Local club Australian football wrap-up featuring teams from Beenleigh to Pine Rivers
Australian football at club level is back in business, with seniors, colts and women playing under brilliant winter skies on Saturday. Here is a wrap-up of matches.
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Former North Melbourne recruit Declan Watson kicked seven goals as the Aspley Hornets climbed over University of Queensland 14-19-103 to 7-10-52 in Hart Sports Cup action.
Watson, an Aspley junior, was playing in only his second senior match for the Hornets after being lured away from the club as a teenage draft pick.
Aspley coach Matt Argus said Watson was to play in the NEAFL competition this season, but when the Covid-19 crisis ended the chances of that competition starting up, Watson was happy to remain with Aspley and play Hart Cup.
“We are very fortunate with the (eight) NEAFL players who have decided to stay and play at the club and support our team,’’ Argus said.
Argus said wining the ball was a focus and his side successfully achieved that goal.
Best players for Aspley were D. Henderson, L. Thomas, N. Watts, D. Watson, J. Mobbs, A. Young while Uni’s leading players were C. Smith, N. Bertoli-Simmonds, R. Williamson, L. Walder, D. Watson and J. Williams.
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In a Hart Sports Cup thriller, a spritely Springwood pipped Coorparoo by just one point, 7.9-51 to 78-50.
Pumas coach Brad Pollock said his team had now won two in a row and were showing the required desired to ne pushing for wins.
“With this whole COVID thing most teams have not had a pre-season and preparation, and these games are in a way like practice matches,’’ Pollock said.
“It is not the prettiest of football, but it is certainly willing.
“We have a pretty young team and it is good to see the young blokes carrying the flag for the boys.
“A few of the younger boys are really enjoying the young legs around the park.’’
Pollock said it was a short, eight match season and “every win is like gold’’.
Best Players for Springwood were B. Page, J. Kennealy, M. Thompson, N. Murcutt, N. Proud, H. Howse and for the Coorparoo Kings J. Fitzgerald, S. Holna, J. Lake, K. Rizzo, S. Korander-Matheson, R. Lake.
Noosa had a hard fought win over Mayne, 9.18-72 to 8.7-55, with Mayne’s best player
Jamie Ivers, Jack Collings, Ryan Quinn, Caleb Brown, Mitch Bruce and Jasper Craven.
In the AFLQ Sherwood pushed Palm-Beach Currumbin to the brink but still fell short by 11 points.
Magpies coach Anthony McDonald said his side rued a slow start to the match when Palm Beach skipped away to a 7-4-46 to 0-1-1 advantage. The final score was 12.11-83 to 11.8-74
“Initially we did not start well,’’ McDonald said.
“We missed too many tackles, particularly in the first quarter, and were not really in the contest,’’ he said.
“That is not the way we want to start a game of footie.
“Being down by 40 odd points at quarter time is not where we want to be and full marks to them because they started really well.’’
McDonald said the players and coaching staff then identified some good things Palm Beach were doing around the ball and were able to reduce their impact.
“We were able to adjust and that then gave us the opportunity to move the ball forward to our forward line.
“It took that whole second quarter to get the game back on even terms.
“Then after halftime we came out and started to be more proactive in terms of our efforts around the ball.’’
He said the midfield and down back players provided chances for the forward line and at one stage Sherwood closed the gap to just two points.
“The comeback was pleasing but they learnt they cannot give a side like that a start like they did and expect to win.
“But there is plenty of optimism going forward that we are good enough to compete with the top teams in the competition.’’
Sherwood’s best players were W. Fletcher, L. Dawson who kicked five goals, R. Harwood, S. Ryan, E. Wasley-Black, C. Scott.
Sherwood’s fightback sets up a bumper clash this Saturday at Esplen oval (2pm) when the Magpies confront Morningside who had to work hard to overcome Wilston-Grange.
The Panthers won 14-14-98 to 8-9-57 but Morningside coach Clint Watts said the scoreboard was deceiving and the Gorillas very competitive.
He said after tending to overuse the ball a bit, Morningside had to revert back to basics and not force the ball into the forward line.
“The opposition were strong and tackled well and we did not get the space we may have got the week before,’’ Watts said.
