Matt Hammelmann masterclass guides Redland Victoria Point to QAFL premiership
We reveal the stars of QAFL grand final day including a former Brisbane Lions forward who booted a stunning nine goals. Details inside.
Matt Hammelmann has guided the Redland Victoria Point Sharks to a historic QAFL premiership on Saturday.
The former Brisbane Lion took home the best on ground medal after a stunning nine-goal haul to seal a 95-57 win over Surfers Paradise.
It caps off a sensational season for the 29-year-old as he brought up his 100th goal of the year during the preliminary final.
Despite his incredible form, the tall forward was as humble as ever when asked if he felt he was on for such a strong performance heading into the clash.
“I actually struggled last time against Surfers Paradise a couple of weeks ago so tried to play a bit differently and it seemed to work,” he said.
“I’m getting towards 30 now but the last couple of years it’s been really awesome to be a part of this group.”
Hammelmann’s Joe Grant Medal for best on ground in the QAFL grand final is the latest in a growing line of honours bestowed upon him in recent years as he is a four-time Ray Hughson medallist for leading QAFL goalkicker and a one-time Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal winner during his VFL season with the Aspley Hornets.
The Sharks’ main man took the game on himself in the first half as he went into the main break with seven majors before kicking two goals at crucial times in the second half.
“We’re so lucky to have the big fella, he’s just a colossus,” Redland Victoria Point coach Phil Carse said.
“I really think he should have got another go at AFL somewhere along the line, he’s such a good player in the air and at ground level.
“This final last year he was playing with a bit of a niggle, we had him fully fit this year and he’s pretty hard to stop.”
After four years of finals failures including grand final defeats in 2023 and 2024, Carse was over the moon to guide the Sharks to glory at long last.
“We were able to know we had the result with a few minutes to go and get around each other, celebrate, it was pretty special,” he said.
It also marked a fairytale farewell for Carse who was stepping down at the end of the campaign.
“Maybe I should have called it a few years earlier, the boys might have got it done a bit earlier” he joked post-game.
“I called it mid-year so the boys were fully aware and they’ve sent me out in amazing fashion.
“I’m so proud of them.”
Best Players
Matt Hammelmann (RVP)
What more is there to be said about his performance?
Hammelmann single-handedly kicked more goals than the entire Surfers Paradise team combined and produced one of the all-time great grand final efforts.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Surfers Paradise)
The former AFL gun made his presence felt across the gournd and made several key plays to keep his side in the contest.
Ultimately it was not enough as the Sharks dominated the clash.
Craig Malone (RVP)
Malone showed why he is the competition’s elite ruckman with a stellar effort against a quality opponent in Zac Smith.
Adrian Williams (RVP)
Williams was massive in the backline as he locked down the Demons forwards and produced a massive clutch tackle late in the game just as it looked like Surfers Paradise had a faint glimmer of hope.
Mitchell patten (Surfers Paradise)
Patten was lively throughout the game and chipped in with a team-high three goals.
Ben Woodburn (Surfers Paradise)
Woodburn’s energy and pace was vital for the Demons in their pursuit of the Sharks.
He battled hard in the contest and was not afraid to put his head over the ball and get stuck in at ground level.
RESERVES
Morningside claimed vengeance 12 months in the waiting as the Panthers downed Maroochydore by 24 points in a rematch of the 2024 Reserves grand final.
The Panthers started strongly taking a 28-point lead at half time and held on late against a surging Roos outfit.
Morningside coach Phil Peak was overcome with emotion when his side was crowned premiers.
“I am super proud, they’re a young group, they stuck together and played some really good football,” he said.
Oscar Tanks put in a scintillating effort to be named best on ground.
“Oscar’s always been very good whenever he’s played,” Peak said.
“He’s played a few senior games but he just gives us nice drive out of midfield - he’s very skilful.”
Best Players
Oscar Tanks (Morningside)
A deserved best on ground who was always in the thick of the action and in a key position to create goalscoring opportunities.
Mitch Vasterink (Morningside)
There was barely a ruck duel which Vasterink lost as the veteran constantly gave his mids first use of the football.
Along with dominating the air, he also brought strong defensive pressure with hard tackles.
Tane Routledge (Morningside)
The key forward was a force to be reckoned with as he dominated the aerial contest and slotted home four massive goals.
He booted three of his majors in the first half which helped give his team a crucial lead at the break.
Marcus Peak (Morningside)
A perennial threat through the midfield and forward line who chipped in with an important goal midway through the third quarter.
