By Beth Newman
Kedron 4.8, 8.11, 11.15, 14.17 (101)
Caloundra 3.0, 7.6, 8.9, 10.10 (70)
Kedron kept their finals prospects well and truly alive, with a 31-point win over Caloundra.
The Lions, missing a number of players due to work commitments, showed their depth in the win, with four debutants.
One of those in Paul Rose, impressed coach, James Debono, playing as a relief ruckman.
A crucial left-foot snap from Ryan Yorston gave the Kedron junior a memorable highlight from his debut match.
The win puts Kedron in fifth place, one spot clear of sixth-placed Nambour.
What the coaches said:
James Debono (Kedron):
“I was extremely impressed yesterday for the simple fact that we had a fair few blokes out.”
“I saw it as a 50/50 game but it was extremely crucial that we had the win.”
“It’s still mathematically achievable but if we had’ve dropped this one, it would’ve been done and dusted.”
“We really will start to look at week by week now.”
Hornets 2.3, 4.5, 7.6, 11.9 (75)
Nambour & Hinterland 3.2, 3.4, 5.6, 6.8 (44)
Aspley jumped into second spot on the ladder, with a 32-point win over Nambour on Saturday.
The Hornets have gone under the radar this season, but a win over Coorparoo and a string of seven straight victories, shows they’re a side to be feared.
Aspley’s suffocating pressure across the ground proved too much for the Sunny Coast side.
Richard Harrison was sensational in the first half for the home side, before being heavily tagged in the second half.
What the coaches said:
Ben Stanley (Nambour):
“They just wore us down. They had a really good press and we struggled to get through it at stages.”
“They had around 20 more inside 50 entries and w were still in the game. We’re struggling to kick a score at the moment.”
“It seems like they’ve got five or six coaches out there, talking to each other, where we lack that instruction on the ground.”
Caboolture 6.9, 9.10, 12.14, 17.17 (119)
Kenmore 3.1, 7.6, 14.8, 16.10 (106)
A rejuvenated Caboolture picked up its second win of the season, over Kenmore.
The Lions burst out of the blocks with a six-goal-to-three opening term, but the Bears fought back.
Trailing by a goal at the final change, the Lions finished well to finish with a 13-point victory.
Despite the loss, Kenmore is still a mathematical chance of finals, currently in seventh, a game off fifth placed- Kedron, with five rounds left after this weekend’s bye.
What the coaches said:
Tom Corless (Kenmore):
“It was a good contest between the two groups but they scored a lot from our turnovers, which is very disappointing for us.”
“One good thing about the side is there’s been a mass turnover in the team with injuries and unavailability and guys have got given opportunities.”
“We’ve got guys who have been wanting to play senior footy for a while who were kept out of the side and they’re really giving it a go.”
Robina 6.0, 13.1, 17.2, 18.6 (114)
Yeronga South Brisbane 4.2, 10.6, 14.6, 16.10 (106)
Robina survived a thriller against Yeronga, to remain two games clear on top of the Division Two ladder.
The Roos’ defensive efforts all over the ground proved the difference on the day, in a high-quality contest.
Yeronga’s big recruits continued their scintillating form, with Brisbane Lions premiership player, Tim Notting, producing his best game of the year.
Robina’s Korey Fulton kicked seven in the win, adding to his impressive tally this season.
What the coaches said:
Mark Vigus (Robina):
“It was a really high-quality game and great to be a part of it.”
“For us to get away with the four points, we’re absolutely rapt with it.”
“We were really switched on yesterday – worked really hard and that’s why we came away with the win.”
“I think that everyone really took it upon themselves to work hard defensively because we hadn’t been working too hard and we’d been disrespecting our opponents.”
Chris Ryan (Yeronga):
“They had 17.2 at three-quarter time to 14.10, so we just felt their goals were being kicked without pressure.”
“After Alex Hills beat Robina, it just shows whoever wants to work hard will win the grand final. Everyone’s beatable.”
“That it was Notting’s best game for the year and he’s starting hit his straps, that’s , scary for the competition.”
Redcliffe 3.4, 4.4, 9.6, 11.7 (73)
Wynnum 1.4, 4.7, 6.10, 9.15 (69)
Wynnum got their biggest sniff of victory for 2013, with a four-point loss against Recliffe.
The Vikings had likely pinpointed the match against the undermanned Tigers as one of their most winnable games, and took a three-point lead into half time.
However, Redcliffe had just enough in the tank to put the Vikings away and keep them anchored to last spot, with a still winless record.
In a major blow for the Tigers, captain, Brett Somers’ season, with the big man breaking his thumb in the encounter.
Steve Jenkins (Redcliffe):
“It was a bit nerve-wracking for both sides but it was a good contest.”
“They played extremely well. If they played like that every week, they’d have a few wins on the board.”
“I had a feeling they would have been trying to get their first win against us since we’ve not been winning too much.”
“I wasn’t surprised they put their first foot forward.”
Coorparoo 12.12.84
Alex Hills 10.14.74
Coorparoo withstood a comeback from Alex Hills, to notch up a narrow win on Saturday.
After kicking out to a six-goal lead, the Kings were chased all day, eventually winning out with their experience and class.
The Bombers are scaring a lot of teams this season, having beaten ladder-leaders Robina, as well as pushing Yeronga all the way, in recent weeks.
Alex Hills will take plenty out of the match, and their opponents in the last ifve weeks, will certainly be wary of their potential.
What the coaches said:
Graham Henwood (Alex Hills):
“Our boys gave it everything to try and get across the line, but to give the best side in the comp a six-goal start was just too big a gap.”
“They know what it takes to go to the next level now.”
