COAST CHAMPS OFF TO FINALS
THE reigning state champion has taken a step towards winning a second straight AFLQ Schools Cup title while another Gold Coast team has made history by reaching the qualifying finals.
Hillcrest Christian College and Currumbin won the AFLQ Schools Cup
SEQ South primary female and male grand finals respectively on Wednesday at Carrara Saints Australian Rules Club.
They have secured their places at the state finals, which will be played at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex on October 23 and 24 and live streamed at goldcoastbulletin.com.au.
Hillcrest, which won last year’s primary female state title, overcame windy conditions to secure a 0.3 (3) to 0.1 (1) win over Miami State School.
“It was a tough contest,” Hillcrest coach Matthew Lappin said. “Both teams were about the same level
because both teams went undefeated through the day.
“The girls who were out there had a real crack, were tackling really strong and it was a bit windy which made it difficult to finish their work. We only have three girls in our team who play club footy.
“There is not a lot of playing experience. They are a group of girls who are good athletes and wanted to jump in and have a go.”
Seven players from last year’s triumphant Hillcrest
team are in this year’s squad.
In the primary male grand final, it was Currumbin which beat Elanora State School 3.2. (20) to 1.0 (6).
It was a historic moment for Currumbin which has never progressed beyond the SEQ South stage before.
“We have come here for a few years now and it’s become a bit of a tradition of ours for our school,” Currumbin coach Shaun O’Brien said. “We have come close to progressing a couple
of times but we never actually won the day.
“We were a kick away a few years ago so this was fun for the kids at a time when they need some sport.
“Our school has embraced AFL for a few years now. We did some things with the Suns when they first came to the Coast.
“We have also built a culture of it at the school through the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions and that’s helped us.”