GPS football: Team of the Week revealed following Churchie triumph

GPS First XI football: Who were the top performers from round three? The list includes two boom Brisbane Roar rookies, plus goalkeepers from BBC and IGS and some brave TSS boys.

The GPS First XI football premiership race is on.

Churchie claimed the biggest scalp of their season with a 2-1 victory over Nudgee College on Ross Oval, throwing a spanner in the works as the GPS First XI football premiership race turn a twist.

Both unbeaten sides and clammering to best position themselves for a tilt at the premiership, they were up for the occasion.

The game started in a frantic pace, and neither side slowed down, nor were they willing to concede an inch.

Churchie, the better team on the day, eased ahead 2-1 winners to set up a tense second half of the season with Nudgee who will now be vying to go five-from-five after last Saturday’s loss.

The stakes could not have been higher.

Churchie went 1-nil up when Levi Collins broke down the right side of the field and whipped in a tremendous cross which was clinically converted by the trusty Xavier Veivers Brown.

Levi Collins and Xavier Veivers Brown celebrate.

Churchie landed another telling blow to extend their lead at 2-0 when boom Brisbane Roar teen Quinn MacNicol scored a superb free kick.

Churchie were in the box seat.

With 15 minutes left, a calm and collected Rylan Brownlie converted a penalty goal to draw closer, in doing so instilling belief in his side who proved relentless in the dying moments.

But Churchie’s defence held firm as Churchie continued waves of attack in an exhilarating final 10 minutes.

ROUND 3 RESULTS

BRISBANE GRAMMAR 2 DEF GREGORY TERRACE NIL

CHURCHIE 2 DEF NUDGEE 1

IGS AND BBC DREW NIL ALL

TSS 2 DEF TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR NIL

ROUND THREE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Action from round three's game of the round between Nudgee and Churchie. Picture courtesy of Brody Grogan Photography.

Rhys Williams (Nudgee)

Williams’ determination drove the Nudgee First XI on Saturday.

When the chips were down he spearheaded a second half comeback attempt.

His willingness to drive forward with the ball gave Nudgee a spark and if anyone was going to create a miracle play late in the game, Williams looked the most likely.

Action from round three's game of the round between Nudgee and Churchie. Picture courtesy of Brody Grogan Photography.

Archie Williams (Nudgee)

Williams’ improvement so far this year has been nothing short of incredible and he continued to enhance his reputation at the weekend.

He had been putting in the hard yards, and indeed he has reaped the rewards of his efforts.

The Year 10 student’s one-on-one defending has been a standout of his game.

Lucas Herrington (Churchie)

Lucas Herrington and Rylan Brownlie duelling.

It was Churchie’s time to shine in season 2024, and leading the way was their main man Herrington who commanded the backline with authority alongside fellow centreback Ollie Reid. Zane North also stood tall in the midfield.

Quinn MacNicol (Churchie)

Quinn MacNicol on the attack.

MacNicol’s time away with the Australian Under-17s served him well with the emerging Roar player a danger every time he touched the ball.

Nudgee’s Rylan Brownlie matched him as his speed and strength saw him threaten the Churchie defences all game long.

Churchie celebrating victory.

Cole Fenton and Max Pereeboom (TSS)

TSS have conceded just two goals in three games and Fenton and Pereeboom were to thank.

They have been excellent on defence, largely responsible for TSS’s much improved start to the season.

Matthew Surgeon (TSS)

While Fenton and Pereeboom were fending off opposition attacking raids, Surgeon had his radar working scoring two goals after an early injury.

Achillie Monet (TSS)

TSS’s resurgence this season was highlighted by Monet’s ‘Man of a Mission’ performance alongside James Greenup.

Monet played most of the contest with a broken nose, while Greenup’s determined performance ensured TSS took the chocolates heading back to the coast.

Josh Zahra (Toowoomba Grammar)

The home side had their chances, but it just wasn’t their day. Despite things not going TGS’s way, the leadership of captain Josh Zahra remained firm as he pushed his side towards the finish line.

He led from the front.

Oliver Larsen (Brisbane Grammar)

While Larsen did not sneak a goal through, he was a constant threat in close quarters and had Terrace’s defenders in a pressure cooker as he eyed the back of the net.

Alex Graham (BBC)

BBC’s goalkeeper, like IGS’ goalkeeper Lachlan Wendt, was tops for the home side.

Graham was confident, denying an aggressive IGS outfit any reward for their dangerous attack.

The Year 12 student was exceptional under the high ball, “coming out like a boss” according to BBC coach Jamie Morgan.

With his side playing down a man for much of the contest, Graham’s brilliance in goal was just what the doctor ordered.

Federico Traversi (BBC)

The Year 12 defensive midfielder ran his socks off, playing out a stellar game as BBC defied the odds and overcame a one man disadvantage for over half of the game.

Lachlan Wendt (Ipswich Grammar)

Wendt rose to the occasion in BBC’s first home game of the season.

He made two fantastic saves early in the clash to keep IGS in the game.

Pranav Vallabh (Ipswich Grammar)

Left back Vallabh had a cracker, steadfast in defence and creative with the ball at his feet.

His forward runs and accurate crosses saw IGS come close on many occasions, but to BBC’s credit they repelled everything IGS threw at them.