By Terry Wilson
THE gap between the top five and the remaining clubs struggling for finals participation could turn into a chasm this weekend.
Chances o the current top five changing before the finals appears remote after 10 rounds, with Sandgate (36), Noosa (32), Maroochy-Northshore (28), Palm Beach-Currumbin (28) and Burleigh (24) seemingly secure.
There is an eight-point buffer between Burleigh and sixth-placed Wilston-Grange (16), with a further four points to Coolangatta (12), Surfers Paradise (12), Springwood (8) and Mayne (4).
On Saturday the top five play the bottom five, which means, should results go to plan, there is a possibility of a 12-point gap between fifth spot on the ladder and those clubs sitting sixth to 10th.
Wilston-Grange v Maroochy-Northshore
At Hickey Park, 1pm Saturday
WILSTON-Grange have the occasion of young big man Jim McMahon’s 100th seniors game as motivational material when they host Maroochy-Northshore.
“He’s only 23, so it’s a commendable effort, especially for a ruckman,” said indisposed player-coach Michael Rogers of the milestone.
But things elzsewhere are much the same for the Gorillas.
“It’s like a revolving door here at the moment,” said Rogers of yet another dose of mass changes in playing personnel this weekend.
The Gorillas have come up with another four for this clash.
Out this weekend are unavailable duo Brady Perry and Lachlan Moir, and the injured Paul Mills and Josh Campbell.
The Grange get back Brad Tyrrell, Brendan McGrath, Zac Molan and they promoted Shaun Myors for his first-grade debut with the club. Myors is a half- back who walked into training about a month ago.
Up the highway at Maroochy, the Roos announced only two changes.
Stalwart midfielder Gary Moore and young centre half-forward Josh Able come into the side for key-position utility Peter Hay (injured) and midfielder Owen Baily (flu).
As much as Wilston-Grange have McMahon‘s milestone as a spur, events from earlier in the season should be in the minds of Maroochy coaches and players.
It was in round six that Wilston ventured north and took the points by 32 points in a boilover.
“That is at the back of our minds, for sure,” said assistant coach Matt Bury. “And they’re always hard to beat at home.”
Mayne v Palm Beach-Currumbin
At Everton Park, 2pm Saturday
THE absence of some key tall timber may result in Mayne adopting a more attack-oriented match plan when they host premiers Palm Beach-Currumbin.
Minus Andrew Housego and Luke Ferguson, the Tigers have gone with a side that looks more mobile than in previous rounds with Aaron Whitecross, Chris Azzopardi and back-up ruckman Dave Gardiner all selected for the firsts.
Mayne have lost Ferguson through injury and omitted Brayden Crathern and Nick Hughes.
“So we’ll field a quicker side this week and we’ll try to run the ball more,” said coach Mitch Ferguson.
Palm Beach-Currumbin are still up to half a dozen players away from their top, said coach Craig O’Brien.
The Lions have lost Kaine Marsh (shoulder), Brent Pearson (unavailable), Luke Burgess (omitted) and Jed Williams (omitted) and brought in defender Trevor Cahir, Alex McDonald, Tom Dubelaar and Bryce Dyer.
“But we’re probably five or six off top strength,” said O’Brien.
“We have Josh McLoughlan and Chris Williams due back soon and Damien Lyon and Sam I’Anson (both formerly with Broadbeach) are expected to play their first game in seniors in the near future.”
Springwood v Burleigh
At Lowe Oval, 2pm Saturday
THERE is a determination n in the Springwood camp that they will not be taught another lesson by Burleigh this weekend.
When the sides last met – in round six at Bill Godfrey Oval – Burleigh won by 111 points.
That was a result that forced Springwood coach Brad Pollock into a rethink on match tactics – and to work on instilling some grunt into his inexperienced charges.
Things have changed for the better as a result, and the Pumas are chasing their third win in a row when they host the Bombers.
“The last time we played them they absolutely destroyed us,” said Pollock.
“That result was the catalyst for us to look at changing things, adjusting the game plan and to mainly toughen up.
“They made us look like schoolkids that day but there’s no way they will be school masters again.
“We’re all pretty determined up here about that.”
As they chase an elusive hat-trick of wins, the Pumas lose Ryan Magarry (hamstring) and Steve Collier (work).
They regain defender Ben Boland and utility Jamie Bridges has been elevated from the reserves.
“I’d like to think we can make it a hat-trick, but I’ll use the old footy terminology and say we’re taking it one week at a time,” said Pollock.
“Our main target is to test ourselves against a top-five team and see what it takes.”
Burleigh have some injury and sickness problems.
This weekend Luke Thornton (tonsilitis), Jay Allan (hamstring) and Dylan Bourke (back) are out, joining key quartet Aaron Pianta (ankle), Marcus Powell (thumb), Stu Sutherland (thumb) and Shane Cook (knee) cooling their heels behind the boundary line.
The Bombers have a key ‘in’ with ex-Carlton midfielder Simon Fletcher available. He joins Chris Burrell and Damien Payte as new faces to the side.
“We have some injuries, particularly in the centre, so it’s a challenge for our midfield now,” said coach Zane Doubleday of the short-term loss of Powell and Sutherland.
“Those two have been our main ball-winners.’
Surfers Paradise v Sandgate
At Sir Bruce Small Park, 2pm Saturday
AS if things could not get any worse for embattled Surfers Paradise, the Demons have been dealt another shattering blow.
It has been confirmed that key forward troy Armstrong, who was with Labrador in state league last season, has a broken leg sustained in the last match against Maroochy-Northshore and one that is likely to terminate his 2010 campaign.
Also missing this weekend are Kristian Rizzo (university exams) and Matt Trickey (family commitments).
With the talent cupboard already stretched to the limit, the Demons brought in 17-year-old Jarryn Lamb, ruckman Jon Stephens and named 18-yerar-old Rhys Nossiter for his seniors debut.
“We’re trying to improve every week, that’s all we want to do,” said coach Rob Martin of his situation.
“Sandgate flogged us last time up there, so anything better than that? I’ll take it.”
Ladder-topping Sandgate have regained some class with ruckmen Brendan Forbes and Michael Pettit, wingman Chris Pttit and ex-Zillmere Eagle Matt Nuss all back in harness.
“They are four pretty important players who have missed a week or two, so the weekend off probably did them the world of good,” said Hawks captain-coach Ben Long.
Sandgate lost leading goalkicker Josh Walker (ankle), centre half-back Aaron Fabian (ankle) and omitted Aaron Widt.
There will be at least one other change to be determined on Saturday morning.
Noosa v Coolangatta
At Weyba Road, 2pm Saturday
THINGS are humming along nicely up on the Sunshine Coast where the Noosa Tigers are doing everything right under coach Wayne Fletcher.
And there should not be any slip-up this weekend when Noosa take on Coolangatta in the battle between the northernmost and southernmost clubs in the Pineapple Hotel Cup.
Asked if it is all going to plan as he plots to go one better this year than in 2009, Fletcher replied: “Yes, as long as we keep winning I’ll be happy.”
The Tigers regain star forward Brett Duke and another important gain is half-forward Zac Smith.
Out this week are Suncoast Power under-18 Dan Pertot and Jason Boydle (broken finger). They also omitted Steve Simpson.
Given that Noosa beat the Blues by 56 points at Len Peak Oval in round six – and considering the lack of success at the NSW border club since – another big scoreline is on the cards after the long trek from the Gold Coast.
The make-up of the Coolangatta side remains unknown because nobody from the club could be contacted for information on Friday.
Last Modified on 13/07/2010 07:31