Photo by Brooke Sleep Media
By Abby Collins
The stage is set for a thrilling showdown between two of Queensland’s oldest and most storied AFL clubs, as Wilston Grange and Morningside go head-to-head in Round 4 of the 2024 QAFL season.
The last time these two teams met, it was the Gorillas who emerged victorious, edging out the Panthers by a score of 12.13 (85) to 9.10 (64).
With both teams having made some intriguing offseason acquisitions, the tide could be set to change.
The recruitment of former Brisbane Lions teammates to opposing teams proves for an interesting match of the round.
Ex-teammates Rhys Mathieson and Nakia Cockatoo will be pitted against each other for the first time after their long-standing relationship playing on the same side.
The experience and talent they bring to their respective sides will be invaluable, a lot of the skill coming from the play book of Chris Fagan himself.
This match promises to be one of the best of the season, with such an evenly dispersal of talent, with the win likely coming down to who plays the smartest.
Heading into the game Morningside sits second on the QAFL ladder, yet to taste defeat this season.
Wilston Grange on the other hand, will be looking to gain another 4 points, sitting a couple of rungs below their weekend opponents, due to a loss to the league leaders Palm Beach Currumbin in Round 2.
The Panthers welcome Zac Stower back to the starting line-up, after missing round 3. Stower further bolsters their heavy line up, as one of the teams most consistent with tackles, clearances, and disposals.
Morningside’s’ Keegan Downie, Nakia Cockatoo and Matthew Waters will be ones to watch as some of the league’s top point scorers so far this season.
The Panthers will be mixing their line-up further by bringing in midfielder Tommy Horne and Cam Lovig one of the team’s backs.
Wilston Grange captain Kailem Baker will be looking to get one up on the Panthers, to make up for last year’s loss. With long time teammates Bailey Gordon, Daniel Lanthois and Daniel Bowels also looking for the taste of a redemption win.
Consistent talent held by the likes of Gordon and Mathieson will be relied on by the Gorillas, the pair having earned themselves the best player crown every game so far this season.
Gordon, another seasoned Wilston Grange player to watch, having the experience of playing for Brisbane Lions VFL last season.
Tex Korewha, Sam Griffiths and Nash Stevenson all come into the side this week.
Beast Mode vs Cockatoo will be a crowd favourite feud to watch this round, with ex-teammates coming head-to-head so early in their first season out of the AFL and VFL circuits. We can expect the heated competition from these two to further fuel the fire of this weekend’s rivalry.
With both sides boasting an array of talent, this matchup promises an explosive and highly entertaining contest no supporter will want to miss.
Other Games
Broadbeach will be looking to put a stop to Palm Beach Currumbin’s winning streak as the two sides clash at the Cats home turf. Meanwhile, Maroochydore will be fighting to secure their first win of the season as they take on Noosa at Rococo Oval. Redland Victoria Point and Mt Gravatt will be battling it out, with the former also looking to land their first win of the season. Aspley, currently sitting in third place, will be aiming to maintain their position on the ladder as they face off against eighth-placed Sherwood. The contest of Labrador and Surfers Paradise will be one to watch, as Gold Coast rivals go head-to-head on the latter’s home oval.
