Labrador kickstart new chapter with standout QAFL, QAFLW performances revealed
The Tigers are back-to-basic footy and it’s proved a big difference in their last two victories as we shine a light on the standout stars from across the latest round of QAFL and QAFLW. See the full list plus the latest news.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The start to Nick Jackson’s tenure as Labrador coach has been as remarkable as they come.
After two games at the helm of the Tigers he has a combined winning margin of 248 points and has only conceded four goals.
Yes, he’s conceded just four goals across two games in charge. But Jackson isn’t letting the hot start get to his head.
“It’s ridiculous, it won’t always be like that we have to understand,” Jackson said.
“It’s been a good change, we just freed up the boys a little bit and changed how we wanted to defend the ground and when we got the ball in hand how we wanted to attack.
“We just said go for it and make sure when it’s out of your area you just man up and it seems to be working so we’ll stick with it for a bit.”
The Morningside result was the most remarkable given they were kept to one goal and had only lost one game prior all season.
“I honestly thought when we went into that thinking if we could stick with them and have a crack but play some good footy, I thought that was a win,” Jackson mused.
“That obviously happened. I said to the boys as long as you’re having a smile on your face and having some fun then the rest of it will work.
“You don’t have the time to sit there and overcomplicate everything, so we’ve simplified it all and made it really easy for everyone to follow and come game day it all comes together.”
Tom Simpson and Aiden Fyfe have been at the fore of the resurgence, which has Labrador in the thick of the finals hunt and sitting in sixth on the ladder.
“Tom Simpson’s been super in the last couple of weeks. He’s always been a massive accumulator of the ball but he’s so team focused and what that does for his mates around him is awesome,” Jackson said.
“Aiden Fyfe, he’s one of the best players in the comp, he is a star. He’s changed his role under me and now he’s playing forward and he’s still touching the footy 20 times and kicking bags, that’s unreal.
“He’s a good size, he’s athletic, he can run, he can play multiple positions.”
Fyfe has kicked 11 goals in the past two weeks and is still averaging over 20 touches. Beyond the pair of standouts, the whole Tigers midfield has impressed.
“I think our midfielders have just been on top the last couple of weeks. I couldn’t give a s*** about stats and walking in on a Tuesday and looking at how many goals you’ve kicked,” he said.
“If they played their role, happy days. I’ve told my wingers I don’t give two s**** if you don’t get a kick but if you do this and this, happy days.”
In a nice touch on Saturday, fullback Jayden Young was thrown forward in the last quarter to kick a goal alongside his great mate Jake Goldsmith, who bagged four majors.
Both players were enjoying their 150th game and have played a lot of footy together.
Discover all the top performances from the weekend’s action below.
QAFL
Aiden Fyfe, Jay Foon and Tom Simpson (Labrador Tigers)
As is to be expected in a 152-point mauling, there were plenty of standouts for Labrador. Jay Foon led the way with his seventeen-disposal and seven goal effort, which was made more remarkable by the fact he was pulled from the forward line at three-quarter-time. As they have all year, Tom Simpson and Jay Foon spearheaded the Tigers midfield each racking up 30 or more touches and a goal.
Matt Thompson, Matt Hammelmann and Dan Annable (Redland-Victoria Point Sharks)
The Sharks bounced back from a surprise loss to Sherwood with a fine showing against Palm Beach-Currumbin to clinch a 25-point victory off the back of a dominant first half which coach Phil Carse described as their best of the season. Matt Thompson played a terrific game in defence, while Matt Hammelmann kicked another bag of six to continue his incredible goalkicking form and maintain a lead of 13 on the competition goalkicking charts. 17-year-old Lions Academy and Allies young gun Dan Annable had a fair crack in the midfield and nabbed two goals from 23 disposals, and also five clearances. Honourable mentions to Jack Rolls who has returned from injury in emphatic form off half-back over the past two weeks, and Brock Aston who impressed after a lengthy stint with Southport.
Thomas Thynne and Tom Hickey (Palm Beach-Currumbin Lions)
When isn’t Tom Hickey among the Lions best? He played an incredible game at the coalface to amass a whopping 18 clearances, as well as 29 disposals, 21 contested possessions, and 32 hit outs. Thomas Thynne was also strong with 34 touches and 14 contested possessions.
Kai Purslow and Daniel Lloyd (Morningside Panthers)
Morningside responded emphatically after it was held to just one goal against Labrador last week. Purslow led the way in front of goal with four of his side’s 14 goals. Among an even spread of contributors, Daniel Lloyd was strong in the contest with 23 disposals, 11 contested possessions, seven tackles, and two goals.
Hugh Fidler and Jack Manly (Wilston Grange Gorillas)
Fiddler played a very strong game as the Gorillas continued their strong patch of form, impacting the scoreboard superbly with five goals from 19 disposals. Jack Manly was also impressive with three goals from 23 disposals and 15 contested possessions.
