Photo by Brooke Sleep Media
By Abby Collins
The gloves are coming off as two Gold Coast teams prepare to go head-to-head in a must-see Sunday Showdown.
Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are set to battle it out in Round 5, both desperate for a win after suffering losses last week.
With a rivalry dating all the way back to 1970, we can expect both teams to bring the heat for the match up at Neptune Homes Oval.
Surfers Paradise is looking for redemption after losing by 24 points to Broadbeach in round 5 of last season. Broadbeach walked away with the victory, beating surfers 16.12 (108) to 12.12 (84).
While Surfers Paradise sits higher on this season’s ladder, Broadbeach will have the home crowd advantage making this local derby an absolute cracker of a game.
We can expect to hear the loud and proud blue crowd cheering on their men in this clash of the coast.
Consistency is key and Broadbeach has a full key ring this season. Joel Filippone, Blake Ericson, and Taine Dawson for the blue midfield are all ones to watch with their proven talent in ball handling through disposals, clearances and contested possession.
Powerful cat Jake Wood can deliver the goods in his first season with Broadbeach. The fullback is someone no one wants to have to go head-to-head in a contest.
Surfers host the third highest goal kicker this season behind two of Palm Beach Currumbin’s top talents. Mitchell Patten will be the demon to keep an eye on.
Benjamin Woodburn will be a cat’s worst nightmare with his expert tackle capabilities and high disposal rates. He will be walking on to the field with confidence knowing he was the man who flattened fourteen Labrador players in Round 4.
The Demons look to boost their line-up this week, welcoming back several key players. Midfield maestro Zac Smith returns after a strong start to the season, being named a best player in all three games he’s played so far.
This being Smith’s first season in the red and navy guernsey, he is already considered a very valuable asset.
Michael Luxton will be joining Smith and Patten to round out Surfers’ full forwards, while Noa Corbett is added to the half forward roster. Ray Leonard and Jak Selvey have been promoted to this week’s playing list from their spots in the emergencies from last round after joining the field in the contest against Labrador. They both join the team’s strong back pack.
Myles Jewell comes into the teams interchange ready to make an impact.
Broadbeach appears to have found its groove, making only minor changes to their line-up.
Lucas Jellyman-turner and Ben O’Brien will be welcomed into the interchange.
This weekend will also see heavy hitters face off in the match up of Aspley and Wilston Grange. Maroochydore will battle top of the ladder Palm Beach Currumbin in a Sunshine Coast home game. Morningside and Redland Victoria Point will battle it out Brisbane style. Mt Gravatt will look for their first season win against Noosa this Saturday. Sherwood will be rearing to go in their battle against Labrador.
