The QAFL semi-final race tightened up after Rd 12
The QAFL colts semi-final semi-final race tightened up after an exciting round 12 of action, including Mt Gravatt’s emotional tribute win honouring a past player. Details, best players here.
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The QAFL colts semi-final race is hotting up after Mt Gravatt claimed an emotional, upset win over Wilston Grange while Maroochydore wrestled its way to a narrow victory over fellow finals’ contenders Sherwood.
Playing in memory of former player Andrew Scott, the Vultures pipped the Gorillas by a mere point while the Roos forged narrowly ahead in a game of semi-final intensity against the Magpies.
And Aspley won again, kicking 20 goals to move to mid-table while Broadbeach remained snugly around the leaders after a win over Noosa in Saturday’s late game.
Round 12 results: Maroochydore 11.7-73 def Sherwood 10.4-64
Mt Gravatt 6.4-40 def Wilston Grange 5.9-39
Aspley 20.11-121 def Labrador 2.2-14
Surfers Paradise 10.13-73 def Redland Victoria Point 7.7-49
Palm Beach Currumbin 14.16-100 def Morningside 5.3-33
Broadbeach 13-15-93 def Noosa Noosa 4.5-29
At Dittmar Park, Mt Gravatt surged late in the fourth quarter to pluck victory from the jaws of defeat, kicking 4-2 to turn a three-goal deficit into a win.
What a performance it was as the team, wearing black armbands in honour of past player Scott, surged. Scott was killed in a recent bus crash.
“That is our best win for sure. Especially as it was against quality opposition,’’ said Mt Gravatt coach David Greenaway.
“It goes to show when we stick to what we do best, they can play well and compete with the best teams in the competition.
Mt Gravatt also had four first game players. “We had a very, very young side in and they all played well for each,’’ Greenaway said.
Jonathan Pang (wing) from the under 17s, Bodie Smith (backline), Patrick Doyle (forward) and Muhamad Mossi (ruck) were new players.
Charlie Corrigan from Coorparoo, who plays forward mid, did well again in only his second match in the QAFL.
But best for the Vultures were midfielders Kieran Micheletti and Kyne McDonald, while Heath Seadon (forward), Dylan Verhey (fullback) and Hayden Anthony (forward) were great.
But it was a “massive team effort,’’ according to coach Greenaway.
He said the game was a tribute to the late Scott and “the team put in the effort to remember him the right way, the way he played footy’’.
The upset loss stifled Wilston Grange’s push up the ladder, but the Gorillas remained well placed and the side’s percentage was not dented despite the unexpected defeat.
“It was a disappointing loss but that’s what happens when you don’t turn up to play and Mt Gravatt did,’’ said Wilston Grange coach Darren Fazldeen.
“We need to regroup and turn this slump around and get back to playing Grange footy again.’’
No one really stood out for Grange in the loss.
What the result has done, - along with the Roos win over Sherwood - was ensure teams No.6 (Morningside) and No.7 (Surfers Paradise) both cling to hope making the finals.
Both teams were 12 points outside the top five but there were still enough competition points up for grabs if they were good enough.
Maroochydore moved to second on percentage despite having 32 points alongside Wilston Grange and Sherwood. At the time of publication today, Broadbeach were likely to also move to 32 points.
In the Roos win today, Karter Pinder, Riley McMillan, Tyler Whiteley, Deklen Faulkner, Bailey Hahn and Kobi Cook played strongly.
Despite Sherwood’s narrow loss to the Roos, Magpies coach Ben Jaenke-Cain said his side was still on track.
“We have a few senior boys out (uni and injury) and have still been competitive against the top four sides,’’ he praised.
Ryliegh Utting playing midfield was outstanding for Sherwood, while Owen Caplin (defender) shone along with Joshua Campbell, Julian Cruice and Alex Peacock.
Aspley produced 31 scoring opportunities to find another win - against Labrador.
Under 17 eligible players Francis Quinn and Calen Harrop were solid, with Harrop kicking four goals and Quinn solid with his intercept marks.
