PLACE PREVIEW - EARLY SEASON TEST FOR SHERWOOD
Andrew Thomson
Sherwood will get an early season test of their premiership credentials when the Magpies travel down the M1 to Salk Oval to take on bitter rivals Palm Beach-Currumbin in Round 2 QAFL action on Saturday.
There is no love lost between the old Pineapple Hotel Cup rivals who played some memorable finals matches and Grand Finals, with the Pies having a 2-1 Grand Final advantage from those years, and no doubt for the modern Magpie, the Lions are the arch rivals.
PBC have been the strongest club for the past 5 years in the QAFL and after they easily defeated last year's Premiers in Surfers Paradise last week will provide the Pies with a good guide where they sit in the QAFL pecking order.
The Sherwood selectors have made three changes to the side which made a powerful statement with a seven goal victory last weekend. In comes Samson Ryan to the ruck to replace Trystan Juffs-King, while Jayden Gallagher and Jack Austin are promoted from Reserves to cover for the injured Jack Goodall and unavailable Bruce Reville.
The Pies still look strong despite the outs and they look even all over the ground, but have a forward line that is capable of ripping any defence apart. Brodie Lumber and Liam Dawson marked strongly last week and with Claye Beams and Ryan Harwood have two potent ground level players.
Samson Ryan in ruck will allow Aaron Highlands to cover the loss of Jack Goodall at CHB.
Captain David Lewis goes to a wing and Luca Winton, Riley Greene and Erin Wasley-Black form the nucleus of a strong backline This match will give a good formline to who the team to beat is in the race for the QAFL flag in this shortened QAFL season. It shapes as a gripping and high class contest.
QAFL Rd 2: Sherwood v Palm Beach-Currumbin at Salk Oval, Currumbin on Saturday, July 18th at 2 pm
B: Ethan Sivijs - Luca Winton - Brenton Saunders
HB: Erin Wasley-Black - Aaron Highlands - Riley Greene
C: Dan Edwards - Ryan Harwood – David Lewis (Capt)
HF: Claye Beams - Brodie Lumber - Liam Dawson
F: Billy Johnson - Alex Mitchell - Riley Easton
Foll: Samson Ryan - Tom Baulch - Caleb Franks
INT: Drew Mitchell - Will Fletcher - Jack Austin - Jayden Gallagher - Cade Scott
In: Jayden Gallagher, Samson Ryan, Jack Austin
Out: Jack Goodall (inj) Tristan Juffs-King (Reserves), Bruce Reville (unavail)