Live stream: Catch four games from Queensland Schools Premier League finals on KommunityTV
It was double delight for Kelvin Grove while a Helensvale revival denied Cleveland the same honour. Re-live all the action. Don’t forget to return on October 27 for the junior and intermediate deciders.
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Kelvin Grove State College survived a fast-finishing Cavendish Road revival to secure a 3-2 win and win the Queensland Schools Premier League Pool A senior boys title.
In the tail of two halves, Kelvin Grove dominated the first half, then watched as Cav Road turned the tables in the second half to almost draw level.
After bailing water for most of the first half, Cavendish Road surged back into the match with an Ashford Dawson goal in the 39th minute, and then a score from Lukas Josipovic first up after the break.
From 3-0 down, it was 3-2 with an eternity to play.
Cav Road had turned promise into points in the first half, with striker Ashford Dawson bursting away down the left wing and launching a goal which made it 3-1.
Dawson’s goal would have changed the halftime speeches of both coaches and the first goal of the second half was now crucial.
Cav Road altered its formation, tending toward Kelvin Grove’s half and putting pressure on their rivals more toward their goal area.
Kelvin Grove had established its first half advantage courtesy of the Noah Maieroni-Rafael Alvis show.
Macaroni had his DNA all over the opening 40 minutes, scoring early from a header after Alvis had speared in a cross.
He then added a second from a penalty shot after Alvis had cut back and been brought down in the box.
From 2-0 up, Kelvin Grove went three goals ahead after that man, Maieroni, assisted with a long pass toward Jake Pettigrew.
That was 3-0, then Cav Road’s Dawson breathed life into the match.
GIRLS: Kelvin Grove 4 Chancellor 1
The best schoolgirl team in Queensland rose to the occasion as Kelvin Grove State College clinched the Queensland Schools Premier League Pool A senior girls title with a 4-1 win over Chancellor State College.
The Kelvin Grove SC players announced themselves early with two goals, and from there worked their way to victory against a never-say-die Chancellor outfit.
Chancellor’s hard work was rewarded midway through the second half when Natalia Verkade scored, reducing the margin to 3-1 and raising Chancellor’s hopes 25 minutes from fulltime.
And with minutes to go Chancellor almost snared a second goal which would have closed the gap to 3-2.
Kelvin Grove State College vs Chancellor State College (Pool A girls)
But in the final minute, Tully Heatley did her thing for Kelvin Grove, making it 4-1.
Kelvin Grove had a quick start in the first half.
Jonte Fisher’s cut back for Holly Bonertz-Benn to score the opener was sublime - and soon after Fisher added her own goal to make it 2-0.
Chancellor knuckled down and fought hard, putting bodies behind the ball to reduce the chance of counterattack, but closing in on halftime Daisy Bateman scored Kelvin Grove’s third goal after Fisher had won back possession.
Kelvin Grove may have been further ahead if not for the goalkeeping of Chancellor’s Susanna Peck.
GIRLS - Cleveland 3 d Murrumba 1
Goalkeeper Charlee Webber provided stability at one end while Ashlee Hyman hit the net with regularity at the other as Cleveland beat Murrumba State Secondary College 3-1 in the Queensland Schools Premier League Pool B girls decider.
Hyman’s second goal in the 67th minute gave her side breathing space, and then her 71st header from a perfect corner kick secured a 3-0 lead.
But don’t let the scoreboard mislead you. Murrumba threatened all game and it came as no surprise when enterprising Tania Symons found the back of the net for her side with seven minutes remaining.
Murrumba State Secondary vs Cleveland High School (Pool B girls)
When Murrumba introduced Hannah Davies off the bench and moved Daniella Casey-Polia to midfield, Murrumba surged strongly, but Hyman’s finishing at the other end was superb.
Earlier in the half, Murrumba had almost scored when Simon collected the woodwork from a strike, and from the rebound Murrumba launched again, forcing Cleveland keeper Webber into a spectacular save.
Cleveland had seized the lead late in the first half courtesy of a telling goal by Hyman.
This was after Murrumba State Secondary College had shaded their rivals in the battle for possession. It was just Cleveland’s defence was very organised.
In the first half, both keepers were also called upon for outstanding saves, with Webber again defiant.
BOYS: Helensvale 3 d Cleveland 1
Helensvale SHS finished like a train to claim the Queensland Schools Premier League Pool B senior boys grand final 3-1 over Cleveland District State High.
A magnificent goal from the speedy Cooper Fox in the 73rd minute and a late clincher by the ever dangerous Joseph Saunders elevated Helensvale to victory.
Cleveland, so good for most of the match, conceded three second half goals after leading at the break.
Brennan Mills’ scrambling goal for Helensvale dragged their side back to 1-1.
Cleveland High School vs Helensvale State High School (Pool B boys)
Cleveland were just as dangerous in the last quarter of the game, but Helensvale goalkeeper Ewan Libke was outstanding.
Helensvale were dangerous through the middle third of the first half, and then Cleveland swung momentum around to lead 1-0 at the break.
