By Chris ‘Yeendy’ Yeend
The stage is set for a Grand Final rematch for the ages as two-time-reigning defending champions Aspley take on QAFL powerhouse Redland Victoria Point at Graham Road.
Aspley has eight new faces in the team that didn’t play in the Grand Final; nine if you include the coach. Luke Saunders slots into the back pocket, Mitch Crawley moves to halfback, Josh Coombes lines up at centre half forward, Cody Stackelberg and Joel Leahy move into the midfield, while Justice Bentley, Raymond Hill and Jack Mahon line up on the bench.
Jackson Allen, Reece Toye, Brandon Batchelor, Lachlan Rayner, Michael Best, Jonathon Freeman, Dan Joseph and Matt Payne are either unavailable or have moved on from the club in the off-season.
Redland Victoria Point has seven new faces in the team this weekend who didn’t play in the 2023 Grand Final. If its forward line wasn’t dominant already, it added Dylan Smith, Byron Funch and Clay Cameron to its attacking six, Bailey Reeves has slotted comfortably in the midfield, Nathan Smith is a new twin-tower at centre half back while Craig Malone, arguably the tallest player in the QAFL is in the ruck. Ethan Petterwood and Todd Carbone line up on the bench.
Peter Yagmoor, Brad Murdock, Jack Rolls, Dean Benson, Reuben William, Tom Matthews and Daniel Annable were those that played in the decider last year either not part of the list or unavailable.
CHANGES
ASPLEY – VFL product Matt McGuiness comes out of the team that defeated Broadbeach in the season-opener alongside captain Jordan Arnold; while Justice Bentley and Jack Mahon comes into the team for his first Senior game at the club. Mahon impressed for Hinterland in the QFA last season with 22 goals and impressive performances across the season. He’ll add some versatility in the midfield alongside Bentley who is a genuine workhorse.
REDLAND VICTORIA POINT – Midfielder Jack Rolls comes out of the team but Craig Malone comes in for his first Senior game at the club. Malone slots straight into the ruck to take on old rival Will Wolbers. The Mt Gravatt product will have some of the most elite midfielders in the competition at his disposal to tap to.
LAST WEEK
Aspley worked tirelessly to get passed Broadbeach in the season-opener last week. It kicked a staggering 3.9 in the final term, but most importantly held Broadbeach goalless in the win. Connor Stackelberg kicked four goals while Joel Leahy was outstanding on debut for the club.
Redland Victoria Point dominated Maroochydore by 15-goals in a monster performance. Recruits Dylan Smith (four), Clay Cameron (three), Byron Finch (3) and Bailey Reeves (1) contributed to 50-percent of the 22 goals kicked in the contest, one which was over early in the second term.
THIS WEEK
It cannot be stressed enough that Joel Leahy could be the most important jigsaw puzzle piece for Aspley in season 2024. After a brilliant season at the Vultures in 2023, one that was a struggle for the group in regard to results; Leahy joins the two-time-defending-champs starving for success and he comes into a group that has lifted aloft the past two premiership cups.
To have new personnel who haven’t experienced on-field success will add extra motivation to a group that have enjoyed plenty of it. Leahy is a brilliant midfielder in his own right and he takes on elite competition for the Sharks including roving against former teammate Craig Malone who so often in 2023 tapped the ball in Leahy’s favour. Now the pair are aligned on opposing sides; both built on success.
The Sharks played some incredible football last week against the Roos and the forward line additions of Finch (Southport VFL/Surfers Paradise – 32 goals in 2023) and Dylan Smith (Mt Gravatt – 42 goals in 2023) add so much to this list. Clay Cameron returned home to the Sharks in the off-season and kicked goals on his return after departing at the end of a 36 goal 2019 season for the club in the NEAFL.
Dylan Smith will have a break-out game for the Sharks in the forward half and while Matt Hammelmann will often be the go-to player for entry focus inside 50; Smith can create space and be the next key target that could strip the game away from the Hornets.
Redland Victoria Point is a vastly more attacking team, so it will be up to Aspley’s backline to hold firm. If it were to win, expect Mitch Crawley to be the best defender on the ground at half-back with Liam Dawson as the lead sweeper in defensive 30.
Aspley may just be too strong here at Graham Road purely because it’s a venue that is not conducive to a high-scoring nature which is a key strength to Redland Victoria Point’s success.
Aspley to win by 17-points
OTHER GAMES
In the other QAFL match ups this weekend, it’s a battle on the coast with Broadbeach hosting Labrador; Maroochydore will travel down to meet Morningside; after their nail-biting finish last week, Wilston Grange will host Noosa at home; Mt Gravatt will meet Palm Beach Currumbin; and Sherwood will face Surfers Paradise.
