By Abby Collins.
The clash of two Gold Coast titans saw Surfers Paradise emerge triumphant over Broadbeach in a nail-biting encounter.
The exhilarating match unfolded as a tale of two halves, with the initial period showcasing a goal-for-goal spectacle, while the latter half was dominated by fierce contests and stellar defensive efforts from both sides.
Buoyed by a sea of supporters celebrating player milestones and Ladies Day, the Demons clinched a hard-fought 14-point victory, with the final siren heralding a score of 16.10 (106) to 14.8 (92).
The contest ignited with Thomas Reeves snapping a goal for Broadbeach, setting the stage for a riveting first quarter.
The Cats initially held sway, with Reeves displaying exceptional ground-level prowess and Captain Blake Erickson quickly adding another major for Broadbeach off a stoppage.
However, Surfers Paradise swiftly countered, with Joe Kennedy’s clean disposal and mark leading to Mitchell Patten’s goal, announcing the Demons’ presence on the scoreboard.
The tide turned in Surfers’ favour as Brody Haberfield ramped up his defensive efforts, thwarting Broadbeach’s forward momentum.
Patten slotted his second major, followed by a flurry of goals from Hayden Cozier, Benjamin Woodburn, and Jalen Curtis.
Elijah Reardon, in a tactical shift to the forward line, added another dimension to Surfers’ attack, capping off the quarter with a goal that extended the Demons’ lead to 25 points.
The second stanza saw young Alan O’Neil kick-start Broadbeach’s resurgence with a major.
However, the Cats struggled to capitalise on their opportunities, thanks to Haberfield’s impenetrable defence.
Surfers’ offensive shone, with Harrison Fraser’s crucial intercepts creating scoring chances for the red and white brigade.
Curtis showcased his lightning-quick skills, scooping the ball off the deck and threading it through the big sticks for his second major for the Cats.
The efforts of Kasey Nicholls, Kwaby Boakye, and Harrison Mackenzie kept Broadbeach in the hunt, culminating in Will Cooper’s vital goal before the main break.
The premiership quarter was a pressure-cooker, with both teams returning to the fray with renewed vigour.
The contest became an arm-wrestle, with play concentrated in the midfield.
Surfers managed to eke out a three-goals-to-two advantage, including a clutch goal from the pocket, giving them a buffer heading into the final term.
Broadbeach maintained their aggressive pattern, winning the first score following the buzzer and converting through Reeves for his fifth major at the beginning of the last quarter.
Boakye’s shift to the midfield injected explosive energy into the Cats’ engine room. However, Frazer’s second goal for Surfers kept the Demons in control.
The Cats mounted a late charge with goals from Reeves and Cooper Collins, narrowing the margin to just eight points.
But Joe Kennedy’s spectacular contested mark and subsequent goal sealed the deal for Surfers Paradise.
This momentous victory saw Surfers Paradise claim the Andrew Schumacher Memorial Trophy, while celebrating Brody Haberfield’s 200th game, Curtis Jalen’s 50th, and their annual Ladies Day.
The win propelled the Demons to sixth on the ladder, inching them closer to this season’s finals.
Surfers Paradise 8.3 11.6 14.9 16.10 (106)
Broadbeach 4.2 9.5 11.6 14.8 (92)
Goals
Surfers Paradise Patten 4, Woodburn 3, Crozier 2, Curtis 2, Fraser 2, Kennedy 2, Reardon
Broadbeach Reeves 6, Oneill 2, Collins, Cooper, Ericson, Gray, Mackenzie, Nicholas
Best Players
Surfers Paradise
Broadbeach Thomas Reeves, Kwaby Boakye, Brandon Chadwick, Blake Erickson, Will Cooper, Jack Haggar
In other games
Wilston Grange v Redland-Victoria Point
Wilston Grange 0.3 4.7 7.8 10.10 (70)
Redland-Victoria Point 3.3 6.5 9.9 13.13 (91)
Goals
Wilston Grange Fazldeen 2, Gordon 2, Raines 2, Martyn, McFayden, Mifsud, Richardson
Redland Victoria Point Smith 4, Cameron 2, Finch 2, Geesu 2, Annable, Brown, Hammelmann
Best players
Wilston Grange Tex Korewha, Fergus McFadyen, Ben McGinness, Billy Richardson, Oscar Stewart, Daniel Bowles
Redland Victoria Point Dylan Smith, Scott Miller, Adrian Williams, Clay Cameron, Daniel Annable, Jack Rolls
Aspley v Labrador
Aspley 3.5 7.7 12.11 20.17 (137)
Labrador 1.2 3.4 4.5 5.6 (36)
Goals
Aspley Connor Stackelberg 5, Batchelor 4, Harker 2, Templeton 2, Watson 2, Hill, Leahy, Myers, O’Dwyer, Cody Stackelberg
Labrador Krok, Molloy, Simpson
Best Players
Aspley Will Wolbers, Brandon Batchelor, Liam Dawson, Coen Harker, Mitchell Crawley, Tom Templeton
Labrador Rhys Nicholls, Nathan Kady, Justin Krok, Mackenzie Bristow, Christian Webster
Palm Beach Currumbin v Maroochydore
Palm Beach Currumbin 4.2 5.6 10.7 17.8 (110)
Maroochydore 1.4 4.5 7.8 11.12 (78)
Goal
Palm Beach Currumbin McInney 4, Beaman 3, Valpied 3, Hickey 2, Cilmi, Croad, Graham, Hayes, Stafford
Maroochydore Scholard 3, Cavallaro 2, Adams, Gallop, Govan, McDonald, Stone, Wagner
Best Players
Palm Beach Currumbin
Maroochydore Bradley McDonald, Joshua Wagner, Sam Mckenzie, Ty Gallop, Mitchel Scholard, Bailey Hahn
Noosa v Morningside
Noosa 1.4 4.6 8.10 9.13 (67)
Morningside 5.1 11.5 13.7 14.13 (97)
Goals
Noosa Freeman 5, Fitzpatrick, Flagg, Mure, Pettigrove
Morningside Downie 4, Cameron-Reeves 2, Cockato 2, Bertoli -Simmonds, Horne, Lillico, Mcdonagh, Peak, Pendlebury
Best Players
Noosa Mitchell Conn, Tallis Buntain, Nathan Horbury, Jonathan Freeman, Maverick Pettigrove, Lachlan Flagg
Morningside ommy Horne, Dylan Swann, Garrett Mcdonagh, Lachlan Niland-Rowe, Keegan Downie, Cam Lovig
Sherwood v Mt Gravatt
Sherwood 6.1 13.5 21.13 31.18 (204)
Mt Gravatt 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.2 (8)
Goals
Sherwood Bulley 5, Hude 3, Nelson 3, Aurisch 2, Austin 2, Fletcher 2, Gilder 2, Greene 2, Knight 2, Bridge, Clarke, Collins, Cruice, Giles, Harrison, Meekin, Prest
Mt Gravatt Blood
Best Players
Sherwood Jonathan Giles, Will Fletcher, Liam Hude, Connor Bulley, Ryan Gilder, Tristen Meekin
Mt Gravatt Austin Brent, Michael Gordon, Kaeden Corboy, Thomas Hurst, Jack Paterson, Blake McClennan