Louis Brunet produced a sensational effort to score from an acute angle, breaking the deadlock. It was a great strike.
Earlier, Jordan Rohloff was dangerous down the left wing for Helensvale, with his crosses creating a series of half chances.
But it was Cleveland who nearly scored first when Michael Bradley was just an inch short of getting a good touch in front of goal.
PREVIEW
Finals fever grips the Queensland Schools Premier League football competition starting this week, with the state’s best schoolboy and schoolgirl players ready to shoot for glory today from 9am.
The Courier Mail, Gold Coast Bulletin and News Corp affiliates will LIVE STREAM all the finals’ action thanks to KommunityTV on Thursday when four senior finals will be contested at Wynnum Wolves.
Then, on October 27, another six junior and intermediate finals will be played.
Brisbane’s premier football nursery, Kelvin Grove State College, will feature in both the boys and girls Pool A grand finals.
But they will have their work cut out for them against some of the best young talents across the south-east corner.
Check out the LIVE STREAM schedule below and then read on for the players to watch.
SENIOR GIRLS
CHANCELLOR STATE COLLEGE
Emily Ferroussat
A Queensland Aacademy of Sport player, Ferroussat is Ms Consistency who is both composed and aggressive - perfect for a grand final player.
Katie Sherar
From the Peninsula Power women’s program comes this technical, strong, two-footed player who will be a leading light for Chancellor State College.
Eleanor Dean
A player with SC Wanderers women’s experience, Dean is quick, is a great one-on-one defender and someone who loves to get forward.
KELVIN GROVE STATE COLLEGE
Tully Heatley
A Future Matildas selection, Heatley is a midfield ace with creative, silky skills. She is also a composed player, which is a handy attribute in the hurly burly of a decider.
Jonti Fisher: An outstanding winger, the bedrock of Fisher’s play stems firstly from being hard working and strong. Off the back of that, this Future Matildas squad member is also a lethal attacking weapon. She has made the Australian U18s team.
MURRUMBA STATE SECONDARY COLLEGE
Daniella Casey Poila
A centre back, Casey Poila will just the type you want playing for you in a decider - she is strong, composed and determined.
Chelsea Rock
Watch for this outstanding schoolgirl winger to impact the grand final with her speed. Hard working, Rock will certainly be a target player.
Alexis Chapman
The finishing touches have been added this season by Chapman, a young, clinical striker who is also tenacious.
CLEVELAND DISTRICT SHS
Chelsea Fairbairn
A QAS representative, Fairbairn will bring experience and high skill to her team’s campaign. She plays at the back for QAS, but for her school will push forward to get the side on the front foot.
Cleveland striker Kyla Hanson would have been part of this list, but will be representing Australia at the World Series in Dubai this week and, sadly, is unavailable for the finals.
SENIOR BOYS
KELVIN GROVE STATE COLLEGE
Noah Maieroni
Maieroni is cunning in the midfield and has football street smarts about him. His soccer IQ, along with his strong play and creative tendencies, make him one of the most dangerous players on show at the SPL finals.
Freddy Babbage Another midfield technician, Babbage is smart and hard working - a coach’s dream when it comes to finals’ day.
HELENSVALE SHS
Tamaho Perry
Perry arrived on the Gold Coast’s shores from New Zealand at the start of the season and has been consistently one of the best players. He has a fine technique and an ability to connect the play - while also having uncompromising defence.
Joseph Saunders
Fiercely competitive, this attacking mid or right wing, with Roar Academy experience, is technically very good playing off both feet. He is a genuine goalscorer who loves to drive with the ball. Saunders tends to step up in the big moments and handle pressure well. Perfect for finals football.
Nick Lawrie
A partner in crime alongside Saunders, Lawrie will be the team’s chief striker who has creative touches and flair. He has elusive movement off the ball and is a consistent goalscorer.
CAVENDISH ROAD SHS
Novak Kljajic
A striking ace, Kljajic is a powerful player who can hold the ball up or break the line. The Cav Rd captain, he is lethal with both feet
Sam Flannery
Having a good, reliable keeper in a final is like gold. And Cav Rd have Flannery, who is an acrobatic goalkeeper who can also deliver a quality ball.
Josh Dudley
Centre back Budley is good in the air, and on the ground, and has solid defensive qualities will be a particularly helpful attribute in the final.
CLEVELAND DISTRICT SHS
Bostyn Webber
A midfielder, Webber recently represented Met East and was selected for the Queensland team. He not only breaks down play defence really well, but is also technically superb with the ball at his feet. Webber will be box to box in the final making tackles in his own box and shooting for goal at the other end. It is the second grand final for this Year 10 student.
Louis Brunet
Brunet is new addition to the school and team after arriving from New Caledonia to study English through the international program at Cleveland. A Logan Lightning club player, Brunet is an athletic, strong footballer who holds the ball up well playing his teammates into the game. He is also a strong threat in front of goal. Brunet can play as a No. 10 or striker.
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