Image by B.Rad Sports Photography
By Abby Collins
Redland-Victoria Point Sharks triumphed over the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions in a thrilling semi-final clash on Saturday.
The Sharks secured their place in the preliminary finals with a final score of 15.13 (103) to 11.13 (79).
This match was characterised by intense competition and strategic play, with the Sharks showcasing their dominance, particularly in the pivotal second quarter.
The game opened with a heavy contest, setting the tone for what would be a fiercely fought encounter.
Both teams exchanged early goals, with Joshua Brown kicking the first for the Sharks, followed by a powerful response from the Lions through Nelson Beikoff-Smart and Salvatore Cilmi.
The first quarter saw a back-and-forth exchange, with Redland-Victoria Point’s Clay Cameron emerging as a key player, scoring two early goals to change the lead from the Lions to the Sharks.
The quarter ended with the Sharks narrowly ahead, leading by just two points, as both teams battled against the wind as well as their opponents.
As the second quarter commenced, the Sharks shifted gears dramatically.
Clay Cameron continued his impressive form, scoring his third goal early on, which ignited a scoring spree for Redland-Victoria Point.
The Sharks capitalised on their momentum, slotting five goals compared to Palm Beach Currumbin’s solitary major during this period.
The Lions struggled to contain the Sharks’ attacking prowess, with Redland-Victoria Point players effectively spreading the field and utilising width to create scoring opportunities.
Their disciplined defensive setup, led by Adrian Williams and Mitch Stallard, thwarted numerous Palm Beach Currumbin’s advances, preventing them from gaining any meaningful momentum.
By halftime, the Sharks had established a commanding 27-point lead, a result of their relentless pressure and superior ball movement.
The third quarter saw a shift in dynamics when Sharks’ ruckman Craig Malone sustained a hamstring injury, forcing a tactical adjustment for Redland-Victoria Point.
Despite this setback, Cameron continued to shine, scoring his fifth goal of the match.
The Lions, fuelled by determination, began to claw back into the game, with Jonathan Croad and Tai Hayes finding the scoreboard.
However, the Sharks maintained their composure, with timely goals from Tyler Hausfeld and Ethan Petterwood ensuring they kept the Lions at bay.
The quarter ended with Redland-Victoria Point still holding a 19-point lead, but the injury to Malone raised concerns about their midfield strength.
Entering the final quarter, the Sharks displayed renewed vigour, quickly extending their lead with goals from William Johnson and Joshua Brown.
The Lions fought valiantly, with Blayne Hull and Ben McInneny attempting to narrow the gap, but the Sharks’ defence held firm.
The match concluded with Jake Chapman sealing the victory for Redland-Victoria Point, ensuring their place in the preliminary finals next weekend against the Aspley Hornets.
The semi-final showcased the Sharks’ ability to adapt and overcome challenges, particularly in the second quarter where they established a decisive lead.
Despite the Lions’ efforts, they could not recover from the Sharks’ onslaught.
Redland-Victoria Point 3.4 8.6 11.9 15.13 (103)
Palm Beach Currumbin 3.2 4.3 8.8 11.13 (79)
Goals
Redland-Victoria Point Cameron 5, Brown 2, Johnson 2, Chapman, Finch, Hausfeld, Miller, Petterwood, Thomson
Palm Beach Currumbin Cilmi 2, Croad 2, McInneny 2, Beaman, Beikoff-Smart,, Hayes, Hull, Rubock
Best Players
Redland-Victoria Point Clay Cameron, Adrian Williams, Scott Miller, Matthew Thomson, Ethan Petterwood, William Johnson
Palm Beach Currumbin Hunter Hall, Liam O’Brien, James Frawley, Jackson Farrell, AJ Dawson, Salvatore Cilmi
