Photo by Kieron Turner
By Abby Collins
The Labrador Tigers proved they are the stronger jungle cat in their home match against previous ladder leaders Morningside Panthers, securing a dominant victory.
Muddy conditions and heavy pressure from both sides led to a fierce and physical battle with players from both teams looking indistinguishable by the end of play.
Labrador emerged victorious under the reins of new head coach, Nick Jackson, with a final score of 17.8(110) to 1.8 (14),
The first quarter set the tone of the game, with intense contests from both sides.
Morningside proved their dominance in the ruck with Brad Hodge, while Labrador’s midfield group showed their strength winning clearance after clearance.
The opening 14 minutes saw the teams trading behinds, struggling to get goals on the board.
Aiden Fyfe broke the deadlock for Labrador, soccering the ball off the ground and through the posts for the first goal of the match.
Labrador’s pressure began to pay off as the quarter went on, Alex Fyfe added another goal from the forward pocket, showcasing the Tigers ability to capitalise on opportunities.
Morningside responded with a long-range goal from Matthew Waters, but Mackenzie Bristow quickly replied for Labrador maintaining the team’s momentum.
The second quarter saw Labrador extend their league, halting any more majors from Morningside for the rest of the game.
Nathan Pearce and Charlie Offersman both found the big sticks, while Christian Webster capitalised on a 100-meter penalty to further extend the margin in favour of the Tigers.
The tigers embodied the saying sharing is caring, ensuring all team members had a part to play in their success. The team went into half time with a 34-point lead.
The third quarter saw Labrador further assert their dominance, while the Panthers struggled to gain momentum.
Labradors midfield flattened its opposition, and Jayden Young excelled in the back’s repelling any goal scoring attempts made by Morningside.
Morningside’s Harry Taylor, Brad Hodge, Cam Lovig and the young gun Kai Purslow stood out for the Panthers, but their efforts weren’t enough to chase down the game leaders.
Aiden Fyfe was on fire, landing a very impressive mark in the goal square while sandwiched between two Panthers, adding on to the Tigers collection of goals.
In the final quarter Morningside were unable to rival the fierce contests from Labrador, struggling to catch back up, Waters goal from the first quarter remaining their only major scored.
Labrador came to the field with confidence and a new hand to guide them, in the end securing arguably one of the biggest upsets of the season.
Labradors new play book ensured they worked seamlessly together on ball and behind it.
While Hodge, Garrett McDonald and Mitchell Nelson fought hard for the visitors, they were unable to stem the tide of Labrador’s full team performance.
Jackson can be proud of what his team has accomplished, thwarting the once top of the ladder Morningside by 96 points when the buzzer rang out, showing a promising new direction for the Tigers heading into the second half of the season.
Morningside are not the only ones to taste an unexpected defeat this round. The wind seems to be changing with the top four teams taking heavy losses in Round 13.
Labrador 3.4 7.4 13.7 17.8 (110)
Morningside 1.3 1.6 1.6 1.8 (14)
Goals
Labrador Aiden Fyfe 4, Pearce 3, Bristow 2, Foon 2, Alex Fyfe 2, Offermans, Simpson, Webster
Morningside Waters
Best Players
Labrador Rhys Nicholls, Charlie Offermans, Tom Simpson, William Derrington, Bailey Brown, Nathan Pearce
Morningside Brad Hodge, Mitchell Howson, Garrett Mcdonagh, Keegan Downie
In other games
Broadbeach v Noosa
Broadbeach 5.1 6.7 7.12 10.16 (76)
Noosa 2.0 4.2 4.6 6.7 (43)
Goals
Broadbeach Bowman 2, Gray 2, Addinsall, Chadwick, Dawson, Harmelin, Mackenzie, Reeves
Noosa Freeman 2, Fitzpatrick, Johnston, Pettigrove, Silvangi
Best Players
Broadbeach Max Hudson, Ben O’Brien, Brandon Chadwick, Beau Addinsall, Finlay Gray, Taine Dawson
Noosa
Palm Beach Currumbin v Surfers Paradise
Palm Beach Currumbin 2.3 4.3 5.4 7.7 (49)
Surfers Paradise 2.7 7.10 8.12 10.14 (74)
Goals
Palm Beach Currumbin Rubock 4, Valpied 2, North
Surfers Paradise Patten 3, Fraser 2, Curtis, Jewell, Moore, Shea, Smith
Best Players
Palm Beach Currumbin Liam O’Brien, Fred Valpied, Dylan Patterson, Ethan Sekac, Blair Rubock, Ted O’Brien
Surfers Paradise Zac Smith, Billy Beardsell, Harrison Fraser, Benjamin Woodburn, Jamison Shea, Matt Doran
Aspley v Maroochydore
Aspley 2.1 3.2 6.3 8.6 (54)
Maroochydore 2.6 4.7 9.8 9.13 (67)
Goals
Aspley Connor Stackelberg 4, Myers 2, Mckenzie, Payne
Maroochydore Scholard 2, Thomas 2, Adams, Cavallaro, Holt, Stewart, Wagner
Best Players
Aspley Errin Wasley-Black, Connor Stackelberg, Jordan Hayden, Liam Dawson, Macauley Lonergan, Matthew Payne
Maroochydore Joshua Wagner, Hunter Moore, Joshua Govan, Max McDonald, Zac Stone, Sam Mckenzie
Mt Gravatt v Wilston Grange
Mt Gravatt 0.1 3.2 4.2 8.2 (50)
Wilston Grange 5.5 10.9 18.12 24.15 (159)
Goals
Mt Gravatt Blood 2, Clare 2, Angus, Finlay, Priestley, Yashin Torres
Wilston Grange Fazldeen 5, Baker 4, Raines 4, Farry 2, Fidler 2, Gordon 2, Martyn 2, Mifsud 2, Stewart
Best Players
Mt Gravatt Fletcher Clare, Austin Brent, Jarryd Karo, Kaeden Corboy, Jack Paterson, Robert Blood
Wilston Grange Joel Budarick, Kailem Baker, William Martyn, Jake Fazldeen, Daniel Farry, Lachlan Rhook
Redland Victoria Point v Sherwood
Redland Victoria Point 3.7 6.7 8.9 9.12 (66)
Sherwood 1.4 5.7 6.9 9.15 (69)
Goals
Redland Victoria Point Hammelmann 5, McDowell-White 2, Brown, Malone
Sherwood Bulley 3, Hude 2, Aurisch, Bridge, Collins, Cruice
Best Players
Redland Victoria Point Ethan Petterwood, Scott Miller, Clay Cameron, Matt Hammelmann, Craig Malone, Jack Rolls
Sherwood Liam Hude, Ethan Harris, Riley Greene, Owen Collins, Jonathan Giles, Jack Austin
