Noosa v Wilston Grange
A good rivalry exists between these two strong clubs and it will be interesting to follow both clubs fortunes in 2008. They both recruit well and should be in the mix for finals participation albeit the abridged version that takes place this season.
Wayne Fletcher takes the reigns at the Tigers and he will no doubt be pushing local youth with a mix of interstate recruiting. The Tigers have lost the colourful Ryan Evans and will have to find between 60-80 goals to cover that loss. Matt Hicks has kicked 15 goals in two practice matches so he appears to be commencing the season in good nick.
Grange will be looking to get an early on the road victory but they don't come much tougher than Noosa at Weyba Rd. Journeyman Barry O'Brien should add some grunt around the packs and big Mark Pennington has been appointed captain of the Gorilla's. Beasy, Cash, and Bradforde all had consistent seasons last year and along with playing coach Andrew Morrison will form the nucleus of the Gorilla premiership assault
Sandgate v Maroochy Northshore
Sandgate confront this game and the season in general confident that they can be big improvers having consolidated their position at Lemke Rd and being very active in the off season recruiting caper. Two big pick ups will be 1996 Joe Grant Medallist Brett Zeidler and former Zillmere Eagles young gun David Scott. There may possibly be a few more coming to join them which will please "Bomber" Adams and give the club a real chance of climbing up the PHC ladder. The Roo's recently appointed Brett Boots as 2008 coach and he will guide a list that dropped off severely through injury/unavailability last season. The Roo's have the basis of a good list and in R White, Bailey, Hohenhaus, and big Tyson Williams have their share of potential matchwinners. The dawning of a new season is a great opportunity for both clubs to look forward to.
Palm Beach Currumbin v Western Magpies
The Grand Final replay will be marked by the presentation of the 2007 Premiership flag at Salk Oval which commemorates the wonderful undefeated season that was for the Lions. Bruce Sargent, Craig O'Brien, coaches, players, volunteers and all involved should take great pride in the unfurling of footy's ultimate and look forward to the challenges ahead. They have again been active off season and James Drake (Broadbeach) and Matt Fife (Wodonga Raiders) are great buys. The Magpies know their destiny for 2009 but need to keep focused on the job ahead and would like nothing more than to leave the PHC as the premier club. Games against Palm Beach are as close as dress rehearsals of playing against Division One opposition that you can get so what better a measuring stick to have than the reigning premiers first up under the Salk Oval lights.
Springwood v Surfers Paradise
A new look Puma's will take to Lowe Oval on Saturday under the guidance of young Tasmanian Ben Milbourne and the club will be investing heavily in local youth, some quality recruits, and the loyal servants that have stuck with the club. Well done to all and sundry at the club that have "dug in" during the tough times of what will be a challenging year. The Demon's look to have a good list again and they like most clubs have recruited well. They were more than competitive in both practice matches and Paul Hams will again be in charge of a club that is more than capable of challenging Palm Beach. Reigning Duncanson/Todd Medallist Simon Fenton who was a runaway winner will back up again and look for the Demon midfield to be a major weapon throughout the season
Burleigh v Coolangatta
A true coast derby at Christine Avenue with a new look Bombers again being coached by dual premiership winning coach Troy Crossley. The drums are beating that Burleigh have recruited the lights out and a name to watch may be Levi Kalms from the Geelong FL. Word also has it quality midfielder Paul Branchflower is as fit as ever which spells danger for the Blues. Cooly will again be led by Scott Lawton and their recruiting has been sound as well. They have some wonderful youth in Ben Dovey and Elliott Bath and really need their second and third year players to step up. Hopefully with the season proper beginning and continuity in playing the Blues can pull a competitive squad together and climb up the PHC ladder
Aspley v Mayne
2007 was a moving year for the Hornets going from wooden spoon to Preliminary Final. The improvement can continue through the quality of Evans, Mugavin, Ward, Hamilton and Cooper and they will be joined by the evergreen Stackelberg brothers and big Dan Gaunt. Tommy Marshall has crossed from Mt Gravatt and the former Ferny Grove junior should win plenty of the ball at Aspley. The Tigers have been active off season and take good pre season form into this encounter. Mitch Ferguson heads the Mayne coaching staff again and he will be looking to new recruits plus proven performers in the Housego brothers to link up with quality tall Caleb Brown who returns after a brief stint at Redland
Last Modified on 28/03/2008 14:15