“They had some young guys and over the game we may have worn them down and hit the scoreboard then.
“I said to the boys after the game you can win anyway, and there is nothing wrong with being in a real scrape in round two.
“It show resilience and character and boys kept working hard at it.’’
Watts said Saturday would be a huge afternoon at Morningside, with footy until 9pm at night because the two women’s teams would play after the senior men.
Best for Morningside were S. Crozier, J. Rolls, P. Mollison, M. Payne, S. Godfrey and H. Joyce.
Wilston Grange also went down in the women but did snare a victory in the development competition.
Gorillas director of women’s football Laura Kidd said the QAFLW had a young side but would be reinforced when a number of AFLW players return from injury. “When they comeback it will be all guns blazing,’’ she said.
Kidd said the development side coached by Ben Rantell, who is the son of South Melbourne champion John, were a largely new group. “We have about 50 per cent who are brand new to the sport but they are starting to understand it and they are gelling,’’ Kidd said.
In QAFL colts, premiers Wilston Grange inflicted a 11.7-73 to 2.4-16 win over Morningside, with J. Manly, B. Gallop, C. Scott, L. Roberts, J. Simpson, T. Galligan the Gorillas’s best players.
Morningside’s best colts were S. Gorman, W. Barry, Z. Clarkson, T. Wearne, J. Boyle and E.
Morningside coach Ryan Bruce said his young side gave away ball too easily.
“I am happy with patches of the game and how we moved the ball around, but we probably should have asked more of them when we were in front of goal,’’ Bruce said.
In QFA colts Victoria Point jumped Aspley’s colts to claim a 8.8-56 to 7.3-45 win.
Hornets coach Stuart Leirich said after a slow start side had to play catch-up footie.
“We were outplayed for possession, energy and work rate in the middle of the game but had a fantastic fightback to fall short,’’ Leirich said.
“I enjoyed the last quarter and the boys showed each other the potential within the group when everyone works together.
“With all three lines showing some connection, they moved the football with speed and played with higher pressure intensity.’’
Coorparoo had a rollicking win in the QFA Colts, 17-18-120 to 1-5-11 over Jindalee, with Coorparoo’s best J. Lord, P. Cockerill, A. McErlain, S. Cosmo, H. Samarkovski and B. Ryan while Coolum-Noosa accounted for Moreton 4.8-92 to 3.6-24.
Sandgate’s colts enjoyed a day out against Kedron-Grange, 13.13-91 to 2.1-13, with B. Wilkinson, M. O’Sullivan, L. O’’Hara, O. O’’Brien, G. Paine and A. Wagner swooping for the Hawks.
Alexandra Hills-Wynnum were solid across the park en route to a 8.8-56 to 4.6-30 win over the Redcliffe Tigers, C. Hart, B. Hunt, S. Collins, L. Collett, W. Saggers and J Stuart shining for the winners.
In the QFA Div 2 North Alexandra Hills inflicted a 13.14-92 to 1.6-12 loss over Moorooka.
“Our biggest improvement needs to come with delivery to our forward line,’’ said Moorooka coach Cameron Viney.
“We had as much ball but did not use it in our final 50 and we really hurt ourselves.’’
He said losing three players to injury also hurt the team’s rotation and caused fatigue.
“The score does not reflect the result, they were just more polished inside their 50 than we were.’’
Alexandra Hill’s best players were B. Skillern, M. Dillon, L. Reilly, B. Sucu, B. Bisset and A. Harris while J. Muia, N. Haulangi, A. Knight, V. Detenamo, L. Jackson and M. Porter best served Moorooka.
Park Ridge had a huge win, 21-12-138 to 5-5-35 win over Jindalee.
“We struggled a little bit early but wore them down,’’ said Pirates coach Tom Corless.
The win sets up a boom clash against Pine Rivers in Park Ridge on Saturday (2pm) after Pine Rivers who accounted for the imposing Moreton.
Corless said it was pleasing to see depth returning to the senior ranks, with 55 seniors players now spread across the two senior sides and being aided by five coaches.
“The players have been the best recruiters inviting their mates along,’’ Corless said.
