QAFL colts leading players; coach reactions from round 9
The QAFL colts top 25 players; coaches reactions from round 9 action that saw a breakthrough win for Labrador and impressive wins by Wilston Grange, Morningside and Noosa.
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Thomas Johnston kicked five goals as Morningside had a statement win over fellow finals’ contender Sherwood, Noosa found another win while Labrador snared a local derby victory over Coast neighbours Surfers Paradise
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RISING STARS OF THE COMPETITION
But the Palm Beach Currumbin-Aspley clash was postponed after a concussion injury to Rory O’Brien as round 9 QAFL colts unfolded.
Following the Panthers win, Morningside rose to 32 competition points alongside Aspley, although the Hornets have a vastly superior percentage.
PBC’s win saw them consolidate a vital top six position, just ahead of the advancing Broadbeach. PBC were alongside fourth placed Maroochydore and fifth placed Sherwood, all on 24.
Wilston Grange remained outright third after beating the Roos.
After an even first term, the Gorillas stole the match on their rivals in the second and third quarters, booting 10-4 in that period.
To the Roos credit, they plugged the dam wall in the final term, but Wilston Grange’s mid-match surge had been overwhelming.
PLAYERS OF THE ROUND
Grady Turner (Wilston Grange)
As a backman, he dominated across half back and took heaps of marks.
Sam Macinnis, Riley Clarke and Max Milner (Morningside)
Both boys were absolutely relentless. This small forward threesome obviously had an early night on Friday, but their energy was overflowing and coupled with desire and effort, they led the way with their tackles inside the 50.
Marcus Zipf (Wilston Grange)
The mobile ruckman was again outstanding in the middle where he dominated the hit outs. He also took some crucial marks down back in support of teammates like Grady.
Allan Sevara and Sam Murray (Labrador)
Sevara dominated in the mid field with four goals and was terrific getting out of the stoppages, while Murray was strong in the air and took some great marks on his way to kicking four goals from full forward.
Charlie Gwynne and Josh Horton (Broadbeach)
Not for the first time this season, Gwynne was elite in the ruck. In wet conditions where possession was gold, Gwynne did his job with aplomb while Josh Horton off the half back line was also outstanding for the Cats.
Jack Williams (Wilston Grange)
Up the other end of the field for the Gorillas sat Williams who shone on the defensive side of the forward line set up. He was outstanding.
Reilly Sherlock-Clark (Labrador)
Clark ran hard all day from the wing, holding his width and gave his side an option coming out of defence.
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WHY THE TOP FIVE ARE THE TOP FIVE
Leo Johnston (Labrador)
As a senior player Johnston has been down a few dry gullies with the colts but how he would have enjoyed his team’s win. He was strong in the mid field and won his own footy, giving his side a look in up forward.
Lachlan Lavigne, Zody Bradshaw and Darcy Augustin (Mt Gravatt)
This terrific mid field trio did their best for the Vultures in slippery conditions against quality opposition. Bradshaw impacted the game playing more forward. while Lavingine and Augustin keep the engine room running.
Lenny Beech (Labrador)
Beech gave the Tigers first use of the ball out of the ruck and took some great grabs around the field.
Cooper and Brock Whitecross (Labrador)
The Brothers were solid down back, with both displaying calm heads when under pressure.
Elijah Kim, Jack Slater, Harrison Bridge (Sherwood)
In defeat Kim, Slater and Bridge held up their end of the bargain for the Magpies.
Tom Holden, Toby Griggs, Henry Puschmann (Maroochydore)
THE MATCHES
Morningside 11.13.79 defeated Sherwood 7.6.48
The Panthers stellar season under coach Justin Lawrence continued with a considerable victory against quality opposition. It was like a finals’ match coming early between two title contenders, with Morningside’s vital third quarter performance (four goals while conceding just one) inching them ahead of their rivals.
“Our key was our forward half pressure,’’ Lawrence said about a slogging affair which saw Morningside missing mid fielders to under-16 commitments.,
Labrador 11.2.68 defeated 4.9.33
Labrador enjoyed the spoils of a local derby win over the Demons, coming back from a resurgent Surfers Paradise comeback in the third term to win the final quarter well.
Surfers Paradise reduced the margin to just four points, but Labrador came home with five goals in the final term.
“We’ve done it tough all year but I’m bloody proud of this youthful group. They never give up and that’s all we can ask for,’’ said Labrador coach Ron Yoannidis.
Wilston Grange 4.7.91 defeated Maroochydore 4.5.29
Wilston Grange defeated the Roos in a satisfying way, 4.7.91 defeated Maroochydore 4.5.29
Wilston Grange QAFL Colts won by 62 points
Jack Thompson and Karmichael Dee booted three apiece as the Gorillas turned the game emphatically in the third term with a 6-4 performance.
“The best thing about the win was that we played our style - Gorilla footy,’’ said Wilston Grange coach Darren Fazldeen.
“But we still didn’t play for a four quarter game, although we did enough to win which was great.’’
With key men out, Tom Holden stood tall with a blue collar performance.
A high IQ player, Holden toiled away from start to finish against first class opposition.
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Noosa 14-15-99 defeated Redland Victoria Point 6.4.40
Jed Bullman and Jargo Roberts kicked three each as Noosa generated 29 scoring shots to win by 59 over the Sharks.
Noosa coach Ben Archard was thrilled to see his team snare a fourth win of the season which inches the side toward finals’ contention.
“It was a great effort by the boys on a big road trip,’’ said Noosa coach Ben Archard.
“We are starting to gel as a team which has been the secret. At training we have been working hard on our contest method and structure and it is starting to show out in our games.
“We were able to beat the Sharks on the inside and own a lot of territory. Things are starting to click.’’
Broadbeach 9.10-64 defeated Mt Gravatt 1.6.12 to win by
In wet and slippery conditions, this match was a real bun fight and the Cats players and coach Tony Pollard were just happy to get a win, and then get the hell out of Klumpp Road and head off down the M1.
“In a scrappy, wet game, our guys never gave up,’’ praised Mt Gravatt coach David Greenaway. “We were able to play our systems at times which was pleasing.’’
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