PBC steal the show as Cats get careless
THE Broadbeach faithful were baying for blood after a controversial conclusion to a thrilling QAFL qualifying final against Palm Beach-Currumbin.
But while two contentious umpiring decisions left some Cats supporters, players and officials fuming, coach Brett Andrews attributed much of the blame to his players for throwing away victory at Salk Oval.
PBC won 15.13 (103) to 13.14 (92) after trailing the Cats until the dying stages when two decisions hurt the visitors. The first came for holding the ball, a touch-andgo call beside the behind post by the man in lime green.
The second was immediately after for a language call at centre half-forward before the ball had been bounced for the restart.
Teenager Jake Burrows converted the first free kick to give PBC the lead deep into added time, then Josh Woolley goaled after a 50m penalty.
Going against the grain of a general Cats’ opinion that they were robbed, Andrews said the decisions did have a say in the result but the players had only themselves to blame.
“I’m flabbergasted. I cannot believe how you can throw away a final like that and it was all poor discipline,” Andrews said.
“Punching guys in the guts and telling umpires to get (expletive deleted).
“Yes, that umpiring decision was a tough call but I’ve never seen a side give it up like that after working their backsides off.
“We lost it, they (Palm Beach) didn’t win it.
“Obviously, the decision in the last quarter was poor and it cost a goal at a crucial time but you don’t give away two goals through lack of discipline when you’re 10 points up in the last quarter in a semi-final.
“Probably we cracked under pressure.”
In the opposition sheds the mood was evident – that of sheer relief.
“We used our get out of jail for free card, that’s for sure,” PBC coach Chad Owens said.
Owens agreed the late holding the ball call was questionable, particularly because the umpires had let similar decisions go unpenalised all match.
“But the composure by our bloke (Jake Burrows) to finish off the goal was outstanding for an 18-year-old in his first final,” Owens said.
Despite the mixed emotions, the rival coaches were united in their praise of blond Broadbeach rising star Connor Nutting who was outstanding across the forward lines.
Nutting, a Broadbeach junior who can take a grab and has pace, kicked four goals but unfortunately missed two absolute sitters in the third quarter.
“Can’t he play,” Andrews said of the Gold Coast Suns academy member. “He’ll get drafted this year.”
Broadbeach play Morningside in the first semi-final next weekend with PBC to meet Labrador in the second semi-final.