Jindalee’s best players were J. Midson, J. Hunt, N. Lennon, H. Long, S. Mitchell and N. Howard while R. Simmons, A. Parsons, D. Frame, T. Hurst, B. Passfield and S. Taylor underpinned Park Ridge’s efforts along with C. Stackelberg who kicked six goals.
Kedron had a fantastic win over Hinterland AFC 10.9-69 to 4-11-35, with J. Westerberg, J. Stahlhut, J. Turner, J. Malone, Z. Westbrook-McIntyre and C. Fletcher best for the Red Legs.
Kedron’s QFA Div 2 North senior coach Brett Wightman said his side showed plenty of resilience in what was not a free flowing game. “But we grinded out a win against tough, physical opponents,’’ Wightman said.
He said he would be looking to improve restricting the opposition from allowing opponents to “take too many marks in front of our forwards’’
Pine Rivers also accounted for Moreton Bay in a thriller.
Jindalee’s senior Div 2 North coach Jindalee Daniel Goldsworth said his side had a tough day at the office.
After starting well, Jindalee “fell away badly’’ to Park Ridge losing 21.12-138 to
5.5-35.
But he said three or four key players would return this weekend.
Best for Jindalee were Jacob Midson, Jack Hunt and Stirling Mitchell while in the beaten reserves, James Payne, Dan Robbins and Brendan Poulton did well for the Jags.
Jindalee pushed hard for victory in senior women's against Ipswich but had to be content with a draw.
Jindalee actually hit the front with a minute to go, but Ipswich responded with a behind that levelled the scores.
“It was a great effort by the girls who have something to work with,’’ Goldsworth said.
Kate Williams, Lex Hamilton and Cat Bennett were best for Jindalee.
The Yeronga girls had a loss to Western Districts in Div 3, with Yeronga coach Lachlan Bathune lamenting his team’s lack of physical play around the ball.
But he said he had a fit group and was confident they would improve.
Beenleigh Buffaloes seniors women beat Morningside 28-7 in their first game of the season.
“It was a really good to have the season underway,’’ said Beenleigh official Mick Jordan.
Kedron’s senior women had a 5.8-38 to 4.0-24 win over Moreton Bay, with coach Ross Clayfield most happy with his team’s composure after trailing at halftime.
“The fact is they did not panic and still believed in our structures and believed the tide would turn,’’ Clayfield said.
Clayfield’s team have a big match on Saturday (4.45pm) against Surfers Paradise at Anderson Oval.
At Mt Gravatt, there were still highlights for the Vultures despite Broadbeach winning the QAFL senior match 15-11-101 to 6-8-44.
“Despite a home game loss in the round 2, the future shines brightly for Mt Gravatt in the QAFL competition,’’ said Mt Gravatt vice President and Football Director Rod Nuttall.
Seventeen-year-olds Zac Young and Sam Winterbottom joined 19-year-old Orien Kerr and 21-year-old Austin Brent for their first senior games.
“Coupled with the individual performances in reserve grade by teenagers Lochlan Harrop, Will Tasker Jack Paterson and Ethan Mooney, it suggests the future of the Vultures will shine brightly,’’ he said.
In a match where Rhys Estall celebrated his 100th senior game with two trademark goals the Vultures were no match for the experienced and powerful Cats side which converted their scoring opportunities better in the first half to take a match winning 1-7-13 to 8-3-51 lead.
Best Players for Mt Gravatt were Todd Carbone, Jonah Licht and Joel Leahy.
QAFL Reserves – Mt Gravatt 8-3-51 def by Broadbeach 9-8-62 (Best Players: Lochlan Harrop, Will Tasker, Jack Paterson)
QAFL Colts – Mt Gravatt 4-1-25 def by Broadbeach 14-16-100 (Best Players: Toby Marks, Jack Hillier, Jackson Griffiths)
QFA Div 4 – Mt Gravatt 12-6-78 def Ferny Grove 4-3-27 (Best Players: Adam Melville, Ryan Hammond, Luke North)
QFAW Div 1 – Mt Gravatt 0-3-3 def by Broadbeach 5.10-40 (Best Players:
QFAW Div 2 South – Mt Gravatt 1-1-7 def by Jimboomba 1-7-13