Streaks broken
They say all good things must come to and end. Two teams went into this round without having lost a game since 2013. Both went through 2014 undefeated, won the flag and started 2015 and 5-0. But Morningside and Mayne didn’t get the opportunity to sing the song this weekend. Labrador and Maroochydore did what many have dreamed about over the last 18 months, taking the four-points off the champs. The QAFL and QFA North comps just heated up in a big way. Game on.
AIS boys show NEAFL prowess
Eric Hipwood and Ben Keays are two names you are going to become very familiar with over the course of this year and beyond. The two AFL-AIS, and Queensland Under 18 State Academy members showed their class in the NEAFL on the weekend for the Brisbane Lions reserves. Hipwood booted 3 and Keays was amongst the best, a perfect lead in to this weeks TAC Cup game against Oakleigh at Redland.
Dawso joins elite club
Liam Dawson joined a special club in his AFL debut on the weekend. He became member number 273 of the first kick, first goal crew. The Hyundai Help For Kids Brisbane Lions Academy graduate plucked a mark right on the behind line, before calmly snapping the ball around the corner on his right boot, straight over the goal umpires hat. As the umpire gave the all clear for the six-points, 17 other Lions swarmed Dawso, showing the youngster a bit of love.
Queenslanders go head to head on the big stage
When the Demons and Bulldogs ran to their positions to start the Women’s AFL exhibition match on the weekend, a couple of Queenslanders went one on one. Tayla Harris and Aasta O’Connor had, what most agree, the battle of the day in the Demons’ forward 50. They didn’t give each other an inch all afternoon, but the chocolates went to Harris, who finished with 11 touches, six marks and a goal in Melbourne’s victory. Keep an eye on that battle in game two.
The kids are alright
There were two standout performances on the weekend in the Palm Beach vs. Western Magpies senior game, and they came from two 16 year olds. Sam Davidson and Samuel Copeland strutted their stuff on Saturday, playing football beyond their years and showing a few of the older blokes how it’s done. Copland booted four majors, in what looked to be a breakout game for the youngster, while Sam Davidson killed it in the middle.
Well done, boys.
P.S. Email of the week goes to Davidson’s Auntie Sylvia, who, judging by my inbox on Sunday morning, is very proud of her nephew’s performance on the weekend.
By Andrew Wiles – @andrewjwiles
