GPS First XI Football: Players of the week, unsung heroes
Who were the best GPS First XI football players of the week? Revealed here along with the competition’s unsung heroes as Nudgee College close in on back-to-back premierships.
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Nudgee College closed in on another historic milestone in the College’s decorated sporting history when landing a telling 2-1 blow against Toowoomba Grammar in round eight of the GPS First XI football season.
Their second successive GPS premiership loomed with The Southport School awaiting in a Friday night clash which will decide the premiership.
The premiership trophy has been gift wrapped for the reigning premiers but the Southport School have the chance to throw a spanner in the works when the teams confront in the final round of the season.
Southport would have to beat Nudgee and Ipswich Grammar would have to beat a very competitive Toowoomba Grammar for the trophy to detour past Sandgate Road and beeline it to Ipswich.
GPS FIRST XI FOOTBALL: ROUND 7 BEST PLAYERS
The stakes couldn’t be higher heading into round nine.
For now, see below the round eight Players of the Week along with the competition’s unsung heroes – the glue guys, the players who make their team tick.
Footnote: High praise to Gregory Terrace’s Eddie Ince who was named in the Joeys’ 28-player squad for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Thailand.
Nudgee College 2 beat Toowoomba Grammar 1
Arthur De Lima (Nudgee)
De Lima delivered yet another masterclass, his free kick brilliance this week following on from last week’s efforts.
He dominated the midfield battle.
Charlie Parkin (Nudgee)
Parkin played his role to perfection, dealing with Toowoomba’s aerial threat while staying composed on the ball.
Jamie Waddington (Nudgee)
Waddington just deserves a spot in this company after making a great last ditch tackle to secure the win.
He also won all his headers.
ROUND 6 TEAM OF THE WEEK; MOST IMPROVED PLAYERS
Kai Richardson (Toowoomba)
Richardson took out man of the match honours after defending his backside off and snuffing out attacks.
He wasn’t alone, the entire Toowoomba team contributing to what head of sport Steve Fryer described as their best performance of the season.
Gregory Terrace 4 defeat BBC 1
Taking a 2-0 lead early was Gregory Terrace with Dylan Brockhurst and Conor McCarthy finding the back of the net.
BBC got a penalty right on halftime to make it 2-1 but a missed penalty goal early in the second stanza was the closest the visitors came before Gregory Terrace finishers Zack Damianakis and Sani Logoro came to the party.
After a little back and forth action, Damianakis and Logoro both scored to put the nail in the coffin.
Indeed the game was closer than the 4-1 scoreline suggests.
ROUND 5 TEAM OF THE WEEK: HIGH IQ PLAYERS
Zack Damianakis (Gregory Terrace)
Damianakis was a constant threat down the right hand side, providing quality crosses into the box.
But he doesn’t just set up goals, he scores them too.
Luca Damianakis (Gregory Terrace)
Older Brother to Zack (see above), Terrace captain Luca wasn’t once at a stand still – his work rate on and off the ball something to behold.
Gabe Weldermariam (Gregory Terrace)
A midfielder with a high work rate, Weldermariam helped link the defence together and create attacking chances.
Tanner Wheeler (BBC)
On the right wing Year 10 Wheeler played very well. He worked his socks off, got the attack going and asserted himself as the vocal point for BBC’s team next year.
A prominent role awaits him.
Ipswich Grammar 2 beat Churchie 0
Ipswich Grammar continued on in what is a very impressive 2023 campaign, their experience seeing them deal with Churchie despite a solid shift from the home side.
Will Booth (Ipswich)
Booth must have eaten double his portion of weetbix on Saturday morning because he delivered his best performance ever in Ipswich colours.
A man possessed, Booth was exceptionally calm, retained possession when he had the ball, broke up play and landed on second balls like an expert.
He gave Ipswich the edge.
Daniel Lindsay (Ipswich)
Lindsay continued his assault on the competition since returning from injury.
What an unbelievable run he is on and at the weekend he showcased an added attacking element to his game which caused serious problems in behind for Churchie.
Jac Parrott (Ipswich)
It’s safe to say this bloke had his paws all over Ipswich’s 2-0 victory, Parrott stuffing the stat sheet with a goal and an assist.
Lucas Herrington and Oli Reid (Churchie)
The future looked bright with Churchie’s central defenders both in Year 10.
With a season under their belt, the match hardened Year 11s will be better for the run in 2024.
RELATED LINKS
GPS FOOTBALL ROUND 4 TEAM OF THE WEEK
GPS FOOTBALL ROUND 3 TEAM OF THE WEEK
GPS FOOTBALL ROUND 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK
Brisbane Grammar 3 beat Brisbane State High 1
With a Bye in the final round, Brisbane Grammar concluded their season with a hard fought 3-1 victory.
After a tight first half, goals from skipper Andrew McLeod and a brace from Vinnie Van Brunschot allowed the home side to finish on a high note.
Daniel Qu and Will Gatehouse were strong performers.
For Brisbane State High, goalkeeper Kurt Huppert might as well have had a cape on. His team’s guardian angel, Huppert made five outstanding saves to stay in the game.
It’s not often you see a payer make five saves. It’s even more impressive that they came in the first half.
UNSUNG HEROES
Alexander Grana (Nudgee)
Grana had been sidelined in his final season at Nudgee with an ACL injury but that didn’t stop him from training, gymming and adding a positive energy on game day.
Could you ask for a better teammate? Absolutely not.
Jasper Alipayo (Nudgee)
Despite Alipayo playing limited minutes in his final season in the blue and white, his attitude and commitment to the team had been exceptional.
Alipayo just puts his head down, gets to work and wants to improve – which is surely an inspiration to his teammates.
RELATED LINKS
GPS FOOTBALL ROUND 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
Kingston Vaitusi (Gregory Terrace)
Gregory Terrace’s centre back has helped fill the void in the midfield while Eddie Ence, who had been away on Under 17s Australian International duty.
Often Vaitusi would help with his teams build up play and quick transitions which is mighty impressive given he is only a Year 10 student.
Being the baby of the team, Vaitusi has to defend against older, more physical boys and my word has he adapted well to manage that.
A coach’s dream.
Zavier Cooper (Churchie)
Here’s a glue guy – someone who doesn’t get minutes but commits to the team like no other.
His attitude – second to none.
Jack Pye (Ipswich)
Good news Ipswich supporters, Pye is back again next year. A terrific leader, the vocal Year 11 Pye runs the show from centre back.
Aaron Picker (Tooowoomba)
If you look in the dictionary for unsung hero there’s a good chance a photo of Picker will appear.
The glue guy, Picker makes his team tick. He is a cultured player who has time on the ball and this year he has improved in leaps and bounds.
His vision and decision making, a big reason why Toowoomba have been so competitive.
Will Gatehouse (Brisbane Grammar)
Mr consistent all year, Gatehouse became the team’s fix-it man, continually doing any job asked of him at a very high level.
Nik Skulic (BBC)
The BBC eam captain has played as defensive midfielder this season and he has not missed a game. He gets on the with the job and can mix it with the best.
Jacob Kellar (Brisbane State High)
Kellar spent most of this season with the Seconds team but that was fuel to the fire for one of the hardest workers out there.
In round eight, Kellar’s perseverance and brilliant attitude was rewarded with his first start.
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