Revealed: GPS First football’s Team of the Week; Most improved
GPS First XI football: Meeting the Players of the Week and the competition’s most improved players.
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The GPS First XI football competition is hotting up, featuring some of the finest young football talent in the state.
The competition is home to elite players - but it is also full of players at a high level who keep improving.
Speaking of improvement, how about Nudgee College?
ROUND 5 TEAM OF THE WEEK: HIGH IQ PLAYERS
After a first round bye and a second round loss, they have shot to the top of the ladder with their latest victory over BBC (7-0), announcing themselves as premiership frontrunners.
Hot on their heels are Ipswich Grammar and Brisbane Grammar and not far behind them are Churchie and Toowoomba. For now first place looks safe for the Nudgee boys.
But in this competition, you can’t let your guard down. Look no further than Ipswich’s 4-1 victory over Brisbane Grammar, who found themselves down and out early after two quick goals.
So who were the Players of the Week and the most improved players of the season?
Here we highlight some of them.
ROUND 6 RESULTS
Churchie beat Southport 2-1
Nudgee College beat BBC 7-0
Ipswich Grammar beat Brisbane Grammar 4-1
Gregory Terrace beat Brisbane State High 2-0
Gregory Terrace beat Brisbane State High 2-0
It’s never easy playing Brisbane State High at home but Terrace were able to get the job done in the end. An open game in the early stages, both teams were creating chances.
Alas, trusty Terrace striker Luca Damianakis got the breakthrough at the midway point of the first half.
With momentum on their side the visitors managed to get a second through courtesy of a Dylan Brockhurst header, set up by the free kick brilliance of Matheus Irelandes-Mota.
Brisbane State High came out strongly in the second stanza, creating a number of chances.
Wearing his cape for Terrace was George Plusnin, making a handful of saves to keep a clean sheet and earn victory for Terrace.
Brockhurst shone with his hold up play and link play with the midfielders. Damianakis led the way with his high work rate, winning countless individual battles before getting himself on the score sheet.
And carrying his team to safety was the influential Plusnin, who made some great saves and turned his side around on the counter attack.
Brisbane State High head of football Tom Dixon said it was a frustrating one, with two lapses in concentration seeing his side go down to an “organised and young Terrace side.”
“We created chances within the game but much like previous contests have not capitalised on the pressure we are applying to the opposition,” Dixon said about another valuable experience for his threatening young team.
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
Ipswich Grammar beat Brisbane Grammar 4-1
Luke Rantucci (Ipswich)
Two goals, a constant threat on goal, and a win. Could Saturday have gone any better for this bloke?
Lachlan Buckman (Ipswich)
Buckman delivered his best performance of the season and it was a game where his team just needed someone to stand up.
He worked hard to win the ball and contributed in several key moments.
Oliver Purcell (Ipswich)
Purcell’s incredible work ethic gave his team the edge. He scored a cracking goal and was a constant threat going forward when attacking space.
Kobi Griffiths (Brisbane Grammar)
In a tough day for Brisbane Grammar, where two early goals put them on the back foot, Griffiths was the standout.
He created several attacks from right defence, Will Gatehouse scoring the consolation goal on the back of his efforts.
RELATED LINKS
GPS FOOTBALL ROUND 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
Nudgee College beat BBC 7-0
Jack Mair (Nudgee)
All cylinders were firing for the reigning premiers and Mair was at the forefront, assuring the forward line like a veteran.
Declan Parkinson (Nudgee)
Parkinson makes our Team of the Week yet again and it should come as no surprise.
On Saturday, he marshalled the troops around the park and held the midfield well.
Lachie Cook (Nudgee)
Every team needs a Cook. Someone who brings energy, brings enthusiasm and brings a fierce competitive edge.
He delivered this in spades against BBC.
Churchie beat Southport 2-1
Levi Collins (Churchie)
Collins had himself a game, scoring one while always looking a threat and working his socks off to swing momentum.
Zane North (Churchie)
North controlled the midfield with intelligent passing, marauding runs forward and tough tackles to block a surging Southport.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYERS
Elias Ali Sheme (Brisbane State High)
Sheme has grown in confidence this season and remains a threat with the ball at his feet.
Very dangerous running at players.
Will Booth (Ipswich Grammar)
Booth has the ability to break down play, win challenges and win second balls. He blocks passing lanes very well to prevent forward passes and also has a very high passing success rate.
Has proven to be absolutely crucial and has gotten better in every game.
Arden Hogan (Churchie)
Hogan started the season as a fringe player but has been influential off the bench against tiring defences.
He scored the winner against Brisbane State High in the first round and against Southport he earned his first start.
He had a good game and proved to be a handful all day for the Gold Coast side.
Jack Mair (Nudgee)
Beginning to learn his strengths as a footballer, Mair was the first to come to mind for Nudgee director of football Luke Condon.
He is turning into not only a key player but leader for the Nudgee team.
Luke Parish (Toowoomba Grammar)
Parish has always had the ability but now he has knuckled down and added the necessary hard work to his game.
He has been the driving force of the Toowoomba team this year, recognising the importance of playing his position well rather than being all over the field.
Parish has seen improvement in winning tackles and stopping the oppositions momentum.
Crucial player.
Taku Doherty (Toowoomba Grammar)
Doherty was itching for an opportunity to shine and once given the opportunity he took it with both hands - and feet.
He has played a few different positions and shown that he is adaptable to any situation, Doherty fast becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.
Federico Traversi (BBC)
Called into the squad late in the preseason, Traversi has showed the call was well worth it with solid performances every time he steps on the field.
Sam Sullivan (Terrace)
The centre back has worked incredibly hard over the past 12 months to not only be in the team but to be a starter.
Indeed his hard work has paid off, Sullivan a true leader for his teammates.
Footnote: Brisbane Grammar and Southport’s most improved players coming soon.
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