Double take on victory
LABRADOR have emerged with a “double win” from a bizarre Queensland Australian Football League Coast derby against Palm Beach-Currumbin.
The Tigers survived a Salk Over handicap to claim the four competition points after a rare headcount when they inadvertently had 19 players on the ground for the start of the third quarter on Saturday.
Such a breach usually results in a team having their score at the time automatically wiped but AFL Queensland, which oversees all QAFL matches, will look into the matter today.
Until they do, the final scoreline of 15.13 (103) to 8.7 (55) remains.
That will not matter to Labrador because they “won’’ the second half by 9.8 to 3.3 after thinking they had been stripped of 41 points – it will be only percentages and individual statistics such as goalkicking that will be affected should the Tigers’ halftime score of 6.5 be scrapped.
The confusing thing is whether the umpires had signalled for play to restart in the third quarter when PBC asked for the count.
Video footage of this will be vital at today’s investigation.
Labrador football manager Luke Black said he did not know what was going on until told that the halftime score had been wiped subject to a AFLQ review.
QAFL competitions manager Chris Davis said a proper investigation will be made this morning.
“The umpires have referred the matter to us and we’ll have a proper investigation,” Davis said.
The confusion certainly did not overshadow a clear concern for PBC, that of being kicked firmly in the backside by last year’s grand final conquerors.
“We had a good first half and there were only two goals in it,” disappointed PBC coach Chad Owens said.
“But the final result shows just how far off Labrador we are.”
Broadbeach’s hold on third spot on standings is under fire after they crashed to Surfers Paradise in their derby at Sir Bruce Small Park.
The inaccurate Cats lost to the underrated Demons by 12.11 (83) to 9.16 (70), a result that allowed Western Magpies and Morningside to creep to within two points of third.
Big Dan Green again emphasises his extreme value to Surfers with six goals up front and Jack Taylor was named best-onground.
Darcy Dienjes and Evan Panozza were best for Broadbeach.