GPS First XI football: Rd 7 Players of the Week as premiership decider looms

GPS First XI football: Two Brisbane Roar young guns came to life for the premiership frontrunners as a premiership decider looms at Churchie. See the latest Super 15 players from Rd 7.

GPS football between BGS and BBC Saturday May 25, 2024. Picture, John Gass

The GPS First XI football competition will reach a flashpoint on Saturday when an undefeated Churchie outfit host a hungry and capable The Southport School which has lost just one game on the way to four wins and a draw.

Churchie’s players, who have their eyes fixated on the premiership heading into their final round of the season this Saturday, have already secured a shared premiership - but want it all to themselves.

If they lose, Nudgee College, provided they win their last two games against BBC and BSHS, will share spoils after Churchie won 2-1 in round three earlier this season.

With everything to play for this week at Churchie, we reveal the Super 15 players from round seven action which saw Nudgee spark plug Carter Hammond score a telling goal five minutes from full time to secure a 2-1 win over Toowoomba Grammar and keep Nudgee in the premiership race.

Hammond, who came off the bench early in the second stanza, rose above the pack to bury a well placed header into the top right hand corner to secure all three points for Nudgee, who will have one eye on BBC this Saturday and the other on the Churchie, TSS game.

GPS football between BGS and BBC Saturday May 25, 2024. Picture, John Gass

GPS FOOTBALL ROUND SEVEN SUPER 15

Carter Hammond (Nudgee College)

Nudgee’s match winner on Saturday, Hammond rose to the occasions after his first shot flew agonisingly wide.

A player who always gives his all and shows up for the team regardless of minutes, Hammond came up big when his side needed by putting himself into goal scoring positions and of course, landing the dagger.

Mitch Garrels (Toowoomba Grammar)

While Garrels was TGS’ most dangerous player, it was a mighty team effort from every player which saw them challenge Nudgee before a goal five minutes from time proved the difference.

In a tight tussle, Garrels starred on the left wing with his attacking prowess creating countless chances for the home side.

Jackson O’Reilly (Nudgee)

O’Reilly was growing in confidence each week and on Saturday it showed with his passing game a wonderful aspect of the team’s performance.

Calm on the ball, O’Reilly was a colossus in round seven, winning each header and sneaking through pin point passes in behind Toowoomba’s defences.

Max Slaughter (right) had a top notch game for Chuchie in round seven and is mentioned below.

Finn Ball (Ipswich Grammar)

What a debut from the Ipswich Grammar midfielder!

Making his starting debut, Ball was brilliant - battling hard in the middle of the park to make it difficult for Churchie’s midfielders to take control of the contest.

On the ball, Ball’s crisp passing opened up the Churchie defences and sparked IGS’ attacking raids.

GPS football between BGS and BBC Saturday May 25, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Jack Pye (Ipswich Grammar)

Ipswich Grammar’s skipper had a captain’s knock on Saturday, his aerial dominance and ability to win fifty-fifty balls a highlight of his stunning showing.

The central defender dominated the defensive third, making life difficult for Churchie’s strike weapons.

GPS football between BGS and BBC Saturday May 25, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Lachlan Drinkeld (Ipswich Grammar)

Following on from Ball, Drinkeld made his second starting appearance of the year and had a blinder.

Dominant at the right back position, Drinkeld’s aerial play was something to behold while he swung momentum in IGS’ favour tremendously with his quick throws and forward passing.

Lucas Herrington and Quinn MacNicol (Churchie)

Quinn MacNicol.

The Brisbane Roar’s future was glimpsed at Ipswich Grammar last weekend when young guns Lucas Herrington and Quinn MacNicol spearheaded a second half ambush by visitors Churchie.

After a physical first half where neither side created clear cut chances, the Roar duo combined for the first two goals of the second stanza to break free from a game IGS outfit.

MacNicol’s deft chip kicking and dangerous dribbling paired with Herrington’s clinical finishing near the goal and in the air proved a cocktail of success.

Max Slaughter and Ethan Castle (Churchie)

Ethan Castle.

While Herrington and MacNicol were damaging in open play and off the set-piece, Max Slaughter and Ethan Castle’s defensive determination was equally impressive in an inspired showing from the Churchie fullbacks.

With Levi Collins slotting the dagger, Slaughter and Castle’s immense workrate were keys to Churchie’s success.

Lucas Herrington was dominant in his aerial duels.

Nick Canniffe (Gregory Terrace)

Gregory Terrace’s First XI had a nice moment on Saturday as the 2024 season nears a close.

Midfielder Nick Canniffe, in his starting debut, made a terrific impact breaking up the game, winning his duels and moving Terrace forward in what was a classy debut outing for the First XI.

George Plusnin (Gregory Terrace)

Emerging Gregory Terrace goalkeeper George Plusnin.

The Brisbane Roar have a good one in Academy talent Plusnin, the best goalkeeper in the competition.

Keeping his second clean sheet of the season, Plusnin was “outstanding and went above and beyond” according to Terrace head of football Mitch Edwards.

Zack Damianakis (Gregory Terrace)

Gregory Terrace gun Zack Damianakis.

On rival turf, Zack Damianakis was a man on a mission down the right touchline.

Causing issues for the defence here and there, Damianakis worked away at BBC’s defenders and was clinical, slotting a penalty goal to give Terrace The Brave a 1-nil lead.

Benji Lam and Freddie Brock (Brisbane State High)

In a close one against Brisbane Grammar. Lam and Brock were home ground heroes whose hard work was rewarded.

Lam scored a cracking goal, while Midfielder Brock worked his socks off to create such opportunities.

Both were busy.

GPS football between BGS and BBC Saturday May 25, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Ashton Burrowes (BBC)

Here’s one for the little blackbook.

Ashton Burrowes, a Year 10 student, has come across from Kelvin Grove SHS, the elite football school and had a cracking performance against Gregory Terrace.

The baby of the team, Burrowes was incredible in a losing effort, running his socks off with a tireless 80 minute performance

Originally published as GPS First XI football: Rd 7 Players of the Week as premiership decider looms