By Grant Hitzman
QFA NORTH Rd 16
Caboolture v Nambour & Hinterland
Sat 2 August 11:45am: Moreton Bay CSC
The two bottom teams in the QFA North kick off Round 16 at the new Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex. Caboolture have slumped to 0-15 and have suffered two demoralising 200-point losses in consecutive weeks to put their morale at an all time low. The Lions have had a horror season and look completely out of their depth in the QFA, thrashed by 100+ points 12 times in 2014. Nambour & Hinterland haven’t been much better than Caboolture, managing just three wins to sit in seventh spot and well out of finals contention. The Blues were belted by 201-points last week by Noosa and have now gone more than a month without a win to their name. Despite being out of form and out of touch with the rest of the competition, Nambour & Hinterland will start firm favourites, thrashing the Lions by 138-points when they met in Round 9.
Caloundra v Mayne
Sat 2 August 11:45am: North St Oval
Mayne’s 295-point capitulation of Caboolture last week marked their 15th straight win and handed them a three game lead at the top of the QFA North table. The Tigers have been in scintillating form this season and are the odds on favourite to go all the way in 2014. Caloundra on the other hand have experienced an inconsistent season, unable to string any real momentum together. The Panthers sit in fifth place on the ladder with a 7-8 record, and have only won back-to-back games once in 2014. A hard fought 8-point win over fourth placed Maroochydore last week edged the Panthers within two games of the Roos and gave them some momentum heading into the final three rounds of the year. The last time the Tigers and Panthers clashed, Mayne ran away with a 90-point victory. Caloundra will need to shut down Tigers powerhouse, Luke Faulkner, if they are any chance of winning.
Kedron v Noosa
Sat 2 August 11:45am: E.K. Anderson Oval
The game of the round pits second against third, with a chance for both clubs to make an impression just three weeks out from finals. Noosa currently sit second on the QFA North table and have established themselves as maybe the only genuine threat to Mayne in 2014. The Tigers have won six of their last seven and have suffered just three losses this season. Kedron, not to be overshadowed, sit third on the ladder and consider themselves a genuine shot at becoming 2014 Premiers. The Lions have won four on the trot and hold bragging rights over Noosa after escaping with a 1-point win in Round 9, they will fancy themselves at home this week. Noosa will take confidence after downing the Lions in Round 2 by 24-points and will be looking for a win to cement themselves in second spot. Don’t be surprised if this one goes down to the wire and is decided by a few kicks.
Maroochydore v Aspley
Sat 2 August 11:45am: Maroochydore Multisports Complex
Maroochydore sit fourth on the QFA North ladder and this week’s game against Aspley could decide whether they hold on to that spot or concede it to Caloundra. With three games to go, the Roos are two games clear of the Panthers, but face huge clashes in Round 17 against Kedron and Round 18 against Noosa that could see them slip to fifth spot. This week’s clash against Aspley therefore becomes vital, as a win would all but guarantee a fourth placed finish. The Roos have built a handsome 9-6 record in 2014, but have struggled the last month to build momentum. It all unravelled last week for Maroochydore when the gave up a slight lead in the fourth quarter to lose by 8-points against Caloundra. Aspley have very disappointing in 2014, winning just three games for the year to sit well out of finals in seventh. Maroochydore will go in heavy favourites, thrashing Aspley by 83 and 163-points the two times they met this season.
QFA (South) Round 16
Burleigh v Coolangatta-Tweed
Sat 2 August 2pm: Bill Godfrey Oval
Burleigh will clash with Coolangatta-Tweed to kick off Round 16 for the QFA South, in what should be a lop-sided affair. The Bombers sit third on the table with an impressive 9-4 record while the Blues sit second bottom with just a pair of wins. Despite sitting pretty near the top of the table, Burleigh have lost three of their last four and are dangerously close to dropping third spot to Kenmore and Yeronga South Brisbane if they don’t start winning soon. Coolangatta-Tweed are unlikely to pose any serious threat however, the Blues haven’t won a game since Round 9 and were thrashed by 141-points when they faced the Bombers in Round 4. Burleigh should run away clear winners.
Coomera v Coorparoo
Sat 2 August 2pm: Coomera Sports Park
Bottom placed Coomera host sixth placed Coorparoo this week in a clash that is more about pride than points. Coomera has just one win to their name this year and have been winless since May. Coorparoo have claimed just four wins in 2014 and despite sitting sixth, sit way out of finals contention, five games behind Yeronga South Brisbane. A strong finish to the year is what both clubs will be wanting with finals firmly out of sight. The last time they met the Blues emerged 27-point victors, but on Magpies turf anything can happen. A great opportunity for both clubs to earn a victory for their loyal fans before the season winds down.
Robina v Alexandra Hills
Sat 2 August 2pm: Scottsdale Drive
Every win counts for Robina now. With just three games to go until finals, clubs sitting second through fifth on the ladder are all log jammed on 36 competition points. Robina currently sit second on the table, but if results don’t fall their way, the Roos could slide to fifth in the blink of an eye. They will be hoping to steady the ship this week against seventh placed Alexandra Hills after losing two out of their last three. Alexandra Hills have had a disappointing year, only able to score four victories in 2014, all against low level competition. Robina have been strong at home this year and a 108-point demolition against Alexandra Hills in Round 4 makes them heavy favourites in this clash.
Yeronga South Brisbane v Springwood
Sat 2 August 2pm: Leyshon Park
Yeronga South Brisbane will take on the undefeated Springwood in a mouthwatering clash at Leyshon Park on Saturday to close out Round 16. The Devils have won eight on the trot and are arguably the form team in the competition after defeating Robina and Burleigh in the past two weeks. Springwood have been just as dominant, racking up their 13th win last week to remain undefeated and at the top of the table. The last time the two sides met, Springwood cleaned up the Devils by 124-points. However, a much improved YSB pose a serious threat at home on Saturday and have a serious chance at snapping the Pumas impressive winning streak.
BYE: Kenmore
