By Abby Collins
Redland-Victoria Point Sharks and Surfers Paradise Demons are set to clash in a crucial Round 17 matchup that could reshape the QAFL ladder.
The battle will unfold at Redland’s home ground, where the Sharks have proven notoriously difficult to defeat.
Their last encounter during Round 12 of this season saw Redland-Victoria Point emerging victorious with a 12.15 (87) to 10.11 (71) win over Surfers Paradise.
Looking for revenge and hopes of staying in contention for finals, the Demons will be bringing their all to this weekend’s match up.
This clash carries extra weight for the Sharks, as they celebrate Matt Thomson’s 250th game for the club.
The milestone adds an emotional charge to an already high-stakes encounter, with both teams fighting to improve their ladder positions.
Surfers Paradise enters the fray with a reshuffled lineup.
While Malachi Lines sits out due to injury, the return of Caleb Nancarrow from VFL duties with the Gold Coast Suns injects fresh energy into the Demons’ squad.
The Sharks, meanwhile, face their own roster challenges.
The absence of Matt Hammelmann, the competition’s leading goal scorer, leaves a significant void in their offensive lineup.
However, the return of Campbell Aston, Todd Carbone, Bailey Reeves, and Robert Campbell promises to bolster their ranks.
Surfers Paradise coach Matthew Lappin is banking on the impact of key players to turn the tide in their favour. He’s particularly excited about Hayden Crozier’s recent form.
“We welcomed back Hayden Crozier last game, who was our big recruit from the Western Bulldogs in the AFL last year,” he said.
“So him having another two weeks of training under his belt, hopefully we see him continue to improve towards what we hope to be a finals run.”
The coach also highlighted the importance of captain Harrison Fraser and Billy Beardsell.
“If we’re going to go to Redlands and cause an upset, we’re going to need Crozier, Fraser and Beardsell to have really big games.”
On the Sharks’ side, coach Phil Carse is confident in his team’s depth, despite Hammelmann’s absence.
“Our young fella, Daniel Annable, who’s played the last few games with us since he came back from the Allies, has been in great form,” he said.
“He won the Rising Star against Wilson Grange before the bye, so I think he’s definitely one to watch.”
Carse is also expecting big performances from Dylan Smith and Clay Cameron, each holding their fair share of this seasons Shark majors.
“In the absence of Matt Hammelmann, I think Dylan Smith and Clay Cameron will probably really step up in those forward line roles,” Carse said.
“We are looking forward to seeing what they bring to the table this weekend.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Surfers Paradise.
“Our destiny is in our own hands. We’ve just got to keep winning,” Lappin said,
“We want to try and build some momentum and take that into a final series.”
However, he’s under no illusions about the challenge ahead, acknowledging the Shark’s recent form and finals pedigree.
“They’ve obviously played in the last couple of grand finals,” Lappin said.
“They’re a very strong side, and we’ve got to beat them at their home ground.”
With both teams hungry for victory and aware of its potential impact on their season, this clash promises to be a thrilling encounter.
As the Sharks defend their home turf and the Demons fight to climb the ladder, fans can expect a fierce battle that could well come down to the wire.
The other action happening this weekend will be found on the Gold Coast, with Labrador and Noosa facing off at the Tigers Den, and Wilston Grange coming to Broadbeach’s home ground to battle out Round 17.
