Match of the Day: PBC brings pressure against rookie Panthers
QAFL colts high achievers of the season revealed, including from round 11 after PBC’s pressure packed match of the day win and a Wilston Grange terrific trio kicking 15 goals between them.
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The rookies came out to play as Palm Beach Currumbin entrenched itself in the top six with a stirring win over third placed contenders Morningside in the QAFL colts match of the day. PBC’s second narrow win over the much improved, although under manned Panthers cemented PBC in fifth position. The score was Palm Beach Currumbin 8.7.55 defeated Morningside 6.2.38
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Coach Gavin Johnston-Smith sensed his team had turned the corner earlier this month after starting strongly against Aspley before the game was abandoned due to an injury.
“We were up and about and that was the start of it,’’ Johnston-Smith said.
“We have quite a few under-17s up this year and they are all buying into the way we want to play.
“Team wise we brought pressure against Morningside, we brought heat and did want to give them anything easy. It was all about pressure around the ground.’’
It was a game of inches at Salk Oval (Veracity Oval), with both teams alongside each other at halftime before PBC kicked 2-1 to one major in the vital third term.
PBC then finished stronger in a close final quarter.
Best of the day included Brock Johnston-Smith, Luca Laverde and Damon Clarke (PBC).
Both boys were good in a strong team performance at the weekend, but have consistently been the team’s top performers in the week to week slog.
Morningside coach Justin Lawrence said the squad’s depth was tested to breaking point, with every colts player available used and almost half the side under-17 eligible.
“But we have no excuses,’’ Lawrence said.
“We started half asleep and were behind from the jump and which made it very tough again. We are looking forward to the bye and were happy to be sitting third at this stage of the season.’’
In other round 11 results:
Wilston Grange 23.11.149 defeated Redland Victoria Point 3.2.20
Aspley 12.14.86 defeated Surfers Paradise 5.5.35
Maroochydore 11.7.73 defeated Labrador 7.3
Sherwood 11.5.71 defeated Broadbeach 3.9.27
Noosa 13.10.88 defeated Mt Gravatt 9.5.59
Wilston Grange v Redland Victoria Point
It was a round which featured three, five goal performances by Wilston Grange trio Hayden Hall, Jackson Williams and Blair Humphreys, the Gorillas consolidated its position second on the table.
Wilston Grange dominated stoppages, with the mid field squad and ruck work spot on.
But the highlight for coach Darren Fazldeen was the team’s performance. “The thing that stood out was the team acts and unselfish play,’’ he praised.
Across the season Archie Smith, Bailey Morgan, Jack Thompson, Kieran Micheletti and Cooper Mataia have led the way.
Although well beaten, there were green shoots among the young Sharks. “We have seen growth in our ball movement and structures this season,’’ said Redland-Victoria Point coach Aaron Christensen.
Across the season Matty Owen and Brodie Bourke have been consistently good, leading the way alongside the reliable Max Boultbee.
Noosa v Mt Gravatt
Ben Allen was a four goal hero as the finals’ flame still flutters for Noosa despite Mt Gravatt pushing them to the final siren in a terrific contest at Klumpp Road.
Noosa won the match in the opening term when the players generated a three goal advantage which proved to be the difference across the encounter.
But the Vultures displayed tremendous grit and character and Noosa were made to work all the way to the final siren.
Allen was elite with his performance from around a mid field role, finishing chances with aplomb, while Makhai Maaki, young champion Jai Mure and Will Raffin also led the way.
Mt Gravatt coach Rob Greenaway said his team’s contested ball and effort at the weekend was excellent.
Overall the Vultures’ players have dug deep to play with plenty of spirit this season, emphasised when Mt Gravatt were reduced to just 17 players for a quarter against Noosa. “The boys never gave in.’’
Christian Dowling has been a revelation this season, with his leadership and consistency setting an example to his peers.
Maroochydore v Labrador
Labrador coach Rob Yoannidis said there had been a marked improvement in the squad’s use of the footy by foot this season. “We were also showing a willingness to take the game on,’’ he said.
Captain Leo Johnston has also stood out like a lighthouse. “He is continually going from strength to strength each week, a true leader putting his body on the line on every occasion,’’ coach Yoannidis praised.
On baller Lachlan Rochie has also shone with his ability to find the footy. “And he continually wins his own footy,’’ Yoannidis said.
Rookie ruckman Lenny Beech was another competing each week and learning on the job.
“He has been a big improver as the year has gone on, while the Whitecross twins down back have a real hardness and will to compete.
“They very rarely get beaten and are our generals down back.’’
For the Roos this season mid fielder Tom Holden, clearly one of the competition’s best players in his position, has been outstanding. He rarely gives the opposition anything.
Maroochydore’s pressure around the ball and sharing of the footy has been successful for sixth-placed Maroochydore so far in 2024.
Aspley v Surfers Paradise
Jake Pitcher spearheaded his team to a performance which did not have coach Brett Atkins singing from the rafters.
The premiership pacesetters were patchy, according to coach Atkins, while the side also lacked accuracy in front of goal.
But Pitcher was extremely influential in a mid field/forward role, winning inside ball then getting on the outside. “He also took his opportunities in front of goal,’’ Atkins said.
Clancy Burns’ aerial work down back was strong, while Lachlan O’Dwyer was influential in creating plenty of five from half back.
Jordan Chambers also chipped in with three goals.
Demons coach Dean Odewahn said his team’s stoppage work was outstanding against Aspley, and had been the area where the side had improved most this season.
Indeed Odewahn said his side actually beat the Hornets in that facet of the game at the weekend, “although Aspley’s outside run and transition was at a level we could not match.’’
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Most consistent this season for Surfers Paradise had been James Carrigan who must be a strong contender for Best and Fairest at this stage of the season.
“He is definitely pushing for higher honours,’’ Odewahn said.
Sherwood v Broadbeach
The Magpies continued to consolidate its place as one of the premiership contenders with a win over the Cats built around competing strongly and move the ball well through the back half of quarters.
According to coach Ben Jaenke-Cain, this added up to produce a dominant, five goal second quarter which shifted the momentum after Broadbeach had roared out of the blocks to lead early.
Although the Magpies were playing strongly as a team, Sherwood were fortunate to have a super six - Julian Cruice, Jack Slater, Alex Peacock, Zac Parker, James Preston and Jack Harrison.
The on ball division of Cruice, Slater, Preston and Peacock has been elite.
Charlie Gwynner has again been elite for the Cats this season, a consistently high performer in the ruck.
Broadbeach coach Tony Pollard said ball movement continued to be a big focus at training and on matches.
Premiership ladder:
1. Aspley 42
2. Wilston Grange 36
3. Morningside 32
4. Sherwood 32
5. Palm Beach Currumbin 30
6. Maroochydore 28
7. Broadbeach 24
8. Noosa 20
9. Surfers Paradise 8
10. Labrador 4
11. Redland Victoria Point 4
12. Mt Gravatt 4
The competition will now pause until June 29 to coincide with the school holiday break.
Originally published as Match of the Day: PBC brings pressure against rookie Panthers
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