By Grant Hitzman
QFA North Round 13
Caloundra v Aspley
Sat 5 July 2pm: North St Oval
Despite a loss to second place Noosa last week, Caloundra look the goods to knock over a below par Aspley outfit. The Hornets have struggled in 2014, with a disappointing 3-9 record through 12 rounds giving them no realistic chance of playing finals. The Panthers haven’t been much better than Aspley, but have given themselves a chance to make a late charge into finals with five wins on the board. Aspley will have some momentum heading into the clash after comfortably beating Caboolture by 39-points, but Caloundra will have the edge, thrashing the Hornets by 66-points the last time they met.
Kedron v Caboolture
Sat 5 July 2pm: E.K Anderson Oval
It’s Lion vs Lion this week when Kedron host Caboolture at E.K Anderson Oval. Kedron have been one of the form teams in the competition and flexed their muscles last week in a 79-point thrashing of Nambour & Hinterland. They will look to feast on a much weaker Caboolture this week, who suffered their twelfth straight loss at the hands of Aspley last weekend. The last time these two teams met, Kedron belted Caboolture by 165-points, they start unbackable favourites.
Maroochydore v Nambour & Hinterland
Sat 5 July 2pm: Maroochydore Multisports Complex
Maroochydore slumped to their third straight loss last week and are now dangerously close to loosing touch with the competition’s top three clubs. The Roos have a chance to snap their losing streak against a struggling Blues outfit who sit second bottom on the table with just three wins. Both teams are coming off big losses and will be desperate to rejoin the winners circle. Maroochydore will be short favourites at home and an 85-point win against the Blues in Round 6 will give them a world of confidence.
Mayne v Noosa
Sat 5 July 2pm Mott Street
Ladder leaders, Mayne, continue to have their way with the QFA North, belting fourth-placed Maroochydore by 61-points last week to notch up 12 straight victories. They will face their biggest challenge of the season this week however, in a top of the table clash with Noosa. Noosa have won three straight and sit second on the table with six weeks to until finals. This is their best chance to knock over the competition leaders and attempt to steal the top spot from Mayne before the regular season ends. Mayne will have the momentum however, downing Noosa by 33-points last time they played.
QFA South Round 13
Coomera v Kenmore
Sat 5 July 2pm: Coomera Sports Park
Coomera will face a big challenge this week when the host Kenmore at Coomera Sports Park. The Magpies have struggled this season, managing just one win from ten games to see them sit at the bottom of the ladder. Kenmore on the other hand have been plodding along in 2014, sitting around the middle of the pack for the majority of the year. The Bears had a breakthrough win last week, knocking over third placed Robina in convincing fashion to leave them on the cusp of a top four spot. Kenmore will go in roaring favourites and should sew up the four points.
Coorparoo v Coolangatta-Tweed
Sat 5 July 2pm: Giffin Park
Coorparoo and Coolangatta-Tweed will clash for pride over points this week as both clubs look well out of the finals race. Coorparoo claimed their third win last week win they downed Alexandra Hills in a close 19-point encounter. Coolangatta-Tweed on the other hand were on the receiving end of a 238-point pasting from ladder leaders, Springwood. Coorparoo will head in marginal favourites as home ground advantage could prove the difference maker between two even clubs.
Springwood v Burleigh
Sat 5 July 2pm: Lowe Oval
Springwood and Burleigh will face off this Saturday at Lowe Oval in a top of the table clash. Springwood have been faultless in 2014, winning ten straight games to be undefeated with six regular season rounds to play. Burleigh have also been impressive, suffering just two losses on their way to an 8-2 record. Coming off the Bye week, Burleigh may be the fresher side, but Springwood have to go in favourites after such a dominant year. If the Bombers are any chance they will need to neutralise Luke O’Shea, who booted 12 majors last week against Coolangatta-Tweed.
Yeronga South Brisbane v Robina
Sat 5 July 2pm: Leyshon Park
The Devils have won their last six on the trot and will fancy themselves to knock off third placed Robina this week at home. Yeronga have been soaring up the ladder in recent weeks and are now just one win behind the Roos on the ladder. Robina suffered a disappointing loss to Kenmore last week and will be desperate to claim a victory this week to hold on to their 3rd spot and potentially overtake Burleigh. This clash could go either way and the Devils wave of momentum could prove the difference maker.
BYE: Alexandra Hills
QAFA (A) Round 15
Logan v Beenleigh
Sat 5 July 1:30pm: Tansey Park
Both clubs had heartbreaking losses last week and will be looking to rebound in Round 15 with a win. Winless Beenleigh nearly snatched an incredible victory from fourth placed UQ, but fell just short by 5-points at the final siren. Logan travelled to Carrara and lost by a heartbreaking 3-points to keep them third bottom of the ladder. There is no clear winner in this won, but Logan will head in with the mental edge after beating the Buffaloes by 39-points last time they clashed.
Ipswich v Park Ridge
Sat 5 July 2pm: Limestone Park
The four points is well and truly up for grabs when Ipswich and Park Ridge clash Saturday. The two clubs, who have had strikingly similar years, sit fifth and sixth on the ladder and are both looking for a win to stake a claim to the last finals spot. Both clubs are coming of losses last week and a win at this stage of the season is crucial. Last time the two sides clashed, the Pirates had the bragging rights, downing the Eagles by 30-points. Park Ridge will need to snap a 3-game losing streak to upset the Eagles, and may find it tough on the road.
Griffith-Moorooka v University of Queensland
Sat 5 July 2pm: Alexander Park
The Roosters will have a chance to reclaim top spot this week with Redcliffe sitting on the sidelines. It will be no easy task however, as they will have to overcome fourth placed UQ. The Red Lions barely escaped last week and were nearly stunned against cellar dwellers, Beenleigh, but held on in a tight one to keep in touch with the competition leaders. A win for the Red Lions this week would possibly see them overtake Pine Rivers and slide into third spot, but Griffith-Moorooka will start deserved favourites after only losing once this season and thrashing UQ by 66-points last time they met.
Pine Rivers v Carrara
Sat 5 July 2pm: Rob Akers Reserve
The final game in Round 15 will see third placed Pine Rivers pitted against a spirited Carrara outfit. The Saints scratched and clawed last week to topple Logan by 3-points and claim their third victory of the season. Pine Rivers have been by far the inform team of the two however, winning their last four to emerge as a serious premiership threat. Carrara may have the mental edge heading into this week’s game however after they caused a huge upset in Round 6, defeating the Swans by a solitary point. It is unlikely that lightning will strike twice however and Pine head into this game deserved favourites on home soil.
BYE: Redcliffe
