The best in QAFL making a move

AFTER five rounds the QAFL finals run already looks to be a race among eight, with the usual suspects flexing their early-season muscle in the jostle for top six.

Read on for snap reviews from every game in round five.

LABRADOR 13.10-88 DEF. PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN 9.12-66 at CookeMurphy Oval

Palm Beach’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end but the Lions were far from disgraced by one of the premiership fancies.

Labrador jumped out to a three-goal lead at quarter-time and that fast start proved the difference in the end.

Despite the defeat, Palm Beach’s stock probably rose after round five as the Lions proved they can stay with the QAFL’s top sides even away from home.

REDLAND-VICTORIA POINT 24.17-161 DEF. MT GRAVATT 12.7-79

at Totally Workwear Park

The Sharks bounced back from last week’s loss to Broadbeach by beating up on the Vultures at home.

QAFL leading goalkicker Matt Hammelmann returned to form booting seven majors, after being held to just two by the Cats.

Mt Gravatt has had a tough run of fixtures against top six sides in the opening month.

ASPLEY 20.13-133 DEF. MORNINGSIDE 6.6-42

at Graham Road

Good teams beat poor teams by big margins and Aspley did as expected against the Panthers.

Connor Stackelberg booted six goals to keep himself in the leading goalkicker conversation.

We will know more about Aspley’s finals credentials after they hit the road to play Labrador in round six.

WILSTON GRANGE 17.9-111 DEF. MAROOCHYDORE 14.6-90

at Maroochydore Multisports Complex

This was a massive road win for the Gorillas against last season’s runners-up.

A six goals to three opening quarter set the scene for a big Grange upset win.

The Gorillas go on the bye now before winnable games against Sherwood and Surfers Paradise. We could look back on this game in September as one that shaped the top six.

NOOSA 18.14-122 DEF. SHERWOOD 4.9-33

at Noosa Oval

With no disrespect to Sherwood, the Magpies don’t look to be a finals contender this season. But Noosa’s rise from one win in 2021 shows what is possible with a quick turnaround.

The Tigers go on the bye in round six before winnable away trips to Surfers Paradise and Mt Gravatt.

BROADBEACH 24.13-157 DEF. SURFERS PARADISE 4.4-28

at Subaru Oval

In case anyone forgot just how damaging Jordan Moncrieff was, the Cats’ big man booted 10 goals against the Dees.

Few expected Surfers Paradise to be able to match Broadbeach given where the two clubs are at in season 2022, but a 129-point loss is bitterly disappointing after the Dees held themselves well against other top teams.