Spray from coach ignites spluttering Demons
SOME halftime home truths helped seal a win for Surfers Paradise, who are guaranteed a place in the top two beyond their upcoming bye.
The Demons overcame a second-term fightback and inaccurate goal kicking to beat Sandgate 15.18 (108) to 12.2 (74) at Lemke Road on Saturday.
It gives Surfers Paradise a 5-1 start to the season and an eight-point buffer over third and fourth-placed Morning Surfers side and Broadbeach leading into their bye this week.
“It was a solid win. We had to work really hard for it,” coach Brad Moore said. “Sandgate were really good all day and they never went away which is a credit to them. They are a young side and enthusiastic. If anyone offered me a 5-1 start to our season I would have grabbed it.
“It’s a good position to be in going in to our bye. We are really happy with where the boys are at.”
Paradise sat at 3-3 at the same time last season.
The Demons held a 19point margin at halftime after kicking 9.7, leading Moore to offer some hard criticism.
“We just didn’t make the most of our opportunities in front of goal to stamp our authority,” Moore said.
“They were able to stay with us. There were a lot of things we weren’t happy with.
“We were made to work harder than what we needed to at times. It was a good response at halftime.
I gave a few home truths at halftime and the boys responded well.”
Gage Goldfinch and Daniel Stubbs made their debuts for Surfers Paradise in the win.
Meanwhile, Labrador stay in touch with the top five with a defeat of Wilston Grange 12.11 (83) to 7.14 (56) at Hickey Park on Saturday. Palm Beach Currumbin kept their unbeaten season going, beating the Western Magpies 16.14 (110) to 10.7 (67), while Broadbeach lost to Morningside 17.11 (113) to 9.9 (63).