COLTS
Noosa Tigers claimed a thrilling 63-51 win over the Aspley Hornets in a stunning turnaround after the Hornets defeated the Tigers by 52 points just three weeks earlier.
The Tigers got the early leap and took a three-goal lead at quarter and did not look back from there.
“It’s fantastic, it’s an awesome achievement to come from five or six wins last year,” coach Greg Brain said.
“The boys are just growing and growing and growing as a really good close unit and they’re a really good team.
“Everyone contributed in some way, it was fantastic.”
Best Players
Archie Shannon (Noosa)
Was named best on ground after a stellar effort across the park.
He rose to the occasion and showed off his elite talent and why he has the set of skills which could take him to great heights in years to come.
Ryan Fox (Aspley)
Was by far a standout player for the Hornets as he gave his all and rakced up countless disposals and intercept marks.
He was rock solid across the park and kicked a massive goal when thrown forward late in the third term.
Zion Kendall (Noosa)
The Tigers goalsneak was always in the right place to find the loose ball and slotted home two goals for his efforts.
Preview
The top Aussie Rules talents in the state are set to battle it out this weekend with the QAFL grand finals set to take place at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday.
Redland Victoria Point Sharks and Surfers Paradise Demons are set to battle it out in the main event in a clash not to be missed.
Redland Victoria Point will hope it is third-time lucky as it looks to amend its heartbreaking grand final defeats of 2023 and 2024.
Meanwhile Surfers Paradise will be out for vengeance after it suffered a nine-point defeat to Redland Victoria Point in the qualifying final.
The Demons enter the grand final on a high after winning back-to-back Gold Coast derbies in the semi-final against Labrador and preliminary final against minor premiers Palm Beach Currumbin.
Check out our grand final preview with players to watch from both teams below.
Surfers Paradise
Coach: Sam Dwyer
Home and away record: 13 wins, five losses
The Demons are surging after a terrific season and Dwyer is excited to see how his side will rise to the occasion on Saturday.
“I’m very proud of everything they’ve achieved at this point and regardless of the outcome on the weekend, that certainly won’t change,” he said.
“It’s nice to get the reward and to obviously make a grand final is really difficult and we give ourselves an opportunity so that’s all we can really ask.”
Dwyer said his side embraced the chance to earn bragging rights over their Gold Coast rivals throughout finals.
“Gold Coast footy can be a small little bubble at times and certainly a lot of connections at both clubs that spend a bit of time together,” he said.
“It just adds to that feeling and that rivalry.”
Where grand final will be won and lost
“They’re a quality outfit, there’s no doubt about that,” Dwyer said.
“They’ve had our measure throughout the season but as always it’s the midfield that plays a big part.
“They’ve obviously got the leading goal kicker and he’s kicked over 100 goals which is certainly a feat in itself but they’ve got contributors all over the field.
“So we hope we can match it wherever we need to and give our guys first use in the midfield and hopefully get on top there and win the territory battle.”
Key players
“I thought Will Broadbent who will actually have the (Matt) Hammelmann matchup, he’s been back for about three weeks after having a bit of a spell with a little injury,” Dwyer said.
“He’s gotten better every week - he’ll be really important for us.
“We’ve got some really key guys through the midfield with AFL experience, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Zac Smith and Hugh Greenwood.
“Then a couple of guys who made the team of the year in Matt Doran and Benny Woodburn who finished third in the Grogan too, which is an amazing outcome for him being a 21-year-old.
“It certainly shows the level of footy that he’s playing.
“Then up forward Mitch Patten who made the team of the year and he kicked five goals (last week).”
Opposing danger players
“One of our key guys goes up against one of their keys guys in the ruck which will be a massive battle so that’ll be an interesting one to watch,” Dwyer said.
“I’ve got full faith Zac will get the job done but up against big Craig Malone but he’s one of the dominant ruckmen in the competition.
“On the weekend I believe he had 75 hit-outs against Morningside which is unbelievable.
“They’ve got guys all over the field that we needer to make sure we’re aware of but I’m confident that we’ll put a bit of work in and get the right match-ups.”
Redland Victoria Point
Coach: Phil Carse
Home and away record: 14 wins, one draw, three losses
Carse believes there is no stronger side mentally in the competition than his own as they have consistently found ways to bounce back from heartache.
“It’s one of the most remarkable stories in Queensland footy,” he said.
“Five years in a row in the top three, gone semi-final, prelim final and two grand finals.
“I think groups that weren’t as strong mentally would have splintered and fractured with that heartbreak.
“I’m in awe of their resilience.
