PBC community celebrate win - and a milestone man
As the QAFL colts competition turned toward finals’ football, the Palm Beach Currumbin community celebrated a milestone match for one of its juniors.
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The 200th game of Palm Beach Currumbin local Brock Johnston-Smith finished in triumph as the QAFL colts competition swung toward the home straight.
Johnston-Smith’s milestone match was a moment to cherish as the Cats had a win over Redland-Victoria Point, 13-8-86 to 2-3-15.
A Suns academy player, he has been a PBC junior first and foremost, while also attending the local PBC SHS where he has been a tremendous enhancement to the school’s sports excellent program.
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He has played both forward and back with aplomb during his distinguished career at PBC.
“He is our swing man who played forward at the weekend and kick a game high three goals,’’ praised PBC coach Gavin Johnston-Smith.
While Johnston-Smith played up forward against the Sharks, he was often used in defence where his intercept marking is noteworthy.
PBC’s performance was led by captain Damon Clark, however, it was very much a team effort by Palm Beach Currumbin who were matching strides with the best in the competition this season after warming their engines.
It was an important win for PBC who kept creeping up the premiership table, with eyes for fourth position.
The finals contenders:
1. Aspley 50
2. Wilston Grange 48
3. Morningside 44
4. Sherwood 40
5. Palm Beach Currumbin 38
6. Maroochydore 36
7. Broadbeach 32
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The match of the round was an early semi-final between winners Wilston Grange (8.8) and Sherwood (5.8).
“The most pleasing thing was that Sherwood challenged us and while we didn’t play our best footy, we still found a way to win,’’ said Wilston Grange coach Darren Fazldeen.
While the Gorillas’ did not have a four quarter player, Lucas Keramidopoulos was terrific down back, while the midfield brigade of Kieran Michelleti, Archie Smith, Ryan Lewis and Bailey Morgan were up to their old tricks.
Blair Humphreys also kicked three goals.
Magpies coach Ben Jaenke-Cain admired his team’s competitive performance across the ground, while he also liked the set up of his team behind the footy.
Best for Sherwood were on baller Jack Slater, ruckman Jamie Preston,
Jake Cockerell and Jack Harrison up forward.
Ladder leading Aspley retained momentum with a 13 point win over Broadbeach in a low scoring match.
Aspley coach Brett Atkins said initially Broadbeach “jumped us early with the breeze’’ before his team stuck to its brand of footy to grind out a win.
“The win gives great confidence and belief that if we stick to our structure, we can do anything,’’ said Aspley coach Brett Atkins.
Frankie Quinn down back was influential with his spoils and deliberate kicks, while on baller Judah Crocker shone despite playing through duress. “He continually hunted the footy and laid on numerous tackles,’’ Atkins said.
Also leading the way for the Hornets was wing Alex Migus and backman Clancy J Burns.
“Alex used his leg speed well on the wing, helping our defence and then getting out of being a target in offence.
“Burns was solid down back with his poise in the air, and then was great helping shape the ground when we won the footy.’’
Broadbeach coach Tony Pollard said his team really should have won and it was a match that got away.
“A couple of silly mistakes cost us,’’ Pollard reflected.
Kyle Burgess across centre half forward was one of the players of the round.
Morningside’s mid field of Lawson Shirley, Julius Spears, Joseph Wilson and Xavier Veivers-Brown spearheaded its team’s etention of third position, driving their side to a solid win over Surfers Paradise, 12.8 to 3.3.
The mids dominated as the Panthers generated around 50 inside 50s. “We struggled to kick goals against a flooded backline early, but the whole game was played in our half outside of a five minute match in the third quarter,’’ said coach Justin Lawrence.
Morningside’s under-17 eligible band of brothers, Liam Catley, Samuel MacInnis and Findlay Booker Booker, all did well.
Aside from the midfielders, under-17 under age player Liam Catley kicked three goals in the second half while MacInnis and Booker continued to gather experience in their 10th game, each playing on the wing.
For the Demons, Lochie Morrissey was a marvel, rising to the occasion to help out in the ruck.
He was in that position instead of mid or forward because Surfers were light on numbers.
“But they were willing to compete throughout the entire game, although Morningside got away from us in the last quarter,’’ said Surfers Paradise coach Dean Odewahn.
On the Sunshine Coast, Noosa struggled in its local derby loss to Maroochydore, with Maroochy pushed out by 105 points.
“I liked that we had a convincing win and what pleased me most was that we shared the ball around and didn’t get greedy,’’ said Maroochydore coach Rob Smith.
“Everyone led the way. We had no passengers.’’
Noosa have achieved much this season, but their neighbours hit them with both barrels.
“We have just been going away from our identity in terms of our effort and pressure of late,’’ said Noosa coach Ben Archard.
“We need to get back to what was working for us earlier in the season.
“Three of our best players have been playing seniors which is great for the future of our club and club program, but they are hard to replace at our level.’’
Harry Caspers was outstanding for Noosa in his first game back after being injured playing senior footy.
Best for the Roos were Christopher Townsend, Jayden Banks, Jake Neill, Toby Griggs, Nate Smith and Maximus Prendergast.
Mt Gravatt enjoyed a hard fought, narrow win over Labrador, 6.11.47 to 4.3.27
“It was a very tough day,’’ said a relieved Vultures’ coach David Greenaway.
“The muddy conditions made efficient disposals rare and surging the ball forward in these conditions were the most productive way to go.’’
Greenaway praised Labrador for its “gallant’’ performance given “they were very undermanned’’.
“We did not have any real standouts. It was just a solid dig in performance from all the players,’’ Greenaway said.
Originally published as PBC community celebrate win - and a milestone man
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