By Abby Collins.
The Surfers Paradise Demons will attempt to dethrone the unbeaten Palm Beach Currumbin Lions this Saturday, fuelled by a strong home crowd.
With four wins from six games, Surfers Paradise has been no push over, but injuries and work commitments have depleted their ranks heading into this game against the season’s leaders.
Dipping into the reserves team list, the Demons line up will be full of youth and energy.
Palm Beach Currumbin, on the other hand, will be walking on to the field with one of their strongest line ups this season, as they welcome three top players back to the ranks to take on the Demons.
A highly anticipated battle is expected between rucks Zack Smith and Tom Hickey, they find themselves on opposing sides for the first time since learning each other’s tricks at the Gold Coast Suns VFL.
Despite missing key personnel, Coach Matthew Lappin expressed excitement for this weekend’s challenge.
“We’re really excited to have the opportunity to take on Palm Beach Currumbin, they are a very good team,” he said.
“We’ve got a really big test coming in the next four weeks and it starts this weekend against Palm Beach.”
The Demons will be stepping on to the field missing many key personnel, but Coach Lappin is excited to see the opportunities these gaps will create for other talent to step through.
“We have quite a few out, we lost about seven players out from our best available,” he said.
“But that just creates opportunities for other players. Our reserves have been playing really well, so we are happy to give those guys an opportunity to play in our seniors.”
“We have had a few guys out with injuries and some who are away with work commitments. It’s just one of those unfortunate situations, we’re still confident that we will be heard to beat,” Lappin said.
Palm Beach Currumbin sees the young squad of Demon’s as formidable opponents.
“Surfers are obviously a very strong team, we will have our work cut out for us,” Coach David Armitage said.
“But we have won six games in a row, we haven’t lost yet. So, we feel pretty good.
“We also have a few players back this weekend which will be a big help.”
Demons to keep an eye on are Ben Woodburn and Axel Moore from Surfers Paradise.
“We have a couple of our really young midfielders who have been having a great season,” Lappin said.
“Ben Woodburn and Axel Moore, they’re only 21 years old.
“Both young midfielders who have been carrying the load for us as a club this season, and they will be coming up against some great midfielders with Palm Beach.”
Palm Beach brings some consistent talent to the Oval with the likes of Blair Rubock, Tom Hickey, Salvatore Cilmi, Isaac Dawson, and Freddy Valpied. All identified as ones to watch by their coach.
“Dawson made the state squad. He’s been consistent for us this year,” he said.
“Cilmi has been one of our best players pretty much every game this season. Freddy Val has also been very strong.”
“We have some great marking talent through these guys and obviously Blair Rubock and Tom Hickey.”
Brad Stafford, Jackson Farrell and Ted O’Brien are ready to make an impact for the lions this round as they are welcomed back to the line-up.
Zack Smith, Jack Selvey, Harrison Ireland, Jalen Curtis, and Lucas Snowball will be storming the field in the demons red and white, ready for some action.
The last time these two teams faced off, there was only a 6-point margin as the final buzzer called for the end of play. Palm Beach Currumbin narrowly won the battle against Surfers Paradise.
Will Surfers Paradise be the first team to take down Palm Beach Currumbin this season?