Jakob Gordon was a crafty forward around gaosl, another under 17 player Jalen Proud rucked well all game.
Ethan Myers was also solid on the wing and going forward while Kenan Sertli did well for the Hornets.
“It was great to play a game where we continued to play structure and process consistently for four quarters,’’ said Aspley coach Brett Atkins.
“Our midfielders continually were great around the stoppages and the back seven were solid all day. It was pleasing to see us score goals, including 12-3 in the second half.’’
Labrador coach Rob Yoannidis said despite his team suffering some heavy losses, effort is always evident. “We have a never-a-say-die attitude and the boys don’t give up,’’ Yoannidis said.
“When we are daring and take the risky kick and play without hesitation, our ball movement is good.’’
Levi Fyffe (forward-mid), Seth Carenese (back-mid) Leo Johnston (mid) and Wade Robertson (forward-mid) played well for Labrador.
Surfers Paradise now have a 5-6 win loss-record after its win, with Ali Al-Nabhan starting it all following a mighty effort.
“We are starting to build towards the back end of the season,’’ he added.
“Our ruckman Ali Al-Nabhan has been terrific, along with onballer Jake Selvey and dynamic forward forward Flynn Sipple,’’ said Surfers coach Alistair Mitchell.
Redland-Victoria Point coach Brian Zutt said his midfielder Korey Dry never gave up and kept pushing to the next contest.
“He also managed to kick a couple of goals.
“Aidan Palfrey also provided us with plenty of drive out of the backline which enabled us to set up our attack,’’ Zutt said.
“”He was courageous with his tackle pressure.’’
Macklin Johnston kicked four goals and Charles Elliott three in PBC’s win over Morningside.
Palm Beach under 17 eligible rookies Beau Lester-Sutherland and Thomas Grimster also continued to gather experience.
“We were challenged early and we were not putting on the required pressure,’’ said PBC coach Glen Clark.
“Then in the second half we hunted them to create turnovers and got rewarded for them.’’
Nelson Beikoff-Smart, playing in a wing role, was tremendous for the winners, including displaying great use of the ball while Jasper Williams in the ruck competed all day for PBC.
Macklin Johnston also kicked four goals.
Morningside coach Ross Anderson said his side needed to be cleaner with its handling.
But the side did move the ball well at times, he said.
The Panthers best in defeat were Zane Pearce (mid) Tanner Griffiths (back) and Bryce Longland (forward).
Noosa had a crack against Broadbeach, but struggled to defend the Cats movement from half back to forward according to Noosa coach Jed Costagen.
“They had some big guys up forward and some very classy players,’’ he said.
“We were definitely under sized.’’
Ben Stewart, Patrick Monk, Tobi Korybutiak, Benjamin Allan and Jed Bullman were best for Noosa, while Jasper Knight, Callum Braid, Will Cooper, Harry Gwynne, Cooper Gwynne and Lachlan Edgar were excellent for the Cats.
Players of the Week
Kieran Micheletti, Kyne McDonald (Mt Gravatt)
Nelson Beikoff-Smart (PBC)
Karter Pinder, Deklen Faulkner (Roos)
Francis Quinn and Calen Harrop (Aspley)
Ali Al-Nabhan (Surfers Paradise)
Jasper Knight, Callum Braid (Broadbeach),
Cooper Gwynne, Lachlan Edgar (Broadbeach)
Ryliegh Utting (Sherwood)
Jakob Gordon, Jalen Proud (Aspley)
Jake Selvey, Flynn Sipple (Surfers Paradise)
Macklin Johnston (PBC)
Levi Fyffe, Seth Carenese (Labrador),
Jasper Williams (PBC)
Ben Stewart (Noosa)
Zane Pearce, Tanner Griffiths (Morningside)
Dylan Verhey (Mt Gravattt)
Joshua Campbell (Sherwood)
Owen Caplin (Sherwood)
Riley McMillan, Tyler Whiteley (Roos)
Korey Dry, Aidan Palfrey (Redland-Victoria Point)
Paddy Monk, Tobi Korybutiak (Noosa)
Will Cooper, Harry Gwynne (Broadbeach)
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