Photo by Craig Slaney Sports Photography
By Abby Collins
The Sunshine Coast is set to come alive this weekend as the local derby between the Maroochydore Roos and the Noosa Tigers takes centre stage in this year’s Pride Round.
This highly anticipated match promises intense rivalry and thrilling football.
The Roos and the Tigers are no strangers to each other, having faced off earlier this season. In that encounter, Maroochydore emerged victorious with a commanding score of 12.16 (88) to 6.7 (43).
The Tigers, however, are keen to turn the tables this time around, buoyed by strategic midseason recruits that they hope will provide the edge needed to secure a win.
The stakes are high, with both teams vying for the much-needed four points and the bragging rights that come with a derby win.
Fans from across the coast are expected to flock to Domino’s Park, creating an electric atmosphere that will rival that of a finals match.
“This is the biggest clash on the coast, it’s the local derby. Both clubs get there in massive numbers, it’s about as close to a final as you can get,” Maroochydore coach Steve Wildschut said.
Maroochydore will be feeling the absence of Lucas Kangur, who suffered an injury early in last week’s game against Aspley.
Stepping up to fill his shoes is young gun Ty Gallop.
On the other side, Noosa has bolstered their lineup with the addition of Jesse Tuohey in half forward and Cian Molloy in their interchange, replacing Riley O’Dwyer and Benjamin McNiece.
The Tigers will be bringing some impactful players to the oval for this redemption game. The contributions of midseason recruit Ben Silvagni and midfielder Mitchell Conn have been pivotal in recent games.
One of the key matchups to watch will be the ruck contest between Maroochydore’s Mac Johnston and Noosa’s Max McDonald.
Both players are leading the season’s hit-out rankings, and their clash is expected to be a focal point in the midfield battle.
Another player to keep an eye on is Noosa’s Jonathan Freeman, who is currently fourth on the overall goal leaderboard with 40 goals this season.
Maroochydore’s Mitchell Scholard, with 32 goals, is not far behind and will be looking to close the gap.
Wildschut has praised the leadership of captain Josh Govan and vice-captain Sam McKenzie.
“I have been really impressed with our leadership group, our captain Josh Govern has been fantastic, our vice-captain Sam McKenzie as well,” Wildschut said.
“These two guys have really been leading by example.”
Maroochydore’s young brigade, including Harrison Ronchi, Hunter Moore, and Bradley McDonald, have been seamlessly integrating into the senior side, adding a dynamic mix of youth and experience.
“The young players that we have got back from the academy have been playing great senior football,” Wildschut said.
“We have got a really good blend of youth and leadership working together out there at the moment.”
Noosa’s forward line will be a significant threat, with the combination of Silvagni and Freeman posing considerable challenges for Maroochydore’s defence.
Wildschut acknowledged the strengths of the opposition but remains confident in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“Noosa have got some players back since the last time we played them. We are expecting a different performance from them,” he said.
“They have recruited Ben Silvagni since that game. Their forward line with Silvagni and Jonathan Freeman certainly looks like it will pose some headaches.”
The anticipation surrounding this match is palpable, with both teams showing strong form leading into the pointy end of the season.
Whether Maroochydore can repeat their earlier triumph or Noosa can secure an upset remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this derby will be one for the books.
