One of Southeast Queensland’s most evenly contested competitions in recent years, the race for the 2024 QFA Division 1 HART Sport Cup premiership has proved to be as tight as ever.
Mayne, celebrating their centenary year, have deservedly earned the title of premiership favourites as ladder leaders, finishing the season with 14 wins and two losses. The Tigers have the week off and will eagerly await the result of the Coorparoo vs. University of Queensland game to see who they will host in the Qualifying Final next week for a spot in the Grand Final.
Coorparoo who finished second, are no strangers to finals action. This year marks their fourth finals appearance in as many seasons, including the 2022 Premiership and 2023 Grand Final.
They’ll face University of Queensland who find themselves competing in finals for the first time since 2012, a remarkable turnaround after finishing last with just three wins last season.
Coorparoo will have plenty to play for in 2024, after Springwood broke the Kings hearts last year, and having recently been granted a license to be elevated into the QAFL in 2025, they will be hoping to leave their mark on the Division 1 competition.
The Kings have been riddled with injuries throughout the back half of the season, however welcomed back captain Sam Holna last weekend, a significant boost to their backline ahead of the finals campaign.
Matt Suckling is also expected to return to the lineup, after missing their Round 16 match against Caloundra. Suckling booted nine goals in the previous two weeks and will be a welcome return for the home side.
The students have been one of the in-form sides of the competition winning four of their last five games to storm in third place and earn themselves a spot in the Qualifying Final. With three big wins against Beenleigh (132 points), Moreton Bay (88) and Springwood (46) they have plenty of momentum on their side and will be a dangerous prospect for the Kings.
This momentum could be put down to the remarkable injection of Saxon Crozier in the back half of the 2024 season. Crozier, who wasn’t expected to play this year, returned to pull on the UQ jumper in Round 12 and has booted 26 goals from just four games.
Home ground advantage will undoubtedly play a factor on Saturday, with the Kings having not lost a match at home in almost two years, presenting a daunting prospect for the Red Lions. In what is set to be one of the tightest finals races in recent years, this is a matchup that is sure to set the tone of what’s to come.
Hinterland, in their second year of Division 1 football, are set to host the 2023 premiers Springwood in a do or die elimination final at G Rae Oval on Saturday afternoon.
After earning a finals spot in their first year in the competition last season, Hinterland’s six point elimination final loss will undoubtably drive the group to go deeper into finals this year.
After both sides finished the season with nine wins and seven losses, just 6.6% separated the two sides on the ladder at the end of the home and away season and we anticipate a tight affair on Saturday afternoon.
Hinterland’s vice captain, Thomas Wischnat, has emerged as one of the competitions premier players in 2024, and will be one to watch for the Pumas. Having booted 13 goals from his past three outings and a season total of 47, Wischnat will be a key to the Blues chances of progressing to the second week of finals.
Rhys Magin has also proved to be one of the recruits of the season, having relocated from the EDFL to Queensland in 2024. The Hinterland key forward has booted a competition-leading 74 goals this season and will be one to watch on Saturday.
Jai Kennealy, the 2023 Coaches MVP winner, returned for the Pumas in Round 16 after missing a month of football. Averaging three goals per game in 2024, Kennealy’s return is timely for Springwood and boots their hopes of back to back premierships.
The two sides last met just four weeks ago, where Hinterland took away an 18-point victory over Springwood at home. This victory will likely be in the back of the minds of both playing groups and give Hinterland a sense of confidence heading into the elimination final.
All QFA Division 1 HART Sport Cup Finals will be available to watch on replay via the Official AFL Queensland YouTube channel.