“I think we're much stronger versions of ourselves than what we’ve been in the last few years, we’ve learned from a lot from those disappointments and those heartbreaks and we’re a lot mentally stronger and more prepared for those hard battles.”
The Sharks enter the clash off a high as star forward Matt Hammelmann booted his 100th goal of the season during the team’s preliminary final win on the weekend.
“He’s a great leader in the group and encourages all the other guys around him,” Carse said.
“It was just a fantastic moment for the community and just a really special moment for Sharks supporters and the team.
“He’s a fantastic player and we’re very lucky to have him.”
Where grand final will be won and lost
“I don’t think there’s any one area, both sides have got a lot of strengths all around the ground,” Carse said.
“I think the midfield battle will obviously be crucial, but Surfers’ got a lot of good guys in the front and back half - as do we.
“So both teams will be trying to take advantage of those areas as well.”
Key players
“We’re always pretty well served in the big man department through Hammelmann, Craig Malone and Adrian Williams at the other end,” Carse said.
“Those guys are all proven finals performers and they’re going to be up and about.
“We have a lot of different guys we can run through the midfield.
“I think some of our half forwards are really starting to gel together, we got some of those guys with a bit of speed like Josh Brown, Myles Callaghan and Alex Pope.
“I’m excited to see what those guys bring out this weekend.”
Opposing danger players
“Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Greenwood and Woodburn were able to be really dominant in that game against Palmy last weekend,” he said.
“They’re pretty dominant players and up forward they’ve got a real range of guys that can kick a goal.
“Patten is in some good form with five goals on the weekend but they’ve also got (Joe) Kennedy, (Oscar) Wood and (Sam) Jewell, these guys can really make an impact as well.”
Reserve grade
Maroochydore v Morningside
Maroochydore
Coach: Scott Hahn
The Roos head into the grand final eyeing off back-to-back premierships in what is set to be a blockbuster grand final rematch from 2024.
Hahn was impressed by the next man up attitude of his team throughout the year.
“It has been a fantastic effort once again to get another crack at a grand final,” he said.
“It’s been a challenging year with a lot of players playing through, I think we’ve had 50 players go through the development squad this year.”
Where grand final will be won/lost
“I think the midfield is definitely going to have a big say towards who wins the game,” Hahn said.
“Obviously Morningside are a great football club - very strong across all three grades - it’s gonna be another tough footy game.”
Key players
“We’re pretty lucky across the ground but obviously Blake Ryan in the forward line, he’s the leading goalkicker in the comp,” Hahn said.
“He didn’t play last year so he’s back at Maroochydore this year again so looking forward to see how he goes.
“Through the middle of the ground, we got a new guy Charlie Yee, he’s been really good for us, he really gets us going in the midfield.
“Through the backline a young guy coming through is Takoda Boltong, he’s had a really good year, played Colts for the last two years and he’s got a really bright future ahead.”
Opposing danger players
“I don’t think you can focus on one particular player. I think their team themselves have got some really good players across all parts of the ground,” Hahn said.
“They’ve got a good blend of senior experience as well so it’s going to be a good challenge for the whole team to play well to get a result.”
Morningside
Coach: Phil Peak
The Panthers have shown they were unfazed by last year’s grand final heartbreak and are back stronger than ever ahead of this weekend’s clash.
“I am exceptionally proud, I’m not sure how much I’ve got them in there - it’s them,” Peak said.
“It’s their ability and their willingness to back themselves and that’s what we’ve gone by a little bit.
“We’ve got a lot of youngsters in there and they’ve been given the opportunity and they’ve taken it with both hands.”
Where game will be won and lost
“Maroochydore are a very good side, they obviously beat us last year in the grand final and they’ve got some very good ball users, we can’t afford to let them hold onto the ball for too long,” he said.
“We’ve got to make sure we use it well and capitalise when we get the footy.
“Both times this year when we’ve played them it’s been very close so we’ve just got to make the most of our opportunities.
“If we’re up and about we’ll definitely test them.”
Key players
“One of our oldest blokes who was very good last week Mitch Vasterink,” Peak said.
“He’s our oldest statesmen in the team, he’s also our number one ruckman and hopefully he can give us first use of the ball.
“Then a couple of really good mids around him as well, Ryan Cole and a youngster by the name of Oscar Tanks.
“So if we can get that sorted out in the middle it will let our forwards do what they have to do and it will help our defence going back the other way.”
Opposing danger players
“Last time we played Blake Ryan up forward kicked nine goals on us so he’ll be a danger,” Peak said.
“They’ve got a couple of really good mids through the middle as well, their captain Issaac Carroll.”
