Morningside will be missing champion centreman Paul Shelton for the next month after the Panthers playmaker left for a European vacation last Sunday.
Wednesday 16 June 2010
Morningside will be missing champion centreman Paul Shelton for the next month after the Panthers playmaker left for a European vacation last Sunday.
Less than a day after playing a pivotal role in Queensland’s huge win over Tasmania with 30 quality possessions, Shelton was winging his way to Rome.
His absence will leave a huge gap in the midfield when the Panthers meet Labrador in the QAFL match of the round at Esplen Oval on Sunday.
Shelton and his four fellow Panthers were all significant contributors to the Maroons’ win at Southport.
State debutant Damien Bonney was close to the Maroons’ best player in the first half when the game was at its hottest, Mark Kimball produced a dynamic 21-possession second half, and Aaron Rogers shut down dangerous full-forward Ben Reynolds after he threatened to take the game away from the home side early.
Austin Lucy was dynamic with his run from half-back over the last three quarters.
“The way all the boys played, everyone had a fair bit of footy throughout the game,” Shelton said afterwards. “It was terrific to feed the ball out to blokes who can run and carry, and when they do get it, they usually hit a target, which is important.”
Queensland’s speed and system was equal to watching an AFL team in action and Shelton was already thinking about 2011.
“It was a really good experience and I hope that whole competition understands how important State footy is and they really get behind it and make sure if we can we keep the same group of blokes and go again next year,” he said.
Rogers put on a clinic for the crowd of about 1700, taking one spectacular mark standing on the shoulders of his opponent.
“It was good fun. I haven’t got that high for a while and don’t think I ever will again,” he said. “I haven’t had that much fun for a while…as far as standard goes, that was the best I have played with in a State team.”
Rogers has quickly re-focused onto Morningside, who will have a particularly different look about them on Sunday.
The Panthers will wear pink jumpers, shorts and socks in aid of breast cancer in the game, which will put the victor four points clear in second place.
“We’re pretty happy only being two losses down, with the injuries we’ve had,” Rogers said. “It will be a big day, support the ladies with the breast cancer initiative. We’ll look a bit different, but it’s all for a good reason.”
