By Sophie Wheeler
Image: RF Photography
QFA Div 4 Finals Round 2 Preview
Maroochydore Roos vs Jimboomba Redbacks
Friday, August 24th 2018
8:00pm, Maroochydore Oval 1
The Jimboomba Redbacks will travel up the coast this Friday evening to take on home side Maroochydore Roos in a battle for the final spot in the Grand Final.
The two teams have been neck-and-neck on the ladder all season, with Maroochydore nudging in front of Jimboomba on percentage alone at the conclusion of the regular season.
The two sides have encountered each other twice this season, with Jimboomba taking home a 3-point win in round 4 followed by a much more convincing 45-point win in round 13.
Jimboomba will head into the match in high spirits after extinguishing Zillmere’s finals hopes in a nail biting 8-point victory last Friday.
Jimboomba’s Julian Mandahl, Jacob Guise and Timothy Martin found their way onto the scoreboard in the knockout semi, booting a collective 7 goals between them.
On the contrary, Maroochydore are licking their wounds after an excruciating one-goal loss to minor premiers Western Magpies last week.
Mitchell Bird and Dillon Walker were named among the Roo’s most valuable players in last week’s narrow defeat.
The Roos will need to break their season’s spell of bad luck against the Redbacks this week to secure a place in the Grand Final and play for a shot at redemption against the Magpies.
QFA Div 5 Finals Round 2 Preview
Bribie Island vs Aspley Hornets
Friday, August 24th 2018
7:30pm, Bribie Island
Minor premiers Bribie Island will host the Aspley Hornets this Friday evening in a battle to secure the first spot in the Grand Final.
The Bulldogs finished the season one game clear of the Hornets, but the Hornets recorded a resounding 55-point victory over the side in their most recent encounter in round 16.
Bribie Island enjoyed last week off, while Aspley comfortably defeated third-placed Jindalee by 45 points.
Bribie Island boasts a strong side with the likes of Tyler Gilmore, who has been named in the side’s best on 10 occasions, and Joshua Bear, who has kicked an impressive 28 goals over the course of the season.
The Hornets will attempt to combat the Bulldogs with their star players including Michael Hutchinson, Matthew Argus and Steven Jackson.
Both Hutchinson and Argus boast experience at NEAFL level and have been named in the most valuable players list on six or more occasions this season for the Hornets/
The losing side will face the winner of the Jindalee and Yeronga clash in the final obstacle standing in the way of playing in the Grand Final.
Jindalee Jaguars vs Yeronga South Brisbane Devils
Friday, August 24th 2018
7:30pm, Moorooka- Alexander Park
The Yeronga Devils and Jindalee Jaguars will face off at Moorooka this Friday evening to keep their finals journey alive.
Last week, the Devils recorded a whopping 93-point victory against the Ipswich Cats in their elimination final, while Jindalee were unable to put a stop to Aspley’s recent spur of hot form, going down to the Hornets by 45 points.
If the Devils and Jaguar’s previous encounters this season are any indication, the match will be thrilling and unpredictable.
Of their two clashes this season, both sides have recorded one win each, with both matches concluding with scoring margins of less than 4 goals.
Jaguars duo Dale Williams and Nicholas Lennon and Yeronga pair Dougal Middleton, who booted eight majors last week, and experienced midfielder Wade Hurst will no doubt have a significant impact on their respective sides’ performance in the must-win match.