Matthew Payne and Cody Stackelberg (Aspley Hornets)
Payne was one of the Hornets’ best in the narrow loss to Broadbeach with 30 disposals, nine clearances, six tackles and a goal. Cody Stackelberg was also solid with 21 touches, nine tackles and two goals.
Riley Bowman (Broadbeach Cats)
Broadbeach upset the high-flying Aspley to claim one of its best wins of the season in a close affair. There was a very even spread of contributors as no one kicked more than two goals and Riley Bowman was the only player to get above 20 disposals. Bowman cashed in on his opponent carrying an injury to put together a dominant showing in the ruck. The win also marked a special occasion for club champion Blake Erickson who was awarded his life membership.
Benjamin Thomas and Joshua Govan (Maroochydore Roos)
The Roos trounced Noosa by 94 as the Sunny Coast sides were pitted against each other. Ben Thomas and Josh Govan were at the fore in the victory, with Thomas playing a brilliant game to slot four goals from 23 disposals. Govan was the Roos leading ball-winner and was superb at the coalface with 26 disposals, 16 contested possessions and nine tackles.
Matt Doran (Surfers Paradise Demons)
Doran was a solid performer in defeat for Surfers, racking up plenty of the footy with 29 disposals. He also had four clearances and four inside 50s.
QAFLW
Kierra Zerafa (Southport)
Southport weren’t at their clinical best against Maroochydore on Saturday but their effort was still enough to come away with a 21 point victory. Zerafa was a key standout once again for the Sharks as she finished with two goals, 23 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six marks, seven tackles and two clearances. She was well supported by Steph O’Brien and Madeleine Watt who combined for 49 touches, 33 contested possessions, eight clearances and 15 tackles.
Jess Davy and Emma McNaughton (Aspley)
Despite the loss, Davy was a ball magnet for the Hornets on Saturday finishing with 30 disposals and 16 contested possessions. Upfront McNaughton bagged three goals to keep her side in the contest.
Mia Geere (Wilston Grange)
The Gorillas had a number of key players show up for their round 12 win against Yeronga but it was rising star Mia Geere who commanded the most presence all day. She finished with 26 disposals, 17 contested possessions, seven clearances and one intercept mark.
Shannon Nolan and Courtney Sexton (Bond University)
Once again Nolan and Sexton were unstoppable in their round 12 clash against Aspley. Nolan led the way with 28 touches while Sexton was everywhere on both sides of the ball. She finished with 25 disposals, 13 contested possessions, two clearances and a huge 12 tackles.
Lucinda Benjamin (University of QLD)
Benjamin proved the difference against Coorparoo on Saturday racking up a huge 32 hit outs. She gave her team plenty of ball and plenty of time on the front foot which led to their 16 point victory. Bridey Condren was also strong with 18 hit outs.
Chelsea Winn and Peppa Poultney (Yeronga)
Superstar midfielder Chelsea Winn was a key standout once again for her side despite going down to Wilston Grange by 44 points. Winn had 27 touches, 18 contested possessions, eight clearances and one tackle. Poultney was strong at the contest as she racked up 19 hit outs, nine disposals, eight contested possessions and four clearances.
Originally published as Labrador kickstart new chapter with standout QAFL, QAFLW performances revealed
Emerging Reds Cup: Who starred on day 1? Find out here
Emerging Reds Cup: Queensland’s next-up rugby top guns were glimpsed at Ballymore Stadium on Monday. The top pictures, moments and players are highlighted here from day one as SEQ made a stunning statement.
Battered, bruised, depleted: How Beerwah claimed historic 2024 premiership
Not even torn hamstrings and dislocated shoulders could stop the Bulldogs from winning back-to-back A-grade premierships after one of the gutsiest and grittiest performances in Sunshine Coast rugby league history. Go inside their unbelievable rollercoaster season.
‘Old Panther values’: How QAFL glory returned to Morningside
Morningside completed a stunning 12-month turnaround to clinch a famous QAFL flag against a desperate opponent who had made the unbelievable believable, as coach Paul Egan elevated himself to rarefied air.
‘Absolutely ecstatic’: Premiers crowned as standout players, game-breaking moments revealed
The 2024 Sunshine Coast rugby league champions have been decided as we highlight the major moments, key players and deciding factors. Read each match as it happened.
Minute’s silence for Speedway veteran, teen after tragic losses
Just days after a hearse carrying a coffin draped in a checkered flag honoured a 53-year-old speedway legend, he and a teen racer, who also tragically died of cancer, are being remembered at a regional race meet. VIDEO, TRIBUTES.
Stars of tomorrow: Every standout from the NRL National Schools Finals
There was some cracking footy across the NRL National Schoolboys and Schoolgirls finals, as well as the Karyn Murphy Cup and Queensland Schoolboys Trophy. All the top performers here.