With the QAFA (B) Central teams in the home stretch of the season, we thought it’s time to take a look at where they have been, and what is ahead of them in 2015. Check it out, club by club, below.
Kedron
The past
2015 is going swimmingly for the Lions, who are yet to be beaten. UQ got the closest this year when they got within 13-points in round 6, but Kedron have been in control for near on every other game. They are definitely the team to beat this year.
The future
There are three rounds to go in the home and away season, and two of them are huge. This weekend, Kedron take on third place Woodsmen, and next week, are up against second place Jimboomba away from home in what promises to be one of the games of the season. Their last game against the Ipswich Cats shouldn’t provide too many headaches for them, and give the Lions the chance to get everyone nice and fresh before finals.
George Fitzgibbon has bagged 57 so far this year, and Justin Chesson has been solid all year.
Jimboomba
The past
To think that Jimboomba were 0-2 after round 2, and now sit at 11-2 is remarkable. They struggled against Kedron first up, and lost a tight one to the Woodsmen, but haven’t looked back since. The closest anyone has been since then is 20-points, which was Sandgate in round 8.
The future
As spoken about previously, next weekend’s game against Kedron is huge. They are the two inform teams in the competition, and will most likely bump into each other at some stage in the post season. The mental edge would be nice.
Jimboomba have hade three goal kickers above 30 this year, in Marc Ryan, Josh Watson and Matt Harley, showing their firepower up forward if it gets in quick enough.
Woodsmen
The past
Right in the hunt. At 11-2, the season is just heating up for the Woodsmen. They had a very important three-point win over Jimboomba in round two, but lost by that exact margin to Zillmere the week after, showing how even this competition is. They went on to win the next seven games straight, before a slight hiccup against Coorparoo in round 12.
The future
They face the toughest game in the competition this weekend when they take on Kedron. They should get over the top of the Ipswich Eagles next weekend, but face a danger game against Collingwood Park in the final round. If they play their best footy, they will win, and head into the post season in very good touch
There aren’t too many more talented individuals than Chris Mihalopoulous running around in this competition, and he has lead from the front beautifully, supported well by Chris Davis and Kiran Verma.
Zillmere
The past
At 10-3, it’s been a very successful season so far for Zillmere. It started off on a great note, with a big win over Mayne in round 1, and has rolled on from there. They beat the Woodsmen in round 3 by three points, but couldn’t get close to the top two. Sandgate got them in round 10, but have won the last four since.
The future
Because of the washout earlier in the year, they face the Ipswich Cats twice in the next two weeks, which should give them eight-points, before a huge clash against Sandgate in the final round. With just four points separating the two, and with Sandgate having a better percentage, that could determine who takes the forth spot in the finals.
Matthew Smith has been the spearhead up forward this year, with 28 next to his name, and Brent Burton has been in unbelievable form all year.
Sandgate
The Hawks won their first three games of the year pretty comfortably, but couldn’t get over Coorparoo in round 5, going down by 20-points. They bounced back with a two-point win against Ferny Grove the week after, but went down to Jimboomba in round 8. Their next loss would come last weekend, were the Woodsmen were too good for them.
The future
They have two very winnable games against Mayne in the next two weeks, which should set them up for a real crack at forth spot against Zillmere in the final week.
You can’t talk about Sandgate this year without mentioning Aaron Widt. He needs 27 goals before seasons end to break the ton.
Coorparoo
The past
At 9-4, it’s been a good year so far for the Kings. It wasn’t the ideal start, after going down to UQ by 22-points in round 1, but they won the next six on the trot. Losses to Zillmere, Jimboomba, and Kedron since have slowed them down, but have enjoyed good wins over the Woodsmen UQ in the last month.
The future
Anything can happen in this competition this year, but judging by form, you would think that Coorparoo can beat Collingwood Park, Ferny Grove and Yeronga in the run home, meaning they are not out of the finals race by any stretch of the means.
Glen Ducat has been sensational for the Kings this year.
UQ
The past
Wins over Coorparoo, Ferny Grove and Yeronga in the first three-week was a dream start. Their first loss came at the hands of Zillmere in round 5 by 10 points, which sparked another two losses in the next two. They bounced back well against the Ipswich Cats the following week, and are now sitting at 8-5 for the year.
