GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
The Cats have an opportunity to end our 50th year celebrations by becoming premiers of the QAFL competition for the first time. The forecast is fine and sunny with 15-20km northerly breezes in what is shaping as an epic battle against an in-form opponent in Maroochydore. Gates open at 8am for the colts also featuring Broadbeach and don’t forget to purchase your supporters shirt and hat from our supporters area.
During the week the club was thrilled for Jordan “The mayor” MONCRIEFF becoming the club’s 3rd Grogan medallist, and 4 players, Liam NELSON, MONCRIEFF, Ty ARMITAGE and club legend Josh SEARL all making the team of the year, with Searly being honoured as captain. All 4 are in the club’s leadership group, congratulations!
A big shout out to the training squad members that were vital in assisting the senior team in their preparations in the last few weeks, particularly after the reserves were eliminated 3 weeks ago. Some selection headaches with the lack of football contributing to a healthier than normal list for this time of the year, with only draft hopefuls Aussie HARRIS and Bodhi UWLAND joining Kai SHEERS unavailable for selection. Coach O’Brien has selected a very strong team with several regular senior players narrowly missing out being a sign of excellent depth in the club.
The Roos were rightly very excited after an awesome come from behind win against Labrador last week, kicking 5 goals in the last few minutes of the game. Broadbeach on the other hand have had a different lead in to the game having played once in the past 8 weeks, a hard fought win against Labrador in the major semi final a fortnight ago. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that the 2 sides have not played against each other this year with Covid forcing the cancellation of the scheduled meeting.
Looking forward to watching ERICKSON going head to head on a wing against McLaughlin or perhaps the left footed Laing, and “Boof” MALONEY will probably look to blanket Stevens who kicked 4 last week. GLEDHILL or ARNOLD will go to Scholard who has kicked 61 goals for the season. At the other end I expect Pearson to go to MONCRIEFF, and the midfield battle with the likes of Jacka, Giles against LOWER, FISHER and WELSH will be interesting. Ryan PICKERING, who did an honourable job against Hollis a fortnight ago, will again face a big challenge against SIMPSON who for a big unit moves well, and is in no doubt one of the premier ruck in the comp. Broadbeach will be looking for our small/midsized forwards to go to work on the large Sharks ground, which is likely to be blustery.
COLTS
A great effort by Crackers, Googs and the players to rise from about 8th position a few weeks prior to Covid shutdown to Grand finalists tomorrow. The boys are playing excellent selfless footy and will take some beating, notwithstanding their opponents being undefeated and never really challenged all year. The boys have lost in-form fullback Lochie WHITEWOOD who has left this week for the Navy and we all wish him well. Cooper JENKINS comes in as the only change in what is a settled line up. Jared ECKERSLEY has been excellent in the finals series in a key defensive position, and the starting midfield of REYNOLDSON, ROGERS and SEMMLER, backed up by MUNNERS and Hamo HOWARD on the wings is strong on paper and all have been performing admirably. Big Taine DAWSON and Cooper PARKES have been providing targets up forward providing opportunity for the likes of DENNY, ROBSON and TONKS.
There will be a post match function at 6pm back at the club.
Good luck to both sides.