By Grant Hitzman
QFA North Round 12
Caboolture v Aspley
Sat 28 June 2pm: Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex
Pride is on the line for these two struggling clubs this weekend when they clash at the new Moreton Bay Sports Complex. Caboolture have not claimed a win yet this season and were thrashed by 170-points last week against Caloundra. Aspley haven’t faired much better than the lowly Lions, but the Hornets had Caboolture’s measure when they met in Round 5, winning by 85-points. Aspley will be heavy favourites and should claim the four competition points.
Maroochydore v Mayne
Sat 28 June 2pm: Maroochydore Multisports Complex
The Roos have lost back-to-back games and need a win to keep a Top 2 finish alive. It will be an incredibly tough ask for Maroochydore however as they face the in form and undefeated, Mayne. The Tigers are a perfect 11-0 this season and no team has come within 5 goals of beating them. The news doesn’t get any better for Maroochydore as they lost to the Tigers earlier in the season by 39-points, kicking only 3 goals for the game. Andrew Housego and Luke Faulkner are the danger men Maroochydore must contain if they are any chance of winning. The pair booted home 15 between them last week in a 89-point mauling against Kedron.
Nambour & Hinterland v Kedron
Sat 28 June 2pm: Jubilee Drive
Nambour & Hinterland recorded just their third win of the season last week against Aspley, but face a much tougher task this week against fourth placed Kedron. The Lions have won six of their last seven and have emerged as a Finals threat with consistent performances. The Blues have enjoyed some of their best football in recent weeks, winning two of their last three, but they will need more than solid performances and a home ground advantage to overcome a much stronger Kedron outfit. The Lions rolled the Blues by 155-points last time they met and will start heavy favourites.
Noosa v Caloundra
Sat 28 June 2pm: Weyba Road
Noosa have put together an impressive season after 11 rounds, sitting second on the ladder with a handsome 9-2 record. The Tigers looked dominant in their 41-point win over third placed Maroochydore last week and continue to put together complete performances. Caloundra sit fifth on the ladder with a mediocre 5-6 record, but have showed signs over the last month of serious improvement. Back-to-back victories and close losses against top four sides Maroochydore and Kedron have proved Caloundra mean business. Noosa are in a different class however and it would require something special for the Panthers to score an upset.
QFA South Round 12
Alexandra Hills v Coorparoo
Sat 28 June 11:45am: Keith Surridge Oval
Struggling clubs Alexandra Hills and Coorparoo will clash this week, playing for pride more than points. Alexandra Hills have won three games this season, while the Kings have only managed two. The two clubs sit sixth and seventh respectively, unable to pose any real threat to the competitions best. Alexandra hills will start slight favourites with home ground advantage and a Round 11 win.
Coomera v Yeronga South Brisbane
Sat 28 June 11:45am: Coomera Sports Park
The Magpies sit in bottom place on the ladder and haven’t recorded a victory since Round 5. It has been a tough year for the 2013 Division 3 Premiers, who have struggled with the increase in quality in 2014. Yeronga South Brisbane on the other hand have put together a solid season to date, sitting fourth on the ladder with a 6-4 record. The Devils have won five in a row and will be looking to close the gap between the Top 3 clubs with a win on the weekend. They will start heavy favourites.
Kenmore v Robina
Sat 28 June 11:45am: Western Districts Oval
Fifth placed Kenmore host third placed Robina on Saturday, in an important fixture for both clubs. Robina will overtake Burleigh this week with a win and move into second on the ladder, while a win for Kenmore will keep them in touch with the top four clubs and provide further breathing space over Alexandra Hills. Robina scored a huge victory away from home last week against second placed Burleigh and have won their last three. Kenmore on the other hand have been struggling, losing their last three to slip outside the top four. The Bears have home ground advantage for this clash but the Roos will start deserved favourites.
Springwood v Coolangatta-Tweed
Sat 28 June 11:45am: Lowe Oval
The last game of the round in the QFA South sets up to be a lopsided affair, with undefeated Springwood taking on second last Coolangatta-Tweed. The Pumas have been in scintillating touch this season, the closest any team has come to defeating them is amazingly 96-points. Coolangatta-Tweed are in for a world of hurt this week, losing to Springwood by 138-points last time they met. Adrian Wallin is the danger man for the Pumas, booting 52 goals in just nine games.
BYE: Burleigh
QAFA (A) Round 14
Beenleigh v University of Queensland
Sat 28 June 2pm: Dauth Park
Beenleigh are in for another tough challenge this week when they take on the Red Lions at Dauth Park this Saturday. The Buffaloes have slumped to a disappointing 0-11 in 2014 and are in danger of finishing the year without a W on the ledger. University of Queensland on the other hand have stretched to a 7-4 record after a tight 7-point win over Carrara last week and sit comfortably in fourth place. A win would potentially launch the Red Lions into 3rd place and establish them as a Premiership contender. They will start deserved favourites.
Carrara v Logan
Sat 28 June 2pm: Nielsens Road
Carrara will host Logan this week at Nielsens Road, with both clubs desperate for a win. The Cobras haven’t won since Round 6 and the Saints are without a win since Round 9. Both clubs have struggled in 2014 and subsequently sit near the bottom of the ladder. Carrara have shown plenty of heart in their last two games, going down to fourth placed UQ by 7-points and 18-points to second placed Redcliffe. The Saints may have the slight edge at home and competitive performances against top clubs under their belt.
Park Ridge v Redcliffe
Sat 28 June 2pm: Park Ridge High School
The red-hot Tigers will face sixth placed Park Ridge this week in a chance to claim the top spot in the QAFA (A). Redcliffe knocked off ladder leaders Griffith-Moorooka last week to sit just two competition points away from the top spot, and with the Roosters scheduled for the bye this week, Redcliffe will catapult into first with a win. It won’t be easy win by any means, with sixth placed opponents Park Ridge proving competitive against all clubs in 2014. The Tigers will go in with the edge however, knocking over the Pirates by 32-points the last time they met.
Pine Rivers v Ipswich
Sat 28 June 2pm: Rob Akers Reserve
Pine Rivers and Ipswich round out the QAFA (A) fixture in Round 14 in a vital clash for both clubs. A win for Pine Rivers would ensure they maintain control of third position on the ladder over UQ, while an Ipswich win would allow Eagles to hold onto fifth spot and edge closer to the Top four teams. The Swans have been in great touch lately, claiming their last three to cement them as a competition favourite. While the Eagles haven’t been as consistent, they boast a draw against Griffith-Moorooka and a scalp big scalp against Redcliffe in Round 10. The last time these two clubs met, the Swans got up in a close 13-point arm wrestle. This game could go down to the wire and a home ground advantage may see the Swans claim the four-points.
BYE: Griffith-Moorooka
