Photo by SG Photos
By Abby Collins
In front of a vibrant and enthusiastic crowd, the Maroochydore Roos claimed a decisive victory over the Noosa Tigers in the Sunshine Coast derby at Domino’s Park.
The game showcased the Roos’ superior fundamentals and resilience, leading to a final score of 15.11 (101) to 1.8 (14) in favour of the home team.
The atmosphere was electric from the outset, with fans flocking to the oval to support their respective teams with the win of this game meaning more to the club than just the four points.
“For everyone involved in club, the local derby certainly has a lot more meaning,” Maroochydore coach Steve Wildschut said.
“There were a lot of people down there to cheer us on, it was a very good day for Maroochydore.”
Benjamin Thomas set the tone for the Roos, scoring the first major of the game.
Despite the windy conditions, a challenge for both teams, Maroochydore adapted quickly.
The Roos’ dominance in ground ball grabs and handballs became evident as they consistently outmanoeuvred the Tigers through their fundamentals.
The first quarter saw Maroochydore’s inside 50 dominations with an explosive Elliot Cavallaro and Aaron Wilson each contributing goals, while Noosa struggled to convert their opportunities into points.
By the end of the first quarter, the Roos had established a comfortable lead, which only expanded as the game progressed.
In the second quarter, Noosa showed signs of gaining momentum, but Maroochydore’s defence, led by Adam Smyth, held firm.
The wind played a critical role, thwarting several of Noosa’s attempts to score.
A standout moment came from Thomas Holt, who scored a stunning goal after a solo run, further extending the Roos’ lead.
Ty Gallop was praised as a key player for Maroochydore by coach Wildschut, and kicked back-to-back goals, driving the margin to 37 points.
“Everyone did their job, but Ty Gallop had a lot to offer, he should definitely be one people are looking at for his draft year,” Wildschut said.
By halftime, the Roos were firmly in control, leading 7.6 (48) to 0.3 (3), with Sam Mackenzie adding a major before the break.
Despite the scoreline, Noosa came back from the interval with renewed vigour, holding the Roos off for the first half of the quarter.
Jonathan Freeman scored Noosa’s only goal of the game midway through the third quarter thanks to a rememberable contested mark directly in front of his team’s posts, marking a brief resurgence for the Tigers.
The third quarter was a showcase of defensive prowess from Maroochydore, with Smyth effectively neutralising Freeman, one of Noosa’s most dangerous players.
Despite valiant efforts from Noosa’s Ryan Crisp and captain Lachlan Flagg, the Tigers could not break through Maroochydore’s defence consistently.
The final quarter saw the Roos solidifying their lead with additional goals from Gallop, Mitchel Scholard and a fourth from Benjamin Thomas.
The game ended with the home side firmly on top, their set up behind and on ball, paired with their seamless fundamental work really setting then apart.
Post-match, Wildschut expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, already looking to the future.
“I was very happy with our performance,” he said.
“Noosa started to gain momentum at times, but we were able to stop that and be on top all across the ground.
“This win certainly gives us confidence and we are looking forward to taking it with us to Palm Beach Currumbin next weekend.
“Every win we get is just another opportunity for us to lengthen our season, so this weekend was a great result.”
Maroochydore 3.1 7.6 12.8 16.12 (108)
Noosa 0.3 0.3 1.5 1.8 (14)
Goals
Maroochydore Thomas 4, Gallop 2, Scholard 3, Cavallaro 2, Holt, Mckenzie, O’Leary, Wilson
Noosa Freeman
Best Players
Maroochydore Joshua Wagner, Ty Gallop, Daniel Fleming, Adam Smyth, Liam Adams, Zac Stone
Noosa Nathan Horbury, Jai Fitzpatrick, Maverick Pettigrove, Ryan Crisp, Lachlan Flagg, Jai Mure
Other Games
Broadbeach v Aspley
Broadbeach 4.3 5.7 8.9 14.9 (93)
Aspley 3.1 8.5 10.5 13.7 (85)
Goals
Broadbeach Erickson 2, Gray 2, Bowman, Dawson, Filippone, Harrington, Hitchcock, Kelly, Mackenzie, Mole, Oneill, Reeves
Aspley Batchelor 3, Stackleberg 2, coombes, Hayden, Hill, Lonergan, Myers, Payne, Peppin, Wasley-Black
Best Players
Broadbeach Blake Erickson, Cody Harrington, Kwaby Boakye, Jake Wood, Riley Bowman, Kasey Nicholas
Aspley Brandon Batchelor, Coen Harker, Luke Saunders, Cody Stackelberg, Macauley Lonergan, Joel Leahy
Redland Victoria Point v Palm Beach Currumbin
Redland Victoria Point 7.5 12.6 14.11 18.11 (119)
Palm Beach Currumbin 2.1 4.4 7.6 14.10 (94)
Goals
Redland Victoria Point Hammelmann 6, Johnson 3, Annable 2, Brown, Cameron, Finch, Geesu, Hambleton, Petterwood, Rolls
Palm Beach Currumbin Croad 3, Valpied 3, Beaman 2, Rubock 2, Dawson, Farrell, O’Brien, Stafford
Best Players
Redland Victoria Point Matthew Thomson, Matthew Hambleton, Daniel Annable, Matt Hammelmann, Ethan Petterwood, Clay Cameron
Palm Beach Currumbin Ethan Sekac, Fred Valpied, Salvatore Cilmi, Jonathan Croad, AJ Dawson, Ted O’Brien
Morningside v Surfers Paradise
Morningside 4.1 11.7 13.10 14.12 (96)
Surfers Paradise 3.1 5.1 6.5 8.9 (57)
Goals
Morningside Purslow 4, Downie 2, Lloyd 2, Cockatoo, Godfrey, Horne, Straker, Waters, Winton
Surfers Paradise Boxer, Curtis, kennedy, Macpherson, Patten, Reardon, Shea, Woodburn
Best Players
Morningside Zane Pearce, Dylan Swann, Daniel Lloyd, Cam Lovig, Wyatt Greenaway, Tommy Horne
Surfers Paradise Elijah Reardon, Zac Smith, Billy Beardsell, Alby Jones, Hamish Anderson, Zai Millane
Labrador v Mt Gravatt
Labrador 11.2 16.6 21.12 26.18 (174)
Mt Gravatt 1.1 2.2 3.3 3.4 (22)
Goals
Labrador Aiden Fyfe 7, Goldsmith 4, Krok 3, Bristow 2, Hall 2, Pearce 2, Foon, Alex Fyfe, Mercer, Offersman, Simpson, Young
Mt Gravatt Karo 2, Blood
Best Players
Labrador Jay Foon, Harry Sullivan, Sam Mercer, Aiden Hall, Aiden Fyfe, Zach Molloy
Mt Gravatt Kaeden Corboy, Austin Brent, Robert Blood, Fletcher Clare, Tadhg Angus, Arnold Conway
Wilston Grange v Sherwood
Wilston Grange 3.0 7.1 9.3 14.6 (90)
Sherwood 3.4 3.4 7.4 9.4 (58)
Goals
Wilston Grange Fidler 5, manly 3, Stewart 3, Baker, Derksen, Fazldeen, Mathieson
Sherwood Hude 3, Gillett 2, Bulley, Cruice, Fletcher, Prest
Best Players
Wilston Grange Lachlan Rhook, Hugh Fidler, Tahj Abberley, William Martyn, Zackary Derksen, Marly Mcgregor
Sherwood Liam Hude, Will Fletcher, Jonathan Giles, Owen Collins, Riley Greene, Oliver Cruice
