By Beth Newman
1. Lesser lights stand up
Wilston Grange pushed Morningside all day on Saturday, but the best part of it for them was it was without some of their key players. Youngsters like Lachie Niland-Rowe had their best games of the year. Probably guilty of relying on their stars a bit too heavily early in the season, those next generation have stood up in their absence and now they will have a great deal of belief.
2. Tigers turning it around
Labrador’s luck had to start changing at some point and an emphatic victory over Sandgate could be the pivotal moment in their season. They have done well to keep themselves in the top four as they await a swathe of inclusions over the next few weeks. This weekend saw, Nick Stockdale and Mat Clarke back in the side. Stockdale hasn’t missed a beat in his return from a knee reconstruction, kicking four goals. There’s more in the wings too, so Labrador can only get better.
3. Broadbeach find their zip
The Cats have escaped jail a number of times this season, relying on strong finished to get them home. This weekend, thought, they jumped out of the gates, with six first quarter goals against Surfers Paradise, a tally that ultimately proved the difference in their win. Slow starts have been an issue for them and coach, Wayne Petterd, will have a few more relaxing Saturday afternoons if they can replicate that start in the tail end of the season.
4. Vultures hanging on
Mt Gravatt just keep clinging to the all-important fifth spot on the QAFL ladder. Their win over UQ on Saturday kept them a game clear in the last finals spot and their equation is simple: just keep winning. Losses for the Magpies and Surfers paradise gave the Vultures a bit of breathing space, but they can not rest on their laurels, with a tough run home, playing three of the current top four in the last six weeks of the regular season
5. Dead-eye kicks
A lot of games this year have been marred by inaccurate kicking. Palm Beach’s win on Saturday was not one. The Lions kicked 17.6, one less scoring shot than the Magpies, but went home with a relatively comfortable 34 point win. They say bad kicking is bad football, but the opposite is also true. Kick straight, win games. It’s simple, but football’s a simple game.
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