Wilston Grange and Aspley tipped for premiership cup
QAFL coaches have had their say on who they believe will win the premiership. All is revealed here, along with season highlights from your club.
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The premiership cup race will come down to either Aspley or Wilston Grange according to coaches whose teams were not involved in the semi-finals.
And top six coach Gavin Johnston-Smith has indicated Wilston Grange “will take some catching’’ as his side prepares for finals footy.
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Redland-Victoria Point coach Aaron Christensen paid the Gorillas the ultimate compliment when he said: “I think of all the teams we have faced this season, the one we had no answer to were Wilston Grange, so I think they are rightfully cup favourites.’’
Gavin Johnston-Smith had respect for all fellow finals’ contenders, but had also been impressed with Wilston Grange this season.
Surfers Paradise’s Dean Odewahn said Wilston Grange “were probably our most difficult opponents’’ and Labrador’s Rob Yoannidis agreed.
The Labrador coach said: “They moved the ball very well, worked hard for each other and set up well all over the ground.’’
“Their set up and structure and high level leadership is well organised,’’ Johnston-Smith.
But Noosa coach Ben Archard and Mt Gravatt coach David Greenaway both tipped Aspley.
“Aspley is the benchmark for the rest of the competition. They will regain form for the finals,’’ Greenaway said.
Archard added: “Aspley is the best we’ve come up against. They are well drilled with a lot of talent.’’
Entering the final round the top six were: Wilston Grange 60, Morningside 56, Aspley 54,
Sherwood, 48, Maroochydore, 48 and Palm Beach Currumbin 46.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT FOR YOUR CLUB
Surfers Paradise
“Our season highlight has been turning up and being so persistent under very difficult circumstances due to a lack of players.’’ praised Dean Odewahn. “They are a very resilient group.’’
Mt Gravatt
Vultures coach David Greenaway said a highlight of the season was being able to get games into “our young players as a part of their development’’.
“As a result the club will continue to grow toward next season,’’ he said.
Redland-Victoria Point
Although the Sharks had two wins over Mt Gravatt, the highlight was drawing against Surfers.
“We were down by 25 at three quarter time and it was one of the proudest performances as a coach I have seen,’’ praised coach Aaron Christensen.
Morningside
Morningside’s season highlights came in a four week patch between round 12 and 15.
“During this period the Panthers played three away games, including two trips to the Gold Coast,’’ explained coach Justin Lawrence.
“There were 10 under-17 eligible players in the 22 each week, including six debut boys (Willis, Gill, Catley, Strauss and Muniandy) who were elevated from the Panthers’ under-17s, while Day came in from Yeronga.
Yet despite Morningside’s inexperience, the Panthers won those four games by an average of 103 points.
“In the hardest patch of the season, the boys (squad) stood up,’’ Lawrence said.
“This has put us in the position we are now in.
“We are one of only three teams to put up 22 players every game so far, a statistic I am proud of,’’ Lawrence said’
Entering round 18 last weekend, Morningside had used 42 players this season, the most of any of the top six.
Maroochydore
Roos coach Rob Smith said without question the season highlight was beating Aspley and ending the Hornets unbeaten run this season. “We had struggled against the top few teams but in that game we just played our hearts out and came away with a win,’’ Smith said.
Palm Beach Currumbin
PBC’s season team highlight was the overall growth of a host of young players moved into the squad as the core group from 2022-23 progressed into the seniors.
“Our group’s ability to grow and learn together was a highlight,’’ said Johnston-Smith.
He said more than half the team were bottom ages, as well as some under-17s, and the introduction of those players “allows us to build for coming years’’.
“That has been a constant highlight,’’ the coach said.
Noosa
Noosa was one of the giant improvers across the first two-thirds of the competition, and entering the final round had six wins and several close finishes which was a leap from past winters.
“There was plenty of improvement across the playing group, and getting exposure to senior footy for six players as well was a highlight,’’ said Noosa coach Ben Archard.
Sherwood
The fourth placed Magpies have had plenty of high water marks this season, but for coach Ben Jaenke-Cain beating Morningside Panthers at home was “by far’’ the highlight.
Aspley
The season highlight for coach Brett Atkins had been the overall evolution of the squad. “I’ve just been delighted to watch the entire group develop after a lengthy pre-season,’’ Atkins said.
“Also, seeing a couple of boys going up playing senior footy (Jake Howson, Ethan Myers and Andrew Jeffrey) and holding their own has probably been the biggest highlight,’’ he added.
Wilston Grange
The highlight for Gorillas coach Darren Fazldeen had been “how well the squad of 30 had worked across the season’’.
“When players have had to step up into a role they have done this and understood the Gorillas game plan,’’ he said.
Labrador
The season highlight for Labrador was it’s local derby win over Coast neighbours Surfers Paradise.
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