’s smothering proving particularly effective in blocking opportunities.
The first quarter was so evenly matched defensively it ended at 10 apiece.
The game opened up slightly in the second term as Thomas Watson and Mitchell Crawley (Aspley) added majors, effectively getting past the heavy backline unit of Morningside.
Matthew Waters and Keegan Downie hit back for Morningside, but Aspley’s defensive tag on ex-Brisbane Lions player Nakia Cockatoo by Lleyton Brown limited his usually devastating impact.
“Lleyton Brown did a solid job on Cockatoo when he was forward and we know how dangerous he can be,” said Aspley coach Adrian Pilgrim.
Despite his best efforts, Brown couldn’t keep the ball away from Cockatoo entirely. Nakia managed to skilfully take a handful of brilliant marks in Morningside’s forward 50, setting-up a few goals and behinds.
Aspley led by a single goal at half time, and an arm-wrestle ensued in the third quarter with the lead changing hands multiple times.
Kai Purslow briefly put Morningside ahead before Will Peppin and captain Brandon Batchelor responded for Aspley.
Liam Dawson’s playmaking and ball use was pivotal for the Hornets, managing to keep them that little bit ahead with their momentum in their back 50.
“Dawson was very good for us. He was able to defend first and set up behind the ball to intercept and start our offensive chains from the back half,” Pilgrim explained.
Downie’s third goal kept Morningside in touch, but Aspley led 51-37 at the final change.
It was one-way traffic in the final term as Aspley ran rampant with goals to Coen Harker and Stackelberg extending the margin beyond Morningside’s reach.
Taylor’s late consolation goal made no difference as the Hornets prevailed 79-58.
While both teams were missing key players, other stepped up to take on responsibility. Aspley played their game, ensuring they were patient and careful to take all scoring opportunities.
“Morningside are a high-quality team and work back hard to support defensively, so we knew we would have to be patient for our opportunities and find different ways to score,” Pilgrim said.
This win has blown the competition wide open, with no teams remaining undefeated, and Aspley has set themselves up in the perfect position to chase their third straight premiership.
Aspley 1.4 4.6 7.9 11.13 (79)
Morningside 1.4 3.6 5.7 8.10 (58)
Goals
Aspley Connor Stackelberg 4, Banks-Smith, Batchelor, Crawley, Harker, Herring, Peppin, Watson
Morningside Downie 2, Taylor 2, Mcdonagh, Niland-Rowe, Purslow, Waters
Best players
Aspley Liam Dawson, Lleyton Brown, Matthew Payne, Coen Harker, Ryan Banks-Smith, Connor Stackelberg
Morningside Kai Purslow, Garrett Mcdonagh, Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds, Mitchell Howson, Max Nelson, Wyatt Greenaway
Other Games
Noosa v Palm Beach Currumbin
Noosa 1.2 5.2 9.5 10.9 (69)
Palm Beach Currumbin 2.3 4.7 9.8 10.12 (72)
Goals
Noosa Rogers 3, Freeman 2, Langlan 2, Bowes, Conn, Free
Palm Beach Currumbin Beaman 4, Cilmi 2, Hay 2, Rubock 2,
Best Players
Noosa
Palm Beach Currumbin Cory Beaman, Marcus White, Jed Harrison, Zach Nussey, Charles Elliott, Hunter Hall
Broadbeach v Redland Victoria Point
Broadbeach 6.2 7.2 11.3 14.15 (89)
Redland Victoria Point -.1 9.6 16.8 22.14 (146)
Goals
Broadbeach Reeves 4, Hull 3, Butler 2, Coulson, Erickson, Harmelin, Hitchcock, Watson
Redland Victoria Point Hammelmann 7, Cameron 4, Johnson 4, Huddy 3, Aston, Brown, Reeves, Smith
Best Players
Broadbeach Blake Erickson, Jezz Butler, Harrison Mackenzie, Jake Wood, Thomas Reeves, Jack Haggar
Redland Victoria Point Silivelio Lemana-Pakau, Mitch Stallard, Matt Hammelmann, William Johnson, Jarrod Huddy, Todd Carbone
Wilston Grange v Labrador
Wilston Grange 2.5 5.6 10.9 15.14 (104)
Labrador 0.4 4.6 7.8 10.9 (69)
Goals
Wilston Grange Mcgregor 4, Bowles 3, Thompson 3, Derksen, Farry, Fazldeen, Pearce, Rhook
Labrador Nicholls 3, Goldsmith 2, Bristow, Fyfe, Morgan, Pearce, Sullivan
Best Players
Wilston Grange Matthew Pearce, Ben McGinness, Ned Rosenbrock, Daniel Farry, Zach Westerberg, Daniel Bowles
Labrador Christian Webster, Bailey Brown, Rhys Nicholls, Matt Lee, Jake Goldsmith, Aiden Fyfe
Surfers Paradise v Mt Gravatt
Surfers Paradise 6.5 11.10 18.12 30.12 (192)
Mt Gravatt 2.0 3.1 4.2 6.3 (39)
Goals
Surfers Paradise S Jewell 5, Patten 4, Shea 4, Curtis 3, Woodburn 3, Boxer 2, Doran 2, Nieass 2, Anderson, Corbett, Fraser, Luxton, Matheson
Mt Gravatt Blood 2, Angus, Dwyer, Kirkman, Smith
Best Players
Surfers Paradise Benjamin Woodburn, Jamison Shea, Matt Doran, Joshua Nieass, Samuel Jewell, Alby Jones
Mt Gravatt Fletcher Clare, Thomas Hurst, Kaeden Corboy, Jack Paterson, Xavier Smith
Maroochydore v Sherwood
Maroochydore 4.2 6.4 8.8 13.12 (90)
Sherwood 4.2 8.3 10.5 10.5 (65)
Goals
Maroochydore Wilson 5, Scholard 3, Adams 2, Gallop, Ronchi, Vivian
Sherwood Fletcher 4, Nelson 4, Gillett, Prest
Best Players
Maroochydore Aaron Wilson, Harrison Ronchi, Liam Jacka, Lachlan Robinson, Lochie Laing, Joshua Govan
Sherwood Will Fletcher, Oliver Cruice, Will Cruice, Dylan Nelson, Liam Hude, Riley Greene
