July 12, 2023

QAFL colts: Gorillas maintain the rage, PBC set up for the finals

The most recent news from the Queensland Australian Football League Colts competition shows that the Wilston Grange Gorillas are still riding high after their victory over one of the Gold Coast's heavyweight clubs. The best players from all of the rounds will be reported here.

On Saturday, Wilston Grange put Surfers Paradise to rest with a rousing road victory, 5-9-59 to 4-5-29. And Palm Beach Currumbin maintained its dominant form by defeating Redland-Victoria Point in a hard-fought match. PBC head coach Glen Clark stated that his team withstood a determined assault from Redland-Victoria Point in the first half.

More on that match, and other games below.

But first, with six rounds remaining, the Premier League standings look like this:

  • Palm Beach Currumbin 48
  • Maroochydore 40
  • Wilston Grange 40
  • Sherwood 40
  • Broadbeach 36
  • Aspley 24
  • Surfers Paradise 24
  • Morningside 20
  • Redland Victoria Point 16
  • Mt Gravatt 12
  • Noosa 8
  • Labrador 4

PLAYERS OF THE ROUND

  1. James Milner and Maverick Gav (Wilston Grange): Maverick Gav put in an incredible amount of work while Milner dominated at half-forwards and kicked two outstanding goals. The coach, Darren Fazldeen, had this to say about the player: "He was exceptional and dominated through the middle."
  2. Jack Foggo, Damon Clarke and Luke Cahill (Palm Beach Currumbin): Foggo's work in the ruck, Clarke's over the backline, and Currumbin Surf Life Saver Cahill's astounding work up forwards laid the groundwork for PBC's triumph over the Sharks. PBC got extremely lucky with that trio, which also included Nelson Beikoff-Smart.
  3. Harrison Bridge, Joel O’Brien, Alex Peacock (Sherwood): Sherwood had a player qualifying for Division 1 at the under-15 level among its best players, and the team ultimately finished in fifth place. In his team's victory, Harrison Bridge performed admirably, as did Peacock once again. While O'Brien toiled away, he racked up possessions and chances to score.
  4. Billy Bougoure (Sherwood): When Billy Bougoure competed all day long, he gave his coach, Ben Jaenke-Cain, a performance straight out of a fantasy.
  5. Charlie Phillips and Nic Maxwell (Sherwood): While Maxwell's slick out-of-the-back-of-the-contest drive afforded Sherwood lateral ball movement, Phillips worked exceptionally hard and showed up in the ideal moments throughout the game.
  6. Tom Gillett (Sherwood): According to coach Ben Jaenke-Cain, Gillett gave 100% throughout the contest. His coach praised him as having an "elite work rate for a ruck" and said that he was "dominant on the ground and in the air."
  7. Bailey Burrows (Redland Victoria Point): A young player with great skill who never gave up even when playing the top team in the league. He gave his all throughout the match.
  8. Alex Pope (Redland Victoria Point): Pope is a really gifted athlete who amassed a lot of good possession and scored a spectacular goal while running.
  9. Charlie Corrigan, Bodie Smith and Jack Kalan (Mt Gravatt): David Greenaway, the Vultures' coach, said his team performed well and competed throughout the entire game.
  10. Jaedon Schwab ((Surfers Paradise): Coach Alistair Mitchell remarked, "Schwab worked hard all day, as did James Carrigan and Nico Abrahams."
  11. Loe Johnston, Levi Fyffe, Jesse Ince, Seb Stevens and Lucus Mann (Labrador): Johnson fought for and scored on a midfield turnover on his own, and he consistently provides 110% on the field. Mann, Stevens, Fyffe, and Stevens all contributed to the team's success.
  12. Jakob Gordon and Duncan Lewis (Aspley): Although the Hornets did not always convert, Gordon played effectively in the forward's line and Lewis worked relentlessly in the ruck and upfront.
  13. Tanner Griffiths, Joey Wilson and Jayden Lloyd (Morningside): Griffiths was outstanding for the losing Panthers, driving play from center half-back, and Wilson was once again one of Morningside's top performers. Lloyd, who plays on the wing, should also be commended for his hard work and defensive efforts.
  14. Joe Kennedy, Lawson Shirley, Jack Jovanovic (Broadbeach): Jovanovic kicked three goals and the Cats' other two under-17 Div-1 qualifying players were instrumental in the team's win over Mt. Gravatt. Benjamin Keeling, Cooper Gwynne, and Cooper Parkes also glowed brightly in their immediate vicinity.

THE MATCHES

  1. Maroochydore 12-14-86 to Aspley 5-11-41

Brett Atkins, the coach of Aspley, expressed his disappointment at the outcome.

When contrasted to our 16-year-old lads, "Maroochydore are a good side with bigger bodies," Atkins stated. 

We came out of halftime with a nice pressing mindset, but their early jump damaged us. 

We have reached out to Maroochydore for comment, but they do not have any of their finest players available right now.

  1. Sherwood 10-9-69 to Morningside 5-4-34:

The pressure was good, according to Morningside coach Ross Anderson, and the Panthers gave good competition. But, Sherwood was excellent on the outside and had excellent ball movement.

Sherwood's head coach, Ben Jaenke-Cain, praised his team's cohesiveness and noted that each player was committed to the team's success. "The way we moved the ball from coast to coast and our composure exiting stoppages was impressive," he remarked. 

  1. Broadbeach 14-7-91 to 4-6-30 Mt Gravatt:

While Mt. Gravatt performed well in the first half, coach David Greenaway felt his team let "Broadbeach take control" with sloppy skill execution and bad decision-making in the second.

During the week, "we will be working on our skill execution and game style," he continued.

Mt. Gravatt entered the fourth quarter only four goals down, however, they were unable to score as the superior team maintained their lead.

We have reached out to Broadbeach for their thoughts.

"A win is a win and we take that," the Broachbeach coach remarked after their victory.

He admitted that his team slept through the first half and that they have "much to work on" before they can hope for a playoff spot.

  1. Wilston Grange defeated Surfers Paradise 9-59 to 4-5-29: 

To keep their finals hopes alive, Wilston Grange "had to keep winning," according to coach Darren Fazldeen, thus the victory was a huge boost.

"We ground out a good win by playing good, hard Gorillas footy."

Alistair Mitchell, the coach of the Surfers, acknowledged the team's disappointment. After showing that we could compete with them in the first half, he continued, "We were pretty disappointed with the results."

  1. Palm Beach Currumbin v Redland Victoria Point: 

PBC took some time to catch its bearings after taking a direct blow from Redland Victoria Point.

While PBC got out to a sluggish start, they finished well.

PBC coach Glen Clark remarked, "The boys started to win the contest and stoppage in the second half, which opened up opportunities for our forwards in the 50."

Coach Brian Zutt of Redland Victoria Point was pleased with his team's effort, saying that they "brought some intense pressure against the top team in the first half."