Carter Capner Law - QFAW Preliminary Final Preview
Andrew Thomson
After finishing the regular season in 2nd position Sherwood will host 3rd placed Jimboomba on Saturday afternoon in what is shaping up to be a terrific contest.
Last time they played it was an absolute thriller at McCarthy Homes Oval with Sherwood making a 4th quarter comeback to win by the solitary 1 point, courtesy of an Emily Convery behind with only 2 minutes remaining.
Since the return fixture, the Magpies have been in strong form dropping just the one game against ladder leaders Beenleigh, while Jimboomba are also playing quality football and have a very talented playing list including a number of Gold Coast Suns Academy products and are well coached.
Sherwood should go into the fixture with a certain level of confidence fielding a settled, full-strength team bolstered by the return of Jaidyn Eastaughffe and Nikki Hancock.
The versatile Eastaughffe has had an impressive debut season since transitioning from rugby union and is a crucial cog in the team utilising her mobility to provide a fierce contest at ground level as well as giving first use to the midfielders with her tap work. Eastaughffe will be eager to be unleashed after missing last week with a university exam (despite offering to sit the exam in the change rooms and run out as a super sub in the 2nd half to give an insight into her level of dedication).
Hancock has pieced together an ultra-consistent season and her composure will bolster the defensive unit after missing last week with pre-existing family commitments in Mackay.
“The focus doesn’t shift, it’s just another week for the girls to enjoy the game. There is no magic bullet, we train and prepare for a contested, high pressure style of football and think this gives us a reasonable opportunity of doing well regardless of who we are playing,”
“It’s been remarkable to see this team come together, they bring a real hunger to improve and are sincere about playing for each other,” said Coach, Mitchell Merritt.
First bounce - 4:45PM @ McCarthy Homes Oval.
FF: R. Hart, K. Lencz, C. Bulley
HF: T. Potts, J. Stallard
C: J. Carlsen, S. Mahoney, T. Higginson
HB: J. Newton-Smith (VC), T. Sinclair
FB: N. Hancock, E. Convery, C. Markey
Foll: S. Chisholm (C), R. King, J. Eastaughffe
Int: E. Robinson, S. Mobley, T. Peters, L. Archer, J. Power, E. McCrae
E: T. Bougoure, T. Blair, S. Prevolšek