THIS week in Queensland football saw the commencement of the Alpha Sport Preseason Cup, with teams from each pool competing in their first competitive run-around for the year. AFL Queensland finalised their elite umpiring academy squad, while the AFLW Lions were upset by Collingwood, and the Gold Coast Suns claimed preseason Q-Clash bragging rights in their final JLT Series game. 

Alpha Sport Preseason Cup | Week 1:

The weekend saw round one of the Alpha Sport Preseason knockout competition commence. QFA clubs across Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast competed against each other, separated into three pools. For more information on the fixtures and results, click here.

Pool A Results:

Maroochydore 9.11 (65) defeated Caloundra 6.3 (39)  
Aspley 7.4 (46) defeated Mayne 6.6 (42)

The Cooparoo and Springwood score has not yet been published, however the fixtures tell us that Cooparoo were victorious and Springwood are knocked out. The game between Yeronga South Brisbane AFC and the University of Queensland AFC is to be played Tuesday night at Leyshon Park Yeronga. This match will conclude round one for Pool A and decide who will play Cooparoo next week.

Pool B Results:

Bond University AFC 6.10 (46) defeated Coolangatta Tweed 4.8 (32)
Coomera 15.4 (94) defeated Victoria Point 6.5 (41)
Burleigh 16.13 (109) defeated Robina 5.5 (35)
Kenmore 6.9 (45) defeated Moreton Bay 1.9 (15)

Pool C Results:

Redcliffe Tigers 8.9 (57) defeated Pine Rivers 6.3 (39)
Alexandra Hills 16.4 (100) defeated Hinterland AFC 1.2 (8)
Kedron 14.15 (99) defeated Griffith Moorooka 1.1 (7)

The results between Ormeau AFC and Beenleigh AFC have also not been published, but Beenleigh came out with the win.

2018 AFL Queensland Umpiring Academy Squad Finalised

The 2018 AFL Queensland State Field Umpiring Academy squad has been finalised. Umpires were chosen from across the state to begin the trial process in October 2017. The umpires trained hard over both the off-season and pre-season to demonstrate their potential to be elite umpires to Academy Coach Aaron Hall. The academy umpires worked alongside NEAFL and QAFL umpires to develop their skills and fitness.

2018 SEQ Elite Umpiring Academy Squad:

Mitchell Blashak
Jonathan Angus
Jake Webb
Ollie Pye
Josh Moore
James Moonie
Matthew Stewart
Ryan Villalba
Sam Whetton
Jacob Servers
Mason Wilson

AFLW Round 6 | Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood Magpies

Conditions at the Moreton Bay Sports Complex Burpengary were blustery and wet. Collingwood entered this match against the Brisbane Lions on the bottom of the AFLW ladder. By the end of the first quarter, they had four goals on the board and were already rolling towards their second victory of the season. The Lions still managed to post two goals in the first quarter, with Sabrina Frederick-Traub marking strongly to hit back for the home side and Nat Exon snapping from the goal square.

The scoring dried up in the second quarter as conditions degenerated. By half-time the Lions pulled ahead in key statistical areas; being contested possessions and inside 50s.

The Magpies struck first after the main break when Jasmine Garner’s hard running was rewarded. Garner was the last on a chain of possessions and running football to extend the Magpies lead to 16 points. Kaitlyn Ashmore and Sophie Conway missed goal scoring chances for the Lions in 3rd quarter.  Meg Hutchins kicked the last goal of the 3rd quarter for the Magpies, converting a tremendous set shot from close to the boundary. It left the margin a near-unassailable 23 points at the last change.

The Lions did come home with a wet sail kicking three goals to two in the last, but it was too little too late. The Magpies ran out 14-point winners, catapulting them to 6th spot on the ladder, only one game behind the Lions who slipped to fourth. With only one game left in the regular season, the Lions must beat the Greater Western Sydney Giants next Friday night to hold any hope of a top two finish.

Final Scores:

Brisbane Lions 5.9 (39) defeated by Collingwood 8.5 (53)

Goals:
Brisbane Lions: Frederick-Traub Exon Wuetschner Lutkins Ashmore.
Collingwood: Bernardi 3 Hope 3 Garner Hutchins.

Best:
Brisbane Lions: Bates Stanton Frederick-Traub Alexander Anderson.
Collingwood: Garner Molloy Bernardi Duffin King.

JLT Community Series | Brisbane Lions vs. Gold Coast Suns

GOLD Coast has completed a perfect pre-season with a grinding seven-point win over Brisbane at Southport. It was hard to assess much from either team, as the conditions were so difficult, but the attack on the ball from both was fierce and created a good contest. 

After jumping to a 23-point lead early in the second quarter, Gold Coast had to withstand plenty of pressure from an inaccurate Lions outfit. Lewis Taylor kicked a goal after a fortuitous pass from Nick Robertson, and when Jarrod Berry converted from close range after Aaron Hall gave away a 50m penalty, Brisbane was back in it.

As the game progressed, it was clear that Brisbane’s inaccuracy would be their Achilles heel. This was highlighted by the fact the Lions had more scoring shots (22-14), more inside 50s (60-48), and more disposals (381-345), but could not capitalise. After halftime the Suns kicked more accurately in front of goal (3.1) to the Lions (2.11). A positive for the Lions was the performance of Luke Hodge, who played the ‘general’ role in defence with 16 disposals.

Next up the Lions will travel to Melbourne to face St Kilda for the opening round of the season on Saturday March 24.

Final Scores:

Gold Coast Suns 7.7 (49) defeated Brisbane Lions 4.18 (42)

Goals:
Gold Coast: Lynch, Macpherson, Miller, Young, Sexton, Hall, Ainsworth.
Brisbane: Taylor, Berry, Robertson, Zorko.

Best:
Gold Coast: Lyons, Witts, Weller, Hall, Swallow, Fiorini.
Brisbane: Zorko, Berry, Bell, Taylor, Rich, Hodge.