Palm Beach-Currumbin ended the regular season on top of the ladder and have to contend with a Gold Coast rival in form while Redland Victoria-Point will be hosting a team determined to defend their title. A fascinating day awaits to see who will be in the ‘big dance’ next week.

PALM BEACH-CURRUMBIN v SURFERS PARADISE SATURDAY 2PM STALAGMITE OVAL    

There appears little between these teams in two previous meetings this season and heading into this decider it stands at one win apiece. They only met recently in round 16 at Benowa and following a dynamic start, Surfers withstood a third quarter charge by PBC to hang on by 19 points.

The Demons had eight goals on the board by half-time before the Lions woke up and after a rev up, slammed on seven goals after the break to be within seven points at the last change. A goal each early in the final quarter before the home team broke way with two goals in time-on to earn the victory and was instrumental in Surfers finishing in the top four.

The previous meeting at Palm Beach in round 10 was one of the most entertaining games for the year in QAFL. Surfers managed eight goals again in the first half but PBC were only one goal behind them. As a forewarning to round 16 the Lions piled on nine goals in the third quarter which went almost 40 minutes including four of the last five from the 27-minute mark! At least the Demons managed four themselves. 

PBC appeared in control most of the final term and led by 26 points but three quick goals to Surfers gave them hope until Lions spearhead Levi Casboult kicked the sealer. Which brings to light a couple of fascinating points which may or may not determine the outcome of this clash.

Casboult and fellow forward Cory Beaman have kicked 16 goals between them in those games, conversely the Demons have shared their goals around with 11 individual goalkickers in round 10 and nine in round 16 – so they can find various scoring avenues. 

So which team will have the best defensive structure to prevent those scoring opportunities? Surfers learnt a lesson against RVP two weeks ago and their backline was impressive last week against Labrador. Can they repeat that effort in keeping Casboult, Beaman and Sam Cilmi quiet enough?

The key for the Lions this year has been their midfield. The ability of Tom Simpson, Harry Benson, Rhys King and co to pepper the forward 50 has been one of the main factors in being the minor premiers and they know how to score themselves.

It has been well documented how effective the Demons midfield has been in their own right. Ben Woodburn leads the competition in disposals and was man of the match last weekend with teammate Matt Doran not far behind him. Hugh Greenwood was a welcome return last week and Cam Ellis-Yolmen is an imposing proposition who can go forward and kick goals when required.

Surfers may be able to find an edge in the ruck with experienced Zac Smith going up against young Jonah Harris for PBC – with Dylan Adkins serving a 1-match suspension. 

Surfers suffered a hiccup two weeks ago but are out to prove that second half fade out was an aberration – but beware the third quarter based on previous meetings with this outfit.

Palm Beach-Currumbin fully deserved the minor premiership, will appreciate the home ground advantage and no doubt spiritual support from above to spur them on.

REDLAND-VICTORIA POINT v MORNINGSIDE 2PM TOTALLY WORKWEAR PARK

Another fascinating clash here with a rematch of last year’s Grand Final where Morningside clinched the premiership by five points and are still on target to defend the title while RVP will be out to avenge that defeat.

They were due to meet in round one but Cyclone Alfred put an end to that and both accepted the two points. Like the above clash, these two met only recently in round 18 at this venue and the Sharks devoured the Panthers by 47 points. 

There was one major difference between the 2024 grand final and the round 18 meeting and the answer is simple – Matt Hammelmann. Not that a team relies on just one player but he did kick nine goals & five behinds in round 18 this year! This included three goals inside ten minutes in the final quarter on the way to claiming the Ray Hughson Medal for the leading goalkicker and after the semi-final his tally sits at 97.

Redland Victoria-Point finished full of momentum to storm over Surfers Paradise two weeks ago and that will provide the necessary confidence for this contest. Morningside will no doubt have a game plan to try to quell the big forward this time round, and counter his influence.

Next best on the Sharks goal kicking list is Joshua Brown (27), from Clay Cameron (17), Cooper Pell (14) and as he showed two weeks ago Matthew Hambleton can kick a goal at the right time too. 

It all starts in the middle for the Sharks with ruckman Craig Malone who has amassed 661 hit outs so far feeding his midfielders and playmakers with plenty of the ball. Some credit to his support act Jarrod Huddy who has stepped in when needed especially when Malone was injured at Labrador earlier this season and helps picks up the slack around the ground.

Some of those playmakers to watch out for include Scott Miller, Ethan Petterwood, Jake Chapman and Mitch Stallard. While Dylan Smith & Charlton Offermans joined Hammelman and Cameron in the Queensland State win over Tassie earlier this year. Campbell Aston will be sorely missed with injury.

Morningside’s key forwards are Matthew Waters and Darcy Cameron-Reeves with 35 and 25 goals respectively while Keegan Downie and Preston Cockatoo-Collins know their way around the goal square.

The Panthers midfield like to go forward and are capable of scoring as well with the likes of Tristan Hobley (473 disposals) Tom Bennetts, Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds and Cam Lovig. Jack Rolls (435 disposals) missed last week nursing a calf injury and looks resigned to the same feat again this week.

Brad Hodge will do the heavy lifting in the ruck and will have to help curb the Malone and Huddy influence around the ground while Waters does his share on the forward line.

The Panthers would be hoping they learnt a lot from their recent meeting but the Sharks despite a surprise loss to Aspley earlier in the season are always hard to beat at home (though that home fixture was played at Everleigh!). An intriguing battle ahead to see which team will feature next Saturday.