Broadbeach fall short in QAFL grand final

The Aspley Hornets have broken Gold Coast hearts and handed the Broadbeach Cats their only loss of the season. Here’s how it happened.

The Aspley Hornets have broken Gold Coast hearts in a devastating win over the Broadbeach Cats, marking their first and only loss of the 2022 QAFL season.

Despite going undefeated all year, the Cats were unable to go back-to-back, losing 6.10 (46) to 13.13 (91) at Giffin Park on Saturday.

Grand final favourites the Cats had defeated Aspley by more than 20 points each time this season, but were challenged by competition newcomers Aspley, who have become premiers in their first year back in the QAFL.

Aspley began strong with stellar defence from Liam Dawson, while a twisting trick shot from Nick Dodge in the second term increased the pressure on the Cats.

Aspley Hornets defender Liam Dawson. Photo: Highflyer Images.

Aspley Hornets captain Brandon Batchelor. Photo: Highflyer Images.

“We were just not good enough, they were a lot more professional than us, we never had any control of the game at all, and to be honest the scoreboard probably flattered us a bit,” Broadbeach coach Craig O’Brien said.

“They’re a lot bigger boys than us, they’re coming out of a good system (in the VFL) so we need to raise the bar and get to where they are and put in some work in the off season.

“There’s no doubt, we just have to get better.”

In the midfield, 2022 Grogan Medallist Ryan Banks-Smith was prolific in the midfield, along with Reece Toye and Connor Stackelberg, who booted four majors.

Despite the loss, the Gold Coast won both the reserves and colts finals with wins from Labrador and Palm Beach-Currumbin respectively.

See the match reports below.

Reserves: Palm Beach-Currumbin v Labrador

Labrador Tigers win 2022 QAFL reserves. Photo: Highflyer Images.

QAFL reserves favourites the Labrador Tigers won the reserves grand final after taking down Palm Beach-Currumbin, 17.12 (114) to 8.8. (56) at Coorparoo.

After winning only nine of eighteen games in the home and away season, PBC made a miraculous run to make the grand final taking out Broadbeach, Maroochydore and Aspley in the finals series.

But it was minor premiers Labrador who solidified a brilliant season with a quality final where they held the lead all throughout the game.

Labrador’s Paddy Turner kicked three goals in the first term to push the Tigers to a 33-19 lead, while Sam Mercer shone in the second term to push them ahead 59-39.

A PBC come back was always on the cards for the final term, but Labrador owned the quarter 35-2, causing a fight between several players.

Labrador’s best performers of the day were Bailey Brown, Nathan Wright, Sam Mercer (three goals) and Paddy Turner (four goals), while PBC’s Lewis McNally stood out despite the loss.

Colts: Palm Beach-Currumbin v Broadbeach Cats

Number 54 for PBC Bailey Butcher. Photo: Highflyer Images.

After a near perfect home and away season, Palm Beach-Currumbin became colts champions after a dominating performance over the Broadbeach Cats.

Broadbeach’s Taine Dawson kicked the first goal of the day in the first 32 seconds but couldn’t answer with a second for the Cats until 21 minutes.

PBC’s Bailey Butcher booted two goals in the first quarter to bring the Lions to 22-7.

The second quarter was all about Jack Stringer, who kicked three majors to push PBC to a 47-16 lead.

Bailey Butcher answered his own teammates challenge in the third quarter kicking his third goal and pushing them to a 67-16 lead.

As the Lions entered their final term, the premiership feeling had well and truly sunk in for Palm Beach as the crowd realised their team were well within winning position, winning 13.9 (87) to 5.6 (36)

Best players of the day were Bailey Butcher, Jack Stringer and Finn Hay and captain Zach Nussey.