The future
It’s definitely not an easy run home for the Red Lions. They face Yeronga and Jimboomba twice in the last three weeks. If they can beat Yeronga this week, it could give them the confidence they need to make it two from two.
13 games, 10 times named amongst the best. Not a bad effort from Aiden Janetzki.
Collingwood Park
The past
Collingwood Park just haven’t been able to bridge that gap to the top seven this year, currently three wins behind UQ. They had a huge win over the Eagles in round 1, and made it two from two against Mayne the next week, but had to wait until round 7 for their next win over Kenmore. After five losses in a row, they have won their last two games against the Ipswich teams to get back on track.
The future
It’s a 50/50 run home for the Power. They will be up against it this week against Coorparoo, should beat Kenmore next weekend, but will have their work cut out to beat the Woodsmen in round 18.
Ashley Rowley has 24 goals to date this year, and Duarn Watts has been their most consistent player by far.
Yeronga
The past
Sitting at 3-2 after the first five games, the season looked very promising. After a win over Ferny Grove in round 10, the wins have unfortunately dried up for the Devils, going down in the last four games to sit at 5-8 at this point in time.
The future
Yeronga play Kenmore, UQ and Coorparoo in the last three games, which will be very tough, but if they can find the form they were in at the start of year, they are more than capable of getting on top in all three, and sending their season off on the right note.
Phil Laidlaw has been winning a heap of the footy this year, and been hitting the scoreboard with 15 goals as well.
Ferny Grove
The past
Ferny Grove find themselves right in the middle of a lower half logjam, with 12-points separating eighth to 12th. 2015 started well with a strong win over the Cats, they couldn’t knock off UQ, but bounced back strongly with wins over Kenmore and Collingwood Park. After a win over Mayne in round 8, they haven’t managed another since.
The future
They have got a real opportunity to turn that form around against Mayne in the final game of the year. Coorparoo the week before will be a tough ask, but you just never know.
Josh Furnari has been in the best five times this year, and has also hit double figures in the goal kicking department.
Mayne
The past
It was a very difficult start to the year for Mayne, sitting at 0-5; before they got their breakthrough win against the Ipswich Eagles in round 7. Their next win came over the Ipswich Cats in round 11, before getting over the top of Kenmore last start.
The future
Sandgate should prove too strong of an opponent in the next two weeks, but Mayne have a big opportunity of sending the year off with a win against Ferny Grove the next week. If they can, with a big margin, they could jump over them on the ladder.
Joseph Shanahan has been the standout this year. He has been in the best all bar one game this year.
Ipswich Eagles
The past
Just the two wins for the Eagles this year, which have come over the two teams below them, so you could say this ladder position is about where they are at. They did however get within 18-points of the Woodsmen in round 10, which was a mighty effort against a quality side.
The future
They take on Ferny Grove this week, before coming up against the Woodsmen next week, and will be hoping for the same level of effort as the last time they played off. Kenmore in the final round will be a very important clash for both sides, and a good chance to grab another four-points.
Nathan Macklin has been the Eagles best this year.
Kenmore
The past
It’s been a difficult year for the Bears in 2015, with just the one win to date. That came in round 10 when they comfortably beat the Ipswich Cats. They pushed Ferny Grove in round 3, and got within 13-points of the Eagles in round 12.
The future
They take on the Eagles again in the final round. It was only two goals the difference last time, so if they can start well, should be right in the game.
Nicholas Waters has been the Bears most consistent this year, getting a heap of the footy.
Ipswich Cats
The past
The Cats have found the going tough this year, yet to register a win so far this year. They were in the contest early against Ferny Grove in round 1, but haven’t been able to put the score on the board consistently.
The future
It’s a very difficult last few weeks for the Cats. They face Zillmere twice and Kedron in the run home, but with both of these teams having an eye on the finals, and looking to stay fit and healthy, you just never know.
Shane Bunker and Edward Tudor have been the most consistent for the Cats this year, and will be looking to finish the year strongly.
By Andrew Wiles – @andrewjwiles
