PBC’s upset could prove bittersweet
PALM Beach-Currumbin’s semi-final win over premiers Labrador could cost their captain Jesse Derrick a place in the QAFL grand final.
Palm Beach-Currumbin put the blowtorch to the Tigers from start to finish on Saturday at Cooke-Murphy Oval to record a 8.12 (60) to 3.3 (21) belief-injecting win into the side that now have the chance to make up for last season’s grand final loss.
In doing so PBC became the first team to beat Labrador this season. The Tigers will now play Broadbeach in the preliminary final this Saturday with the winner to face PBC in the grand final.
“It was a good win and the boys played really well,” PBC coach Chad Owens said.
“We brought a heap of pressure to the game and off the back of that we were able to score which is good.
“We have now beaten every team in the competition this year and that hangs over your head if you haven’t beaten a team.
“Labrador were the only team that have beaten us the last four times we have played them so psychologically it’s really important. “It gives the guys a belief we can beat anyone when we play our best.”
Palm Beach-Currumbin will now sweat on the result of Wednesday’s appeal of captain Jesse Derrick’s one game ban by Broadbeach.
Derrick has served the suspension but if the club loses the appeal the skipper will definitely be rubbed out for the grand final given the side won’t play this weekend.
“I would imagine common sense will prevail,” Owens said. “We should be having our captain play with us. Saturday’s game was first time he has ever missed a game through injury or anything.”
Palm Beach-Currumbin had to play three games on the way to making last year’s grand final but will get an important week’s break to prepare.
“It gives you a chance to have a rest an and it’s pretty important to be fresh going into the grand final,” Owens said.
“Most grand finals are physical so it will be good to rest the body up.”
Labrador forward and AFL hall of famer Barry Hall kicked two goals for his side in the loss but could face suspension if the video review finds anything untoward from a firstquarter scuffle.
Tigers coach Aaron Shattock said he was “pretty confident” Hall would be available for this weekend’s preliminary final.
Shattock said his side had already moved on from the shocking performance.
“It was a shocker on our behalf,” Shattock said. They played really well and brought more intensity
“They were more desperate really and that’s what the difference was.
“I hope it’s a one off. We will be wiping our hands of it pretty quick and moving on.”